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UM MENA partners with EVRYTHNG

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UM MENA has partnered with EVRYTHNG through its innovation and technology division UM Labs.  EVRYTHNG is an Internet of Things (IoT) Smart Products Platform that connects any consumer product to the Web using connectivity technologies or networking protocols, and manages real-time smart product data to drive applications. The partnership with the IoT Smart Products Platform will transform how clients’ products talk to its consumers, bringing innovation and a multitude of engagement with the consumer, data divinity and a better understanding of post purchase wants.

UM Labs aims to accelerate the adoption of ‘The Next Thing In Media’ through a showcase of technology partnerships, and is uniquely positioned in a global media agency, the Labs’ aim from this first media and IoT partnership in the region with EVRYTHNG is to bring more innovation to UM MENA’s partners by creating the most vibrant and efficient media space.

“Innovation in technology is making it possible for everyday products to generate data and play a direct role delivering digital services and applications to consumers,” says Niall Murphy, Founder and CEO, EVRYTHNG. “We’re thrilled to be working with UM Labs to bring these innovation capabilities to brands.”

House of Comms Acquires RUA Digital

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House of Comms has acquired international digital communications agency, RUA Digital and rebranded to House of Comms Integrated Communications. Following the rebrand, the agency will also be launching its new website – www.houseofcomms.com. Launched in 2012, House of Comms has a client portfolio that includes global, regional and local brands such as Virgin Atlantic Airlines, Grosvenor House Dubai, TDIC Abu Dhabi and BOUNCE Trampoline Park. Naomh McElhatton, former Managing Director of RUA Digital, will be joining the new House of Comms Integrated Communications team as Director of Strategy and Education, where she will lead on providing strategic guidance for clients and consultants alike while also spearheading the agency’s newly-founded Digital Training Academy.

“We established House of Comms to work with clients that we feel truly passionate about,” says Kaja Weller, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “Over the past three years we’ve been committed to delivering highly creative, innovative and strategic campaigns for clients across the Middle East. The acquisition of RUA Digital is testament to our vision for House of Comms and through this partnership we look forward to meeting the demands by brands for a truly integrated approach.”

Jamie Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms, adds “We’ve been planning to diversify into the digital space for quite some time as a natural step for the business, given the constant demand from our clients for support with digital content, complex social media strategies and SEO support. 2015 has been a huge year for House of Comms and we’re looking forward to the next chapter in the evolution of the agency. Watch this space.”

ELAN partners with the Huffington Post

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ELAN Media, the media division of the ELAN Group, has become the exclusive digital media sales representative for the Arabic-language edition of The Huffington Post, Huffpost Arabi. The division has partnered with Integral Media Strategies as well as The Huffington Post to introduce Huffpost Arabi to the Middle East. Founded by CEO Wadah Khanfar, former Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, Integral Media Strategies is a digital content hub that produces online news catered to the Arab region. Based out of London, the hub will be working with HuffPost Arabi to produce and share the latest stories from the Arab world.

“We are proud of the partnership with ELAN Media, a company with established roots in the market and a developed footprint across many leading websites in the region,” says Wadah. “We are confident in their ability to promote HuffPost as a go-to advertising platform for companies in the Arab world. We want to publish great content that advertisers will be excited to support.

Jaber Al-Ansari, Group Chief Executive Officer, ELAN Group, adds “We are proud to establish The Huffington Post and even more so to help introduce their Arabic edition to the Middle East. We have been in the media market for over a decade and have developed extensive knowledge and practice in the region. Our partnership model allows us to leverage this expertise and partner with global brands that are experts in their respective fields, giving people of the Middle East diversity in choice and access to more substance than what is available. We believe our partnership with HuffPost Arabi will be mutually beneficial to both our audiences.”

twofour54 and ADMAF to partner

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twofour54 has renewed its partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) for a sixth consecutive year, in an effort to support creative and cultural industries in the UAE, as well as nurture skills development for the media sector. Both parties have signed a Letter of Cooperation signifying a mutual interest to collaborate on programmes in various disciplines of media and creativity.

The two organisations will team up to develop joint activities that foster growth, development and awareness of media as well as the creative and cultural industries in the UAE, with a focus on young adult Emiratis and the wider Emirati community. The partnership will also establish a new mechanism for effective sharing of information amongst the filmmaking community, aiming to support emerging and established Emirati film-makers.

“Our partnership with ADMAF plays a significant role in supporting our mission to nurture young talent and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead successful careers in the media industry,” says Noura Al Kaabi, CEO , twofour54. “The agreement will provide talented individuals with access to twofour54’s unique offerings and services, helping to sustainably grow our local media industry.”

Hoda Al Khamis-Kanoo, Founder, ADMAF, adds “ADMAF and twofour54 share an unwavering commitment to investing in the creative and cultural industries of Abu Dhabi. Through collaborations that spawn media, the comic arts and film – in both training and practice – together, we are sowing the seeds of creativity and innovation among the next generation.  This Letter of Cooperation affirms the strong bonds between our organisations and gives welcome momentum to further joint initiatives in future.”

Posterscope partners with Blue 449

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Out of home (OOH) communications agency Posterscope is partnering with global media network Blue 449, in association with Hills Advertising and Elevision, to work on Project Everyone – Filmmaker and Founder Richard Curtis’ worldwide initiative to promote the United Nations’ global goals for sustainable development to end extreme poverty and tackle climate change by 2030.  The project aims to share the UN’s goals with seven billion people over seven days.

Posterscope and Blue 449 will be working with Hills Advertising, Elevision and other media partners across the globe to supply space for the adverts, designed by Richard himself, and raise awareness of the initiative. 125 partners have been engaged with the project to date, and the adverts will be shown in 450 cities, around 28 different countries in central locations with high footfall, such as Piccadilly Circus in London, Times Square in New York and Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai.

“The best chance of the UN’s global goals being met is if everyone is aware of them and that’s where Project Everyone comes in, along with the support of its many partners,” says Richard. “I have been overwhelmed by the response of brands, consumers and institutions alike to this initiative. Posterscope and Blue 449 have been instrumental with getting out of home media owners on board to get our messages across, to really raise public awareness of the issue at hand.”

Annie Rickard, Global CEO, Posterscope, adds “It is a great opportunity to be involved in an initiative like Project Everyone. We are delighted to be able to capitalise on our media network and connections to help raise awareness around the issues at hand and hopefully, slowly but surely, change the way we live and the world we live in.”

TPG acquires élan productions

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The TPG Group has acquired Dubai-based events company, élan productions, as part of its strategy to strengthen it’s corporate client offerings throughout the Gulf region. Combining the two businesses will provide clients with solutions for events such as award ceremonies, product launches or gala dinners. élan is an international events company with clients such as Emaar, Emirates, Coca-Cola and The Dubai Mall.

“We have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with élan over many years – in both the UK and Dubai,” says Eddie Rayner, Managing Director, TPG Group. “They are consummate professionals, possessing great vision and stunning attention to detail. The opportunity to bring élan into the TPG Group was too good to miss. I am delighted with this development.”

Dee Thomsen, Founder, élan, adds “There is an amazing synergy between our two companies, creating a dynamic to ensure we offer clients a unique and memorable event service in the region.”

Ananke and Elan to collaborate

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Online publications Ananke and Elan are to partner in order to coproduce content to provide more engaging and relevant features for their readerships. Ananke was established to celebrate visionary women and cover issues relating to female empowerment, women’s economic emancipation and gender mainsteaming, while Elan looks to highlight positive trends emerging across the Middle East and South Asian regions.

“We are absolutely thrilled to form this strategic alliance with Elan,” says Sabin Muzaffar, Executive Editor, Ananke. “Our collaboration is poised to go a long way. It also reinforces our resolve to create a dynamic platform for women seeking inspiration, education and empowerment through the dissemination of meaningful content.”

Hyacinth Macarenhas, Managing Editor, Elan, adds “We are pleased to collaborate with partners who share our goals to celebrate the best that the Middle East and South Asia have to offer and showcase the remarkable work and accomplishments of women in the region.”

Edelman completes acquisition of DABO & CO

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Edelman has completed its acquisition of DABO &CO, expanding the company’s presence in the Middle East region. The completion sees the launch of a new co-branded entity – Edelman DABO – which combines the consumer public relations and digital capabilities of both companies. The co-brand will also see the launch of Edelman DABO Experiential which builds upon DABO’s creative events management division. The company now has a roster of over 50 clients in the Middle East.

“The communications marketing landscape is evolving at a pace where yesterday’s innovation horizon is reached at a speed that was unimaginable even a couple of years ago,” says David Bran, President and Chief Executive Officer, Edelman Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “Our focus on building our leadership position requires us to be one step ahead of our clients’ evolving needs. DABO & CO has been consistently able to deliver high levels of creativity in consumer communications and experiential activations, making it an ideal addition to our existing business in the Middle East.”

Lucy d’Abo, Managing Director, Edelman DABO Experiential, adds “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition process and to have revealed our new brand identity as an Edelman company. In terms of both strategic vision and cultural fit, it was clear that Edelman represented the best partner for us and everything we’ve experienced to date has reinforced that view.”

 

CIPR and MEPRA to partner

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The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), a professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK, and the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA), have signed an agreement that will see Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status as well as an expanded, accredited training regimen, available to MEPRA members.

Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status is a senior professional status awarded to senior public relations professionals who can demonstrate an outstanding level of professional practice and knowledge, along with a commitment to continuous learning.

“I am delighted that through this new strategic partnership with MEPRA, public relations professionals in the Middle East will have access to the highest level of professional accreditation available,” says Sarah Pinch, President, CIPR. “I look forward to further collaboration with MEPRA, and other international partners, to work together to achieve CIPR’s stated mission of professionalising public relations, on a global scale.”

Alex Malouf, Vice-Chair, MEPRA, adds “The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has been a pioneering organisation in terms of training and development, and we support their promotion of the Chartered Practitioner status, a standard that underlines the abilities and experiences of a professional in the Public Relations industry.”