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PHD to hold BrainScape conference in Dubai

PHD’s annual conference BrainScape is set to take place in Dubai on October 10, 2016 with Wired UK’s magazine Editor, David Rowan as a keynote speaker. The conference, which will lead an expected audience of over 200 marketing and media professionals, will see Daniel Mcduff, Researcher at Microsoft, as another keynote speaker discussing how technology can embrace human emotions to enhance the effectiveness of marketing communications.

“Technology changes our lives every single day and at PHD we are constantly keeping our finger on the pulse in order to deliver a better way for our clients through cutting-edge practices and ideas,” says Elda Choucair, CEO, PHD MENA. “This year, we will tackle the challenge of assessing new behaviors arising from the adoption of new technologies which will allow us to collaboratively refine our approach to integrating our clients’ brands seamlessly into their consumers’ new realities, either physical, virtual or augmented.”

RedFest DXB forms new partnership

Two-day music festival Virgin Radio RedFestDXB has confirmed its return to Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on February 2 and 3, 2017, as well as a new strategic partnership with Live Nation. The new partnership will bring together RedFest organiser Done Events’ and Live Nation’s access to sought-after artists as well as knowledge and best practices in production, operations, marketing and ticketing.

“Live Nation is committed to furthering the growth of the UAE and GCC music industry,” says James Craven, Managing Director, Live Nation Middle East. “We believe this can be achieved by working together with the most passionate and dedicated organisations who share our mission to make the Middle East a key destination for local, regional and global music acts and fans alike.”

Girish Anil Bhat, Managing Director, Done Events, adds ” Virign Radio RedFestDXB has attracted over 50,000 fans to the event and in its fourth year, we are proud to welcome Live Nation as a partner to strengthen the event and attract even bigger international artists to perform at the festival.”

Virgin Radio welcomes Sheena Kay

Virgin Radio 104.4 has welcomed Sheena Kay to its presenter line-up. The Canadian radio personality formerly worked on The Sheena Show on Radio 1 UAE and will now present new show, Non Stop Hits with Sheena, every weekday between 10am and 1pm, which aims to bring her passion and knowledge of music, as well as celebrity news and gossip, to the station.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sheena to the Virgin Radio team and the ARN family,” says Mahmoud Al Rasheed, General Manager, Arabian Radio Network. “Sheena is a known presenter in the UAE with a passion for music and entertainment, Virgin Radio 104.4 is the perfect place for her.”

Steve Smith, COO, Arabian Radio Network, adds “Sheena will be a great addition to our team, as well as our award-winning line-up of presenters on Virgin Radio. She is a great broadcaster with a passion for music as well as a chatty and mischievous sense of humour, which I’m sure will be a hit with our listeners. She will be an excellent host for Virgin Radio’s mid-morning show and will be bringing a new generation of listeners with her.”

Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry welcomes Joumana Saad

Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry has appointed Joumana Saad to the role of Executive – Media and Corporate Communications. With over nine years of experience, Joumana most recently worked with news portal Argaam as Deputy Editor. In her new role, she will support the corporate communications and marketing teams by overseeing, as well as managing, editorial content, interviews, press statements and speeches related to the Chamber’s news, events and activities.

“I am very excited to be taking on such an interesting role with a reputable and influential organisation,” says Joumana. “I am confident that this new challenge will be an incredible learning experience, especially as Dubai gears up to host Expo 2020. After working as a media professional and financial journalist for nearly ten years, I am excited to be working at a place that is integral to Dubai’s thriving business community.”

BPA Worldwide announces concurrent release of data

Global assurance provider BPA has announced the concurrent release of audience metrics for 36 consumer magazines, 16 business publications and five newspapers in the Middle East, for the six-month period that ended on June 30, 2016. The top-line figures in the Trend Report About Circulation (TRAC) cover media with operations in five Middle East countries; Bahrain, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Included in the report are the headline average qualified circulations and other channels, including web traffic ‘average unique browser’, social media and apps downloads for the most recent June 2016-ending BPA brand reports.

“The concurrent release of audience data for consumer and newspapers based in the region helps level the playing field in the marketplace,” says Rana Hariz, Director, BPA Middle East. “Media buyers and advertisers can turn to this single report and make an accurate evaluation of audience metrics between brands before they buy.”

Lucy Self joins Q Communications

Lifestyle and PR agency Q Communications has welcomed Lucy Self to the role of Senior Executive. With over ten years of experience in PR, journalism, marketing and copywriting, Lucy most recently worked with Anteater PR where she was responsible for a number of accounts including; giraffe and Dominic Ansel. In her new role, she will be working with Q Communications Abu Dhabi on all media operations, from engaging press campaigns to generating sharp social media content.

“I chose to join Q Communications because I’d heard they were one of the best in the business, with a reputation that reached as far as London when I was looking to relocate,” says Lucy. “Judging from my first couple of days, I’m joining a hard working and inspiring team. I can’t wait to get stuck in, hopefully bringing some of my experience of the London lifestyle scene to Dubai.”

Careem gets new look

Regionally based car booking app Careem has been given a new look to mark its four-year anniversary. The brand’s new identity will include a new company symbol featuring a green wink and the implementation of a revamped strategy across all verticals from product messaging and advertising, to community outreach and company culture. The new look will also give Careem an effective presence offline, with an image that aims to capture the beauty and simplicity of technology as well as the positive impact it is creating in the region.

“The rebrand represents more than just a brand overhaul,” says Mudassir Sheikha, Co-Founder, Careem. “This new branding changes the whole identity and manifestation of Careem. Our mission is to move our region towards better living and to achieve that, we had to create a regionally recognised brand symbol synonymous with what we stand for. Careem is bold, local and relevant to all and the new identity represents these attributes perfectly.”