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C&B expands MENA network

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Cicero & Bernay (C&B), part of The Publicity Network (Publinet) has signed an affiliation with Kuwait-based marketing and public relations agency, Local Flavor. Aiming to further expand its network within the MENA region, the partnership will offer the agency’s clients public and media relations services, business development capabilities and communication development tools as well as PR strategies.

“The signing of this affiliation agreement amplifies our strong capabilities throughout the MENA region in delivering comprehensive public relations and communications services,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero & Bernay. “Local Flavor and C&B each have a strong service ethos that delivers tailored client servicing and communication planning for our clientele. Our complementary insights will enrich already effective communication delivery across both of our markets and to the wider region.”

Khaled Salah Al-Sayer, Managing Partner, Local Flavor adds, “We are very pleased with this new affiliation, as it combines the strong market knowledge of both companies and the breadth of complementary services and expertise. For our clients, this affiliation will deliver increased opportunity for exposure and strengthened brand infrastructure that can be optimised across the region.”

UX NXT to be held in the Middle East

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Digital solutions agency, RBBi, is set to host the first UX NXT conference in the Middle East from March 8-9, 2017 at the Conrad hotel. With over 500 people expected to attend, the focus of the conference will be on user experience design tools used to improve usability and accessibility in interacting with products for an enhance users satisfaction experience. The conference will also include keynote presentations from guest speakers, case studies, workshops and a moderated panel of discussions to deliver the latest research and trends that will shape the future of UX, usability and accessibility across the region.

“Dubai is known to spearhead innovation and new trends and we are proud to host the region’s first user experience conference,” says Amol Kadam, Co-Founder, RBBi. “The conference will welcome the best professionals from the industry to share with us their experience and knowledge about UX, Service Design, usability and accessibility and will provide organisations with a single view of information, allowing them to make smarter business decisions.”

Saudi Arabian news channel closes

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Saudi Arabian-based news channel, Al-Arab has announced the closure of its news channel after two years of operation. Launched in 2015 by Al-Waleed Bin Talal, Al-Arab will cease operations with immediate effect after being shut down from its headquarters in Bahrain.

OSN signs long-term TV content deal

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Entertainment network company, OSN has signed a long-term deal for exclusive rights to Disney Channels in the MENA region. The agreement will see OSN maintain exclusive rights and give its subscribers across the MENA region access to Disney channels including Disney XD, Disney Junior and Disney Channel HD. The long-term deal will also see subscribers gain access to soon to be launched Disney first-pay movies and the Disney Forever on Demand services.

“We continue to build on our strong collaboration with Disney through an even wider range of content that appeals to family and kids,” says Emad Morcos, Chief Content Officer, OSN. “The quality of Disney entertainment is unbeatable and the addition of more On Demand anytime and anywhere shows will offer added choices for our customers. Our long-term partnership with Disney is industry-defining as it raises the bar in home entertainment and brings even more value for our subscribers.”

Lovin Dubai expands social media reach

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Augustus, a newly launched media agency and the holding company of online guide, Lovin Dubai, has merged all its social media channels with 7DAYS UAE. Following the closure of the weekly newspaper in December 2016, Augustus has purchased the social media handles for 7DAYS UAE, which has accumulated a massive social media following across Instagram, Twitter and Facebook over the years.

“Social media plays a crucial role in how media is consumed today,” says Richard Fitzgerald, Editor, Lovin Dubai. “We are delighted to take on the profiles of 7DAYS UAE both regarding assuming a broad audience that now has a gap in their daily newsfeed and accepting the responsibilities that go along with it. It is an honour and a privilege to be able to continue the legacy of 7DAYS in a small way.”

Mark Rix, CEO, 7DAYS UAE adds, “Over the last few years, we have built a large and highly engaged audience across our social media platforms due to the high quality and unique nature of our content. We believe that Lovin Dubai will continue to inform and entertain our readers in the same spirit.”

Edelman makes key appointment

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Edelman UAE has appointed Robin Gordon-Farleigh to the role of Regional Director for Government Strategies for the Middle East. With over 23 years of experience, Robin previously worked with the UK Department of Health as the Head of Media Planning and Strategy and is currently with the Prime Ministers office as the Senior Communications Strategist. He will take on his new role in Dubai in March, where he will offer his advice on the Middle East operations in the private and public sectors as well as work across government clients and executing strategies to position Edelman internationally.

“I am really pleased to be joining the Edelman Middle East team at such an exciting time,” says Robin. “They are doing such amazing work there in the space of government communications and I look forward to helping them to build out the business. It has been a great six years at No10 which throughout I have felt truly honoured and humbled to work there at the top of Government and in some small way contributed to deliver its agenda.”

PRCA launches mentoring scheme

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Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) has collaborated with PRWeek to launch a new mentoring scheme in the UAE and UK. Aiming to inspire the next generation of PR and communication leaders, the Fast Track mentoring scheme will launch with an initial 21 mentors including Yiannis Vafeas, Managing Director at Golin MENA and Alex Malouf, Corporate Communications Manager for the Arabian Peninsula at Procter & Gamble.

“We are very proud to launch the latest stage in the Fast Track mentoring scheme, aimed at inspiring mentees to go even further with their careers,” says Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA. “Mentoring is a fantastic way of passing on the expertise and knowledge held within the industry to a new generation of hopefuls.”

STARZ Play signs multi-year TV content deal

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Dubai-based subscription video on demand (SVOD) service, STARZ Play has signed a multi-year agreement with Warner Bros International Television Distribution. The agreement will see Warner Bros International Television Distribution provide more premium content from Hollywood studios and give STARZ Play’s subscribers access to exclusive series and programs.

“This is a landmark deal, which adds some of the most demanded and searched for titles to our library,” says Khaled Benchouche, Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisition, STARZ Play. “We have been successful in attracting top studios to our platform and we are delighted to work with Warner Bros International Television Distribution, which is one of the reputable names in the industry.”