Posts

Rahman Risilia joins MCG Group

/in , /by

MCG Group has appointed Rahman Risilia to the role of Managing Director – MENA of its recruitment brands, MCG& Associates and Kemistry. With 16 years of experience in recruitment across the marketing, digital, communications, IT and sales sectors, Rahman has worked with Mackenzie Jones Middle East as Sales, Marketing, Digital Manager and most recently with Simply Digital ME as Director.  In his new role, he will work alongside the Global CEO of MCG Group, Justin McGuire and take full control of the Dubai office.

“MCG& Associates and Kemistry are reputable and global recruitment agencies and I’m thrilled to be joining at such an exciting and crucial time for the business,” says Rahman. “I am looking forward to working with the talented team and building on what is already an amazing brand, by implementing a proven service delivery model, customer engagement plan and to centre our place as the number one agency within the advertising, marketing and digital space.”

Katch International makes new hire

/in , /by

Dubai-based integrated communications agency, Katch International has appointed Sean Hahessy to the role of Creative Copywriting Specialist. With a degree in English History from University of Limerick and five years of writing and editing experience, Sean has worked with Skydive Dubai as Content Writer and Editor, and most recently with Sahara Real Estate as Learning and Development Manager. In his new role, he will be responsible for writing, editing and curating content across multiple channels for Katch’s portfolio of clients.
“I am delighted to be moving back into a more focused writing and creative role with an expanding team who are just as excited to tackle new challenges and evolve,” says Sean. “There’s a great energy here at Katch and it’s definitely going to be an interesting role dealing with varied clients across sectors.”

Amy Piek is promoted at Bell Pottinger Middle East

/in /by

Bell Pottinger Middle East (BPME) has promoted Amy Piek to the role of Director. Having been with the agency for over three years, Amy was previously Associate Partner and assisted in building the firm’s Financial Communications & Investor Relations practice.

In her new role, she will work alongside fellow Director Tim Falconer (Dubai) and Archie Berens, Managing Director (Middle East) to facilitate in the separation of Bell Pottinger Middle East from the current owner Bell Pottinger Private Limited in the UK, which is to be put into administration.

“This is an extremely exciting opportunity for us.  As an independent and financially secure business with a strong and experienced team in charge of its own destiny, it will now be open to us to consider a whole range of options,” says Archie Berens, Managing Director, BPME, Middle East. “Our company has a long and proud tradition of working in the Middle East and it is now up to us to continue to build on that.  With my fellow directors Tim Falconer and Amy Piek, I cannot wait to get started on the next stage of the journey.  We are especially pleased to have been able to promote Amy, who has thoroughly deserved this and has a key role to play in our future.”

Sasan Saeidi joins J. Walter Thompson

/in /by

Global communications agency, J. Walter Thompson has appointed Sasan Saeidi as the new CEO for the agency’s gulf operations. Having previously worked with FP7 as Managing Director, McCann group in Dubai since 2011, Sasan brings with him 18 years of experience in strategy, account management, business development and has led teams in North America as well as the MENA region across many sectors. In his new role Sasan will be leading the Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar teams on network projects, leading group pitches and driving the agency’s development agenda in the region as well as leveraging best practices and talent performance in the interests of clients and their brands.

“J. Walter Thompson is a pioneering communications agency both globally and locally and I’m truly excited about the work and positive transformation we are going to be doing,” says Sasan. “I look forward to working with some great talent, and ensuring we create a castle of world-class ideas that are responsible, innovative, drive our clients’ businesses and shape culture. Throughout this journey my plan is to help implement a culture that positions the agency as the best “creative consultancy” in the region for brands and businesses, one which will also compete globally.”

Caroline Rowe joins Media One Hotel

/in /by

Media One Hotel has appointed Caroline Rowe as Director of Marketing and Communications. With over 10 years of global marketing strategy experience, Caroline previously worked in Shanghai with Three on the Bund in the Communications department and in New Delhi as a PR consultant for Perfect Relations. In her most recent position with the Taj hotel in Business Bay Dubai she assisted with the opening of the property and worked as a consultant across numerous digital projects in the UAE.

In her new role, Caroline will use her global expertise to assist the Media One team in bringing a fresh, digitally driven approach to its marketing and how the hotel communicates the brand’s message to the region.

Motivate Publishing appoints new Publishing Director

/in , /by

Motivate Publishing has appointed Carlos Pedroza Luna to the role of Publishing Director of its luxury media division starting September 2017. With 18 years of experience in consumer magazines, custom publishing and sales strategies, Carlos previously worked in Mexico as Publishing Director at Editorial Televista in partnership with media company, Hearst, where he worked across several titles including, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and Men’s Health. He most recently worked with Groupo Tourbillon also as Publishing Director in Mexico, where he oversaw the development of Tiempo de Relojes and Gentleman magazines. In his new role, he will oversee the development of Motivate’s luxury brands including Emirates Woman, Emirates Man and Jumeirah Magazine as well as new projects to be launched within the sector.

“I’m thrilled with this great opportunity to be part of the Motivate’s team managing its luxury portfolio,” says Carlos. “Being part of Emirates Woman, Emirates Man and Jumeirah Magazine, some of the most recognised titles in the region, it’s an honour. I strongly believe that I will work with a very experienced and professional team and together we will develop new ideas and possibilities to enrich Motivate’s portfolio.”

The MediaVantage makes new appointment

/in , /by

The MediaVantage has appointed Abhilasha Khanna to the role of Digital Solutions Director. With over ten years of experience in digital sales, Abhilasha previously worked with Clique Media as Agency Business Manager and most recently with Arabian Business and ITP Live, part of ITP Media Group as Senior Sales Manager. Abhilasha will be responsible for multiple international brands and will oversee the digital sales activities for The MediaVantage as well as work towards reaching new heights in digital capabilities and expertise.

“With the continued rapid growth in digital, I am ecstatic about spearheading and working alongside a team of ambitious, energetic and talented individuals as well as being a part of the most preferred partner in the Middle East for media representation,” says Abhilasha.

New Deputy Editor at Design Middle East

/in , /by

Design Middle East, part of BNC Publishing has appointed Roma Arora to the role of Deputy Editor. Roma most recently worked as Associate Editor for Clean Middle East, a publication by Media Fusion Group and will now take on her new role at Design Middle East, where she will be responsible for the planning and creation of editorial content for the magazine’s print issue and website as well as its social media platforms.

“Design Middle East is a fabulous product and I feel proud to be a part of it,” says Roma. “I firmly believe that effort is important but knowing where to make an effort makes all the difference – which is why we are so busy putting all the efforts in the right direction.”

WhatsOn.ae takes on new Online Reporter

/in , /by

WhatsOn.ae, part of Motivate Publishing has appointed Alice Holtham to the role of Online Reporter. A graduate of London College of Fashion with a degree in Fashion Journalism, Alice most recently worked with 4-Front Facilities Management, where she worked on PR and across F&B brands such as The Scene, Jekyll & Hyde and Mr. Miyagi. In her new role, she will join the What’s On Dubai team and be responsible for reporting on an array of Dubai news for WhatsOn.ae as well as be a key point of contact going forward for restaurant and nightlife happenings across the city. She will also work alongside the WhatsOn.ae Features Editor, Deputy Editor and Head of Editorial Content to curate weekly features as well as contribute to the creation of new content on the site.

“I’m so pleased to be joining the What’s On digital team at such an exciting time for the site,” says Alice. “It’s a fantastic team and I’m really looking forward to delivering cutting-edge content and reporting on the ever-evolving Dubai landscape.”

balcony8 appoints new Senior PR Manager

/in , /by

Dubai-based integrated communications agency, balcony8 has appointed Ellis Nicholls to the role of Senior PR Manager. Ellis brings with her over seven years of experience in PR and communications, having worked with several regional and global brands including Tory Burch, TRYANO and Six Senses Zighy Bay. In her new role, she will focus on new business and the expansion of balcony8’s PR department as well as managing the agency’s current portfolio of clients.

“I am thrilled Ellis has joined balcony8 to further amplify our integrated communications solution,” says Ursula Winzel, Founder and CEO, balcony8. “Ellis brings equal parts of sass and strategy to our PR division, in a dynamic and challenging economy where clients are looking for robust results.”