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Hype magazine welcomes new Editor

Lesley Wright has been named as the new Editor at Hype: Powered By Mixmag magazine, the nightlife and music guide, available free, weekly, throughout the UAE. Previously Editor of world-renowned dance music title DJ Magazine in London for nine years, Lesley started her new role at Motivate Publishing this week.

“I’m really thrilled to be joining this exciting new title,” says Lesley. “The UAE’s music and club scene is fresh and exciting and we’ll be capturing that in Hype, bringing international DJs and bands to a local audience and supporting the army of city-based promoters who have created such a thriving scene.”

New Editor of Open Skies announced

Gareth Rees has taken over as Editor of Emirates Airline’s inflight magazine, Open Skies, published by Motivate Publishing. Previously Food Editor of What’s On magazine, Gareth was promoted to Deputy Editor of the multi award-winning monthly title in January 2012, and now replaces former editor, Conor Purcell.

“As anybody who has picked up a copy on an Emirates flight will know, Open Skies is not your typical inflight magazine,” says Gareth. “I worked with my predecessor, Conor Purcell, for 18 months, commissioning some of the industry’s most talented writers, designers, illustrators and photographers, and I will continue to work with the team to challenge perceptions of what an inflight magazine is and can be, whilst putting my own stamp on a title that has already won numerous awards. I hope to win more.”

Emirates Woman welcomes new features writer

Emirates Woman Group has expanded its team and welcomed new Features Writer, Sarah Garden. Sarah will be writing across Emirates Woman, emirateswoman.com, EW mini, Emirates Bride, and Luxe.

Emirates Woman’s reputation for newsworthy lifestyle writing and hard-hitting features is growing, so it’s a fantastic time to join the team,” says Sarah. “I’m excited to bring new ideas to the magazines and write about some thought-provoking topics, relevant to women in the UAE. ”

Sarah will cover a broad range of subjects including travel, lifestyle, health, fashion and beauty.

Ahlan! magazine welcomes new News Editor

Ahlan! magazine has welcomed new team member, John Anisiobi, who has joined the celebrity weekly as News Editor. British-born John – who has previously worked as Online Showbiz Editor at the London Evening Standard – will be writing breaking news and celebrity features, relevant to both the UAE and international markets.

“As part of my new role I will be interviewing A-list celebrities and attending the best parties in town for our weekly diary,” says John. “I will also be writing a bi-monthly column called Ahlan! Man, which will see me doing things around the UAE like sky diving, swimming with sharks and checking out new restaurants. For my column I’ll also write about the latest gadgets and must have men’s accessories such as watches, scarfs and other luxury items.”

After just one week in the UAE, John is already finding his feet. “I already feel at home here thanks to the wonderful team at Ahlan! magazine,” he says.  “I was quite nervous about moving from London to the desert as I had never been to the UAE before, but everyone has been really friendly and welcoming, so I’m looking forward to a long stay at the magazine.”

Sarah Walker steps down at OK! Middle East

After more than a year in the Editor’s chair at celebrity weekly, OK! Middle East, Sarah Walker has announced she will leave her position at the end of this month. The title, which relaunched last September and now falls under the ITP Publishing umbrella, was awarded the highest honour at this years’ OK! International Conference. Sarah is excited to hand over the reins at such a time of celebration.

“I feel now is the perfect time to pass the baton, and I’m hugely excited to be moving my talents – and annoyingly boundless creative energy – into heading up the PR department at Think,” says Sarah. “As a long-term Editor and writer in the region, I feel my absolute niche for this role is the extensive first-hand experience and natural respect for the Middle East media I now have. I’ve been in their chair and therefore I’m the perfect middle woman to guide clients and give members of the press exactly – and uniquely – what they need.”

After six years in UAE-based celebrity weeklies, the London-born journalist will now move into the role of PR Director at Think – the events, marketing and PR company run by Greg Dufton and Tim Derry.

“I’m ecstatic at the success that OK! Middle East has enjoyed and the level it has reached in the market at this vital one-year stage,” adds Sarah. “Putting my stamp on the publication, being recognised as the leading title in the OK! international family and working with such a strong team to create the high-end product it is today, remains the highest achievement of my career to date.”

A replacement has not yet been announced.

 

Alexandra O’Brien joins Grazia Middle East

Alexandra O’Brien has joined Grazia Middle East as Lifestyle Editor. Alexandra will be looking after travel, interiors, entertainment, food and some news/health pages. Her regular pages include: Hotlist, Travel, Interiors, Parties and Scene.

Alexandra has previously worked at Madison magazine, NW and TV Week in Australia, and most recently Net-A-Porter online magazine and LuxDeco online magazine in London.

“I’m so excited to work on Grazia Middle East,” says Alexandra. “It is my perfect combo of celeb news, fashion and my personal passion, all things lifestyle!”

Condé Nast Traveller – Editorial team announced

Today marks the start of the Condé Nast Traveller editorial team formation, with three key team members announced. Effective immediately, Rhea Saran will take the lead as Editor-in-Chief, with Grazia Middle East Deputy Editor, Jenny King, moving across to join the team as Deputy Editor at the end of September. Sabina Parkinson joins as Art Director, with more team to be announced imminently. Part of the ITP group, this will be APP’s first publication under licence agreement with Condé Nast International and marks the luxury travel title’s debut in the Gulf region.

“The readers of Condé Nast Traveller are discerning, affluent and cultured.  They expect a superior, memorable travel experience and we look forward to showing them how and where they can receive this, both globally and within this region,” says Ali Akawi, Managing Director of APP & ITP Consumer. “Travel is an important part of the lives of people in the Gulf whether this is for leisure or business. Testament to this is the fact we have three of the world’s leading airlines based here and an abundance of international five-star hotels.”

Contact the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East team at CondeNastTraveller@AppGulf.com, or call +971 (0)4 444 3000

Nadia Haj Hassan joins Living Well Magazine

Nadia Haj Hassan has been announced as the new Fashion Editor of Jordan-based Living Well Magazine, after Tamara El-Nimer stepped down after six successful years at the title. Tamara has decided to leave to pursue a degree in higher education. Nadia will be in charge of the fashion and beauty pages of the best-selling lifestyle magazine.

Alice Nikalls bags permanent post at Hello!

Having joined Hello! Middle East on a temporary basis in earlier this year, Alice Nikalls has now accepted a full-time position within the publication. As Junior Writer, Alice will cover features, news and local interest stories – including launches and events.

“I joined Hello! Middle East in May 2013 and have been fortunate enough to interview some local personalities, snoop around some fabulous homes and dine in some of Dubai’s best restaurants,” says Alice. “Hello! Middle East is a small yet dynamic team and I’m excited to be a part of it for the long-term”.

New Hello editor announced

Sonja Stephen has been announced as the new Editor of weekly society glossy, Hello! Middle East. Previously Deputy Editor of the international magazine brand, which falls under the Motivate Publishing umbrella, Stephen takes the reigns with immediate effect after Elle Timms stepped down earlier this month to persue freelance writing opportunities.

“I’m proud, honoured and over the moon about my promotion to Editor,” says Stephen. “I’m looking forward to driving the magazine to even greater success”.

Contact Sonja Stephen at sonja@motivate.ae