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Cheil unveils new global identity

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Cheil Global Network is rolling out a new ‘The Network Built for Now’ identity across its entire network of agencies. Developed by London-based design consultancy johnson banks, Cheil’s new identity was designed to reflect its growth as a network of specialist agencies, embodying both the entrepreneurial spirit of its origins in Seoul and its place in the Asian tech revolution. The global positioning of Cheil as The Network Built for Now is also intended to strengthen the network’s reputation for specialism in brand communications, retail, innovation, social and design.

“We’re lucky enough to be building the first network built for now,” says Aaron Lau, President of International, Cheil Global Network. “That means we’re not encumbered by where the industry has been or sustaining hundreds of traditional offices. Instead, we can focus on what clients need in this day and age.”

Chris Chalk, Global Chief Strategy Officer, Cheil Global Network adds “The ability to create, embrace and exploit change will define success, or failure, for all brands and businesses in the future. Our business is no different and we are purpose built for change.”

Quest Arabiya sports series goes into production

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Quest Arabiya’s new flagship adventure-travel show Nabd Al Moghamara – Arabic for ‘Pulse for Adventure’ – is now being shot in locations across the region, from the Maghreb to the Levant. The show will be hosted by extreme sports enthusiasts, Hussein Gazzazz and Ghida Arnaout, and is scheduled to air for the first time on March 13, 2016. Quest Arabiya, a division of Image Nation Abu Dhabi, is a free-to-air, factual entertainment Arabic TV channel, launched in December, 2015 in association with Discovery Communications.

“The launch of Nabd Al Moghamara, our first of many regionally-produced, long-form flagship series, will take the channel – that has already been embraced by viewers in 22 countries – to an exciting new level and demonstrate our commitment to creating original Arabic content,” says Carl Von Doussa, General Manager, Quest Arabiya. “We are looking forward to highlighting the incredible, natural landscapes throughout the Middle East and North Africa and showcasing the region’s diversity and talent.”

Sheen El Meligi, Programming Director, Quest Aribiya, adds “Nabd Al Moghamara is set to showcase some great stories of personal endeavour and achievement, but it is also an example of our commitment to providing opportunities for the production industry in the region. We are happy to be working with regional producers, crew and talent on this exciting show.”

 

PRCA MENA launches

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The Public Relations Consultants Association Middle East and North Africa (PRCA MENA) has launched in Dubai. The new professional body will cover the entire MENA region, providing PR practitioners with an association to share best practice as well as network and work to raise standards of PR. The organisation will provide training, networking, market intelligence and an international network through the International Communications Consultancy Organisation.
PRCA MENA will be co-chaired by MENA PR industry leaders Loretta Ahmed, CEO Middle East, Grayling and Mohamed Al Ayed, CEO, TRACCS. Founding members include MENA consultancies Golin MENA, Memac Ogilvy, Fleishman Europe, Q Communications, MCS Action, Sept PR, Active and Instinctif.

DCN launches Fashion Star

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Dubai Channels Network (DCN), a division of Dubai Media Incorporated, has launched new reality TV show Fashion Star, a program dedicated to showcasing Arabic talent in the field of fashion design. The show will feature fashion icons including Reem Acra, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, Remzi Tabiat and TV presenter Leila bin Khalifa, and will begin airing on Dubai One and First Dubai from Wednesday, February 3, 2016. A group of 12 fashion designers will compete on the show for a grand prize of AED500,000 and the opportunity to showcase their collection on Namshi.com.
“Given the large-scale logistical and production challenges involved, Dubai Channels Network will closely monitor the operations of the company producing the program,” says Sarah Jarman, Director of Dubai One channel. “This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for established designers from various Arab countries to receive advice and guidance from international Designer Reem, alongside an outstanding team of mentors.”
Fashion Designer Reem Acra adds “I hope the show receives public attention and that our young contestants grow a wide fan-base. Based on the new ideas and contemporary designs the program has in store, as well as the submissions of our ambitious designers, I am optimistic that the show has great things in store.”

Chris Will Eat launches

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Chris Gregory has launched new food and lifestyle blog, Chris Will Eat – chriswilleat.wordpress.com. The blog aims to provide an honest and open account of the F&B scene in the UAE, helping people to make their way through the host of dining options available with impartial reviews as well as home recipes. Chris currently works with hotels and restaurants in the region and he has spent the last four years living in Dubai cultivating his interest in the region’s growing food scene.

“I created Chris Will Eat first and foremost to offer people an authentic account of the F&B landscape in the UAE,” says Chris. “I’ll also be covering clean eating and occasional cheat meals, cooking at home and travelling. In the last three to four years the dining scene has evolved massively and it’s been truly exciting to be a part of. I’m looking forward to working on Chris Will Eat and seeing people engage with the site.”

 

Dubai Lynx to launch Lynx Live

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The 10th annual Dubai Lynx Festival, taking place between March 6 and March 9, 2016, will see the launch of Lynx Live – a new initiative that will bring live festival content to the world through TV.AE. A regional online content platform launching on March 1, 2016, TV.AE will broadcast one live seminar from each day of the festival. The daily session will be determined by a people’s vote, which will invite the industry to vote on the seminar that they most want to see. From January 31, 2016, voters will have two weeks to decide which sessions they want to watch from the Inspiration Stage, additionally, one session per day from the Arabic stage will be available to view post-event.

“Nearly 2,000 delegates experience Dubai Lynx every year but we know that there are many more who would like to be there but can’t,” says Emma Farmer, Festival Director, Dubai Lynx. “Together with TV.AE, we want to support the industry by giving a bit of the Festival back. We have a wealth of outstanding regional and international speakers, all delivering valuable insights on creativity and the industry. We want everyone to benefit and get inspired.”

Marwan Saab, General Manager, TV.AE, adds “We’re very excited about this partnership, one of the key reasons we’re launching TV.AE is to celebrate and support the incredible diversity and talent that exists in our region. The partnership with Dubai Lynx, the region’s premier creative festival, is a perfect match.”

Blue 449 launches Middle Eastern network office

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Blue 449, part of the ZenithOptimedia group, has opened its eighth network office with the launch of the agency in the UAE, following the global launch of the Blue 449 network in March 2015. Headquartered in London, the communications network has also opened offices in the UK, France, Italy, Australia, Germany, Belgium and Spain.

The Blue 449 UAE office is located in Dubai and will be led by CV Suvi, who will take on the role of Managing Director, Blue 449 MENA. CV will report to Firas Al Zein, CEO, Zenith MENA.

“We are extremely excited about the launch of Blue 449 in MENA,” says CV. “It is a dynamic network that will benefit from all the resources of ZenithOptimedia and Publicis Groupe. The network’s integrated planning approach and ‘open source’ partnership framework will enable us to work more effectively across media, content, data and technology bringing in flexibility and agility to meet client challenges.”

Andrad Vigh, Global CEO, Blue 449, adds “We are very proud to open Blue 449 here in Dubai. This launch is a significant step in the creation of the Blue 449 network. This first outlet in the Middle East continues our expansion and the development of the agency’s very different approach to communications.”

Las Vegas-based PR firm to open in Dubai

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Las Vegas-based PR firm Digital 86 will open offices in Dubai as well as New Delhi, in order to meet demand for services in the Middle East and Asia. Founded by Alex Simon, the firm specialises in online reputation management, with a team of PR executives and technology experts who aim to improve the digital presence of high profile clients such as executives, celebrities, doctors and politicians.


 

BrandAid launches social media department

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Medical brand consultancy BrandAid has launched a new social media department, adding to its existing offering of marketing services. The company, based in Dubai, was founded in 2014 and specialises in offering branding and marketing to the healthcare sector. BrandAid’s new team of social media strategists and designers will aim to assist brands with campaign integration and event attendance, while ensuring the communication of brand messaging in a cost-effective way.

alpha gets a makeover

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Men’s lifestyle magazine alpha has been given a new look and more compact page size. The title, published by GN Publishing, also boasts several new sections and contributions from a host of new writers covering topics from celebrities to reportage to grooming and fitness. The redesign is a result of research into the magazine’s reader profile as well as readers feedback, and the new-look January issue is now available from leading retailers priced at AED 15.
“alpha is now enjoying its fifth year and we felt it was time to freshen up some of the content and give it a new look,” says Nitin Nair, Editor, alpha. “From January, readers can expect a much fuller magazine, with plenty of ‘how-to’ sections, additional UAE content, plus we’ve recruited a handful of exciting new writers who will complement the existing line-up. We’re sure our regular readers and people who have never read the magazine before will love it.”