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Assaad Kassis takes on new role at UM MENA

UM MENA has appointed Assaad Kassis to the role of General Manager of its Saudi Arabia office. Having joined UM MENA’s Dubai office in 2010, Assaad most recently held the role of Regional Business Director, where he managed brands such as L’Oreal, Hershey’s and The Coca-Cola Company. In his new role, he will focus on growing the local business of UM MENA by augmenting the implementation of their product services for existing client business and simultaneously focusing on new acquisition. He will also work on ensuring UM’s regional client teams have heightened on-ground presence and are consistently plugged in with the local Saudi Arabian market.

“I can’t think of a better candidate than Assaad to lead our Saudi Arabia office at a time where our focus will be to continue strengthening our product line for local partners and expand our operations,” says Joe Nicolas, Regional Managing Director, UM MENA. “This is also an extremely exciting change for our Saudi Arabia office as Assaad has proven to be highly pragmatic and an organisational visionary and he will definitely be taking that with him in his new role.”

SOCIATE welcomes new PR Assistant and Copywriter

Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, SOCIATE has appointed Nichole Miranda to the role of PR Assistant and Copywriter. Nichole has previously worked with publications such as Gulf News, Diners Club and Read magazine. In her new role, she will work on creating engaging content and assisting the PR team with a variety tasks.

“While I majored in public relations at university, I’ve always played for team journalist and I am looking forward to learning a wealth of new skills at SOCIATE,” says Nichole. “My colleagues are a brilliant bunch who tirelessly make a group effort, every day, to support the company. I’m incredibly excited to be working with this homegrown brand.”

SOCIATE makes new appointment

Dubai-based marketing and PR agency, SOCIATE has appointed Tazeen Jafri to the role of PR Executive and Storyscaper. Tazeen previously worked with Matrix PR as Public Relations and Social Media Assistant, and most recently with Catalyst Arts Entertainment as Public Relations and Communications Assistant. In her new role, she will work on evolving traditional storytelling as well as establishing relationships with clients, developing pitches and executing communication plans. She will also focus on creating social media calendars, reports and blogs.

“I believe that PR professionals are born with the role,” says Tazeen. “It takes a certain amount of grit and passion to see the beauty in the chaos that is Public Relations. It’s a great sense of self-fulfillment when you’re a part of a supportive team who are always available to help in lifting the load.”

Solutions Leisure welcomes Lucy Perrott

Solutions Leisure has appointed Lucy Perrott to the role of Group PR and Communication Manager. Lucy previously worked with COPIA as Communications Manager, where she managed campaigns such as CATCH Dubai, Sass Café and Blue Marlin Ibiza Dubai. She most recently worked with Seven Media as PR Director and handled a number of clients including Jumeirah Restaurant Group, Nando’s KSA and INGLOT. In her new role, she will drive campaigns using creative tactics and forward-thinking strategies, while leading her team and educating them on communication and PR content.

“I aspire to see the world through my work, providing game-changing approaches across public relations, digital platforms and communication in a fierce, dynamic and fast-paced industry,” says Lucy. “As one of the most well-respected, fast-growing groups in the Middle East, I look forward to making an impact in a company I can grow with.”