Posts

Ahmad Itani named top 50 Game Changers of PR 2017

/in , /by

Ahmad Itani, Chief Operating Officer at Cicero & Bernay Public Relations (C&B) has been recognised by PR News as one of the Top 50 Game Changers of PR for 2017. The Top 50 Game Changers of PR is a global ranking that celebrates individuals who have been accelerating the expansion and growth of brand communication across the world. The list honoured Ahmad for his leadership role in C&B and for pushing the boundaries of communication to new heights, as well as extending beyond traditional media to reach out to new contributors that would enhance the MENA network capabilities.

“It is both a great honour and a great responsibility to appear on this list – not only to be representing the MENA region and to rank among global PR powerhouses, but also exciting to be charged with continuing to making a real difference in our industry – locally and globally,” says Ahmad Itani, COO, Cicero and Bernay Public Relations.

Grey Group makes new acquisition

/in , /by

Global communications agency, Grey Group has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in hug digital, an independent digital marketing agency. The acquisition aims to provide additional benefits from the digital technology and local expertise of hug digital to Grey Group’s clients from across the globe. The acquisition will also see Oussama Jamal and Tim Baker continue to lead the operations of hug digital as Chairman and CEO respectively, whilst working closely with Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO of Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, to set the overall strategic digital growth plan for the region.

“Grey Group’s acquisition of hug digital enhances our leadership position in the MENA creative and digital space,” says Nirvik Singh, Chairman and CEO, Grey Group Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “It underscores Grey’s commitment to expand our offerings and deliver quality, value-added services to our clients.”

LexisNexis expands coverage into the MENA region

/in , /by

Content and technology solutions company, LexisNexis has signed a content agreement with information provider company, Diligencia as a part of its expansion plan into the Middle East and North Africa. The new agreement will see both companies combine source materials to expand company coverage across the MENA region. The partnership also aims to address challenges organisations face when conducting business intelligence investigations on companies by providing corporate profiles that would enable them to map ownership structures, identify related holdings and subsidiaries as well as investments of corporate entities across the region.

“LexisNexis continues to proactively develop strategic content agreements to support the changing requirements of our customers,” says Mark Dunn, Segment Leader, Entity Due Diligence and Monitoring, LexisNexis. “We are pleased to further enhance our content coverage to help our customers mitigate their changing regulatory, financial, reputational and strategic risks.”

Arab News makes global structural changes

/in , /by

Saudi Arabian-based newspaper, Arab News has launched two new bureaus in Europe and Asia as a part of its global, digital expansion plan. The new launch has been followed by the appointment of Baker Atyani to the role of Southeast Asia Bureau Chief, who brings with him experience in journalism, having covered stories on conflict zones in the region and previously worked with Al Arabiya as Bureau Chief – Asia, and most recently as its Senior International Correspondent. In his new role, he will spearhead Arab News’ coverage of Asia across print, online and video with a particular focus on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Arab News’ digital expansion will also see the promotion of Ben Flanagan to the role of London Bureau Chief. With 16 years of experience working on national newspapers and news portals, Ben most recently held the position of Senior Editor at Arab News. He will now take on his new role to lead the operations of the new bureau in London and cover the UK and Europe from an Arab perspective, with a particular focus on politics, business and investment to serve as a digital hub for the newspaper.

“The new bureaus support the newspaper’s ‘more digital, more global’ strategy,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “It is a great pleasure for us to have these two exceptionally experienced and incredibly capable journalists heading up our crucial Asia and UK operations. This inevitably adds much value to our readers who will be sure to get the best relevant content and stories from across these regions.”

Arabian Business barred over false news

/in , /by

Arabian Business has been barred for a month following the publication of false news. The weekly business magazine and online publication published by ITP Media Group will now be inaccessible in the UAE following a statement released by the Dubai Media Office. It is stated that the title published a factually incorrect story, which was subsequently reported in Qatari media outlets, relating to the liquidation of real estate projects in Dubai. The magazine will now face a temporary ban on its print publication and its digital platform will be blocked for a month

Compareit4me.com takes on new brand identity

/in , /by

Middle East comparison site, compareit4me.com has rebranded as yallacompare.com to reflect its new identity and expansion plan in the region. The site’s rebrand aims to align itself with the Middle Eastern market with a brand name that pays homage to the region and become the go-to resource for regional consumers looking to save money on everything from insurance to telecoms package. The rebrand will also be followed by an expansion into Saudi Arabia and the opening of a permanent office in Riyadh as well as the launch of its online insurance comparison services to consumers in Egypt.

“When we first started the company, we had no idea that it would become the business that it is today,” says Jon Richards, CEO, yallacompare.com.  “Our success outside of the UAE is what’s informed our decision to create a brand that better represents our English and Arabic-speaking customers. Today, we compare everything from personal loans to flight tickets, we’re the largest insurance aggregator in the Middle East by a considerable margin and we’re active in nine markets across the region.”

MEPRA 2017 now open for entries

/in , /by

The 2017 Middle East PR Association (MEPRA) Awards are now open for submissions. The award will bring together small agencies, in-house teams and global players in the Middle East PR business, with an aim to recognise and serve as a benchmark for the most inspiring and creative communications work in the industry. This year’s awards will have 20 campaign categories and will see the launch of two new categories, ‘Crisis Communications’ and ‘Best use of Influencers’ to celebrate the best campaigns from across the region. Entries for the awards will be open until October 12 with the candidates shortlisted to be announced on November 5 and the winners to be revealed at the 2017 MEPRA Awards Gala set to take place on December 6 at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel, Dubai.

“The MEPRA Awards is the moment each year when our industry stops to recognise its best,” says Ray Eglington, Chairman, MEPRA. “At the MEPRA Awards we celebrate what we have achieved and inspire each other to do even better. I look forward to seeing the groundbreaking entries this year.”

BeIN Sports returns to the UAE

/in , /by

Qatar-owned sports TV channel, BeIN Sports has resumed its regular showings after being inaccessible for over a month. The sports channel will now be made available across the UAE for Etisalat and du subscribers. The channel’s digital platform, beinsports.com has also been unblocked and will now be accessible to sports lovers across the country.

B4U Plus named top most viewed Asian channel in the Middle East

/in , /by

Market research company, IPSOS has named B4U Plus as the second most viewed and preferred Asian channel in the Middle East in a recent survey conducted. The Hindi entertainment TV channel was recognised for its engaging content and popularity among females age 25 – 44 in the region as well as for being free to air from the Niles platform.

“B4U Network has been in the Middle East for over ten years and is committed to offering viewers the finest entertainment,” says Zeeshan Sajid Amin, Business Head, B4U Network, Middle East. “This rating further reflects our constant effort to provide innovative content that suits the audience’s preferred viewing times. Being the only free to air Hindi entertainment channel gives us that additional mileage that other paid channels don’t have.”

The Original Content Co. launches in the UAE

/in , /by

Content marketing company, The Original Content Co. launches in the UAE. The new company aims to create bespoke, engaging and influential content for businesses, the media and individuals. Founded by Gemma White, who previously worked with ITP Media Group’s publications, OK! Middle East as Editor-in-Chief and Cosmopolitan ME as Group Editor, Original Content Co. will focus on all areas of content marketing including, website and blog writing, captioning, troubleshooting and social media management. In addition, the company will cover video creation, script editing, flyer content, subbing and consulting today’s media as well as providing syndicated and commissioned content for the media in the UAE and across the Middle East.

“As a journalist who has worked at some of the biggest media companies in the UAE, like everyone in the region, I have seen the media, marketing and content landscape change dramatically with the rise of bloggers, influencers, PR and media agencies, as well as social media and the constant search for the ‘next big thing’ in communication,” says Gemma. “The Original Content Co. fits into your business plan by helping brands speak to their audience in their audience’s voice – and the only proven way to do that is with effective and beautifully crafted content.”