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MMG to launch MMG Talent Connect

Model Management agency MMG Models and Eventz will launch its new talent portal MMG Talent Connect – www.mmgtalent.com – on August 1, 2015. The new portal will connect directors and clients from the fashion industry, such as Editors and Events Co-ordinators, directly to models, hosts, photographers, hairstylists, stylists, make-up artists, actors and cast. Clients will be able to browse portfolios of talents registered with MMG Talent Connect, and start booking directly through the portal.

“We have been a part of the talent business for 10 years now,” says Gosia Golda, Managing Director, MMG Models and Eventz, Director, MMG Talent. “The portal is a direct response to the frustrations of casting directors who are constantly presented with the same pool of talent over and over again. The enthusiasm that we have received is quite overwhelming on both sides of the spectrum!”

Dan Bolton launches new creative consultancy

Dubai-based talent management and creative consultancy, Dan Bolton FZ LLC has launched. The agency was founded by Dan Bolton, an events professional with over seven years of experience in the entertainment and events industry in the Middle East, and Kaveh Anooshiravani, a serial entrepreneur and partner in a venture capital firm.

Dan Bolton will manage the careers and opportunities of talent represented, as well as becoming involved with clients in a consulting capacity, from the initial pitch stage through to implementation. The agency is already working on events with partners such as The Act Dubai and US-based Style Fashion Week.

“I literally fell into the entertainment and events industry straight from high school and it has consumed my life ever since,” says Dan. “The last seven years in the Middle East have given me an incredible platform to be able to embark on this journey, as we work hard to develop an international brand that will support performance and artistic talent as well as the diverse live event clients we work with.”

 

Meltwater Dubai opens agency department

Global media monitoring platform Meltwater has opened an agency department for the MENA region. Based in Dubai, the new department will deal directly with media agencies to provide local and customised support as well as technology solutions. Meltwater will provide a dedicated account manager to agencies to act as an extension of its team, in order to consult on ways to improve client accounts. The department will be headed up by Director of Agency Partnerships, Mohamed El Wardani, and current Meltwater clients include Leo Burnett, Memac Ogilvy and TBWA\RAAD.

CNN Style launches

CNN has launched CNN Style, a new online destination for content spanning the worlds of fashion, design, architecture, art, automobiles and luxury. The website is aimed at a cosmopolitan, global audience and throughout July will be guest edited by Architect Daniel Libeskind.

CNN Style will be a highly visual online destination, featuring galleries, interactives and a range of video and written content aimed to bring international audiences closer to shows, events, trends and personalities across a range of style genres. Launch content includes interviews with photographer David Bailey, pop artist Takashi Murakami and designer Manolo Blahnik. The website will be tailored for mobile audiences and social sharing, spanning international and U.S. Digital editions of CNN.comCNN Arabic and CNN en Espanol, as well as being integrated into CNN Money’s digital platforms, taking its place alongside other major CNN brands and verticals such as CNN Politics and CNN TravelCNN Style will also be integrated with TV programming. The site will be headed up by Editor, George Webster.

CNN Style is the essential destination to be immersed in beautifully crafted, intelligent and inspiring pieces about all facets of style,” said Andrea Demaria, Vice President and Managing Editor, CNN Digital. “This is a cosmopolitan home for a broad range of content. Attracting someone of Daniel Libeskind’s calibre as our first Guest Editor is a signal of our intent as we help redefine what ‘style’ can mean to an upscale, international audience.”

MediaMost launches three-language news portal

MediaMost Publishing launches www.aviamost.ae, the UAE’s first three-language (English/Russian/Chinese) news portal to mark the 20th anniversary of Aviamost Magazine. Aviamost is a niche publication in both Russian and Chinese providing the latest news about business opportunities, hospitality, tourism, shopping and lifestyle as well as in-depth articles on fashion, jewellery and watches.

The news portal will be a link to the tourist and business establishments in the Middle East, offering access to several important services and exciting features including: daily updated UAE news, diplomatic talk, economy and business reports, tourism articles, hotel news, spa special, red carpet coverage from around the world, celebrity interviews, and details on the latest beauty, fashion trends, runway reviews, jewellery and watch collections, shopping, fine dining, bars and lounges, launches and airline news. It is internally managed by the MediaMost English, Russian and Chinese editors.

“We are extremely pleased to launch this exciting news portal, in correlation with the title’s 20th anniversary,” says Fady Bostany, Executive Director, MediaMost Publishing. “We believe this site will offer a new type of connection for residents and tourists alike, especially with the ability to reach the Russian and Chinese audiences in their first language.”

JWI appoints Charli Ball to Dubai office

Charli Ball has been appointed as Associate Director at JW International. JW International which provides marketing strategy, communications planning and campaign implementation opened its Dubai office doors in April this year.

Having previously worked as Account Manager for Rave Communications, the UK sister company to JWI, Charli managed many of the agency’s largest accounts and executed numerous high profile events in London.

In her new role, having assisted in the establishment of the new office, she will not only be overseeing all client accounts and remaining as a key contact, she will also be focusing on securing new regional accounts for the Dubai office.

“I am delighted to have played a part in launching a new strategic marketing agency in the Middle East,” says Charli. “JWI will bring cutting-edge, British creative to the region and deliver it with passion and professionalism. Our strapline, ‘it takes great people to do great things’, really sums up our approach.  We value long-term partnerships with clients and get a great deal of satisfaction from helping our clients achieve success. I think this will help to set us apart from other marketing agencies in the UAE.”

For further information, contact Charli Ball at charli@jwi.ae / +971 (0)52 744 3374

Motivate Publishing to launch Cyclist ME

Cyclist Middle East is set to launch in September 2015. Cyclist Middle East will be published by Motivate Publishing under license from Dennis Publishing. The international cycling title first launched in the UK in 2012, and this will be the third license deal just in 2015.

The 116-page monthly magazine will be available from September 1, 2015 and will cost AED25. The title will feature content that focuses on the best road bikes and technology, performance advice from top experts and in-depth articles mixed with breathtaking imagery from the sport’s best photographers. With the growing enthusiasm of the sport in the Middle East, which currently hosts four major cycling races: the Dubai Tour, the Abu Dhabi Tour, the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman, Cyclist Middle East already has a growing audience.

“Launching Cyclist Middle East is an exciting opportunity for Motivate,” says Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Group Editor-In-Chief, Motivate Publishing. “Cycling is becoming a hugely popular pastime in the Middle East, with more races being added to the calendar here each year. Launching the title now will allow us to grow the global audience of the brand.”

For Further information, contact Anthony Milne at anthony@motivate.ae / +971 (0)4 427 3461

Hill+Knowlton Strategies launches H+K HER

Hill+Knowlton Strategies has launched H+K HER programme to support female employees. The programme is designed to provide information, inspiration and support to female employees as they develop throughout their careers.

MeetHER showcases women in business and SpeakHER is a drive to increase the visibility of female talent in the industry. The mentorship programme for women in the consultancy consists of both female and male mentors from across H+K.

“We are proud that our leadership teams in both the UK and broader EMEA region are evenly split between men and women, but we recognise there is more to be done,” says Lars Erik Grønntun, Chairman & CEO, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, Hill+Knowlton Strategies. “We are committed to ensuring that there is equal gender representation in the creation and recognition of the work we produce for our clients, and that our people are empowered to meet that challenge.”

In addition to the launch of the H+K HER programme, H+K is also proud to be working alongside the Dazed Group to present Female Firsts; an initiative which launched at Cannes Lions 2015 and champions female directors in the film industry.

Fox + Hound Communications launches

Fox + Hound Communications, a Dubai-based communications firm specialising in traditional and non-traditional public relations and influencer marketing, has launched.

Fox + Hound Communications will provide PR across the lifestyle, food, beverage, health and fitness industries, along with key events around the UAE. The influencer marketing side of the firm will work with brands to procure talent for campaigns, both locally and internationally. Fox + Hound will also work with key talent to build their brands and obtain more work in their fields. The firm will be headed up by Managing Director Chloe Rees, who most recently worked for ITP Publishing  as Senior Advertising Manager for Time Out Dubai and Time Out Muscat.

“Starting something I have dreamed about for so long is one of my most challenging, yet enjoyable projects to date,” says Chloe. “It’s been a lot of hard work to get to this point, however I am thrilled to be working alongside some of the best brands in Dubai. With the market evolving at such a rapid pace, it’s exciting to think that the work I am doing will be at the forefront of development for some of Dubai’s biggest brands over the next few years.”

For further information, contact Chloe Rees at chloe@foxandhoundpr.com / +971 (0)56 244 0614

Image Nation launches “Quest for Talent”

Image Nation launched their ‘Quest for Talent’ today across the Middle East and North Africa, in a bid to find potential TV personalities to appear on new channel, Quest Arabia. The channel will reach 45 million households across the MENA region and will appeal to a demographic of Arabic speakers, with a specific focus on male-orientated content at key times in the schedule. It will screen a combination of regionally-produced original material and content from Discovery’s library of non-fiction shows which will be edited and repurposed for the regional audience.

Applications for ‘Quest for Talent’ are open to men and women aged from 18 – 40 from across the MENA region, no media experience is necessary as Quest Arabiya will provide all the training and support necessary to launch a successful TV career. All applicants will need to do is make a short film using their phone, capturing their personality and enthusiasm.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to uncover new talent in the region, as we build a diverse team capable of creating and delivering top-quality regional content,” says Eeman Al Ansari, Programming Executive, Quest Arabiya. “It’s an incredible opportunity for people in the Middle East to break into television and receive the support and training they need for a career in this dynamic and challenging industry.”

To apply, send your submission to talent@imagenation.ae

For further information, contact Haydn Galloway at haydngalloway@sevenmedia.ae / +971 (0)52 850 0865