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Alka Winter promoted at FRHI Hotels & Resorts

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Alka Winter has been promoted to Regional Director MEAI of FRHI Hotels & Resorts – a consolidation of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this appointment, Alka was Area Director, Public Relations for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, providing PR support for the Fairmont hotels in the UAE, including the Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr and Fairmont The Palm, whilst executing large scale PR campaigns. In her new position, Alka will be providing real-time strategic support and guidance for the PR efforts across the 19 Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel hotels in the Middle East, Africa and India, as well as elevating the FRHI brand within the public domain. This also includes the development of PR plans announcing new hotel openings and positioning FRHI’s growth strategy.

“I’m very excited about being part of a dynamic regional team who are specialists in their respective fields, ranging from design and construction, development, spa, food and beverage, as well as sales and marketing to name a few,” says Alka. “What I am most passionate about is lending my expertise to the region and working with the PR teams on property, helping to bring their ideas to fruition and introducing it to a global audience where appropriate. I have over 10 years of experience in public relations with most of those in hospitality, so I hope I can pass on some of my experiences and best practices to help achieve great results.”

Mike Orlov joins SteppingStone Global

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Bahrain-based training and consultancy firm, SteppingStone Global (SSG), has appointed Mike Orlov as a Partner. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, Mike has had a diverse set of roles, including Publisher of magazines in the UK and UAE, running a national newspaper advertisement sales team, holding a Board Director position at the London Evening Standard and most recently as Chief Executive Officer at Primedia International.

“We are delighted to have Mike join the company, given his experience, skills and the alignment of his values with those of SSG,” says Jean Nicolai, Founder and President, SSG. “With over 70 recommendations and hundreds of endorsements on his LinkedIn site, Mike not only has an enviable career, but has been recognised as an exceptional operator by the people who have worked with him.”

Mike adds, “With SSG committed to consulting, coaching and training where the individual is at the core of the work, it operates on a value-system which ensures success for any company using its services; I am looking forward to being part of the company’s continued success. SSG is more than a classic consulting firm, more than a coaching service and so much more than a training company.”

Tabitha Barda appointed Deputy Editor of Aquarius

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Tabitha Barda has joined the team at Aquarius as Deputy Editor. Having been with Gulf News Magazines for a number of years, Tabitha was most recently Lifestyle Editor for Gulf News’ weekend supplement, Friday, where she covered a wide range of features and topics. In her new position, Tabitha joins Editor Louisa Wilkins in producing and editing lifestyle content, working across all areas of the magazine and its supplements, such as Aquarius Baby and Aquarius Beauty Heroes.

“I’m so excited to be on the Aquarius team and really pleased to be re-joining all my colleagues at Gulf News Magazines,” says Tabitha. “I’ve always been a great fan of the Aquarius brand and it’s brilliant to now be playing a part in it myself. Having just had a baby, it also feels like the perfect title for me to be working on at this time in my life.”

Louisa Wilkins, Editor of Aquarius adds, “With her experience on Friday, Tabi joins the team with a strong knowledge of local lifestyle issues, brands and experts. Additionally, as a new mother herself, she perfectly fits the profile of an Aquarius reader, meaning that she has first-hand experience and empathy on the topics and issues that are so close to the hearts of our readers. I’m delighted to have her on the Aquarius team and look forward to seeing her make her own personal stamp on the brand over the coming months.”

Caitlyn Davey joins 7DAYS

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Caitlyn Davey has been appointed as Features Writer for 7DAYS newspaper. Prior to joining the team, Caitlyn was Section Editor for Time Out Abu Dhabi, where she took care of the beauty, shopping, community and food pages. In her new position, she will be responsible for writing features across the diary pages and Metro sections, pitching ideas, networking and attending press conferences.

“I’m really excited to be working with the team at 7DAYS – in a thriving country like the UAE, it’s a beautiful and fun place to work,” says Caitlyn. “There are always exciting things happening, interesting people and unusual events; it’s a great place to be a journalist…albeit occasionally waiting for a communication via pigeon-carrier.”

Judy Cogan made Lifestyle Editor of Friday magazine

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Judy Cogan has been appointed as Lifestyle Editor of Gulf News Magazines’ flagship title, Friday. Having been in the position of Acting Lifestyle Editor since April of this year, Judy takes over from Tabitha Barda and will be in charge of Friday’s fashion, beauty, health, travel, food and review pages.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the number one magazine in the UAE,” says Judy. “Food, health, fashion and travel are all incredibly popular pages within Friday and I hope to make them even more compelling. I’m more than ready for this new and unique challenge and I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with you all!”

Karen Pasquali Jones, Editor of Friday magazine adds, “Tabitha was a hard act to follow but I found the perfect replacement in Judy. She is a lifestyle expert with myriad ideas and an amazing energy – she is great at finding stories, networking and giving the readers exactly what they want.”

James Hewes, Publishing Director of Gulf News Magazines and Gulf News Publishing concludes “Judy is a fantastic addition to the team. Friday is going from strength to strength, and with Judy as part of the editorial team it will only get stronger.”

MCG Associates announces new Director

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MCG Associates, a leading international executive search and recruitment company specialising in the communications industry across the Middle East, has appointed Kate Watson as Director. Kate joins from Fabric Recruitment, where she spent four years as Senior Consultant MENA, responsible for maintaining and growing Fabric’s client and candidate base, as well as developing solid relationships on both the agency and client side. In her new position, Kate will manage MCG’s integrated communications team, placing international talent into the Middle East’s most impressive roles on behalf of a range of blue chip companies and international PR and marketing agencies.

“MCG is a growing business and our recruiters are the very best in the Middle East,” says Justin McGuire, Managing Director, MCG Associates. “Kate is an excellent addition to our team, as her international experience in the communications industry means our clients will benefit from her accumulated expert knowledge and understanding. I am delighted to welcome Kate to our company and look forward to supporting her bid to ensure that our integrated communications division thrives.”

Kate’s appointment comes as MCG Associates embarks on a major expansion programme. In addition to relocating offices in Dubai, the communications recruiter has launched candidate searches in the Far East, with plans to enter the US and South America in 2015.

Lucy Moore joins Khaleejesque

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Lucy Moore has joined lifestyle and culture magazine Khaleejesque as Managing Editor. Before joining the Kuwait-based publication, Lucy worked as a Copywriter for JWT where she handled banking clients. In her new position, Lucy will be overseeing all editorial content for Khaleejesque, as well as helping to push the magazine onto the international stage and branch into events and TV.

“When I joined Khaleejesque, I knew it would be both a challenge and a great opportunity to push myself intellectually and creatively,” says Lucy. “I am excited to work closely with a dynamic team and focus on developing strong content whilst maintaining a strong business foundation. Both are sides of the company that I feel are essential for a Managing Editor to be on top of.”

Sandra Farrero joins Madinat Jumeirah

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Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company, has appointed Sandra Farrero as the new Director of Marketing and Communications at Madinat Jumeirah. Having joined Jumeirah in June 2011, Sandra most recently co-led the pre-opening and launch phase of Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa in Mallorca, and brings to her new role a diverse portfolio of experience having worked across luxury hotels in Spain and England. Sandra will work alongside the Director of Sales and Marketing, where she will lead and further develop the resort’s dynamic marketing and communications team across PR, marketing and partnership development. From 2015 onwards, the pre-opening phase of Madinat Jumeirah’s expansion will become a crucial aspect of Sandra’s role, combined with an increased force on the resort’s digital strategy and brand development.

“I am very excited to have joined Madinat Jumeirah after spending the last three years in Mallorca,” says Sandra. “Madinat Jumeirah is the indisputable leader in luxury resort hospitality, and to be part of this incredible team of colleagues is an honour.”

Vineetha Menon joins NPI Media

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Vineetha Menon has joined NPI Media as Editor of the Concierge portfolio. Having spent the previous two years at Mediaquest, Vineetha was Editor of Aficionado across its print, online and iPad editions, and was responsible for content across client-led titles including the monthly events guide for Dubai Tourism, Dubai Calendar and Mercedes Benz magazine. In her new role, Vineetha’s primary focus will be on the Abu Dhabi edition of the Concierge magazine.

“I’m excited to be joining the fantastic team at NPI Media,” says Vineetha. The Concierge magazine portfolio has such a wide reach in the region, and I look forward to contributing to its further success!”

Aziza Communications welcomes new team members

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Luxury lifestyle PR agency Aziza Communications has welcomed PR Executive Faye Jones and Junior PR Executive Janine Alyssa to its expanding team. Faye joins the team from London where she formed part of the Ted Baker Head Office team, Janine previously held the position of Marketing Executive and Content Writer at Pearl of Arabia Travel and Tourism.

“Joining Aziza Communications represents a strategic career move for me and I am thrilled to be working with such exciting brands,” says Faye. “I feel lucky to be part of such a great company and am very much looking forward to being involved in its future expansion.”

Janine adds, “I am over the moon at joining the dynamic team at Aziza Communications – I look forward to helping create exciting campaigns for our luxury brands!”