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Nisreen Sarryeh joins The Qode

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Nisreen Sarryeh has joined The Qode as PR Manager. Nisreen has lived in several countries across the region and brings with her over seven years of PR experience, across many industries and markets. From planes to trains and luxury hotel resorts to luxury goods, Nisreen has worked with brands ranging from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses looking to grow their brand image. Prior to joining The Qode, Nisreen managed clients such as Boeing, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, British Airways and Dubai Properties Group.

“The team at The Qode is really great and it’s very inspiring to be surrounded by a group of such passionate people,” says Nisreen. “The portfolio of clients is really exciting and I’m looking forward to working with them!”

OMD appoints director of ideation and innovation

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OMD has recruited Haytham Zoghby as its Director of Innovation. He will be tasked with leading and revitalising Ignition, the media agency’s innovation arm. Haytham started his career at Leo Burnett in Jeddah, working mainly on the P&G portfolio, Al Marai and Savola and moved to Dubai in 2007 to take the creative lead on DPG, Dubai TV, DEPE, Bel and ADIB, among others. Operating at the intersection of technology, media, consumer and creativity, Zoghby will leverage his expertise to elevate OMD’s Ignition offering across the region.

“OMD has long thrived on innovation and creativity so this appointment is a natural progression for us,” says Nadim Samara, Managing Director, OMD UAE & Lower Gulf. “In our first decade, we led with the launch of OMD Digital in 2006, Ignition in 2007 and Annalect in 2010, to name but a few. Bringing in the first senior creative talent in a media investment and consulting firm will allow us to further sharpen our thinking and execution, allowing our clients to enjoy an even higher multiplier effect on their media investments.”

Haytham Zoghby adds, “This move is a very exciting opportunity for me to make a real difference to OMD’s clients. This new environment, with its various disciplines, offers a wealth of data and research, as well as content creation, digital communications and social media capabilities.”

DABO & CO announces key appointments

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Independent integrated communications agency, DABO & CO has announced a series of key appointments to its growing multi-national team. The move will significantly add to the existing talent at the firm as it looks to meet the growing demand for sophisticated communications services in the market.

Leading the series of strategic appointments, Alexandra Williams joins the agency as Digital Director and will play a key role in supporting the continued expansion of DABO & CO’s integrated offering. She arrives from Grayling in the United Kingdom, where she was Associate Director and played a central role in making the firm the number one ranked agency in the UK for digital PR by PR Week magazine in 2011 and 2012.

“Digital engagement is becoming increasingly important in the region and our clients are realising the value of investing in a truly integrated communications strategy that incorporates this platform, along with PR and events,” says Managing Partner Camilla d’Abo. “To this end, we are delighted to bring Alex on board and her expertise will be essential in enhancing our multi-faceted communications offering.”

Other key recruits include Iman Issa, who joins the team as Corporate Account Director overseeing the corporate team, responsible for flagship accounts such as BMW Group, DHL and Marriott International, and Dawn Barnable who joins as Consumer Account Director, responsible for overseeing accounts including Yas Waterworld, Ritz-Carlton, Dubai Cares and Jumeirah Restaurants.

Natalie Johnson, who has extensive digital PR experience, joins as Account Manager, and Ellie Keane joins as Account Executive. Saudi national Maha Alhamed and fellow AUS graduate Mahitab Hosni have joined to provide greater regional insights and expertise, while Sherin Bodekji joins the team as a Senior Account Executive, and brings with her three years of UAE agency experience and expertise in the NGO, B2B and aviation sectors.

Camilla d’Abo added: “We have focused on growing our team by maintaining a focus on adding to and further strengthening our existing talent. We are genuinely pleased to have been able to bring some of the region’s leading practitioners to our team, as we continue to endeavour to provide the high quality of communication services our clients have come to expect from us.”

Priyanka Pradhan joins Sorbet Magazine

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Priyanka Pradhan is to join Sorbet Magazine as Features Editor commencing next week. Formerly Assistant Editor of T Emirates: The New York Times Style Magazine, and journalist at Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, Priyanka has worked in various roles with a background in fashion and lifestyle in Mumbai as well as Dubai.

“I love the concept behind the magazine and I’m excited to explore the mélange of fashion, art, travel and culture through Sorbet‘s unique perspective,” says Priyanka. “I will be starting work immediately on the Spring issue when I join next week.”

Michaela Williams joins Good Housekeeping team

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Michaela Williams has joined the Good Housekeeping Middle East team as Deputy Editor. Formerly Hotels Editor for QANTAS The Australian Way magazine, Editor of beauty blog Lather Rinse Repeat and Online Beauty Contributor for Cosmopolitan Australia, Michaela takes over the role from Yi-Hwa Hanna, who recently moved across to Women’s Health Middle East.

Michaela will be working across beauty, fashion, home, health and lifestyle pages and can be contacted at michaela.williams@itp.com / 04 444 3000

Grayling appoints Julio Romo to lead Digital Hub

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Communications firm Grayling announced today the appointment of Julio Romo as Head of Digital within Grayling’s Middle East and Turkey operations. The hire is part of a series of initiatives that are underway to spur Grayling’s development as a digitally-enabled, global public relations consultancy with insights, ideas and rapid access to multi-channel solutions.

Romo brings over 15 years’ consultancy experience delivering insight, consultancy and training to clients operating in a range of sectors in markets around the world. His past clients have ranged from The Diamond Trading Company and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to the King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. Romo will be based in Grayling’s Dubai office and will report to Loretta Ahmed CEO of Middle East, Turkey and Africa. In the newly created position, Romo will lead a team of digital media and creative design and production consultants that will bring fresh and dynamic campaigns to clients from across the region, breaking the mould in their digital media engagement strategies.

“Julio is a pioneering leader in the field of digital and his appointment represents a strategic move for Grayling,” say Loretta Ahmed, Grayling Middle East, Turkey and Africa CEO. “We are witnessing a huge surge in demands for digital PR and marketing activities amongst our Middle East client base. Building digital and investing further in the skills and expertise of our consultants is a core part of our development strategy in this region.”

Chris Newbould joins The National

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Chris Newbould has been appointed as Film Correspondent for The National’s Arts & Life section, covering regional and international festivals, the Middle Eastern film industry and all the latest Hollywood, Bollywood and international releases. Previously Editor of Digital Studio Middle East, Chris has covered TV, film and music writing in the UK for The Guardian’s City Life and Weekend Guide.

“Having covered the regional film industry for Digital Studio since 2010, I hope to hit the ground running in my new role,” says Chris. “There are big ambitions for film making in the Middle East at the moment, particularly in the UAE. I’m looking forward to building on the relationships I already have, as well as expanding my remit both locally and internationally, for one of the region’s most respected publications.”

New Account Executive at FleishmanHillard

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Tina Carter has joined FleishmanHillard as Account Executive. Tina will be responsible for supporting the team with media relations, events, messaging and placements for a growing list of clients.

“I’m excited to be working at a company that’s charting its own course in the region,” says Tina. “Working with such a forward-thinking team is motivating, and I look forward to getting into the thick of campaigns, and delivering the best for our clients across the GCC.”

Dubai Airport & City Guide hires new Editor-in-chief

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Yasmine Ambre has joined Dubai Airport & City Guide as its new Editor-in-chief. Formerly in charge of Luxury World and Ambre Press Communication Agency in Paris, Yasmine has extensive experience in PR, communications and media. The title is published by ADD Media who is also responsible for Dubai Dining Guide and Dubai Health Directory, amongst others.

“I am proud to be part of this adventure as Dubai today is an international  hub and has earned itself the reputation of being the gateway between the East and the West,” says Yasmine. “It is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, so it is a great challenge.”

McCann strengthens global creative leadership

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McCann Worldgroup has announced it has hired Rob Reilly as Global Creative Chairman, and promoted Linus Karlsson to Creative Chairman of Commonwealth, the McCann Worldgroup agency dedicated to the global Chevrolet account. Also, Andreas Dahlqvist has been named Chief Creative Officer of Commonwealth and President of the McCann Creative Leadership Council. Karlsson and Dahlqvist respectively had been Chief Creative Officer and Deputy Chief Creative Officer, Global Brands, McCann Erickson.

In addition to his Commonwealth responsibilities, Karlsson will also be forming a new venture to be unveiled in the spring of 2014.

Reilly joins McCann Worldgroup from Crispin Porter + Bogusky, where he served as Partner/Worldwide Chief Creative Officer. In his new role, Reilly will be responsible for creative oversight of the McCann brand globally as well as developing multiplatform approaches by leveraging McCann Worldgroup’s broad capabilities and communications resources to help clients meet their creative challenges with precision and impact.

As President of the McCann Creative Leadership Council, Dahlqvist, in conjunction with Reilly, will be responsible for inspiring creative excellence throughout the network.