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Mohammed Rayes joins Arab News

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Arab News has appointed Mohammed Rayes to the role of Resident Cartoonist. Rayes previously worked with Asharq Al-Awsat, London and more recently Okaz, Saudi Arabia. In his new role, he will be responsible for the all cartoon publication for Arab News on all its print and online media platforms.

“We are extremely pleased to have Mohammed Rayes join us,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “His cartoons truly have the ability to go beyond borders and I’m the creativity of this truly-talented and self-taught Saudi artist will be appreciated by readers of both our print and online editions.”

Emma Farmer joins Custard Communications

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Events agency Custard Communications has appointed Emma Farmer to the role of General Manager. With over ten years of experience in events management, Emma previously worked with Centaur Media, UK as the Events Manager and most recently with Dubai Lynx as the Festival Director. In her new role, she will be joining the agency’s management team to oversee the strategic planning and representation of to meet their clients’ needs across the UAE.

“Strategically, now is the time for us to leverage our reputation and experience in the region to further strengthen our position as an industry leader,” says Nicola Holmes, Co-Founder, Custard Communications. “Emma has a fantastic track record and brings passion, strategic vision and clients’ needs to the heart of everything she does.”

Emma adds “I am very proud to be joining Custard, particularly at such a significant time for the company. I am looking forward to working with the team and driving the company forward.”

Abbi Mullan joins Aziza Communications

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Luxury lifestyle agency Aziza communications has welcomed Abbi Mullan to the role of Senior PR Executive. Abbi will work across a selection of fashion, beauty and F&B brands, including the Victoria’s Secret account and the upcoming KENZOxH&M launch event.

“The Aziza Communications team is ever expanding as we increase our service offerings, and investing in great talent is part of our growth strategy,” says Loubna Elfakri, Account Director, Aziza Communications. “We are thrilled to welcome Abbi to the team – not only is she a great content creator and communicator, but she has a sharp eye for detail and is bursting with ideas.”

TishTash welcomes Asha Yesudas and Sahrish Munir

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TishTash has appointed Asha Yesudas and Sahrish Munir to the role of Junior Account Executives.  Having joined TishTash, where they worked as Interns, Asha is a recent graduate from the American University of Sharjah with a degree in Business Management and Sahrish from Madonna University with a degree in Economics. In their new role, they will be working across beauty and lifestyle clients as well as supporting the Account Managers with media relations, influencer engagements and day-to-day client servicing activities.

“At TishTash, we are big believers of investing in talent,” says Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, Managing Director, TishTash. “We have trained Asha and Sahrish for the last five months and I couldn’t be more proud of their growth and how they have become an integral part of our team.”

Al Arabiya welcomes Sara Hamdan

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Online news station, www.alarabiya.new/English has welcomed Sara Hamdan to the role of weekly Columnist. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, Sara is currently working on a part-time project with Google as well as her blog holidaysinheels.com and previously worked for The New York Times. In her new role, she will be writing one column per week that will be published every Sunday on topics of fashion, food, travel and lifestyle on the Al Arabiya English platform.

Publicis Media ME makes new leadership appointments

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Following the launch of Publicis Media in the Middle East, Alex Saber, Chairman of Publicis Media Middle East and Steve Parker, CEO of Publicis Media Middle East, have made some key leadership appointments. Alain Brahamcha, former Client Managing Director at Starcom, has been appointed the new CEO of Mediavest|Spark, Middle East, where he will continue to work on building strong strategic client partnerships, developing talent as well as introducing and accelerating digital innovation. Former Managing Director of Digital at Starcom Mediavest Group, Ali Nehme will now take on the role of Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Media, Middle East. In this role, Ali will work closely with the Publicis Media leadership group on designing and operationalising the vision of the company. Tarek Daouk, previously Managing Director at Mediavest, has now been appointed to the role of CEO of Starcom, Middle East and Firas El Zein will continue in his role as CEO for Zenith, Middle East.”We have been on a continuous journey of transformation and have built on our talent, which we believe to be the foundation of our business,” says Alex Saber, Chairman of Publicis Media, Middle East. “Together, with our world class practices, we will help our clients, people and business grow and create another chapter of pushing the boundaries in the media agency landscape.”

Gareth Warren joins GN Guides

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GN Guides, part of Gulf News, has promoted Gareth Warren to the role of Editor. Previously Deputy Editor at #GNTECH where he launched the brand, he will now oversee all editorial as well as organise and review content for the Guides section.

“Having launched the #GNTECH brand, I’m definitely going to miss it and I wish the new team there the best of luck, I will always be its biggest fan!” says Gareth. “GN Guides is an exciting challenge as it’s a fairly new section on gulfnews.com. The team is spectacular and I’m looking forward to working with them, taking the brand to the next level and all the fun we’re going to have along the way.”

KBW Investments welcomes Fida Chaaban

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Fida Chaaban has joined KBW Investments as the Group’s Chief Communications Officer. Formerly the Founding Editor-In-Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East, where she worked for over two and a half years, Fida will now work with KBW Investments to oversee all of its marketing communications and digital platforms. She will also be liaising with media and stakeholders on behalf of the Dubai-based portfolio group which was founded in 2013 by HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal.

“I’m really looking forward to my new role with KBW Investments as the Group’s Chief Communications Officer,” says Fida. “My appointment comes as the Group rapidly expands its operations and makes strategic advancements in the MENA region and beyond. I’m hoping to help communicate and articulate the company’s vision as it navigates this exciting new phase of its business. In addition, KBW’s Chairman, HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal has a keen interest in startups both in the Middle East and further afield, hence this new role will allow me to continue to remain closely involved with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, which was a key factor in my decision to join the company.”

Socialize welcomes Sireesha Ventaka

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Socialize has appointed Sireesha Ventaka to the role of Finance Director. With over 13 years of experience, Sireesha most recently worked with Flip Media as the Chief Financial Officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for enhancing corporate governance and overseeing Socialize’s financial operations.

“Sireesha’s experience of supporting another regional digital agency through its growth and life cycle makes her perfect for the job as we transform our business operations and prepare for an exciting 2017,” says Akanksha Goel, Managing Director, Socialize.

Simon Bower joins Socialize

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Socialize has appointed Simon Bower to the role of Media Strategy Director. Previously Digital Director at OMD London, Simon has over seven years of experience in media and will now head Socialize’s media businesses as well as oversee strategies for key regional clients. He will also be working alongside Managing Director Akanksha Goel to evolve the agency’s performance-media offering across the region.

“I’m looking forward to exploring the media dynamics in this exciting, evolving region and bringing my experience to bear at an agency where I can make real-impact to the business.” Says Simon.

Akanksha Goel, Managing Director, Socialize, adds “We are extremely excited to have Simon on the team. His combination of experience with network agencies and mature European markets will help bring a different point of view that drives further growth for our clients. We will be able to leverage his skills across programmatic, data and analytics to provide a comprehensive media offering that further bridges the gap between creative and technology.”