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Ravi Rao is promoted to CEO of Mindshare MENA

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Samir Ayoub has resigned as CEO, Mindshare MENA and has been appointed Delegate of the Board at Mindshare MENA. Current Chief Client Officer, Ravi Rao has been promoted to replace Samir as CEO. Samir will transition from his current role as CEO, on February 1, 2016 and continue to act as a valued advisor and consultant on all agency matters until July 2016.

Samir has led Mindshare MENA since 1999, and previously headed up Ogilvy Media.  In the last 26 years with WPP, Samir has built up world-class media offerings in the region with his in-depth knowledge of the multiple markets and its consumers’ lifestyles, habits and choices, has supported local and international brands in developing their market share across regional geographies.

Ravi Rao joined Mindshare MENA in May 2015 as Chief Client Officer and in October took responsibility for leading the UAE team.  In his previous role, Ravi led Mindshare South Asia as CEO for 3 years and has over nine years’ experience with WPP companies.

“My time with Mindshare has been rewarding and exhilarating,” says Samir. “Much has changed in the consumer and media landscape since I took on the CEO role 17 years ago.  I am delighted that the company will continue to flourish, guided by the experienced and capable hands of my friend and colleague Ravi Rao.  In the coming months and years ahead, I look forward to celebrating its continued achievements.”

Ravi Rao adds,“It is most satisfying that I was one of ‘the Day 1 employees’ when Mindshare was set up in the region way back in 1999.  A real privilege now to lead Mindshare MENA and I really look forward to further building on the success of our strong team and a world-class product so our client partners benefit the most by driving the Adaptive Marketing vision.”

House of Comms appoints Kate Mullen

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House of Comms has welcomed Kate Mullen to the role of Client Services Director. With a PR career that spans over 20 years in the GCC, Kate has both agency and client-side experience with companies including ASDA’A Public Relations, Fortune Promoseven and Zabeel Investments, having worked for clients including Land Rover, BMW and Coca Cola. As Client Services Director, she will work alongside Managing Partners Kaja Weller and Abby Wilks to help expand and maintain the agency’s portfolio of brands.

“Delivering excellence is at the heart of everything we do,” says Kaja Weller, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “We continually challenge ourselves to set the bar for the industry, and consistently deliver real value for our clients. Perhaps one of our most significant appointments to date, Kate will take up the role of Client Services Director and work side-by-side Abby and I to ensure we continue to uphold our reputation in the market place and make 2016 our most successful year to date.”

Kate adds “House of Comms embodies everything that I love about communications, and my joining comes hot on the heels of the team’s numerous wins at the 2015 MEPRA awards, not to mention their significant client wins throughout last year. The energy of the team, the portfolio of clients and the opportunity to contribute to their on-going expansion plans, plus driving excellence across the board makes for exciting times. PR is in my blood and during my career I’ve been moulded by some great mentors; I hope to be able to share what I’ve learned with the team.”

Shitika Anand moves to freelance

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Shitika Anand, former Assistant Editor of Grazia Middle East, Grazia Arabia and Grazia Luxury, has made the move to freelance journalism. With over four years of experience, Shitika has had work featured in publications such as Women’s Wear Daily, Cosmopolitan and CNN International. She will now be available to work as a social media/digital consultant as well as for fashion, travel and lifestyle feature writing in a freelance capacity.

“Working with the incredible Grazia Middle East team has been a delight,” says Shitika. “I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the greatest talents in the fashion and food industry and write some of the best stories of my career yet. I’m very excited to take all my skills into the world of freelance and I look forward to writing for other publications and collaborating with brands on a digital and print platform.”

TishTash welcomes Laura Davison

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Laura Davison has joined TishTash as Talent Manager for the TishTash Talent division. Previously Bookings Manager at Audio Tonic Agency, Laura has over two years of experience in the entertainment industry. In her new role, Laura will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the TishTash talent portfolio, including handling bookings and publicity for clients.

“I am really excited to be joining the fabulous TishTash Talent team to help grow this side of the business,” says Laura. “We have an amazing talent portfolio that I’m looking forward to showcasing over the course of the year.”

Neil King joins Gulf Business

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Motivate Publishing has welcomed Neil King to the role of Editor at Gulf Business. With over 10 years of experience in journalism, Neil most recently worked at ITP Publishing as Editor of CEO Middle East and Arabian Business StartUp. In his new role he will oversee the monthly magazine, as well as online content for www.gulfbusiness.com.
“Motivate’s stellar reputation precedes it, so it’s a privilege to join the company as Editor of Gulf Business,” says Neil. “I’ve joined a very talented team and I’m excited about the ambitious plans we all have for the magazine and the website in the coming weeks, months and years.”

 

Motivate welcomes Deputy Sales Manager

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Salim Ghorayeb has joined Motivate Publishing as Deputy Sales Manager. With a Bachelor’s degree in International Business, Salim recently moved to Dubai having previously worked in Lebanon. He brings two years of media sales experience to his new role, in which he will assist with achieving monthly sales targets, developing an updated customer database and identifying commercial opportunities for business development for Emirates Man magazine.

 

Gillian Fletcher promoted at ITP

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Gillian Fletcher has been promoted to the role of Art Director at ITP Publishing Group. She brings over eight years of experience with her, having previously worked with Bauer Media and The National Magazine Company. Gillian was most recently Art Editor for Ahlan! Magazine, and in her new role she will be responsible for Ahlan!, Ahlan! Qatar and the Hot 100 series.

Abdul Karim to present Sport on 7

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Abdul Karim will be producing and presenting Sport on 7 for City 7TV, in addition to covering sports news for the channel, as of January 11, 2016. The show was previously hosted by Graham Clews and Tom Bushell and broadcasts live from sporting events across Dubai on the second Sunday of every month. Abdul has been with City 7TV for over two years and has over three years of media experience in total. In his new role, he will cover international as well as community-based sporting events held in the UAE, offering insights into atmosphere and spectator opinions as well as results.

“I’m so excited to be a part of Sport on 7,” says Abdul. “As an avid sports fan, it’s great to be involved with a show as dynamic as this one, with a fresh take on sporting events in the Emirates.”

Eleanor Joslin to leave ITP Publishing

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Eleanor Joslin will step down from her role as Editor at Harper’s Bazaar Interiors, part of ITP Publishing, in order to pursue freelance projects. With over five years of experience in journalism, Eleanor worked as Editor for the Better Homes portfolio at HOT Media Publishing before joining ITP.  She will now be working on providing a range of Editorial solutions and services, such as editing print and digital content, producing magazines and supplements and writing features.

 

Sara Hamdan joins Motivate Publishing

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Sara Hamdan has joined Motivate Publishing as Editor of Dubai Magazine – a lifestyle quarterly, produced on behalf of Dubai Department of Tourism. Previously Deputy Editor at Viva magazine, and currently still contributor to the international New York Times in Dubai, Sara will cover the best restaurants, hotels, culture hotspots and activities Dubai has to offer.

“After over a decade of living in Dubai, I continue to be inspired every day by this dynamic city,” says Sara. “I am so excited about working with an all-star team at Dubai Tourism Dept to show tourists the best that Dubai has to offer.”