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Content Plus launches index for top agencies in the UAE

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Dubai-based consultancy, Content Plus has launched new public relations index in the UAE. The PR index aims to provide a practical assessment and examine the efficiency of agencies in the UAE based on the first-hand experience of journalists through a poll as well as act as a guide for companies to select the best PR agency representation. With 200 journalist polled, the results shortlisted ten best agencies, ranking them based on the quality of content and effective engagement with the media by evaluating their level of support, fast follow up and interaction. The full list is available on content-plus.net

“The importance of these perspectives lies in the fact that the media is essentially, the primary channel used to convey the messages of PR agencies’ clients to their target audiences,” says Mohammed Baida, Managing Director, Content Plus. “By launching the Public Relations Index, Content Plus aims to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the UAE PR industry and pinpoint practical ways to improve their level of collaboration with different media outlets.”

She Wants Dubai goes live

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Lifestyle and city guide website, shewantsdubai.com (SWD) launches. The new platform was founded by Emily Franklin who brings with her over ten years of experience as an Entrepreneur, having also founded online travel websites, countryviewcottages.co.uk and latelettings.com. SWD offers women living in Dubai a platform dedicated to recommending all things to do and places to go in fashion, beauty, nutrition, fitness and lifestyle in the city. The website will also features a highlight of the week and an exclusive section for Dubai offers as well as tips and advice from women of different backgrounds including make-up artists, personal trainers and wellness experts to share their journey in the city with the readers.

“It’s an extremely busy time for us post launch, meeting inspirational ladies and having a lot of fun exploring our wonderful city – the She Wants Dubai motto is ‘more of what you love’ and that’s the message we want to share,” says Emily Franklin, Founder and Managing Director, shewantsdubai.com.”

Online fashion and lifestyle platform launches

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Online fashion and lifestyle platform, hubb.fashion launches. Founded by Shweta Bhatia, a graduate of journalism and business fashion from London College of Fashion and most recently Fashion and Beauty Editor at Femina ME. The new digital platform focuses on the modern woman and features news and editorial content that offers a 360 degree fashion, beauty and lifestyle experience from the industry in the Middle East to the rest of the world. Hubb.fashion will also provide an interactive section for readers to add to existing narratives and send in their contributions to be published online without the need to subscribe.

“Hubb means ‘Love’ in Arabic and love is for everything that this country has to offer,” says Shweta Bhatia, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, hubb.fashion. “At Hubb we aim to inspire, fascinate and share the experience of every story personally to each reader. Our site is about taking a break from your routine and coming online to unwind and explore your areas of interest. We bring our readers a little bit of everything – after all, we Hubb everything that’s trending.”

PRCA and TMN to launch training sessions

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PRCA MENA has partnered with The Media Network to launch half-day face-to-face training courses in Dubai. The trainers are accredited and certified by PRCA and all delegates attending will receive a certificate upon completion of the course. In addition to this, a series of face-to-face training sessions in Arabic are due to launch later this year. The sessions are priced at AED650 for PRCA members, AED850 for Premium Members of The Media Network and AED1,000 for non-members.

“I am very pleased to partner with The Media Network, to broaden further the range of training options available to PR and communications practitioners in Dubai,” says Francis Ingham MPRCA, Director General, PRCA. “It is a key priority of the PRCA to improve standards within the industry, and this is an important step forward.”

Michelle Kuehn, Managing Partner, The Media Network adds, “We’re so thrilled to launch face-to-face training sessions with PRCA. Our ethos has always been to create a nurturing media community in the region, and through this step, we aim to provide access to quality training for PR professionals in Dubai.”

The Social Shop by Aurora launches

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Social media agency, The Social Shop has launched in the UAE, under the umbrella of Aurora Advertising. Founded by social media specialist Annie Meikle, and Iona Al Suwaiadi, Founder of Aurora Advertising, The Social Shop offers a one-stop solution for organisations and corporates looking for quality solutions to their social media needs. The new agency will also focus on content creation, community management, influencer outreach, reporting and analytics as well as training and strategy.

“I saw a gap in the market for a quality, cost effective social media offering based on solid storytelling and backed up by analytics,” says Anne Meikle, Co-Founder, The Social Shop. “We offer a comprehensive social listening service and training solutions, which also sets us apart from our competitors.” 

IAA UAE Chapter launches production forum

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The International Advertising Association (IAA) UAE Chapter has launched IAA UAE – Production Forum. IAA UAE – Production Forum is a platform that aims to create a meaningful interface between the production, advertising and media industry. The new forum will also focus on providing a platform for the film and TV production industry to discuss and solve the challenges they face, as well as to promote the UAE’s production industry locally and internationally.

The IAA UAE- Production Forum will be headed by a steering committee made of professionals from across the UAE’s production and media industry including, Owner and Producer of Central Films, Karen Coetzee, Owner and Executive Producer of Boomtown, Shane Martin, Owner and Location Manager of Fstop Locations, Lyall Gardiner and Managing Partner of Joy Films, Ali Azarmi.

“The communications industry in UAE is a diverse and thriving sector,” says Hani Ghorayeb, President, IAA UAE Chapter. “Having our production industry members focus on a specific agenda that promotes and expands their role in the UAE is a very welcome and timely initiative given the rise of content.”

COPIA Group reveals new identity

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Dubai-based communications consultancy, COPIA Group has undergone a full rebrand as a part of the firm’s long-term positioning plan across the region. The relaunch includes a brand new website as well as a more focused direction on crafting creative content and experiences from across the region. The direction of the firm will also focus on its local presence and global network surrounding lifestyle as a core of its portfolio of brands and to position as well as communicate to relevant platforms.

“In a region where trust, integrity and expertise is key, we pride ourselves on being an extension of our clients,” says Rania El Sadek, Founder and Managing Director, COPIA. “Our advantage of knowing our network and influencers on a personal basis is a direct reflection of the lifestyle we not only create, but represent – a lifestyle that resonates with the new generations.”

Bravo Romeo by AJ launches in the UAE

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Content marketing and integrated communications firm, Bravo Romeo by AJ launches in the UAE. Bravo Romeo by AJ was founded by Meredith Carson, a content marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience in the industry as well as Moe Shanti, Founder and CEO of cloud-based technology solutions firm, AJ Consulting. The new agency aims to offer content marketing and editorial strategies for brand storytelling as well as crisis communications planning and management to help brands connect with their audiences in creative, relevant and dynamic ways. The agency will also be supported by AJ Consulting in providing access to cloud-based digital infrastructure and distilling information, where needed.

“In establishing Bravo Romeo by AJ, we’ve set out to transform the way in which businesses relate to their audiences – by providing collaborative and responsive communications strategies and infrastructure,” says Meredith Carson, CEO, Bravo Romeo by AJ. “We intend to put the ‘Public’ and ‘Relations’ back into PR, which is achieved through insight-driven content marketing and integrated communications which organise around audience content preferences.”

Zenith launches new brand identity

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Following the global rebrand of Zenith’s identity, proposition and platforms, the ROI agency has launched ROI+, a new global approach to communications. ROI+ aims to drive profitable growth for clients through the creation of upstream strategies, designing personalised communication and maximising downstream efficiencies. The launch of the agency’s identity will also see the addition of a new interactive section called Global Intelligence, which will make Zenith’s data and insights on advertising expenditure forecasts available online.

“We have a vision for delivering transformational growth for our clients and this required a new way of working that embraces both technology and invention,”says Vittorio Bonori, Global Brand President, Zenith. “I believe that Zenith’s new proposition and brand identity builds on our distinctive ROI positioning and sets us further apart from the competition.”

@AWM magazine launches in Abu Dhabi

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Yardstick Marketing Management has partnered with WhiteFox Media Group to launch a new quarterly magazine for Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. The print and digital magazine, named @AWM will feature a spectrum of products from Al Wahda Mall ranging from fashion, health, entertainment, cars, homeware, electronics, dining and travel. With 10,000 copies in circulation, @AWM will also include interviews, offers and promotions as well as feature editorial content. The magazine will be available as a complimentary publication, catering directly to the mall’s customers and online readers as well as the surrounding hotels and residential apartments.

Noel Ebdon, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of WhiteFox Media, will take on the role of Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of @AWM and Anishkaa S Gehani will also be joining Noel as Consulting Editor of the title. As the Founder of Yardstick Marketing Management, Anishkaa brings with her 13 years of media, marketing and PR experience. As the editorial heads of the new title, Noel and Anishkaa will oversee all the editorial content of the magazine.

“We are delighted to launch our very first official magazine, which I believe is another step forward in connecting our retailers to our visitors,” says Mohammed Nauman Thakur, General Manager, Al Wahda Mall. “With the launch of @AWM, we will keep our visitors abreast with everything that is trending in the fashion and lifestyle space, update them on the mall’s brands, as well as interviews and features relating to the wide range of products the mall covers.”