UAE – Page 19 – The Media Network

Cicero and Bernay wins Marka PJSC account

May 12, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Cicero and Bernay has won the contract to provide corporate communications to Marka PJSC for a 12-month period. The agency, which forms part of the Publinet Group, will support Marka with strategic communications planning, public relations, crisis communications, internal communications and investor relations.

Marka is the first public joint stock company focused on the retail sector in the UAE, headquartered in Dubai. Since incorporating in 2014, Marka has partnered with leading global brands in the fashion, sporting goods and hospitality sectors, pursuing a growth strategy focused on acquisitions, franchise agreements and unique retail concepts.

“With a wide-range of fashion, sports, and hospitality PR experience, C&B is a natural fit for Marka’s communications requirements,” says Ross Bethell, Director of Strategy at Cicero and Bernay. “We are extremely excited to be supporting Marka’s business plan and ambitions for growth across the region, via a program of strategic and measured communications.”

Leigh-Ann Lanier, Director of Strategic Marketing, PR & Communications at Marka, adds “I am delighted to have C&B as Marka’s strategic PR partner. Marka is a fast-paced organisation undergoing rapid expansion and C&B offers a holistic, client-centred approach.”

Hot Media Publishing promotes Richard Jenkins

May 12, 2015/0 Comments/in Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Richard Jenkins has been promoted to Editor of AIR and World Traveller magazines at Hot Media Publishing, having previously worked on both titles as Deputy Editor since February 2014. Richard will continue to cover luxury travel for World Travel, and all areas of ultra-luxury lifestyle for AIR including writing and commissioning features on watches, motoring, jewellery, fashion and gastronomy. In his new role, Richard will become more involved in commercial aspects of the titles.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role at Hot Media,” says Richard. “I look forward to working as hard as I can to make AIR and World Traveller even better magazines than they already are.”

CNN names new VP of Arabic Services

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in International News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Caroline Faraj has been named the new Vice President of Arabic Services for CNN, as the international news outlet unveils ambitious plans for growth in the Middle East. Caroline was previously responsible for the content and management of the CNN Arabic website, leading the site’s re-launch in 2014.

In her new role, Caroline will have strategic oversight of CNNArabic.com while also working alongside CNN’s Middle East newsgathering team, and the CNN Abu Dhabi platform on major cross-platform editorial initiatives. She will also work with the CNNI commercial and digital teams on new digital opportunities in the region. Her immediate focus will be on continuing the expansion of the CNN Arabic brand, while also expanding the CNN Dubai operation in order to allow for increased content development to feed all of CNN’s linear and non-linear platforms.

“CNN Arabic has proved an outstanding success story under Caroline’s leadership and has demonstrated the region’s growing digital appetite for our news product,” says Andrew Morse, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CNN Digital.

Rani R Raad, Managing Director, Turner Broadcasting in the Middle East, adds “Our continued investment under Caroline’s leadership in CNN Arabic reflects the strength of our aspirations for this region. Caroline is perfectly placed in this new role to continue to enrich the news content we offer our consumers, while also helping to develop exciting new digital propositions that will engage audiences and excite our partners.”

XPEDITION Middle East to launch in June

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Emily Churchill-Owen

XPEDITION Middle East is set to launch on June 25, 2015. The UAE-based magazine will be a luxury travel and lifestyle print publication, covering content aimed at affluent readers with a passion for travel.

Headed up by Editor-in-Chief Josh Jr. Mangila, who most recently worked as Features Editor for En Route Middle East, the magazine will focus on travel stories from contributors who will offer its audience a personal view into the world of luxury travel. XPEDITION Middle East will feature three main sections: Xtreme – showcasing luxury at its purest, aimed at affluent Emirati readers, Xclusive – interviews with CEO’s who love to travel, and Xpressions – travel stories from readers. The publication will also include features on luxury destinations, airlines, restaurants, cruises, tours and packages as well as stylish travel accessories and competitions offering all-expenses-paid getaways.

Distributed predominantly in the Middle East, as well as in parts of Europe, Asia and the USA, XPEDITION Middle East will be published every two months at a retail price of AED50, with an initial print run of 15,000 copies. Ali Tayeb Al Rais, the youngest Emirati publisher in the UAE, will publish the magazine. A proem issue of XPEDITION Middle East was sold as part of a soft launch at the Arabian Travel Market last week.

“I believe that if we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet,” says Josh. “XPEDITION Middle East is a unique publication, with the goal to blossom a multitude of inspirational content along with drop-dead gorgeous visuals to change the way you read about luxury travel and lifestyle. We have eradicated the usual and robotic ‘what to do’, ‘where to eat’ and ‘when to spend’ type of features in favour of core stories that will touch human lives and propagate the fruits of an unforgettable journey.”

entourage launches new campaign for Egypt

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Dubai-based entourage marketing and events has launched its second advertising campaign for the Egypt Tourism Authority. The campaign, titled ‘Misr Orayba’, will promote Egypt’s tourism offerings to the GCC, as well as Jordan, Lebanon and parts of North Africa, including Morocco. The agency will advertise Egypt across strategic media channels such as television, radio, magazines and social media platforms. This is the second campaign entourage have launched for the Egypt Tourism Authority, the first being ‘Misr Wahashtona’ in 2014.

“Over the next six months and beyond, we plan to take Egypt closer to the Arabic speaking audience,” says Mohammed Tayem, Managing Director, entourage marketing and events. “Our ‘Misr Orayba’ campaign is inspired by the idea that Egypt is close to every Arab heart.”

Virtue wins Empower account

May 11, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Virtue PR & Marketing Communications has been selected by Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) to spearhead its PR programme. The agency will provide an integrated communications programme focused on raising the global profile of Empower and promoting the cooling industry by publicising the importance of district cooling technologies as part of the UAE’s agenda of a green economy.

“The UAE has played a pioneering role in the spread of district cooling as an alternative to the conventional AC systems, leading to energy saving and environment conservation,” says H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO, Empower. “We are happy to appoint Virtue PR as our PR consultants to boost the profile of Empower as well as to promote the district cooling industry.”

Think Liquorice welcomes Felicity Stokes

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

Felicity Stokes has joined Think Liquorice as Brand Manager. Having moved to Dubai in 2014 with a degree in Art History and a background in business, Felicity will bring with her a unique combination of strategic and creative thinking to the boutique brand building and communications agency.

In her new role as Brand Manager, Felicity will manage Think Liquorice’s clients needs across their accounts. She will also work with the strategic team to build and create niche concepts and events.

“I’m really excited to join the Think Liquorice team,” says Felicity. “I love how unique and interesting their brands and projects are, and I look forward to getting stuck in creatively, and contributing to the fantastic work Think Liquorice does.”

Abu Dhabi to refocus film activities

May 7, 2015/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

The Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi, has announced that the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) is being brought to a close, in order to focus on future targeted initiatives to further support local and Arabic filmmakers and attract more film productions to Abu Dhabi, marking the next phase in the city’s maturing film industry.

The Media Zone Authority will continue its efforts in supporting Emirati and Arab filmmakers through the ‘SANAD’ Fund, which provides financial support for film projects during their development and post-production stages. Twofour54’s creative lab will also continue its role in supporting local talent. Going forward, the Media Zone Authority will focus on promoting Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a regional hub for film and TV productions through Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30 percent cash-back rebate on all qualifying spend of films and projects shot in Abu Dhabi.

“Over the last few years we have built a strong foundation for a self-sustaining film and television industry,” says Noura Al Kaabi, CEO, Media Zone Authority. “It is now the right time to deepen our commitment and further develop programmes to take the local industry to the next level. We attracted several major international and regional productions to shoot in the Emirate over the past two years alone, which brought large-scale investment, further built the film industry infrastructure in the region, and created significant opportunities for local talent.”

TCApr introduces new digital platform

May 7, 2015/0 Comments/in New Launch /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Dubai-based luxury lifestyle and travel boutique PR firm, TCApr launches a new digital press release platform at the Arabian Travel Market show, today. The new platform means that, alongside dedicated printed press releases for clients, TCApr will also send 20-30 second video summaries of the releases to provide recipients with a clear and concise summary of the information received. This new style of press release aims to deliver a regular installment of news stories and offers from TCApr’s collection of international five-star luxury hotels and resorts, and lifestyle brands.

“Living and working within such a pioneering city as Dubai has allowed TCApr to recognise and appreciate the continually evolving advancements of the digital world,” says Ahmed Soliman, Managing Director, TCApr. “We feel it is our duty to maintain this ethos, and it is incredibly important to move forward with the fast-pace and advanced development around us in order to keep the GCC medias informed and educated on our clients. Introducing a vlog press release campaign falls perfectly in line with our core competencies of creativity, culture and communication.”

Think Liquorice signs Souk Madinat Jumeirah

May 6, 2015/0 Comments/in Account win /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Dubai-based Think Liquorice has secured the PR account for Souk Madinat Jumeirah. The boutique brand management and communications agency will cover all PR, marketing and communications in the Middle East for the iconic location.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah, part of luxury resort Madinat Jumeirah, is a landmark destination in Dubai offering visitors a variety of shopping and dining destinations.

“Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a brand that offers such a rich and diverse experience,” says Zahirah Variawa, Managing Director, Think Liquorice. “I’m very excited to bring that sparkle to life for residents and tourists. There have been many great changes in terms of the retail and dining, and it’s simply a case of showing that off.”

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