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Jad Chababi promoted at J3

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J3, part of UM MENA has promoted Jad Chababi to the role of General Manager of Africa, Middle East and Turkey (AMET). Having joined J3 in 2014, Jad most recently held the role of Regional Business Director, where he worked on the strategic and tactical development of the Johnson & Johnson brand across the region. In his new role, he will lead the rollout of the J3 partnership in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey to drive business across the region and help the creation of a solid organisational structure in all markets. He will also focus on upgrading the product offering across the region to ensure performance consistency while maintaining a strong position across the region.

“Jad Chababi has played a pivotal role in our partnership with Johnson & Johnson in the MENA region and we look forward to seeing this being successfully extended in newer markets,” says Joe Nicolas, Regional Managing Director, UM MENAT. “Due to his impeccable business acumen and senior marketing expertise, Jad has successfully provided significant value creation opportunities for Johnson & Johnson, positioning them as a market leader and enhancing our competitive position as an agency in this region.”

Sam Kiley joins CNN

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CNN Abu Dhabi has welcomed Sam Kiley to the role of Senior International Correspondent. Sam previously worked with BBC, FRONTLINE – part of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and most recently Sky News. In his new role, he will join the international news team and report to the news desk with breaking news from across the region.

“CNN is the world’s most watched news network with an unmatched presence on every major global story,” says Sam. “I have grown up as a journalist alongside CNN teams from Somalia to Sarajevo and Mosul. I have always admired them and am proud to be joining my friends at the network at this exciting and unpredictable, time.”

House of Comms makes new appointment

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Dubai-based integrated marketing agency, House of Comms has appointed Hanan Kasmi to the role of Junior Arabic Assistant. As a recent graduate from the University of Algiers, Hanan holds a bachelors degree in Marketing and in her role, she will be leveraging her Arabic language and media relations skills to support the agency’s integrated divisions with Arabic copywriting, campaigns, social media and events.

“Joining an agency like House of Comms has been my goal since I graduated from university,” says Hanan. “With a growing list of dream clients and a super creative environment, I am motivated to always deliver the best work!”

VICE Arabia launches operations

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Global media brand, VICE Arabia has launched operations across the region. Headquartered in the UAE, vice.com./ar provides a mix of locally and internationally produced video programming, as well as editorial and social content targeted at the region’s youth population.

Islam Alrayyes takes on the role of Editor-in-Chief and brings a wealth of experience in the Middle East media industry, having previously worked as Editor-in-chief at Sport360 and Head of Digital Content at admcsport.com, part of Abu Dhabi Media. In his new role, he will lead the team of writers, editors, directors and producers to launch its digital operations across the region.

VICE Arabia’s Managing Director, Jason Leavy will handle broader operations and comes with over 20 years of media, communications, publishing and marketing experience. Jason most recently worked with Edelman DABO as Managing Director and will now work alongside the editorial, content and commercial teams. He will be responsible for VICE Arabia’s creative and strategic development across all mediums as a part of the brand’s expansion plan across the region.

Reporting to Jason Leavy is Firas Breais – Head of Sales, Ciaran Bonass – Creative Director and Anas Al Hakim – Senior Creative.

Also joining the new team from its UK office is Aws Al-Jezairy who holds the role of Managing Editor, having helped launch VICE News in the UK. Emma Hill is Head of Production, Badar Salem and Wael Mamdouh are Online Editors, Ameer Daou is Social Editor and Majd Abi Ali is Audience Development Manager.

“VICE Arabia will bring together pan-Arab youth and stand out as the platform for them to tell their own stories and talk about what matters to them,” says Islam Alrayyes, Editor-in-Chief, VICE Arabia. “In a region woven in a rich cultural fabric and with increasingly prominent new voices and talent – from innovators to artists – VICE will showcase the work of those making an impact.”

 

Assaad Kassis takes on new role at UM MENA

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UM MENA has appointed Assaad Kassis to the role of General Manager of its Saudi Arabia office. Having joined UM MENA’s Dubai office in 2010, Assaad most recently held the role of Regional Business Director, where he managed brands such as L’Oreal, Hershey’s and The Coca-Cola Company. In his new role, he will focus on growing the local business of UM MENA by augmenting the implementation of their product services for existing client business and simultaneously focusing on new acquisition. He will also work on ensuring UM’s regional client teams have heightened on-ground presence and are consistently plugged in with the local Saudi Arabian market.

“I can’t think of a better candidate than Assaad to lead our Saudi Arabia office at a time where our focus will be to continue strengthening our product line for local partners and expand our operations,” says Joe Nicolas, Regional Managing Director, UM MENA. “This is also an extremely exciting change for our Saudi Arabia office as Assaad has proven to be highly pragmatic and an organisational visionary and he will definitely be taking that with him in his new role.”

SOCIATE welcomes new PR Assistant and Copywriter

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Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, SOCIATE has appointed Nichole Miranda to the role of PR Assistant and Copywriter. Nichole has previously worked with publications such as Gulf News, Diners Club and Read magazine. In her new role, she will work on creating engaging content and assisting the PR team with a variety tasks.

“While I majored in public relations at university, I’ve always played for team journalist and I am looking forward to learning a wealth of new skills at SOCIATE,” says Nichole. “My colleagues are a brilliant bunch who tirelessly make a group effort, every day, to support the company. I’m incredibly excited to be working with this homegrown brand.”

FP7/DXB appoints new Managing Director

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Full service advertising agency, FP7/DXB has appointed Jon Marchant to the role of Managing Director. Jon most recently worked with McCann Central UK, where he held the roles of Managing Director and Board Director. In his new role, he will focus on meeting FP7/DXB’s growth goals as well as building on its reputation for creative solutions and campaigns.

“FP7 are a brilliant and talented bunch who have proved time and again that brave creativity and commercial effectiveness go hand in hand,” says Jon. “I’m super-excited to be leading the charge, as we look to further enhance and evolve the agency’s offering and act as trusted advisors to our impressive array of clients.”

New appointment at Spark*

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Creative and branding agency, Spark* has appointed Nadine Abboud to the role of Director of Client Services. With over 15 years of integrated marketing and communications experience, Nadine has worked across several international and government clients including Mövenpick Hotels, Emirates Airlines and Unilever, where she formulated and executed marketing communication plans. In her new role, she will be responsible for providing the client servicing team with direction and support as well as overseeing campaign execution and working closely with all Spark* clients as their strategic advisor.

“I am delighted to be joining the dynamic team at Spark* – one that lives and breathes communication just as I have done throughout my career,” says Nadine. “Together we aim to have a significant impact by harnessing the power of excellent ideas for the benefit of our clients.”

SOCIATE makes new appointment

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Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, SOCIATE has appointed Tazeen Jafri to the role of PR Executive and Storyscaper. Tazeen previously worked with Matrix PR as Public Relations and Social Media Assistant, and most recently with Catalyst Arts Entertainment as Public Relations and Communications Assistant. In her new role, she will work on evolving traditional storytelling as well as establishing relationships with clients, developing pitches and executing communication plans. She will also focus on creating social media calendars, reports and blogs.

“I believe that PR professionals are born with the role,” says Tazeen. “It takes a certain amount of grit and passion to see the beauty in the chaos that is Public Relations. It’s a great sense of self-fulfillment when you’re a part of a supportive team who are always available to help in lifting the load.”

Sarah Garden joins Harper’s Bazaar Arabia

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Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Sarah Garden to the role of Digital Editor. Having joined ITP Media Group in 2015, Sarah most recently worked with ShortList Dubai and ShortList Abu Dhabi. In her new role, she will be responsible for harpersbazaararabia.com and the associated social media channels, overseeing the brand’s editorial and video content.