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Verve makes new appointment

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Verve Marketing and Communications has appointed Hunaid Salim to the role of Senior Account Executive. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Communications from Manipal University Dubai, Hunaid most recently worked with Verve as Account Executive where he had to focus fully on hospitality clients such as Le Meridien Dubai, Steigenberger Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton. In his new role, he will continue to develop press coverage strategies as well as digital visibility for clients while researching potential clients and pitching for new businesses.

“Ours is a niche agency, focusing on hospitality and luxury clients,” says Hunaid. “I am grateful for the support of our MD, Shamira Mitha and my team members who have all been a part of my growth in the dynamic PR landscape. I’m excited about the next chapter in my professional journey and look forward to the challenges that my new role will bring!”

Acorn Strategy makes new appointment

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Marketing and communications consultancy, Acorn Strategy has appointed Suzan Safah to the role of Senior Marketing Strategist. With a wealth of experience in strategy development, communications and marketing, Suzan has previously worked for a number of governmental institutions in Abu Dhabi where she was integral to a number of campaigns, brands and events. In her new role, Suzan will support the agency’s clients through insightful strategy, integrated marketing and communications planning.

“I am delighted to join the team at Acorn Strategy and look forward to supporting Acorn’s clients grow their businesses,” says Suzan.

Carat appoints new CEO

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Global media agency, Carat, part of Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Ramzy Abouchacra to the role of CEO, Middle East and North Africa. With almost 20 years of regional experience, Ramzy previously held leadership roles at Starcom MediaVest and most recently at Initiative MENA. In his new role, Ramzy will support clients and be responsible for driving the development of the agency’s operations across all markets.

“I am excited to join Dentsu Aegis Network and lead the next wave of transformation in the region with Carat,” says Ramzy. “My decision to join Carat was driven by their passion, talent and clarity of purpose, which is supported by an integrated operating model that combines data and technology to build innovative media solution. The positivity, entrepreneurial spirit and determination of the agency are clear and immediately attracted me to the role. I am thrilled to be joining the team and hope to build on the agency’s success to date in delivering outstanding work for clients.

Tarek Daouk, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA, continues: “I am delighted that Ramzy is joining Dentsu Aegis Network to lead Carat. He has proven to be a transformative leader who has vast regional experience in building media and digital services. I look forward to working with Ramzy to propel Carat MENA into the next stage of its evolution as we support our clients in using the power of media to transform their businesses’.”

Leo Burnett Dubai makes new appointment

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Leo Burnett Dubai, part of Publicis Groupe has appointed Joëlle Jammal to the role of Deputy Managing Director. With over 25 years of experience in advertising across the MENA region, Joëlle previously worked across brands such as McDonald’s, Bel and Ferrero and most recently worked with Leo Burnett Jordan where she held the role of Managing Director. In her new role, Joëlle will play an integral part in the growth of the agency while also being the key point of contact for senior clients across the organisation.

“I am excited by the new challenge of growing our business and the relationships I have built over the last ten years with the team at Leo Burnett and our clients,” says Joëlle. “We will continue to grow our multi-channel offering to our clients, and ensure a holistic approach to creative across all touch points.”

TBWA/RAAD makes new appointment

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UAE-based creative agency, TBWA/RAAD has promoted Manuel Bordé to the role of Executive Creative Director. With a wealth of experience in the advertising industry, Manuel most recently held the role of Creative Director at the agency. Manuel will be sharing the role with Fouad Abdel Malek, who has been In the role since May 2016. In his new role, he will be focusing on creativity while emphasising on genuine local insights to shape the agency’s new approaches.

“This is something I have known before, in South America where I worked,” says Manuel. “This is a very common practice to have double ECDs leading a team, but it’s only possible when you have agencies that are big enough to have space for two ECDs who can help each other and not overlap each other.”

Omnicom Media Group MENA appoints new MENA CEO

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Global media network, Omnicom Media Group MENA has appointed Nadim Samara to the role of CEO of OMD MENA. With over 17 years within the agency, Nadim most recently held the role of CEO of OMD UAE where he secured local, regional and global accounts while creating new structures and strengthening the agency’s services. In his new role, Nadim will lead a network of 15 offices with over 600 employees and manage more than 200 clients, while driving transformation in the evolving media and marketing landscape to better respond to current and emerging client needs.

“Both the supply and demand side of our business are experiencing challenges that are increasing in frequency, velocity and intensity,” says Nadim. “This puts our clients’ and partners’ business models under significant strain and calls for more dynamic and agile responses. We’ve proactively evolved and our offices across MENA have the talent, the culture, the resources and the leaders to not only provide clients with results-driven solutions but also design the future. By scaling up our expertise in analytics, performance, tech and creativity in both depth and breadth, we will empower all our teams across the network to operate at the highest level.”

TishTash makes new promotion

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Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, TishTash has promoted Marwa Mohamed to the role of Senior Account Executive. With almost two years of experience working within the agency, Marwa worked across clients including The Body Shop, The Organic Pharmacy, Missha and Grown Alchemist. In her new role, she will continue to work across the clients’ portfolio and provide support to generate results.

“Working with TishTash for the past year and a half has been one of the most rewarding experiences, as I had the opportunity to work with reputable brands with the support of a great team,” says Marwa. “I’m excited for the next chapter with the agency and happy to take on more challenges!”

Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, CEO and Founder, TishTash says, “Marwa’s passion for all things beauty always made her the perfect team member for TishTash, which she has gone on to prove time and time again in her time with the agency.   Having worked with Marwa personally on many accounts in the agency, I have always admired her dedication and good work ethic, as well as her passion for the sector and need to research all brands so thoroughly before she starts work on them. She has a fabulous career ahead of her and I’m pleased to see her grow within my team.”

Argaam News welcomes new Editor

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Saudi Arabia-based news portal, Argaam News has appointed Paromita Dey to the role of Editor in the UAE. With over eight years of experience in journalism, Paromita previously worked with Construction Week at ITP Media Group as Reporter and most recently as Editor of Construction Business News at BNC Publishing. In her new role, she will be responsible for all content that gets published on the platform while liaising with freelancers and translators as well as generating exciting story ideas.

“I am really excited to join Argaam as an Editor,” says Paromita. “It’s a completely new challenge for me and I definitely look forward to it. These are exciting times for Saudi Arabia with so much activity happening. And it surely will present me a vibrant opportunity to tap into areas to create something engaging out of it.”

Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) appoints Global Presidents 

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Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) has appointed Richard Millar to the role of Global President. With over 14 years of experience within the agency, Richard most recently held the role of CEO in the agency’s UK branch. H+K will also see the appointment of Lars Erik Grønntun to the role of Global President. Lars most recently held the role of Chairman and CEO. In their new roles, they will work together to accelerate and maximise the global resources and enhance the agency’s strengths while overseeing all operations.

“The new structure enables us to tap into the best talent regardless of geography or practice,” says Richard. “It means that our teams will have access to the latest thinking, strategy and insight to help them shape meaningful and impactful careers and to deliver outstanding creative work. I am excited to be part of this change in partnership with Lars Erik and Jack.”

“I am honoured to have the opportunity to assume this leadership position,” says Lars. “Having led our operation in Europe, Middle East and Africa, I believe that my understanding of local markets together with our international mind-set and reach is transferable to a global stage. I very much look forward to taking a model that has worked very well for us in EMEA and putting it to work at a global scale.”

Weber Shandwick makes structural changes 

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Communications agency, Weber Shandwick has made structural changes to its senior management team. Ghaleb Zeidan has been promoted to the role of UAE Managing Director. With over 16 years of experience in the communications industry, Ghaleb most recently held the role of Managing Director of the agency’s Abu Dhabi office. In his new role, Ghaleb will handle operations for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices while overseeing the agency’s growth in the UAE and MENA region.

Rachel Dunn has been promoted to the role of Deputy Managing Director in the Dubai office. With over 10 years of experience within the agency, Rachel most recently held the role of VP, Client Experience and will lead the Dubai team while helping their clients transform the marcomms landscape.

Weber Shandwick will also see the promotion of Noura Al-Sarraj to the role of Deputy Managing Director for the Abu Dhabi office. With over 14 years of experience in the agency, Noura most recently worked with the agency where she held the role of VP and Head of Social Impact and Consumer. In her new role, she will lead the Abu Dhabi team while assisting to increase the agency’s growth in the MENA region.

“After a very successful tenure leading our Abu Dhabi office, it gives me great pleasure to announce Ghaleb’s promotion to UAE MD,” says Ziad Hasbani, MENA CEO, Weber Shandwick. “Over the last eight years, Ghaleb has achieved great results, and under his leadership our Abu Dhabi office has grown to become one of the leading agencies in the market. Ghaleb has shown himself to be a very capable leader, and as our industry continues to evolve, I have no doubt he will drive our UAE operation and keep us ahead of the market in terms of offering, efficiency and client focus. I’m very happy to see Noura and Rachel taking leadership roles as they have both proved themselves, each in their own way, and I’m confident they will add great value.”