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Zahirah Variawa launches new blog

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Founder and Managing Director of Think Liquorice, Zahirah (Variawa) Marty has launched her new motherhood blog, meetmrsmarty.com. The new platform aims to offer support and inspiration to the global community of women by featuring pieces of the everyday women’s’ journey into motherhood and advice from experienced mothers as well as professionals across various fields including healthcare, fashion and psychology. The new platform will also include videos, research, a comment and contact section for readers to engage in or ask questions as well as the option to subscribe for regular updates and a news bite section launching in the summer, exclusive to subscribers.

“meetmrsmarty.com is a passion project encouraged by the everyday women I’ve met and I’m still yet to meet on a similar road to me,” says Zahirah. “I hope it provides the opportunity for like minded individuals to share, learn and benefit from the real and honest approach of the journey into motherhood.”

Gulf News launches getthat.com

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Gulf News, the flagship news brand of GN Media, has launched a new platform, getthat.com. As a leading title in the region, Gulf News combines its expertise and resources to launch a one stop shop for finding, buying and selling of property, motors, careers and classifieds. The launch is also supported by a multi-channel marketing campaign to create awareness of the brand’s presence and to introduce ‘Sami the Octopus’ to the region.

“We have developed getthat.com to make finding, buying and selling simpler, faster and easier than ever before,” says Matthew Moore, Marketing Manager, GN Media. “We found from talking to our audiences that there was a demand for a product that brings those important searches we make into one place, but crucially whether it is listing something to sell or looking for something to buy, the demand is for fast and accurate results. People are busier than ever and it takes up valuable time having to go to different sites, and then frustrating when your experience and the results are not what you expected. getthat.com is fast, effective and provides a great user experience.”

New launch of Hanover office in the Middle East

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Independent consulting firm, Hanover has launched its operations in the Middle East. Founded in 1998 with offices in London, Brussels and most recently in Dublin, Hanover’s new office in Dubai will offer strategic communications services and integrated programs to clients across the Middle East requiring access to other regional markets. The new office will also see Jonty Summers with over 20 years of experience and previously Regional Director at Edelman appointed to the role of Managing Director, where he will oversee and develop strategies to expand Hanover’s operations across the region. Also joining the Dubai team is Keri Sutherland, Associate Director of Hanson London with experience in reputation and crises management, to work towards establishing the agency’s presence across the Middle East.

“As Dubai grows in standing as a global centre for business, organisations increasingly require specialist advisers who can support them in protecting their reputations and promoting their market proposition as they take advantage of the cross-border market dynamics that characterises the modern world of business,” says Charles Lewington, Founder and Chief Executive, Hanover Group.

Lottie Communications launches in the UAE

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PR professional Scarlett Sykes has launched new communications consultancy, Lottie Communications, in the UAE. With over ten years of experience in publishing, e-commerce, marketing, PR and digital communications, Scarlett previously worked with The Grooming Company as PR and Marketing Executive in-house, as Fashion and Beauty Writer at Emirates Woman and Hello! magazines, and most recently with COPIA Group as Director, where she worked across international and regional brands as well as concepts. The new Dubai-based agency will offer services that include campaign and concept development, media relations, strategic partnerships, digital communication management, copywriting and content creation to clients across the UAE.

“Giving up your job to go out alone is a very daunting thought, but I have had so much support since I made the decision and following the launch announcement, it has made the leap much easier,” says Scarlett. “I am very excited to see what the future holds.”

YogaLife launches revamped website

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Health and wellness publication, YogaLife has re-launched its website with new features that offer visitors a more user-friendly interface and navigation. The revamped website hosts a modern, clean and practical design as well as new features every week that will not be replicated in the print issue, allowing for more content and engagement with the site’s readers and viewers. The re-launch will also focus on having competitions and giveaways across YogaLife’s social media platforms to drive traffic to the website.

Marketing campaign library launches

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Wayin, the digital campaign CMS platform has launched a customisable library of marketing campaigns, the Wayin App Store. Founded by Scott McNealy in 2011, Wayin is a platform that enables brands to create engaging marketing campaigns across all digital properties. By providing a library of campaign ideas as well as a record of features, objectives and result metrics of past campaigns, the new platform aims to streamline the ideation and creation process for brands across different categories and markets.

“Marketers in the Middle East often have to align their strategies with global marketing campaigns or with other markets,” says Louay Al-Samarrai, Middle East Partner, Wayin. “The Wayin App Store streamlines the process for marketing professionals in the region that want to evolve and stay ahead of the curve, by helping them find the right campaign to achieve their goals.”

Brave & Heart launches

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David Parkinson and Richard Rust, former Heads of Digital at Nissan have launched new consultancy, Brave & Heart. With over 25 years of experience, David joined Nissan in 1999 and has worked on leading the flagship digital programmes and the launch of Nissan Qashqai to global success. Richard brings with him 12 years of experience in working with brands, agencies and consultancies such as Land Rover, Accenture and Ogilvy before heading the digital operations at Nissan. The new consultancy will focus on working with flexible teams and global implementation partners, to support clients across key areas of digital activities including strategy, transformation and experimental.

“Offering agile, remote teams and engaging specialist expertise where and when needed, is something that is critical to our approach,” says Richard. “We provide expert digital firepower to our clients without the burden of expensive consultancy overheads and the associated bureaucracy.”

David adds, “We see a clear need for a new model – one that harnesses real-world expertise and is able to provide rapid, flexible support to brands and their partners to deliver disruptive digital. Amateur hour is over. Our clients need bravery and passion.”

Chee Smith launches portfolio website

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Dubai-based fashion stylist, Chee Smith has launched cheesmithfashionstylist.com to support her new freelance fashion styling career. With over 20 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, Chee previously worked with VIVA magazine and most recently with Cosmopolitan Middle East as Fashion and Beauty Director. Her new website will feature her styling work across the categories of fashion, beauty, celebrities and still-life shoots to showcase her work to potential clients in the Middle East and across the World.

“I’m super excited to finally launch my website and have a digital platform where I can showcase my work both here in the Middle East and to the rest of the world,” says Chee.

Emma Norstrom launches new agency

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Dubai-based marketing professional, Emma Norstrom has launched a new marketing and communications agency, Skandi Studios. Previously Senior Regional Communication and Marketing Manager at AlYasra Fashion for the DKNY division, Emma has over 15 years of experience in the industry. The new agency will provide services such as strategic planning, media relations, brand awareness as well as planning and analysis for fashion and lifestyle clients.

“It’s really daunting to take the leap of faith and start my own company,” says Emma. “but, the rewards are already so satisfying. The feedback about what I’m trying to achieve has been great so far and I’m super excited about what lies ahead.”