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Al Arabiya News marks International Women’s Day

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Al Arabiya News is marking this year’s International Women’s Day, which falls on the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on gender equality, with special coverage profiling the world’s leading women and their contribution to society. The coverage is set to highlight the Middle East’s most pressing issues on the status of women in the region.

Gender-related violence, education and women in the workforce are among the topics being addressed, as well as a look back at prominent women in Arab history and profiles on leading women in the fields of politics, philanthropy, media, technology, business and architecture.

“Since this International Women’s Day marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we felt that resembles an ideal opportunity to look back and reflect on the challenges and achievements of women in our part of the world over the past two decades,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Al Arabiya News. “Sadly, many Arab women continue to face deprivation of many of their basic rights, as well as discrimination and violence; however, this means that women who actually succeed and manage to achieve an outstanding status deserve an even bigger round of applause from all of us, given that they are making it despite these challenges. These are the women we hope to shed the light on, as we see them as a beacon of hope for generations to come.”

Al Arabiya News’ coverage is being inaugurated today on the eve of International Women’s Day, with an exclusive opinion piece by former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and a special report on gender-related violence in the Middle East. Among the profiled Arab success stories being profiled throughout the week are Palestinian Legislator Hanan Ashrawy; Lebanese writer and activist Joumana Hadad; Egyptian Minister for Social Solidarity Ghada Fathi Ismail Wali; CEO of Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 Nora al-Kaabi and Facebook’s UAE-based Head of Brand Amira Rashad.

myconcierge.com set to go live in the UAE

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From March 9, 2015, residents and visitors to the UAE will enjoy a new lifestyle service available online from www.myconcierge.com, created as a hub for the destination’s best experiences – spanning activities, shopping, restaurants and places to stay. The company behind the concept – npimedia (NPI) – will introduce the platform to its clients on March 9, 10 and 11 at Reel Cinemas, Dubai Marina Mall.

Launching with over 50 premium brand partners and offering more than 100 high-end lifestyle experiences to its users, www.myconcierge.com goes to market with the support of its exclusive launch advertising partner, Cartier.

“www.myconcierge.com, is populated by fantastic media that includes video, a wealth of partner content that the user can book, a responsive site that works across screens and devices, a dynamic CMS that can be accessed by partners, a rewards programme and an aggressive marketing campaign to bring in users,” says Rob Nicholas, Managing Director, NPI. “www.myconcierge.com, is like a department store that can change its shop window according to who is walking by – displaying products and services ideally suited to either the resident or the visitor.”

Ex-Chief Concierge of Atlantis, The Palm Dubai, Ankur Bagga is tasked with curating experiences that will meet the five-star expectations, and is supported by a team of relationship managers responsible for signing up new partners to the site.

“Although www.myconcierge.com, is a new service, the concierge concept is not. When I saw what NPI was doing to bring the concierge to life on a digital platform I was blown away – and to be honest, so are most clients when we reveal the concept to them,” adds Ankur.

Residents and visitors can sign up to myconcierge.com, from March 9, 2015.

B Beauty Arabia launches in the UAE

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B Beauty Arabia, an online platform dedicated to all things beauty in the Middle East, has officially launched. Having most recently held the position of Beauty Editor for Savoir Flair, Founder Basma Faramawy aims to establish B Beauty Arabia as the comprehensive guide for beauty lovers in the region.

Bringing her extensive bilingual editorial expertise to the new venture, the blog-style platform will be dedicated to everything from makeup and skincare, to hair, nails, wellbeing, salons and spas. The English language website will offer expert advice, product reviews and informed recommendations, as well as up to the minute news from the world of beauty.

“I’m so excited to be launching B Beauty Arabia,” says Basma. “It’s something that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time and I’m thrilled that I’ll be able to share my passion with beauty lovers everywhere on a more personal level.”

Facebook introduces Ads Manager App

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In an effort to make it easier for the two million businesses using Facebook advertising, the social network has launched an ads manager app for iOS devices.

According to the official announcement on Facebook for Business, by using the app marketers can:

  • Track ad performance
  • Edit existing ads
  • Edit ad budgets and schedules
  • Receive push notifications
  • Create ads

Allowing users to manage advertising campaigns on the go, the app is currently available for US users in the iOS store, with plans to make it globally accessible in the next few weeks and an Android version to launch later in 2015.

Drum Content Design launches in Dubai

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Drum Content Design, a full-service, global content design agency that provides multi-channel content, has launched in the UAE to provide government, luxury, consumer goods and travel entities a better way to connect with their audience.

Drum Content Design offers clients services in two major categories based on its pillared approach:

  • Content Strategy, which provides content design, content analytics and content archival
  • Content Production, which offers clients brand generated, interactive and user generated content – all focused on developing multi-platform content to engage consumers across markets

“Content plays a major role in a brand’s transformation,” says Detria Williamson, Founder and CEO, Drum Content Design. “It is also a catalyst enabling them to establish long-term, involved relationships and unprecedented loyalty and sales. With the incredible amount of content pollution, it is imperative that clients understand how to express and leverage the emotion that content provides, as well as create a conversation to enable them to achieve their business goals. Our talented team is positioned to ensure that brands connect with audiences on a whole new level. The opening of Drum in the Middle East is a major development for this region and our global team is positioned to enable Drum to accelerate.”

In addition to the launch, a number of strategic appointments have been made to the Drum Content Design team. This includes Carolyne Nailer, who has been appointed as Content Journalism Director; Iman Abu Alia, who joins the team as Junior Content Program Designer and Noor Amhaz, who has taken on the role of Junior Content Creative Designer.

New social media components added to IGCF 2015

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The upcoming edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) is to include two new components – the Social Media Corner and the Social Media Award. Organised under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, IGCF 2015 will run from February 22-23, at the Expo Centre, Sharjah.

Located at the forum’s foyer area, the Social Media Corner will encourage the forum’s participants and social media users to directly express their views, share comments and ask questions; this will be done via tweets, Instagram images or video messages, which can be recorded using a booth designed specifically for the purpose.

Sponsored by Microsoft, each session at IGCF 2015 will announce two winners of the Social Media Award for the best Instagram photo and the best tweet. The top three tweeters using the forum’s official hashtag #IGCF15 will receive an award at the conclusion of the forum, bringing the total number of selected winners across to the two-day event to 15.

“In an increasingly tech-savvy world, any forum on government communication can only be relevant if it involves the active participation of its main stakeholders, the public,” says Jawaher Al Naqbi, Manager, International Government Communication Forum. “Aiming to step up the focus on social communication and strengthen relations between individuals and institutions, the Social Media Corner and Award will efficiently leverage dialogue and the exchange of creative ideas to ensure a more effective forum.”

ShortList welcomes Editor-in-Chief

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Arab Publishing Partners (APP) has appointed Eddie Taylor as Editor-in-Chief of soon-to-be-launched ShortList Dubai and ShortList Abu Dhabi.

Eddie Taylor is an editor, journalist and content specialist with close to two decades of experience in developing, launching and editing consumer titles. Having enjoyed senior publishing roles in London, New York, Amman and Dubai, Eddie was most recently Editor-in-Chief of Esquire Weekend.

“With its fast pace, unique tone and innovative features, ShortList is a magazine I have long admired so it is incredibly exciting to be handed the responsibility of launching the title in the UAE,” says Eddie. “The market is, I believe, ready for a mass circulation weekly and accompanying website that combines the best of what the country has to offer in terms of dining, entertainment and events, as well as the latest fashions, looks and accessories available in the nation’s stores. We are confident that our blend of information, insight and entertainment will make ShortList an essential read for every resident and tourist.”

Going online in March this year, ShortListDubai.com and ShortListAbuDhabi.com will be the first products in the ShortList brand portfolio to launch. With sharp reviews, snappy previews, entertaining features and intelligent insights on the myriad of attractions in the UAE, all underpinned by comprehensive listings, a calendar of events and select booking facilities, the ShortList sites are set to become essential destinations for both residents and visitors. With an accompanying newsletter and social media channels, ShortListDubai.com and ShortListAbuDhabi.com will help a broad audience determine what to do today, tomorrow and over the weekend ahead.

Arab Publishing Partners sign Hello! Middle East

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Arab Publishing Partners (APP) is taking over the licensing agreement of Hello! Middle East. A significant re-launch of the brand is scheduled for the second quarter of 2015, with interactive digital editions and a dynamic social media presence that will mark a major shift in Hello!‘s presence in the GCC.

“We are very excited at the re-launch and APP’s plan to launch two new premium monthly titles – Hello! Arabia and Hello! Bollywood – targeting educated, affluent and discerning women,” says Anthony Luke, Licensed Editions Operations Manager, Hello! “This will extend our global reach to 33 editions worldwide.”

Ali Akawi, APP’s Managing Director adds, “Taking over Hello! in the Middle East will offer an exciting opportunity to expand APP’s impressive portfolio of luxury publications. Readers are looking for a full brand experience that also takes them across social media networks and onto their own smart phones for unprecedented access to the glamourous lifestyles of royalty and celebrities around the world, not to mention right here in the GCC. The three editions of Hello! will make all of that – and more – possible, which is exciting for readers and advertisers alike.”

Dubai Customs presents Al-Furdah TV Programme

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Dubai Customs, in partnership with Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), is presenting and sponsoring a new television programme – ‘Al-Furdah: From the Berth to the Screen’ – on Sama Dubai TV channel, with the first episode kicking off this week. Prepared and presented by Dubai Customs’ corporate communication department, the 13-episode TV programme aires weekly every Sunday at 9pm, with repeats through Mondays at 5am and 11am, as well as Tuesdays at 2pm; the broadcast will last three months.

“The programme aims to highlight the pivotal role Dubai Customs plays in facilitating legitimate trade and protecting society,” says Khalil Saqer bin Gharib, Director, Communication Department, Dubai Customs. “It will also shed light on major relevant services provided by other government entities in Dubai and in the UAE at large, especially being the first-of-its-kind programme in the Middle East to be presented by a customs organisation. The broadcast will feature eminent national and regional figures in the realms of security, economy, environment, customs and will discuss several topics related to the role of government institutions in the community.”

The Al-Furdah programme is the first result of the joint collaboration between Dubai Customs and DMI following the signing of a mutual cooperation agreement in March 2014. The agreement is aimed at joining efforts to fulfil the Dubai Government’s vision, boost cooperation, share expertise and knowledge in the multimedia work field, as well as enhance Dubai’s economic and commercial standing in the local and international media.

Limelight Networks opens office in Dubai

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Limelight Networks, a global leader in digital content delivery, has opened an office in Dubai, further consolidating its commitment to the MENA region. Following this, Limelight Networks has also appointed Ingo Lalla as its Regional Director, MENA. As Limelight Networks’ Region Director for Central Europe since 2012, Ingo has been instrumental in planning and implementing Limelight’s growth and expansion strategy.

“Reliable, high performance delivery of digital content is critical to the success of organisations doing business online,” says Ingo Lalla. “The content delivery networking industry is seeing unprecedented growth due to the increase in online video services such as OTT and iTV, the increasing use of video on enterprise websites and the need for fast website load time and responsiveness. With our new office, we can deepen our already established customer relationships and extend our services to better serve our customers in the MENA region.”