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M&C Saatchi PR launches global Influencer Squad

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M&C Saatchi PR has launched new influencer team, Influencer Squad. Influencer Squad is a global team that aims to develop strategies and programmes for clients and run its multi-channel, influencer campaigns globally. With its headquarters in London, and offices across seven markets, Dubai will serve as its regional office and will see Amy Brill, Head of PR at M&C Saatchi PR, lead the operations of the team’s regional office, while Meredith Brengle, Director at M&C Saatchi PR will head the team globally.

“All too often, in every market where we operate, we see influencers being used as a tactical and not a strategic tool,” says Chris Hides, Managing Director and Co-Founder, M&S Saatchi PR. “The Influencer Squad has been assembled to deliver best practice influencer campaigns. The team will develop campaigns that use influencers in the right way at the right time to deliver measurable commercial impact.”

Dubai Editor charged in murder case

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Francis Matthew, Editor at Large of Gulf News has been charged with the murder of his wife, Jane Matthew. Francis, a respected journalist who worked for The Economist prior to his move to Dubai in 1990, held the role of Gulf News Editor from 1995 – 2005. The 60-year-old British national played a considerable role in the development of UAE publishing since moving to the UAE, but will now be sentenced after admitting to an assault on his wife last Tuesday, which led to her death.
“We are shocked and saddened at this tragedy,” says Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief and Executive Director Publications, Gulf News. “We pray to the Almighty that her soul rests in peace and that the family is given the strength and patience to overcome this very difficult situation. Gulf News’s thoughts and prayers are with the family. We request that the family be given the privacy they need to cope with their grief.”

Mediavest | Spark rebrands globally

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Global media agency, Mediavest | Spark, part of Publicis Media has rebranded as Spark Foundry. The rebrand aims to develop talent and focus on the growth of the agency’s client list as well as reflect its continuous growth beyond the parameters of media to include analytics, technology, innovations, insight, content and commerce.

“The talent we have assembled are passionate about our startup spirit and with this rebrand and the strengthening of the Spark Foundry global network each market across the MENA region will further be empowered to bring to life our unique proposition,” says Alain Brahamcha, CEO, Spark Foundry Middle East.

LinkedIn Marketing Awards launches

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LinkedIn has launched LinkedIn Marketing Awards across the Middle East and Europe. The new marketing awards aims to celebrate the best B2B campaigns and content across the region and is now open for entires to businesses of all sizes. The deadline for submissions will be on September 7, 2017 with the finalist to be shortlisted on September 18, 2017. Winners of the awards will be announced on October 5, 2017 and will be selected by a panel 20 of experts from various fields including creative, strategists, media planners and top B2B marketers from across region. The People’s Choice award will be the only award to be decided by the public vote.

The full category list and entries can be can be found on the awards website.

“Our platform is home to some of most innovative and creative B2B marketing on the planet and it’s time we gave these brands the recognition they deserve,” says Ziad Rahhal, Head of LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, MENA, LinkedIn. “We are asking brands in the Middle East of all shapes and sizes, across any sector, for any budget, to submit their campaigns and help us show their brilliance to the world.”

The National relaunches in the UAE

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Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, The National has relaunched in the UAE following its acquisition by International Media Investments (IMI). The revamped newspaper takes on a new logo and a complete enhancement of its print and digital platforms as well as a focus on its digital content to include daily video content podcasts, live and interactive video interviews, and news across its social media platforms. The National will be available six days a week and will include a new 20-page weekend free supplement showcasing the newspaper’s coverage of arts and culture in the UAE as well as a London Bureau led by Damien McElroy as a Correspondent to ensure the coverage of round-the-clock relevant news. The newspaper will also feature a host of influential commentators across the fields of diplomacy, politics and finance as well as expanded sports and business news.

The new launch includes the appointment of Dan Gledhill to the role of Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Dan brings with him over 20 years of experience in journalism having worked at The Independent and The Daily Mail. In his new role, he will work alongside the Editor-in-Chief, Mina Al Oraibi to oversee the print and digital platforms of the newspaper.

Also joining the new team is Dan Owen, taking on the role of Head of Digital Strategy. Dan previously worked with Trinity Mirror and most recently with Seven Media. In his new role, he will head the digital department and lead the digital transformation of the The National.

“The National will have three objectives, create influential and intellectually challenging content, bring the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s perspective to the world, and lead in the region and internationally as a modern and digitally led newsroom,” says Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor-in-Chief, The National. “In short, The National will be your window to and from the Middle East.”

New Editor-in-Chief at The National

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UAE-based newspaper, The National, recently acquired by International Media Investments (IMI) has appointed Mina Al Oraibi to the role of Editor-in-Chief starting July 1, 2017. Mina previously worked with Saudi Arabian newspaper, Asharq AlAwsat in the UK as Assistant Editor-in-Chief and in the US as Washington DC Bureau Chief, and most recently with the Institute for State Effectiveness in the UK as Senior Fellow, where she led the institute’s Middle East discourse program. In her new role, she will lead The National team and contribute to the newspaper’s brand development, both print and online across the region.

Changes at ITP Media Group

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Stylist Arabia and OK! Middle East are set to close down. Falling under the umbrella of ITP Media Group, women’s lifestyle magazine Stylist Arabia will discontinue production with its July/August 2017 edition being its final issue. In addition, celebrity lifestyle magazine, OK! Middle East will also follow suit with its last volume to be published at the end of this month. The two lifestyle magazines will also discontinue all digital operations on their mobile applications following the closures.

MENA Commerce undergoes full rebrand

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Marketing technology company, MENA Commerce has undergone a full rebrand, inclusive of a name change to Cognitev. The company’s new structure will focus on marketing from a semantic point of view and will include advanced technology utilising artificial intelligence as well as a new website.

“When established in 2015, Cognitev formerly known as MENA Commerce, focused on e-commerce rather than marketing, but we quickly realised that our technology is better equipped to provide unique value to advertisers and marketers across the world,” says Moustafa Mahmoud, Founder and CEO, Cognitev.

New wellness platform launches in the UAE

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Emilie Mikulla and Rebecca Pritchard have teamed up to launch wellness consultancy and platform The Mindful Body (themindfulbody.ae). The new consultancy will provide online and offline activities, such as classes, workshops and trainings as well as tailor-made solutions for individuals and corporations using research and therapeutic techniques to promote better living for everyone. The new platform aims to improve people’s quality of life through interviews with experts, inspiring content and helpful features on the mind, body and soul. Emilie was previously Deputy Editor at Women’s Health and Fitness Middle East and possesses 10 years’ experience teaching movement, including yoga and Pilates; and, myofascial release. With a background in marketing in the oil and gas industry, Rebecca previously worked as Editorial Assistant at Yogalife magazine and brings with her a strong knowledge in movement and mindful practices.

“With health risks and issues, such as obesity and anxiety on the rise, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and offer concrete solutions,” says Emilie Mikulla, Co-Founder, The Mindful Body. “We support the UAE’s Vision 2021 mission to reduce lifestyle-related diseases and have developed practical, safe and immediately applicable tools that can help everyone live better in their bodies.”

Rebecca Pritchard, Co-Founder, The Mindful Body adds, “Our approach is therapeutic. We combine yoga, pilates and mindfulness practices to help people breathe better, move with more ease and get out of their pain cycle so they can enjoy the activities they love for a lifetime.”

Publicis Communications partners with Google

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Publicis Communications Middle East and Africa, part of Publicis Group has signed a strategic partnership with Google across the region. The agreement will focus on a joint business plan to help Publicis Communications’ creative agencies including Leo Burnett, Publicis, Saatchi & Saatchi and Arc develop as well as apply a digital-first approach and integrated thinking for effective and engaging campaigns. The collaboration also follows the launch of Google All-Stars Academy 2.0, to act as a capability-building program for agencies and their teams across Google platforms.

“Joining forces with Google enables us to further bolster our user-first approach through superior access to data and technology,” says Raja Trad, Chief Executive Officer, Publicis Communications MEA. “This will empower our clients to win in the digital space through cutting edge, award-winning campaigns that deliver engaging and effective business results.”