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Andrew Cecil joins Burson-Marsteller

Global public relations and communications firm Burson-Marsteller has appointed Andrew Cecil as Chairman of its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Public Affairs practice. In this role, Andrew will be based in Brussels leading the agency’s practice throughout the EMEA region.

Andrew has over 20 years of international experience in senior government relations and corporate affairs. He joins Burson-Marsteller from Amazon in Brussels, where he was Director of Public Policy, leading public policy strategy and execution across Europe. A graduate of Law from the University of Bristol, Andrew holds an MBA from INSEAD Business School and has previously worked for the European Digital Media Association and Yahoo!

“I’m delighted that Andrew is joining us at a time when our business has significant momentum and opportunities for growth,” says Jeremy Galbraith, CEO, Burson-Marsteller EMEA and Global Chief Strategy Officer. “Andrew’s experience operating across Europe and his leadership of public policy at high profile companies, such as Amazon and Yahoo!, are a perfect fit for our client’s evolving needs and our business strategy of integrated communications.”

Ibrahim Mougharbel joins Instinctif Partners

Ibrahim Mougharbel has been appointed Senior Regional Consultant at Instinctif Partners. He will work on assignments across various markets including those in the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, specialising in real estate, oil and gas, healthcare, financial services, private sector growth companies and government relations.

Prior to joining Instinctif, Ibrahim worked with Edelman in the UAE as a Senior Account Manager, working with clients including Sky News Arabia, Mubadala and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB). He graduated from Saint Joseph University in Beirut with a BA in Business and Management.

“I’m delighted to have joined Instinctif Partners at such an exciting time,” says Ibrahim. “I am looking forward to working with a talented and experienced team committed to delivering first class communications strategies for its clients.”

Lucy Smith joins Performance Communications

Sports and automotive specialist agency Performance Communications has appointed Lucy Anna Smith as Associate Account Director. In her new role, Lucy will be heading up the agency’s Hyundai and Continental Tires accounts across the Middle East.

Lucy has previously worked in the UK with the Ford Motor Company. She has seven years of experience in the PR industry and has worked for leading consumer agencies in London handling accounts for globally-renowned brands such as Radox and Southern Comfort. More recently, she moved to the UAE to manage corporate communications for BMW Group Middle East and MINI Middle East.

Edelman to acquire DABO & CO

Communications marketing firm Edelman today announced it plans to acquire independent communications agency DABO & CO. The combination of Edelman’s United Arab Emirates operations with those of DABO & CO will encompass 150 employees with a broad range of expertise from corporate to marketing to digital. The agency will offer creative, planning, research and event management capabilities across the region.

Edelman UAE opened its first office in Abu Dhabi in 2008; it now has an award-winning team of 85 consultants across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, working for UAE-based organisations as well as numerous multinational companies.

DABO & CO has grown over the past ten years to become a creative communications and experiential marketing business; it now has a team of over 60 staff and represents many world-renowned brands.

“Globally Edelman looks to invest in firms that are committed to reshaping the focus of the communications marketing industry, and DABO & CO demonstrates this vision through its highly-creative, client-centric approach,” says Matthew Harrington, Global Chief Operating Officer, Edelman. “As the industry develops in the Middle East, this partnership will position us to create engaging and innovative communications programs that support our clients’ needs.”

“We are excited to partner with Edelman as we believe this acquisition will unite two of the leading players in the market to create a regional powerhouse,” adds Camilla d’Abo, Managing Partner, DABO & CO. “Not only will our clients benefit greatly from this, it also constitutes a compelling proposition to brands seeking a new integrated approach in the region.”

Mindshare Dubai ranked #1 MENA Media Agency

Mindshare Dubai, part of WPP, has been ranked number one media agency in MENA by the Effie Effectiveness Index 2015, an annual ranking of the marketing and communications industries’ most effective agencies, advertisers, and brands.

This is the third year in a row that Mindshare Dubai has been selected as the number one media agency in MENA. It scored 66 points on the index, also making it the most effective office in the Mindshare global network. In order to be ranked, Mindshare Dubai’s campaign effectiveness was thoroughly evaluated by a panel of respected industry professionals using data provided by Effie’s global partners to distribute points amongst outstanding agencies.

“Our passion for innovation in our marketing campaigns is at the core of what drives us, but ensuring that our creative campaigns produce outstanding results is critical,” says Samir Ayoub, CEO, Mindshare MENA. “It’s not enough to introduce new ideas – they have to exceed the project’s objectives and produce quantifiably successful outcomes that give our clients the competitive edge.”