New online magazine MILLE has gone live under the domain MilleWorld.com. Founded by Sophia Guellaty, previously Editor-in-Chief at Style.com Arabia, the online platform aims to deliver a new approach to tackling the Arab identity through art, travel, beauty, fashion, lifestyle, technology and wellbeing. The new online magazine – which is available in Arabic, English and French – will focus on youth culture in the Arab world and aims to break down tired clichés.
New bridal magazine, Dubai Wedding Planner – Insider has launched under the domain DWP-insider.com. With a focus on luxury bridal fashion, beauty, lifestyle and culture, as well as travel guides that will feature destinations for weddings and honeymoons, the online platform, will be complemented by an annual print magazine. The magazine’s print issue will be limited to 5,000 copies, which will be hand-delivered to its VIP readers and stocks will also be available in spas, golf and beach clubs, as well as selected first and business class lounges across the GCC.
The new launch sees the appointment of Aishwarya Tyagi to the role of Editor. Aishwarya, who has previously worked across media titles including MOJEH, Grazia Middle East and Masala!, will work across the magazine’s editorial content and contribute towards its development across the region.
New personal branding agency, Briar Prestidge Consultancy launches in the UAE. Founded by Briar Prestidge, Editor-in-Chief of dealsinhighheels.com, the self-named consultancy aims to support entrepreneurs and business owners in marketing their product or service online. The agency will focus on providing personal branding strategies such as web design, business development, social media marketing, sales training and impression management.
“Many of our clients come to us as they know the importance of a personal brand yet find it daunting taking the first steps to put themselves ‘out there’ online,” says Briar Prestidge, Executive Director, Briar Prestidge. “We feel passionate to be supporting the entrepreneurs and business owners here in the region, contributing towards the growth of their business as well as their personal and professional growth as individuals.”
Dubai-based public relations and influencer marketing agency, POP Communications has been appointed as the PR agency for the launch of Little Wren in the UAE. Little Wren is a luxury e-commerce company that provides high quality brands for the modern family. POP Communications will be responsible for the brand’s regional launch activities, media relations and influencer engagement.
“Little Wren stocks independent and unique brands, making it the perfect site to find quirky and cute items for the whole family,” says Sarah Dudley, Managing Director, POP Communications. “They ship to the UAE free of charge and orders arrive in only a few days. We are excited to support Little Wren by building awareness about the unique brands available and driving traffic to the website through engaging media and influencer relations.”
Dubai-based content creation agency, The Content Hub has launched two new specialist divisions, The Yachting Hub and The Wheel Hub. Founded by Sam Richomme who most recently worked as CEO of Lux Media Group and Damien Reid who most recently was contracted by Lux Media Group to contribute for Edgar, Altitudes and Yachts Emirates, the two divisions will offer publishers and marketers ready-to-publish content packages that can be used on all communications channels including print, web and social media. The Yachting Hub will focus completely on yachting and yachting lifestyle while The Wheel Hub will focus on motoring and automotive content.
“Between the devil and the deep blue sea, the media industry’s growing need for immediate and top quality content are at odds with the industry’s continual drop in editorial budgets,” says Sam Richomme, Founder, The Content Hub. “The Wheel Hub and The Yachting Hub caters to the needs of today’s publishers to cover all their media channels in one go, with affordable and immediate access to content produced by media professionals who are experts in their respective fields.”
Damien Reid, Founder and General Manager, The Wheel Hub continues, “The Wheel Hub represents the changing face of media and a solution for time-poor editors who in many cases are either a one-person shop, or worse still, are forced to juggle multiple titles on their own. In 90 seconds, an editor will receive long form and short form text to suit both print and online layouts, 15 to 20 images all resized and colour-corrected to suit, pic captions for every image, headlines, sub-heads and pull quotes. We even include a 60-second, Instagram-friendly video with all the hashtags for their social media. There are no contracts to sign, no chasing late payments through accounts departments and no VAT paperwork issues as the PayPal process is as simple as ordering a home-delivery meal.”
Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, TishTash has been appointed as the PR partner for the launch of new fitness studio, DRYP. Set to open in January 2018, DRYP is a health and fitness concept that offers a schedule of Hot yoga and other fitness classes for the body, mind and overall well-being. TishTash will handle all of DRYP’s PR operations for its launch in the UAE.
“I have been a fan of Hot Yoga for the past five years and have personally witnessed the health benefits, so I’m looking forward to a new studio opening that offers just this close to home,” says said Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, Founder and Managing Director, TishTash. “Natasha Rudatsenko is one of the most exciting fitness and health entrepreneurs in the region and someone that inspires me, so we’re looking forward to working with her on the studio and her other upcoming launches in the health and wellness space.”
Dubai-based public relations and influencer marketing agency, POP Communications has been appointed by Lana Marks as its PR and social media agency in the UAE. Set to open this month at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, Lana Marks is a luxury handbag brand that merges form, function and fashion to provide luxury accessory products for fashion lovers across the UAE. POP Communications will be responsible for Lana Marks’ launch strategy and event, as well as ongoing media and influencer support. The agency will also handle the launch of the brand’s UAE social media accounts.
“The Lana Marks brand has become synonymous with the most luxurious fashion forward handbags in the world,” says Roxanne Mukhi, Managing Director, POP Communications. “We are excited to be part of the brand’s launch team in the UAE and to communicate its offerings to the right target market.”
Dubai-based radio network, Shock Middle East has launched Heart 107.1 in the UAE. Heart 107.1 will focus on delivering interesting and relevant content, musical hits from the 90’s and the noughties, local and international news as well as inspirational topics with an aim to tap into all communities in the UAE.
The new station will also feature four main daily live shows and will see the appointment of a new team of presenters. Dave Cleary, previously Presenter at Dance FM will take on the role of Presenter for ‘Drive with Dave’ from 4pm – 8pm. ‘Mornings with Heart’ from 10am-1pm will be hosted by Jade Worsley, having previously worked in the UK with Dee 106.3 as Presenter. Tim Hartman and Faris Al-Raqqad who previously worked in Jordan with Bliss 104.3 will present ‘Breakfast with Tim and Faris’ from 6am-10am, along with Sheron Nanayakkara, joining them from Sri Lanka’s Red 107.8 Sky Media Network. Also joining the team is UAE-based Disc Jockey, Fadi Mansour who will host ‘Afternoons with Fadi’ from 1pm – 4pm.
“To say we’re pretty excited that this day has finally come is an understatement,” says Theo Makris, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Shock Middle East. “Heart 107.1 has been a long time coming – and we know it’s just what the UAE needs. Get ready to listen to some excellent music, the best of the best radio presenters – and a radio station which will always make you feel good.”
Global media brand, VICE Arabia has launched operations across the region. Headquartered in the UAE, vice.com./ar provides a mix of locally and internationally produced video programming, as well as editorial and social content targeted at the region’s youth population.
Islam Alrayyes takes on the role of Editor-in-Chief and brings a wealth of experience in the Middle East media industry, having previously worked as Editor-in-chief at Sport360 and Head of Digital Content at admcsport.com, part of Abu Dhabi Media. In his new role, he will lead the team of writers, editors, directors and producers to launch its digital operations across the region.
VICE Arabia’s Managing Director, Jason Leavy will handle broader operations and comes with over 20 years of media, communications, publishing and marketing experience. Jason most recently worked with Edelman DABO as Managing Director and will now work alongside the editorial, content and commercial teams. He will be responsible for VICE Arabia’s creative and strategic development across all mediums as a part of the brand’s expansion plan across the region.
Reporting to Jason Leavy is Firas Breais – Head of Sales, Ciaran Bonass – Creative Director and Anas Al Hakim – Senior Creative.
Also joining the new team from its UK office is Aws Al-Jezairy who holds the role of Managing Editor, having helped launch VICE News in the UK. Emma Hill is Head of Production, Badar Salem and Wael Mamdouh are Online Editors, Ameer Daou is Social Editor and Majd Abi Ali is Audience Development Manager.
“VICE Arabia will bring together pan-Arab youth and stand out as the platform for them to tell their own stories and talk about what matters to them,” says Islam Alrayyes, Editor-in-Chief, VICE Arabia. “In a region woven in a rich cultural fabric and with increasingly prominent new voices and talent – from innovators to artists – VICE will showcase the work of those making an impact.”
Global technology platform, TechRadar has partnered with regional technology brand, Tbreak as a part of its expansion into the Middle East. The partnership will see both brands combine their resources to publish content to a wider audience with a name rebrand of its platform to TechRadar.com. The agreement will also see TechRadar’s existing editorial team work closely with the Tbreak team to provide their audience with a blend of globally relevant industry coverage and product reviews, alongside local news and insight specifically tailored to the region to strengthen their existing and global reach.
“We are very excited with this new partnership,” says Abbas Jaffar Ali, Director, Tbreak Media. “TechRadar is a highly-respected brand and with their expertise, we are looking to take technology journalism to a whole new level in the Middle East.”