Posts

Surena Chande to leave Hospitality Business Middle East

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Former Deputy Editor of Hospitality Business Middle East Surena Chande has made the move to freelance journalism and blogging. With over three years of experience, Surena has worked on publications including Ahlan!, Cosmopolitan Middle East, Good Taste, La Femme and BBC Good Food Middle East. She will now be working on digital media and print for both consumer and trade publications, as well as blogging on lifestyle, fashion, beauty and travel at www.surenasays.com.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CPI Media Group on great publications,” says Surena. “However, I’m now looking forward to diversifying across a selection of titles and brands, both in the region and internationally, as well as focussing on my blog that has been somewhat neglected while working full-time.”

 

Annie Turnell joins Four Seasons

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The Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island has welcomed Annie Turnell to the role of PR Manager, ahead of the property’s opening in May, 2016. Previously a Senior Account Manager at Toh PR, Annie has over two years of experience in PR with a specific focus on luxury lifestyle, hospitality and tourism accounts. In her new role, she will work on all PR and marketing activity for the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island to increase awareness of the hotel both before and after its launch.

POPSUGAR appoints new Senior Writer

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Leah Simpson has joined POPSUGAR Middle East as Senior Writer. Previously Digital Editor for Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Publishing, Leah has international experience across the digital sector having also worked as Online News Editor for Hello! Magazine in the UK and a Showbiz Reporter for the Daily Mail in the U.S. In her new role, Leah will be developing news, features and in-depth stories across all subjects on the site including entertainment, fashion, beauty, fitness, and other lifestyle content.

“I’ve been a fan of the POPSUGAR brand for many years now, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a member of the team bringing the world’s largest women’s lifestyle website to the Middle East,” says Leah.

 

Brunswick Group promotes 16 Partners globally

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The Brunswick Group has promoted 16 Directors to Partners across the firm globally. Partners were selected following an extensive and thorough process and include Annalisa Barbagallo in Brussels, Katie Loanilli in London and Will Anderson MBE in Abu Dhabi, who has spent a total of six years with the Brunswick Group and will continue to focus on the telecoms and businesses operating across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

“The challenges our clients face are increasingly complex and require a broad range of expertise to help navigate them,” says Susan Gilchrist, Group CEO, Brunswick Group. “I am therefore delighted by the calibre and diverse experience of colleagues we are inviting to join the Partnership this year. The group includes a real cross-section of our specialist offers, sector expertise and international network, further strengthening our ability to help clients address their critical issues. Along with our recent senior hires, I know they will make a strong contribution to the continued development of the firm.”

Edelman DABO welcomes Account Director

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Edelman DABO has welcomed Daniel Mercado to the role of Account Director. Previously an Associate Account Director at Ogilvy Public Relations, where he was responsible for driving corporate, technology and consumer PR campaigns across the MEA region, Daniel has over eight years of PR and Marketing experience. As Account Director, he will focus on delivering integrated communication marketing campaigns to strengthen reputations and drive consumer loyalty. Daniel’s work will centre around Edelman DABO’s expanding corporate practice and his responsibilities will include providing senior counsel to agency clients, bringing new services to market, growing the agency’s talent base and spurring business development across the GCC.

Fatema Al Khateeb promoted at Brunswick

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The Brunswick Group has promoted Fatema Al Khateeb to the role of Account Director, Corporate Communications. Formerly a Corporate Communications Executive for the company, Fatema has over four years of experience with both corporate and international communications agencies, as well as a Masters degree in Strategic Communications from Zayed University. In her new role, she will work to build, promote and protect brand reputations through creative storytelling as well as integrated campaigns and stakeholder engagements.

FRHI welcomes Vice President of Sales and Marketing

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FRHI Hotels and Resorts has appointed Bastien Blanc to the role of Vice President, Sales and Marketing for the Middle East, Africa and India. Previously, Bastien worked as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Development, Russia and CIS for Interstate Hotels and he brings over 25 years of operational, sales, marketing and food and beverage experience to his new role. He will now be responsible for the sales and marketing operations for 19 hotels in the region and will oversee the development and implementation of strategies, plans and budgets for new and transitional Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel properties in the region.

“Given this exciting chapter in FRHI’s history, Bastien joins us at an opportune time as we continue to grow within the luxury market and double our regional footprint over the next five years,” says Sami Nasser, Senior Vice President of Operations, FRHI Hotels and Resorts. “Bastien will also be positioned to help drive our company’s strategic vision forward, reinforce our brand presence and to lead our sales and marketing teams to performance success.”

GN Publishing welcomes Kerri Bennett

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GN Publishing has welcomed Kerri Bennett to the role of Art Editor. Having previously worked in London for companies such as EMAP and Northern and Shell, Kerri has been in the UAE for 6 years where she has worked at ITP Publishing, NPI Media and, most recently, Motivate Publishing as Art Editor across various publications. In her new role, Kerri will be working on GN Publishing’s Contract Publishing division, as well as launching new fashion titles CitizenK Arabia and CitizenK Homme Arabia.

“It’s great to be part of a growing, successful company that invests in people,” says Kerri. “I’m excited for the future and the new projects I’ll be working on within the Contract Publishing division.”

 

CitizenK appoints Editor-in-Chief

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GN Publishing has welcomed Esther Quek to the role of Editor-in-Chief for new, luxury fashion titles CitizenK Arabia and CitizenK Homme. With over ten years of media experience across the UAE, Asia and Australia, Esther will be leaving her role as Group Fashion Director at APP Gulf – where she has worked on The Rake, Revolution, Conde Nast Traveller, Stylist Arabia and the Hello! Group – to join GN Publishing. In her new role, she will be overseeing both print publications which are due to be launched later this month.

“It is my utmost honour to work with the visionary founder, Kappauf, together with his Paris team to launch CitizenK Arabia,” says Esther. “This exciting international brand will take our region’s talents to greater heights as together we create the most cutting-edge fashion and lifestyle publication in the Middle East.”

Kappauf, Founder, Editorial Director and Creative Director, CitizenK, adds “Esther’s reputation for cutting edge fashion and her role in the region’s style evolution, is one that we are happy to see on the future pages of CitizenK Arabia.”

JPd appoints new PR Director

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JPd has welcomed Anastasiya Golovatenko to the role of Account Director. Anastasiya joins the Dubai-based branding and creative design agency to streamline the firm’s communications, as well as support clients in providing effective communication and digital solutions as part of integrated services. She brings over nine years of PR experience to her new role, having most recently worked as an Account Manager at Spread Communications and has a Master’s degree in Communications and Analytics from the Institute of International Relations in Ukraine.

“It’s an important phase for the agency to be able to provide our clients a solution that can take their brand to new heights of awareness,” says James Pass, Managing Director and Creative Principle, JPd. “The addition of Anastasiya will strengthen our team and we are delighted to welcome her on board. She brings with her vast PR experience, which will be a valuable addition to the branding services we offer and help us interact with our key audience better.”

Anastasiya adds “JPd is a passionate, friendly and energetic team of professionals. It’s very exciting to join an agency that helps people transform their dreams into successful businesses.”