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The National appoints new Senior Business Correspondent

Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, The National has appointed Sarah Townsend to the role of Senior Business Correspondent. Sarah most recently worked at Arabian Business, part of ITP Media Group and previously worked in the UK on a number of business publications including, Property Week, Third Sector, Financial Times and The Daily Telegraph. In her new role, she will join the business desk and focus on topics related to the aviation, law and real estate industries as well as assist the team with other projects when required.

“I am really excited to join The National’s business desk at a time when the newspaper has recently relaunched and is expanding with new journalists and more global coverage,” says Sarah. “I look forward to developing in the new role.”

New International Sales Director at The MediaVantage

The MediaVantage has appointed Dan Qayyum to the role of International Sales Director. With over 16 years of sales experience, Dan previously worked in the UK with Phones4U as Store Manager before moving to the UAE where he most recently worked with BSA Consultants as Senior Manager Sales Operations. In his new role, he will be responsible for hiring and training the sales staff while managing sales operations as well as securing new business and media acquisitions. He will also focus on reaching new heights in the company’s international media capabilities and expertise.

“I’m pleased to have made this move at a time when the industry is evolving faster than ever,” says Dan. “The MediaVantage has an outstanding reputation within the media industry for expert delivery and my experience with international media enables me to accelerate the company’s growth and help place ourselves at the top of the media representation industry in the region.”

House of Comms welcomes New Account Director

Integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Alexia Lawrence-Jones to the role of Account Director. With over ten years of experience in the PR industry, Alexia previously worked in the UK with PR agencies such as Frank PR, Freuds and most recently with Hill + Knowlton Strategies where she worked across brands such as Mondelez and QVC. In her new role, she will join House of Comms’ senior management team and focus on delivering strategically led brands and digital communication solutions.

“After working in London for more than ten years, I was ready for a new challenge and when the opportunity at House of Comms came up, I knew this was the role for me,” says Alexia. “Having the opportunity to work in the UAE for one of the region’s most forward-thinking agencies was quite simply a no-brainer. The team is so passionate and creative and I can’t wait to get stuck in and help deliver some of the magic House of Comms is renowned for.”

Parker Design expands into the Middle East

UK-based integrated advertising and digital agency, Parker Design has launched its Dubai office as part of its expansion plan into the Middle East. The new office aims to provide clients in the UAE with a professional but personal approach to business while helping them connect with their audience. The launch will also see the appointment of Dan Kendrew to head the Dubai office as Director bringing with him over 15 years of experience on B2C and B2B projects in a wide range of sectors.

“We have several UK and global clients with operations in the UAE: AstraZeneca, Thomson Reuters, Sage, to name a few,” says Dan Kendrew, Director, Parker Design. “So this, combined with the fact that Dubai is an exciting hub for global business, innovation and creativity, meant that it was a perfect match for us and a really easy decision to make. We’re delighted our international dream is now a reality, and can’t think of a better place than the UAE, and Dubai in particular.”

In2 Consulting welcomes Lisa Flanagan

Dubai-based strategic corporate communications consultancy, In2 Consulting has appointed Lisa Flanagan to the role of Senior Communications Consultant.  With experience in consumer and corporate brands, Lisa previously worked in the UK with companies such as Unilever and Cancer Research UK. In 2011, she moved to the UAE, where she worked with Jumeirah, Hakkasan and most recently with The Ritz-Carlton. In her new role, she will support Managing Partner, Anne Bleeker and her team in delivering business values through PR strategy and planning, account management, media relations and marketing.

“I am excited to be making the move back to agency and was drawn to In2 Consulting for both its exceptional track record in the hospitality sector and its unique approach to client management, which is extremely personalised and collaborative,” says Lisa. “I am looking forward to a new challenge and developing campaigns which have real impact on our client’s business.”

 

New Editor-in-Chief at Men’s Health ME and Women’s Health ME

ITP Media Group has appointed Danae Mercer to the role of Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health Middle East and Women’s Health Middle East. Danae previously worked as a freelance journalist writing for CNN Travel, The Sunday Times, Afar, Shape magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits and others, and doing radio for the BBC World Service. Before freelancing, Danae was with Motivate Publishing as Editor of Jumeirah Magazine, where she oversaw publication production and worked closely with Jumeirah Group to shape the overall direction of its magazine. In her new role, she will oversee all editorial content of both titles and contribute to their brand development across the Middle East. She will also create cutting edge features to highlight the brand’s image and recognition across the region. Danae will be expanding WHME and MHME’s online brands as well.

TishTash appoints new Senior Account Manager

UAE-based marketing and PR agency, TishTash has appointed Rebecca Munns to the role of Senior Account Manager. Rebecca boasts more than nine years of experience in PR and marketing in the UK as well as the UAE, most recently as Communications Specialist with University of Wollongong in Dubai. In her new role, she will head the newly launched children and family division, TishTash Tots, and work with several of its family-focused brands such as Waterwipes, ClevaMama and Kippins.

“As a mum of a daughter who was born in Dubai, I have first-hand knowledge of the huge potential of the children and family arena in the region and I am delighted to be using my professional experience to cater exclusively to this market,” says Rebecca. “I am looking forward to working with the team at TishTash to build a division which offers a unique combination of strategic thinking along with specialist industry knowledge and expertise across the entire ecosystem of print and online media.”

Rebecca Platt joins St. Regis Doha

St. Regis Doha has appointed Rebecca Platt to the role of Director of Marketing. With experience in the marketing, PR and digital industry, Rebecca has worked across hotels such as the Shangri-La Group, InterContinental Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels. In her new role, she will be responsible for developing marketing strategies, and media and partnership relations while also overseeing the sales and marketing objectives.

“I am delighted to have joined the team here at this stunning property and am very excited to be part of the St. Regis family,” says Rebecca. “Although I have worked in the GCC for a number of years now I am looking forward to exploring the Doha market and driving new and exciting marketing initiatives to raise awareness of the hotel.”

House of Comms welcomes new Associate Director

Dubai-based integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed David Brady to the role of Associate Director. With 16 years of experience in brand PR, David previously worked with freuds in the UK as Senior Account Director and Consumer Team Head before moving to the UAE, and most recently working with Edelman DABO as Associate Director. In his new role, he will join the senior management team and focus on developing strategies for the agency’s expansion across the region. He will also provide senior counsel for the agency’s portfolio of clients including Spinneys, Costa, MMI and DTCM.

“I am a big believer in culture and creativity,” says David. “House of Comms places a huge amount of value on these aspects of agency life too, so joining their senior team was an absolute no-brainer for me. With an enviable client roster and a clear mindset for integrated campaigns, I can’t think of a hotter shop to be with right now.”