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SOCIALEYEZ acquires BSocial

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SOCIALEYEZ has acquired Egyptian communications agency BSocial and will consolidate both entities into a regional digital entertainment hub with integrated services. The two companies’ teams will merge to leverage expertise and experience, meaning that the new SOCIALEYEZ will have a team of over 120 digital media professionals managing over 25 million social media fans on behalf of regional clients. BSocial focuses on providing full digital management solutions of its clients in terms of social media management, digital marketing, mobile and web app development and advertising, amongst other services, with clients ranging from SMEs to large enterprises.

“We at BSocial are excited to join forces with SOCIALEYEZ,” says Ehab Fares, Managing Director and Founder, BSocial. “With almost 30 million users on Facebook alone in Egypt, we have a lot of potential which SOCIALEYEZ can help us achieve. We both share a vision of creating a true regional digital media hub.”

Fadi Al Tarzi, CEO, SOCIALEYEZ, adds “We’re really excited about this acquisition, we’ve gotten to know the BSocial team quite well over the past years and we definitely share the same values of passion, dedication and creativity. This deal will give us further access to the great creative talent available in Egypt and is only the start of a wider expansion strategy.”

Carat MENA promotes Herve Wittenauer

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Carat MENA has promoted Herve Wittenauer to the role of General Manager – International Clients. Previously Client Servicing Director, Herve brings over 15 years of experience to his new role where he will now be reporting to Ramzi Haddad, Managing Director, Carat UAE and Lower Gulf. As General Manager – International Clients, he will be responsible for all of Carat’s international clients active across the Middle East and North Africa, supporting the 20 offices Carat has in the region. Herve will work to ensure that the agency delivers holistic, integrated and consistent client servicing on both a local and regional level.

“Since Herve joined us in Dubai two years ago, he has worked tirelessly to build Carat’s product offering and achieve operational excellence,” says Ramzi. “As our network and client portfolio continues to grow, it is imperative that we have the right experience and capability in key regional roles. We want to become a 100% digital agency by 2020 and continue to deliver value on a regional scale. This transformation is a huge undertaking and Herve is the right person to help us achieve this long term ambition. His promotion is a recognition of the passion, hard work and dedication that he carries with him to work every day.”

Herve adds “I have been with Dentsu network for 16 years now and in the just the last two I have seen Carat MENA grow exponentially. Our clients recognise the potential of this region and look to us to drive value across the board via our command of media convergence. I look forward to making sure our on the ground knowledge in each market is supported by a collaborative approach across the Middle East and North Africa.”

Bell Pottinger to make senior appointments

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Bell Pottinger will make a series of senior level appointments across the group’s international businesses. Sam Turvey, currently Managing Director in Dubai, will relocate to Hong Kong in early May, where he will take up the position of Managing Director in order to give a fresh perspective to the group’s Hong Kong team. Nicola Hooper, currently a Partner in the Dubai office, will become its new Managing Director where she will continue to nurture strong client relationships in the region. Nicola’s new role will also involve her working closely with Archie Berens, Managing Director of Bell Pottinger’s Abu Dhabi office, in order to implement a strategic growth plan across financial, corporate, government and consumer communications.

Tim Wilson, Chairman of Bell Pottinger Middle East, will also assume the additional role of Chairman of CSM Sport and Entertainment, Middle East and Africa, where he will oversee the opening of a new office in Dubai for the sports and entertainment agency while continuing to support the Bell Pottinger team in growing the geopolitical service offering.

“I am delighted to announce these appointments,” says James Henderson, Group CEO, Bell Pottinger. “They are a testament to our ability to attract and nurture brilliant talent which contributes to the continued success and growth of our international business. These changes are a great opportunity for Bell Pottinger’s international offices to offer clients even more of an integrated, global service. The connections between the Middle East and Asia are only getting stronger, so to be able to apply firsthand knowledge of the Middle East to businesses and individuals in the Far East – and vice versa – will be a real advantage.”

Cannes Lions launches Young Lions PR competition

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Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2016 and PRCA MENA are launching the first Young Lions PR competition in the Middle East and North Africa. The competition aims to discover the leading young creative PR team globally and will see teams of two competing for the prize, with all teams having gone through a pre-selection process in their own country set up by local Cannes Lions representatives. PRCA will be handling the competition to find a team to represent the MENA region.

“Cannes Lions is committed to showcasing and developing global talent through its extensive programme of training and competitions,” says Steve Latham, Head of Talent and Training, Lions Festivals. “The Young Lions Competitions provide an opportunity for rising stars to demonstrate their abilities and creativity in front of some of the most influential names in the creative communications industry. We’re delighted that the PRCA are coming on board to help deliver this incredible opportunity to young PR talent in the MENA region.”

Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA MENA and Chief Executive, MPRCA, ICCO, adds “We are delighted to be conducting the inaugural Young Lions PR competition for the MENA region. Not only does this offer a brilliant opportunity for young, creative minds, but it also demonstrates the growth of PRCA MENA and it’s reputation on the international stage.”

 

AdFalcon and Rubicon Project form new partnership

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Mobile advertising network and data platform AdFalcon has formed a strategic partnership with global automation technology provider Rubicon Project to launch a new local mobile advertising exchange in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region – AdFalconX. The new partnership will offer a potfolio of advertising inventory for mobile aiming to offer the best ROI for media agencies, advertisers and publishers.

“We are thrilled to announce this strategic partnership – the first of its kind in the region,” says Wael Quader, CEO and Co-Founder, AdFalcon. “Rubicon Project’s technology will diversify AdFalcon’s offering and enable programmatic buying of our inventory, providing our advertisers and publishers with multiple options and targeting capabilities to deliver the best results.”

Julien Gardès, MD, Southern Europe and MENA, Rubicon Project, adds “AdFalcon has established itself as the mobile advertising leader in its region. Our own pedigree in automated digital advertising now spans across all devices and joining forces with AdFalcon will ensure that AdFalconX is the most premium offering that we can deliver to publishers and advertisers alike.”

 

Sky News Arabia launches football app

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Sky News Arabia has launched a new application dedicated to the world of local, regional and international football that will allow fans to keep up to date with the latest football news via their smartphones and tablets. The app will allow users to check live scores, learn more about team formations, club rankings, top scorers and final results, as well as access in-depth analyses and commentaries and is currently available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

“This application is the result of Sky News Arabia’s business philosophy of continuous innovation and development of products for the benefit of our followers across all platforms,” says Nart Bouran, CEO, Sky News Arabia. “This latest addition to the Sky News portfolio reflects our keenness to provide football fans with all the latest news about clubs and star players along with a wide selection of statistics, photos and videos. This application is the perfect compliment to our programs and sports news on Sky News Arabia TV and radio, including the popular Malaeb program.”