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Lions Festivals appoints new Managing Director

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Lions Festivals has appointed Jose Papa to the role of Managing Director. Jose is currently CEO of another business – WGSN – owned by Ascential, Lions Festivals parent company and was previously Corporate Strategy Executive Director at Estadão, Cannes Lions’ official representative in Brazil. In his new role, which will be effective as of September 1, 2016, he will head up and manage the Lions Festivals four annual global celebrations; Cannes Lions, Lion’s Health, Lions Innovation and Lions Entertainment, as well as regional events including; eurobest, Dubai Lynx, Spikes Asia and the Tangrams.
“Clearly this role attracted a lot of interest and I am delighted that Jose has agreed to join Lions Festivals,” says Philip Thomas, CEO, Ascential. “He has led WGSN to unprecedented success and with a deep understanding of our brand and huge international experience, he was the outstanding candidate for the role.”
Jose adds, “Lions Festival is the definitive global destination for creativity and inspiration. A legacy built by bringing together the world’s brightest minds and awarding the most innovative work. It is a privilege to carry on the heritage and further lead an exciting new phase of continued success.”

Nominations open for Leaders in Food & Beverages Awards

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Catering News Middle East has opened nominations for the inaugural Leaders in Food & Beverages Awards. The awards will celebrate excellence and innovation in the region’s food and beverage industry across 18 categories, including nine for restaurants and nine for individuals. Winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place on November 9, 2016 at the Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai and will be sponsored by prominent suppliers on the market including; Horeca Trade, Ronai and Pulsar.
“The first annual Leaders in Food & Beverages Awards‎ is part of BNC Publishing’s ongoing commitment to highlighting exceptional industry players,” says Wissam Younane, CEO, BNC Publishing. “The Middle East’s culinary and catering community continues to surpass itself in terms of creativity, service excellence, and innovative conceptual development. We look forward to welcoming both established and upcoming food and beverages talent to the event.”

PGt Advertising and Grayling sign affiliation deal

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Iranian advertising and marketing solutions agency PGt Advertising has signed an affiliation agreement with Grayling to provide integrated communications, public affairs, design and market development services to businesses, non-profit organisations and government authorities in Iran. The agreement will see both agencies working together to provide a full range of communications services to current mutual clients, whilst extending PGt Advertising’s global network and allowing Grayling to offer their clients premium PR and communications services in Iran. PGt will also be granted access to Grayling’s global resources and specifically designed suite of proprietary tools, designed to help their clients build brand resilience on and offline.
“The signing of this affiliation agreement between PGt Advertising and Grayling is another step in the right direction for us and we are extraordinarily excited to be accepted into such a successful global communications network,” says Sam Cordier, Managing Director, PGt Advertising. “As Iran opens up its arms to the world, we are proud to be able to offer our clients a truly integrated international communications reach and quality of service.”
Jonathan Shillington, Managing Director, Middle East, Grayling, adds “We welcome PGt Advertising into the Grayling network as Iran is an increasingly important market for many of our internationally focussed clients. It is vital to have a partner that we can trust and PGt Advertising has a proven track record of delivering quality communications.”

Radio 1 and Radio 2 to return

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UAE-based radio stations Radio 1 and Radio 2 are set to return to the airwaves, after being closed by Gulf News Broadcasting on June 30, 2016. The stations will now be operated by Abu Dhabi Media Company – the licence holder for the stations – and will feature the same formats but with an updated look and feel.
“Abu Dhabi Media confirms that it will assume management of Radio 1 and Radio 2 at the end of July 2016,” says Abdul Rahman Awadh, Executive Director, Radio, Abu Dhabi Media. “The Radio stations were originally owned by Abu Dhabi Media and will continue to reflect Abu Dhabi Media’s ongoing commitment to providing diverse content that appeals to all aspects of society. Both radio stations will resume broadcast on the same frequencies, for which Abu Dhabi Media holds exclusive rights. We are currently investing in bringing new concepts and ideas to the content of Radio 1 and Radio 2.”

Stylist Arabia to go monthly

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Stylist Arabia, part of APP Media Group, is set to become a monthly glossy title as of August 1, 2016. Previously a weekly publication, the magazine will continue to be aimed at a target audience of intelligent, sophisticated and style-conscious readers, by maintaining a focus on inspirational female figures, culture, careers, food and travel. Kerry McDermott will remain Editor and Stylist Arabia will be available, for free, at the beginning of every month from five star hotels, airline business class lounges, spas, salons and universities.

Media community unite to help friend in need

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The UAE’s media community is uniting to help Jeff Price, who has been diagnosed with a rare brain condition that his medical insurance won’t cover. A member of the media community in the UAE for over 22 years, Jeff has hosted numerous radio and TV shows, helped to launch City 7 TV, Radio 1 as well as Radio 2 and voiced family entertainment for many premium events such as Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, Legends Rock Dubai Tennis and Dubai Duty Free Tennis. He has championed causes across the region and raised funds for a number of charities, projects and causes.

Family, friends and colleagues of Jeff have helped to cover his initial surgeries, but he now needs to raise more than AED300, 000 in order to have a valve fitted for a third time to reduce pressure on his brain and for the further medical treatment that will be required in this complex diagnosis. To help, visit www.gogetfunding.com/help-jeff-price.

Inc. Arabia launches

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Inc. Arabia, the regional edition of Inc. magazine, has launched. Focussing on growing companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the magazine aims to offer news, advice and inspiration to those involved in the new economy, such as CEOs and venture capitalists as well as student entrepreneurs and startup employees. Inc. Arabia‘s editorial content will fit into six sections; LAUNCH, BUILD, LEAD, INNOVATE, TECH and MONEY, with each covering different stages of business growth.

The first edition of the monthly magazine is currently on news stands at a price of AED 15 and its first phase of circulation, approximately 15,000 copies, is being distributed across the UAE as well as in Kuwait and Qatar. The publication will eventually also be distributed in the Levant as well as Egypt, before finally expanding into Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC region.

“The Middle East and North Africa is on the cusp of an entrepreneurial breakout and, as such, we feel that our timing to come to this market has been on the money,” says Ankush Chibber, Managing Editor, Inc. Arabia. “Having said that, we will be honest and humble in our approach, with an aim to be a crucial part of this growing ecosystem. We don’t want to be just a magazine, but a platform where all the stakeholders in the ecosystem come together and are able to exchange and validate ideas, insights, strategies and achievements using our print, digital and event channels.”

Dubai Opera and ARN form partnership

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 Dubai Opera and the Arabian Radio Network (ARN) have formed a strategic partnership with the aim of developing a community of performing arts fans in the UAE. The multi-year agreement will see the development of new programming on talk radio station Dubai Eye 103.8, which will become the official radio channel for Dubai Opera, playing host to  interviews with talent visiting the new venue, located in Dubai’s Opera District.
“With some of the world’s greatest artists and productions announced for Dubai Opera it is fantastic to have the support of Dubai Eye 103.8, part of Arabian Radio Network, to help develop a strong community of audiences to enjoy the very best in live entertainment in the heart of Dubai,” says Jasper Hope, Chief Executive, Dubai Opera.
Mahmoud Al Rasheed, General Manager, ARN, adds “We see this as an investment in the development of arts and culture in the UAE and as the largest radio multi media company we have a responsibility to ensure we support a diverse range of genres that reflect the makeup of the UAE population.”