Posts

New appointment at LinkedIn

/in , /by

Following the recent launch of its new features, Matched Audiences and Lead Gen Forms, LinkedIn has appointed Ziad Rahhal to the role of Head of Marketing Solutions, MENA. Ziad joins the professional network with over ten years of experience in the sales and marketing industry, having previously worked with Nimbuzz B.V as Managing Director, MENA, where he oversaw the launch of several digital advertising solutions across the region. In his new role, he will develop strategies for the growth of LinkedIn’s new products, which will enhance audience targeting, as well as oversee the progress of their existing features across the MENA region.

“With the recent announcement of the 500 million milestone globally, it really couldn’t be a better time to join LinkedIn and I am excited to be a part of the team,” says Ziad. “In the complex world of B2B buying, we are looking to help brands not only engage with professionals, but drive and convert leads – and it’s exciting to join a platform leading in this field.”

Alexandra Venison joins Vogue Arabia

/in , /by

Following the appointment of Manuel Arnaut as Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Arabia, the title has welcomed Alexandra Venison to the editorial team as Beauty Editor. Having worked across fashion and beauty titles including Emirates Woman at Motivate Publishing and VIVA and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia at ITP Media Group, Alexandra will head up all beauty content in her new role.

New Editor at Petrolhead Arabia

/in , /by

Online automotive magazine, Petrolhead Arabia has appointed Ahmad Al-Nashash to the role of Editor. With over five years of experience in the automotive media and PR industry, Ahmad previously worked with various online platforms catering to the automotive industry including YallaMotor.com, AutoMiddleEast.com and most recently with DriveArabia.com. In his new role, he will be responsible for writing engaging automotive articles and covering all the key happenings in the industry across the UAE.

“As someone that has racing fuel running through his veins, I am confident there is so much we can do as a team to take Petrolhead Arabia to new heights, especially with such a creative team,” says Ahmad.

Thomson Reuters promotes Shane McGinley

/in , /by

Thomson Reuters has promoted Shane McGinley to the role of Head of Editorial Content. Having joined Zawya in 2016 as Web Editor, Shane previously worked with 7DAYS as Business Reporter and most recently with Arabian Business, a publication of ITP Media Group, as Executive Editor. In his new role, he will oversee and develop content for a wide range of digital properties within the Emerging Business department and work across its regional websites, including Zawya.com, Salaam Gateway, My Salaam, Thomson Reuters Projects and Accelerate SME.

Darine El-Khatib joins Turner International

/in , /by

Turner International Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT) has appointed Darine El-Khatib to the role of Senior Director of Creative Strategy and Brand Development. With extensive experience in the creative and media sector, Darine previously worked with Takhayal Entertainment, later acquired by Discovery Networks in 2012, were she held several positions including, Head of Productions and Creativity Services, Head of Channel for Fatafeat TV and most recently Channel Director for MENA. In her new role, she will oversee the programming, creative and marketing activities for the MENAT region and report to Tarek Mounir, Vice President and General Manager of Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus as well as work on developing new services and products to further expand Turner’s scope and competitiveness. She will also lead the content and brand teams and be responsible for developing editorial strategy, as well as driving relationships with partners.

“We were very impressed with Darine’s comprehensive understanding of the industry and rich portfolio of experience,” says Tarek Mounir, Vice President and General Manager Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Greece and Cyprus. “Her appointment as Senior Director of Creative Strategy and Brand Development is a great asset to Turner and we are confident that, with her great repertoire of professional endeavors, she will be a driving force for our company.”

M&C Saatchi PR expands into the UAE

/in , /by

Public relations agency, M&C Saatchi PR, part of M&C Saatchi has opened its UAE offices as a part of its expansion plan into the region. The new PR division will increase M&C Saatchi’s existing businesses in the UAE and offer clients across the region a range of fully integrated creative communications services. The new launch will also see the appointment of Amy Brill to the role of Head of PR, having worked with clients such as Hilton, Kimberly Clark and Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism, Amy brings with her a solid background in brand and multi-markets. In her new role, she will head all PR operations at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices reporting to the Global CEO at M&C Saatchi PR, Molly Aldridge, as well as drive new business growth and ensure the delivery of quality and creative work.

“M&C Saatchi PR is a close-knit, yet truly global agency with expertise in delivering some of the industry’s best campaigns for the world’s top brands,” says Amy Brill, Head of PR, M&C Saatchi PR, UAE. “I look forward to bringing the same passion and energy that the global M&C Saatchi PR family is known for to this dynamic and fast-moving market. Watch this space!”

Publicis Media makes new promotion

/in , /by

Publicis Media Middle East, part of Publicis Group has promoted Amer El Hajj to the role of Chief Investment Officer. With experience in the region’s marketing and media industry, Amer previously worked with Starcom MediaVest as Media Manager before joining Publicis in 2004 as Regional Buying Director and most recently holding the position of Executive Vice President of group trading and Commercial Managing Director. In his new role, he will oversee and continue to work on developing strategic decisions to guide Publicis’ portfolio of trading and investment operations across the region.

“Amer’s proven track record for successfully leading large scale initiatives, supporting all markets’ commercial requirements and pushing profitability as the number one priority, has quickly earned him the respect and admiration by colleagues, clients and partners alike,” says Alex Saber, Chairman, Publicis Media Middle East.

House of Comms appoints Arabic Media Consultant

/in , /by

Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Mohammed AlSayed to the role of Arabic Media Consultant. Born in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed has experience in the region’s media and PR industry having worked with corporate and consumer clients across the GCC. In his new role, he will join the Arabic team and work across House of Comms’ portfolio of Arabic-focused clients as well as oversee Arabic content for the agency’s media activities across the region.

“My move to Dubai was a very strategic one as I was looking to bring my regional expertise to the UAE and work for an agency with a diverse portfolio that would enable me to bring my wide range of experience to life,” says Mohammed. “Joining House of Comms has given me the opportunity to work with some of my dream clients, while focusing on my role as Arabic Media Consultant for the region.”

Major leadership changes at Edelman DABO

/in , /by

Communications and marketing firm, Edelman DABO has undergone major leadership changes in the region following mass layoffs earlier this year. Camilla and Lucy d’Abo, founders of Dabo & Co, which in 2015 was acquired by Edelman and rebranded as Edelman DABO, will step down from their current roles and leave the agency. After seven years of working with the brand, Managing Director, Jason Leavy will also depart Edelman DABO to pursue new opportunities in the PR and publishing industry.

The new management transition will see Jason Galucci, previously CEO at Lexis UK take on the role of Managing Director, Brand at Edelman UAE. In his new role, he will oversee the combined Edelman DABO team and its operations across the country.

Alex Apthorpe will also be joining the agency’s new management team to take on the role of Director of Brand Experience and Creative for Edelman DABO. Previously Senior Vice President and Joint Managing Director for Jack Morton Worldwide – Middle East, in his new role, Alex will oversee the experiential team reporting to Galucci.

Dan Cotter joins MCG Associates

/in , /by

Digital and creative recruitment agency, MCG Associates has welcomed Dan Cotter to the role of Associate Director. With a diverse experience in the media and public relations industry, Dan previously worked with Sky Sports as Producer, at BBC as a Journalist and most recently with TOH PR as Group Account Director. In his new role, he will look after the public relations desk specialising in the recruitment of agency and client-side communication professionals.

‘I’m very excited to join MCG Associates – as I love working with creative, ambitious people who demand a challenge,” says Dan. “The communications sector is a dynamic industry with highly intelligent, driven people. MCG Associates has a great reputation in the industry and when I decided to make the move, they were top of my list of companies to work for.”