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TRACCS honoured by The Holmes Report

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TRACCS, the largest home-grown public relations network in the Middle East & North Africa, has been named ‘Best Consultancy to Work for’ in Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa by The Holmes Report. This is the first time a regional agency has won the accolade.

Recognition from The Holmes Report is determined by a comprehensive survey of agency employees from around 40 PR firms throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The process solicits employee views on a wide range of issues, from the integrity of senior management and the quality of professional development to empowerment, risk-taking and compensation.

“This recognition is a huge vote of confidence in our approach to hiring and training Arab PR practitioners and our unwavering belief that a professional and sustainable communications industry needs to be built from the ground up, without relying overly on imported talent,” says Mohammed Al Ayed, Chief Executive Officer, TRACCS. “TRACCS is deeply committed to transforming itself from an ‘executing’ organisation to a ‘thinking and learning organisation’. This is a painstaking process that requires coaching, mentoring and integrating new talent with the core teams of the network.”

Transform announces awards nominees

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The Transform Awards Middle East North Africa (MENA) 2015, a showcase of exceptional new and evolving brand and rebranding campaigns, has revealed the organisations who have made its shortlist.

The awards recognise and share brand development work in the MENA region that is well thought-out, effective, innovative and creative. This will be the second time the event takes place in the region, having begun in Europe six years ago.

This year, Transform saw entries from a greater number of regional countries, including: the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Lebanon. Shortlisted companies include Careem and North 55, GGICO Properties and MBLM, and National Bank of Oman and Bellwether, for ‘Best Rebrand of a Digital Property’ as well as Abdul Latif Jameel and Siegel+Gale, Al Yuam and Bellwether, Asser Investments and Bellwether, Batelco and Unisono, GO Telecommunications and Bellwether, and Horizon & Co and Bellwether, for ‘Best Brand Evolution’. The most inspired and innovative project, as voted for by the Transform MENA judges, will receive the most prestigious award of the evening, the Grand Prix.

“We are proud to bring the Transform Awards to the MENA region once again to celebrate the growing brand industry and the superb work being done,” says Liz Foggitt, Publishing and Events Manager, Transform. “It’s always a pleasure learning about the nuances of branding and communications in different cultures and some of the work is of an exceptionally high standard.”

Sakshi honoured by HH Sheikh Mansoor

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Sakshi Advertising & PR was presented a Certificate of Honour by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, at a ceremony held on 17 May, 2015. Sakshi has strategised and executed PR activities for the centre and maximised its exposure across the region.

“We at Sakshi have always believed that with social responsibility, you gain back what you put in,” says Atul Dhawan, CEO, Sakshi Advertising & PR. “I thank Al Noor, my team and our clients for their love and continuous support.”

Starcom MediaVest Group welcomes Marcus Brown

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Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) has appointed Marcus Brown as Global Growth Officer, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Marcus brings with him over 20-years of experience in galvanising clients, colleagues, prospects and the communication industry, to SMG.He was most recently a founding contributor to a new UK-based consultancy and has also been made a Tech London Advocate – a member of an advocacy group that supports tech start-ups.

In his new role, Marcus will be responsible for building SMG’s growth across the EMEA region and driving performance to deliver a combination of precision, content and technology to clients. He will be based in London, reporting to Iain Jacob, President of EMEA, Starcom MediaVest Group.

“I’m thrilled that Marcus is joining our team,” says Iain. “He joins us with an extremely impressive track-record of client wins and, given his extensive experience, will play an instrumental role in the next phase of our transformation, helping to build on our continued success.”

Marcus adds “It’s clear that within the communications industry, much of the innovation is coming from the media sector. Starcom MediaVest group has an admirable reputation for fueling transformation with some of the world’s most iconic brands.”

Valleywood successfully debuts in Dubai

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Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) and its content division, LiquidThread, hosted the inaugural Dubai edition of Valleywood at Grosvenor House Hotel on 14 May, 2015. The event, in partnership with YouTube, brought together over 200 SMG MENA clients, partners and senior executives together for a day-long immersive experience of content and technology.

The event follows LiquidThread’s recent unveiling of its new offerings as a fully-fledged, tech-driven content solutions division delivering SMARTContent – data–led content designed for people and delivered to the individual. Valleywood featured a line-up of regional and global players in the broadcast, tech and content creation industries, with speakers including Egyptian satirist and comedian Bassem Youssef, Google’s The Zoo, Facebook, Yahoo, Uturn Entertainment, OSN, Endemol and Freemantle Media.

“The entertainment, technology and content creation worlds are converging intersecting and, more often that rarely, overlapping on many levels,” says John Antoniades, CEO, Starwoon MediaVest Group MENA. “The collision has ignited a chain reaction that neither brands nor agencies can afford to ignore – and contrarily, must utilize to its fullest potential. Valleywood came about to address this inevitable shift and transformation, for both our clients and the industry.”

 

Boguslavsky & Co welcomes Andrea Wignall

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Niche digital strategy agency Boguslavsky & Co has appointed Andrea Wignall as Social Media Manager. With previous experience working with premium brands in both South Africa and the UAE, Andrea will bring her unique combination of creativity and strategic thinking to her new role.

“I am really excited to have been awarded the opportunity to work with such an outstanding team,” says Andrea. “Boguslavsky & Co produces creative work of such a high standard, and I am ready to start this incredible journey together.”