Regional News – Page 24 – The Media Network

Serviceplan retains BMW Group Middle East

December 21, 2015/in Account win /by Michelle J Kuehn

BMW Group Middle East has renewed its partnership with Serviceplan Middle East as the lead brand agency for the BMW and MINI brands, following a multi-agency creative pitch. Serviceplan has been holding the account since 2000, servicing BMW’s regional office in Dubai, as well as 14 importer markets across the GCC and Levant.

“We were really impressed by Serviceplan’s spirit and determination to maintain our business,” said Bassant Hammad, Communications Manager, BMW Group Middle East. “The agency showed strength across all disciplines, especially in their digital approach, where they demonstrated a truly innovative and creative competitive edge.”

Rami Hmadeh, Managing Partner, Serviceplan Middle East, adds “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the BMW Group for the next five years. Having come from a six-year partnership with the group in the Middle East, we were confident going into the pitch. Our long partnership with the BMW Group has allowed us to fully comprehend and adapt to the nuances of servicing an international brand. We are grateful to BMW for their renewed confidence in Serviceplan as their lead brand agency.”

HarpersBazaarArabia.com launches

December 17, 2015/in New Launch /by Michelle J Kuehn

ITP Publishing has launched new digital platform HarpersBazaarArabia.com, which aims to unite various Harper’s Bazaar brand identities from across the Middle Eastern region. The online space will feature Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s monthly fashion, personal style, beauty, high society and lifestyle expertise, as well as luxurious living features from Harper’s Bazaar Interiors’ and insights into the art and design industry from Harper’s Bazaar Art. The website will also include daily news stories and dedicated sub-sections for the brand’s bridal and children’s content. Launch parters for HarpersBazaarArabia.com include Cartier, Tanagra and Samsung Gulf.

Bloomberg Businessweek releases special issue

December 1, 2015/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Michelle J Kuehn

Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East has released its The Year Ahead: 2016 special issue today, a guide to the companies, economies, people and enterprises that are predicted to shape the coming year. The special issue is divided into five sections: economics, technology, industries, energy and politics. The content is from the region and around the world along with charts, graphics and data to help readers navigate the business trends and challenges in store over the next twelve months.

The issue highlights 25 companies to watch in 2016. The list is comprised of both household names and lesser-known up-and-comers who have interests in the Middle East.

“This issue is a result of months of planning, countless hours of reporting, designing and debating,” says Ravi Raman, Associate Publisher, Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East. “We have prided ourselves to be different and cutting edge and the in-depth stories, charts, lists, illustrations and analyses will make The Year Ahead: 2016 a must-read for all executives.”

The Chedi Muscat welcomes Lore Koenig

November 10, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Lore Koenig has joined The Chedi Muscat as Executive Regional Director of Sales and Marketing. With over thirteen years of experience in sales and marketing, Lore previously worked for The Chedi Muscat between 2004 – 2010 as Director of Sales and Marketing. Most recently, she was Director of Sales at Kerzner International in Germany, overseeing brands such as Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai and Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort. In her new role, Lore will be responsible for the overall strategic sales, marketing and communication of the hotel locally, regionally and internationally.

“We are delighted to welcome Lore back to The Chedi Muscat,” says Morton Johnson, General Manager, The Chedi Muscat. “I was fortunate enough to work alongside her previously and believe that her commitment and dedication combined with a very strong work ethic will ensure that the hotel continues to be the leading hotel in the Middle East. Lore already has a relationship with the guests and staff as well as a solid understanding of the hotel and region so I am confident she will quickly become an integral part of the team.”

Empire Arabia launches

October 28, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Bauer Media has agreed to a new licence for Dubai-based Origami Publishing and Events to publish Empire Arabia magazine. Empire already has editions published in the UK and Australia, and the new licence agreement will see copies of Empire Arabia distributed across the Middle East and North Africa on a monthly basis, in both English and Arabic, at a cost of AED25. International editorial editions of the movie magazine operate independently from the flagship edition of Empire in the UK, but still have access to world-exclusive content, as well as the ability to curate bespoke local content. The first issue of Empire Arabia was released this week and features the latest Bond release, Spectre.

“Nine years ago I bought my first issue of Empire from a small news stand in Damascus,” says Khaldoun Qaddoura, Editor-in-Chief, Empire Arabia and Managing Director, Origami Publishing and Events. “I fell in love with the brand and it wasn’t long before the idea of bringing Empire to the Middle East came to mind. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have fast become bridges between the Middle East and Hollywood, with many recent blockbusters choosing both cities as preferred shooting locations. We are happy to join forces with partners such as Dubai International Film Festival and Middle East Film & Comic Con.”

Gareth Cherriman, International Publisher, Bauer Media, adds “We are really excited to be launching Empire Arabia with Origami Publishing & Events. The team at Origami have extensive knowledge of the film industry and have put together a fantastic plan which will bring the brilliant Empire brand to a whole new audience.”

ELAN partners with the Huffington Post

October 26, 2015/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

ELAN Media, the media division of the ELAN Group, has become the exclusive digital media sales representative for the Arabic-language edition of The Huffington Post, Huffpost Arabi. The division has partnered with Integral Media Strategies as well as The Huffington Post to introduce Huffpost Arabi to the Middle East. Founded by CEO Wadah Khanfar, former Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, Integral Media Strategies is a digital content hub that produces online news catered to the Arab region. Based out of London, the hub will be working with HuffPost Arabi to produce and share the latest stories from the Arab world.

“We are proud of the partnership with ELAN Media, a company with established roots in the market and a developed footprint across many leading websites in the region,” says Wadah. “We are confident in their ability to promote HuffPost as a go-to advertising platform for companies in the Arab world. We want to publish great content that advertisers will be excited to support.

Jaber Al-Ansari, Group Chief Executive Officer, ELAN Group, adds “We are proud to establish The Huffington Post and even more so to help introduce their Arabic edition to the Middle East. We have been in the media market for over a decade and have developed extensive knowledge and practice in the region. Our partnership model allows us to leverage this expertise and partner with global brands that are experts in their respective fields, giving people of the Middle East diversity in choice and access to more substance than what is available. We believe our partnership with HuffPost Arabi will be mutually beneficial to both our audiences.”

RYMCO partners with OMD

October 22, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Rasamny-Younis Motor Company S.A.L. (RYMCO), the dealer for Nissan/Infiniti and other car brands in Lebanon, will be working with OMD Lebanon and Annalect MENA on its marketing analytics program. Designed to identify how successful its marketing activities are in driving car sales, the partnership with the two Omnicom Media Group MENA companies is designed to enhance the effectiveness of RYMCO’s communications and investments strategy.

“As well as knowing what contributed to our current performance, we wanted to have a better understanding of how best to drive our growth,” says Fayes Rasamny, Chairman of the Board and CEO of RYMCO. “We needed to sharpen the relationship between marketing investments and business results. The analysis we’re getting out of our partnership with OMD and Annalect delivers the constructive information we need to shape our future investment strategy. This is a very exciting new era for RYMCO’s marketing.”

Dana Sarkis, Director of Analytics and Business Intelligence, Annalect MENA, adds “While ecomometric modeling is already popular in other markets and segments, we’re excited to be taking the lead with RYMCO in and from Lebanon. This econometric study gave RYMCO hard facts on marketing accountability, provides valuable information and tracks the impact of marketing and advertising on the overall business.”

Susan Clowes joins Omnia

October 10, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Branding and digital communications company Omnia has welcomed Susan Clowes to the role of Client Services Director for Digital Projects. Susan has over eight years of experience in Media, previously working as a Digital Strategist for H+K Strategies across MENA, Australia and India and, more recently, as in-house eCommerce Director for Dubai-based West LA boutique. As Client Services Director for Digital Projects, Susan will be fostering valuable client relationships as well as ensuring that projects are delivered to a high standard and that Omnia’s commercial objects are met. She will be working alongside Hollie Thomson, Director of Public Relations.

“Back working agency side and having joined Omnia’s renowned team, I’m looking forward to being at the forefront of digital developments for some of the largest and best known brands in the region,” says Susan.

Hollie adds, “Our integrated approach here at Omnia is key. Working together we will ensure the highest standards of strategic direction for creative digital and editorial projects. With Susan’s experience, we aim to help drive digital innovation in the region.”

Instagram celebrates five-year anniversary

October 6, 2015/0 Comments/in International News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Instagram celebrated it’s five year anniversary this week in Dubai, with a projection on the Burj Al Arab. Amy Cole, Brand Development Lead, EMEA and Instagram’s sixth employee, came to the Emirate to take part in the company’s 12th Worldwide InstaMeet. The celebrations follow Instagram’s recent announcement that it will make advertising available to more businesses, allowing marketers in the MENA region to share ads with Instagram’s community of 400 million members worldwide.

“People are communicating visually and using images to experience the world around them, and this is incredibly true in the UAE and Middle East,” says Amy. “With the high smartphone penetration in the region, these devices in our pockets have caused a shift in communication, from words to images. With 80 million photos posted to Instagram every day, if something is happening, it’s likely being captured on Instagram.”

Jonathan Labin, Head of Facebook, MENA, adds “People come to Instagram to experience the world through images, find inspiration and connect through shared passions. This backdrop sets Instagram up to be a powerful mobile advertising platform for businesses and marketers globally. Our launch partners have already inspired people with their creative storytelling, and we’re excited to see what else brands in the Middle East and North Africa will bring to the community.”

Verve wins Sheraton Sharjah

September 30, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Dubai-based Verve Marketing and Communications has been appointed as the official PR agency for the soon-to-be-opened Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa – the fifth Starwood property in the agency’s portfolio. Located close to the border of Ajman and easily accessed from the centre of Sharjah, the Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa is a 349-room resort.

“Launching another new hotel is incredibly exciting for us and we are delighted to represent another gem from the Starwood family,” says Shamira Mitha, Managing Director, Verve Marketing and Communications. “Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa is a luxurious resort, with the finest gastronomic experiences and will surely put the spotlight on Sharjah in the months to come.”

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