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Architectural Digest to launch in the Middle East

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Architectural Digest is set to launch in the Middle East in Spring 2015, announced today by Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive of Condé Nast International. Published under license agreement with Arab Publishing Partners (APP), a division of ITP Publishing Group, this will be the eleventh edition of the magazine available globally.

“Architectural Digest is hugely respected as the international authority on decoration and design,” says Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive, Condé Nast International. “It is exciting to bring this publication to the Middle East.”

Ali Akawi, Managing Director of APP and ITP Consumer adds, “The GCC has some of the fastest growing cities in the world, with ambitions to create entirely new modern landscapes and ‘cities within cities’ in the next ten years. Architecture and design will be key to fulfilling this vision and the recent expansion in the number of commissioned projects – both residential and commercial – is evidence that there is now a need for individuality and unique brands. Architectural Digest Middle East will showcase global and regional unique design to both inspire and educate its readers.”

Architectural Digest currently has editions in the USA, Germany, France, Mexico, Latin America, Russia, Spain, China and India, with a global readership of over 6.8 million a month.

Facebook relaunches Atlas for targeted ads

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Facebook has re-launched Atlas – its new ad-serving and measurement platform – allowing marketers to target advertisements across multiple devices. Microsoft sold Atlas to Facebook in 2013 for an estimated $100 million and is offered to advertisers as a way of targeting the social network’s 1.3 billion users. With personal information already used to show contextual ads on individual News Feeds, Atlas now enables Facebook to utilise the same data on behalf of third–party apps and websites.

Up to now, Facebook’s existing ad technology has used cookies to track websites visited by people for ad targeting purposes, though these cookies do not work on mobile devices and are often inaccurate, rendering it a challenge for marketers to track the interests of consumers reliably. Atlas allows advertisers to target ads around ‘Likes’ and interests for third-party websites and apps, anonymously tracking individuals and bypassing the flawed cookie ad-serving and measurement technology.

“Atlas delivers people-based marketing, helping marketers reach real people across devices, platforms and publishers,” says Erik Johnson, Head of Atlas. “By doing this, marketers can easily solve the cross-device problem through targeting, serving and measuring across devices. And, Atlas can now connect online campaigns to actual offline sales, ultimately proving the real impact that digital campaigns have in driving incremental reach and new sales. This valuable data can lead to better optimisation decisions to make your media budget even more effective.”

Global ad company Omnicom is Facebook’s first holding company to sign an agency-wide partnership with Atlas, and clients including Pepsi and Intel will be two of the largest brands to test out the Atlas platform. Initially, Atlas will be used exclusively for ad-serving and tracking, though Facebook has plans to set up Atlas as an ad purchasing platform in the future.

 

Men’s Health Urbanathlon to debut in the UAE

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The Men’s Health Urbanathlon, presented by Daman’s ActiveLife, has announced its first ever event to be held in the region, coinciding with the launch of Men’s Health Middle East earlier this month. With the Urbanathlon already held in over 25 countries across six continents, the 10km obstacle race is set to be held at Yas Marina Circuit on October 24, and will be a test for elite athletes and weekend joggers alike.

“I’m delighted that we’re able to kick off Men’s Health in the region with such a flagship event as the Urbanathlon,” says Andrew Nagy, Editor, Men’s Health Middle East. “The thing to remember though, is that this isn’t just for elite athletes, it’s a test thrown out to people of all fitness levels and I’m certain that it’s set to become a firm fixture in our annual fitness calendar.”

Nick McElwee, Sales and Marketing Director of Yas Marina Circuit adds, “We are very pleased to add the Urbanathlon to our extensive health and fitness calendar at Yas Marina Circuit. It is exciting to be part of the first Urbanathlon held within the UAE and it adds a new dimension for our health and fitness community to engage with. In particular, we are keen to encourage corporates to take up this challenge and see if they are tough enough, we think company engagement in health programmes is key to a healthier Abu Dhabi.”

With a dedicated website – www.urbanathlonme.com – participants can register for AED250 per person or AED800 for a team of four to undertake the fitness challenge.

ShortList to launch in the UAE

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Arab Publishing Partners (APP), part of the ITP Publishing Group, has announced that a UAE version of ShortList – the UK’s largest circulation lifestyle and entertainment title – will launch in March 2015. ShortList UAE is the region’s second ‘freemium’ publication to launch in the UAE, and targeting both residents and tourists, it will be an authority on the best in shopping, fashion, entertainment, lifestyle, technology, dining and sport.

ShortList UAE will be published every Wednesday, reaching men and women aged 20-50 in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Complimentary copies of the magazine will be widely available, with the website and app to follow in 2015 including searchable and bookable entertainment listings.

“We live in a fast-paced country with endless entertainment choices – from the world’s largest malls and top restaurants to world-class music and theatrical events,” says Ali Akawi, Managing Director, APP. “ShortList readers are busy people so the magazine will be their definitive guide to what they should be doing to make the best of their valuable leisure time.”

Tim Ewington, International Development Director of ShortList Media adds, “We’re delighted to be launching ShortList’s first international edition in such fast growing, vibrant cities as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. ShortList has the proven ability to connect powerfully with millions of affluent urban consumers both in print and digital forms. I am sure that the brand will be a potent and popular edition to the region’s media mix.”

Stylist Arabia announces launch party competition

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Stylist Arabia has announced its ‘Show Us Your Shoes’ competition to win tickets to the launch party of the women’s weekly publication. For a chance to win tickets, those entering simply need to snap themselves in their favourite pair of shoes and tag @Stylist_Arabia on Instagram along with #StylistArabia by October 7, 2014, when the winners will be revealed. The Stylist Arabia launch party will be held on Wednesday October 8, while the magazine hits the newsstands on October 14, 2014.

CNN partners with Ericsson for global campaign

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CNN International has been selected by Ericsson for an integrated advertising campaign to promote the tech brand as the forefront in information and communications technology. Launching today, the ‘Tomorrow Transformed’ campaign comprises a series of documentaries which examines how innovations in society and business have been enabled by technology.The focus of Ericsson’s campaign is on brand awareness amongst an upscale audience and creating engagement for its Networked Society initiative.

The segments, airing fortnightly, will be presented by CNN anchor Richard Quest and will air during CNN International’s ‘Quest Means Business’ and ‘News Stream’. A 30-minute special highlighting the most innovative stories from the series will be produced in 2015.

Creative production for the campaign’s advertising spot, billboards, co-branded promotions and online branding have been developed by Turner Commercial Productions, the advertising sales creative solutions division for CNN international.

“CNN is delighted to be the exclusive global platform for this campaign with Ericsson,” says Petra Malenicka, Vice President, Ad Sales, EMEA, CNN International. “‘Tomorrow Transformed’ is an exciting editorial proposition that will engage our viewers in many aspects of innovation. By aligning with ‘Tomorrow Transformed’ and embarking on an integrated spot and digital campaign with CNN, Ericsson will enhance its brand credentials amongst our unrivalled upscale global audience.”

Ola Rembe, Vice President External Communications at Ericsson adds, “We are thrilled about the opportunity to communicate our Networked Society vision. We believe ‘Tomorrow Transformed’ is an ideal concept to rightly associate our brand with the very latest in how industries and societies are transforming through mobility and ICT. CNN is a very attractive media platform for our campaign to reach an engaged and influential audience.”

YouTube to invest in top content creators

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YouTube is to fund content from its most successful creators as part of a global campaign to promote creativity on the network. In a blog post published by the Google-owned platform, YouTube revealed that it will expand support of creative content like Bethany Mota and Epic Rap Battles of History with full-scale marketing and advertising campaigns.

“We’ve seen the fidelity of our videos evolve from the grainy footage of webcams to the crystal clear beauty of 4K,” says Alex Cross, Head of YouTube Originals. “We’ve seen teenagers who began by blogging in their bedrooms emerge as media heavyweights, with passionate followings and shows that draw more fans than similar shows on cable TV… As any creator will tell you, making compelling new content isn’t easy, and we expect to learn a lot through this process. We’ll get our hands dirty. We’ll make some mistakes. Together, we’ll hopefully create some fantastic new content on YouTube. But one thing is certain: there’s no one we’d rather go on this adventure with than our creators.”

YouTube has already increased production support for its top content creators with YouTube Spaces in L.A., Tokyo and London, offering free access to the latest equipment, sets and support, and will soon be launching an additional Space in New York.

Global instagrammers to film #MyDubai Trip series

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12 globally recognised instagrammers are to visit Dubai over the next four weeks to experience the Emirate through the eyes of its residents, each following a tailor-made itinerary created by 12 influential Dubai-based Instagram users. Their experience will collectively form the #MyDubai Trip series, which is being produced in partnership between Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Qabeela New Media.

The selection of 24 instagrammers – globally and Dubai-based – was conducted through two competitions earlier this year, during which 40 international Instagram users and 30 Dubai residents campaigned for votes. The visiting instagrammers will be joined by Mohamed and Peyman Parham Alwadhi, Co-Founders of Qabeela New Media and Co-Hosts of Peeta Planet, and will guide the visitors throughout their #MyDubai Trip.

Featured international Instagram participants include – Garth Pon and Craig Howes from South Africa, Danny Zappa and Paulo Del Valle from Brazil, Christina Santoso and Daris Cahyadi from Indonesia, Seo Ju Park, Virgina Navarro and Saul Aguilar from Mexico, Devrim Ates from Turkey, Ahmad El Abi from Egypt and Abdulaziz Al Duwaisan from Kuwait.

The individual itineraries have been curated by Anas Bukash, Managing Partner of Ahdaaf Sports Club, Herald Herrera, Network Engineer and Manager of @igersdubai community; Ienobu Kaneko, entrepreneur and social media influencer; Kanu Al Kendi, Emirati stand-up comedian; Karen McLean, Blogger at Secret Squirrel Food; Khalid Al Ramsi, IT student and designer; Max Stanton, Consumer Market Knowledge Manager at Procter and Gamble; Muneera Al Tamimi, Co-Founder of Turba Studios and Co-Founder of Tamashee; Nouraldin Al Yousef, television presenter and media personality; Omar Samra, Founder and CEO of Wild Guanabana; Samantha Wood, freelance journalist, communications consultant and food blogger at foodiva.com and Sharifa Badri, marketing graduate and social media influencer. 

By creating the #MyDubai Trip series, Qabeela New Media is the latest company to join the #MyDubai initiative, launched in January of this year by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The winning Instagram users will begin to arrive in Dubai from mid-September for a period of three or four days each, with the last arriving in mid-October. The #MyDubai Trip series is scheduled for online broadcast between November 2014 and January 2015.

SME Advisor to host Roadmap for Growth Conference

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SME Advisor, a leading publication for business owners published by CPI Media Group, has announced the final line up for its one-day conference entitled ‘Roadmap for Growth’. Hosted in association with strategic partners National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and Etisalat, the event is expected to draw a crowd of over 400 owners and managers of SME businesses across the GCC. The event will be held September 29, 2014, and will take place at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai.

The day’s themed sessions – based on leadership, connectivity and growth – are anchored by ten VIP speakers, who fluently understand the SME agenda and the critical landmarks of growth. The final session of the day will follow a unique format, with two adversary panels debating whether it is best to achieve growth by borrowing or by building on profits and re-investment. The sessions will include a strong emphasis on aspects such as sustainability, marketing, corporate strategy and business education.

“The event is a powerful point of focus for everyone leading and building an SME in the region,” says Paul Godfrey, Editor, SME Advisor. “It will also provide networking opportunities for the suppliers and contractors eager to reach these decision makers. We are very pleased to have an impressive line-up of speakers, not just from our event partners NBAD and Etisalat, but from some key businesses across the region.”

To register for the conference, visit http://smeadvisor.com/events/smeroadmap/registration.php#registration

Al Jazeera launches AJ+

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Al Jazeera has launched AJ+, a connected global news community. With socially shareable content, AJ+ will highlight human struggles and achievements, as well as providing context on the world’s most prevalent news stories.

“AJ+ gives Al Jazeera the flexibility to innovate, grow and adjust in an era of rapid change in the news industry,” says Dr. Yaser Bishr, Director of Strategy and Development, Al Jazeera Media Network. “AJ+ is topical, direct and tonally relevant to a younger audience that relies heavily on mobile consumption and their social streams.”

AJ+ is available as a free iOS and Android app that conveys content, making the delivery and consumption of news fast, dynamic and simple. These cards are divided into the following sectors –

  • Video: This section offers bite-size videos containing relevant information that is shareable.
  • Debate: AJ+ enables you to vote on a certain issue, take a stand and advocate your position within the community.
  • Conversation: This space dives deeper into issues, connecting you with the global community to engage and learn from one another.
  • Quiz: Take a quiz and test your knowledge on issues, a novel way to explore stories.
  • Art: The section is designed to highlight key points around issues, and is designed to share on local streams.
  • Resource: Let AJ+ Google stories for you, this space will make your life a bit easier with links to relevant stories, articles and bits of information.

With over eight million views, AJ+ content will continue to be made available via its dedicated YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.