Motivate Publishing has welcomed Charlie Scott to the role of Books Publisher. With over 20 years of experience in communications as a Journalist, Producer, Writer, Content Strategist and Publisher, Charlie most recently worked in Dubai as Director at Switch Content Marketing. In his new role, he will be responsible for editorial and business development, as well as Motivate’s Books division budgets and teams.
Dubai-based boutique agency Look Who’s Talking PR has been appointed the official public relations agency for the Warwick Hotel Dubai, located on Sheikh Zayed Road. The agency will focus on boosting brand awareness for the property, including its corporate rooms, spa and meeting spaces as well as its food and beverage outlets, across the UAE through inventive and unique PR activities.
“There is so much potential at Warwick Hotel Dubai and as you walk through the property your creativity ignites with all the unique PR activities that can be achieved,” says Holly Woolston, Managing Partner, Look Who’s Talking PR. “Its prime location and large rooms, as well as the great selection of restaurants, make the hotel the ideal destination for both business and leisure travelers alike. Our job is now to make sure the market sees the same potential we do.”
Specialist skin product Bio-Oil has appointed Brazen to manage its PR in 2016. Brazen will run a fully-fledged Bio-Oil press office, in order to bring alive the many benefits of using the product to media and influencers. The agency will target bloggers and media via a suite of events and other tactics designed to raise the impact of the skincare brand.
“Bio-Oil is loved by women right across the world for its ability to transform problem skin, from simple re-hydration to the most difficult of stretch marks,” says Pramod Varrier, Spokesperson, Bio-Oil. “We needed a PR partner who would not only understand the love for the brand but also, using creative tactics, will be able to maintain and build that frame. We’re looking forward to working with Brazen in order to spread the message that Bio-Oil is everyone’s year-round skin saviour.”
Louise Jacobson, Managing Director, Brazen, adds “We’re huge fans of Bio-Oil here at Brazen and we are really excited to get the chance to work with this iconic beauty brand to spread the word across the region. Bio-Oil is already beloved of so many women and our tactics will be designed to extend the brand’s reach in exciting new ways.”
Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Publishing, has welcomed Shitika Anand to the role of Section and Social Media Editor. Previously Assistant Editor for Grazia Middle East, Grazia Luxury and Grazia Qatar, Shitika has also worked for publications including PORTER magazine and Women’s Wear Daily. As Section and Social Media Editor, she will now be responsible for editing the Shopping and Body & Mind pages for the weekly entertainment guide to Dubai, as well as managing and strategising all of Time Out Dubai‘s social media accounts.
Shane McGinley has joined Thomson Reuters as English Language Web Editor for Zawya.com. Previously Executive Editor for arabianbusiness.com, part of ITP Publishing, Shane has over 11 years of experience in journalism with eight years in the UAE. In his new role, he will be Editing the English-language sections of the UAE-based news website, as well as handling interview opportunities, press releases and pitches.
Ahlan! magazine, part of ITP Publishing, has appointed Tala Samman as Fashion and Beauty Correspondent. Tala, who founded popular fashion and lifestyle blog Myfashdiary.com and previously worked as Fashion Editor for style.com/Arabia, will work on a freelance capacity. Her new column for the weekly magazine, available every Thursday, will cover fashion, beauty, health & fitness.
APP Media Group will host the first Stylist Arabia Social Media Awards UAE, on Tuesday, May 17, 2016. The awards will recognise digital innovators in the UAE, with categories highlighting global influencers in the fields of fashion, beauty, food and travel. The event will also include a special award for Stylist’s Social Media Influencer of the Year, as well as a Rising Social Media Star of the Year.
Nominees will be shortlisted by a panel of experts, including Stylist‘s own social media guru and Fashion Director, Esther Quek; Conde Nast Traveller ME Editor in Chief, Rhea Saran and Architectural Digest’s ME Editor in Chief, Manuel Arnaut. Once shortlisted, the nominees, their followers and Stylist readers will vote for their winner via the Stylist Social Media Awards website. Winners will be announced at the gala event.
“Social media in the region has revolutionised the fashion and style landscape in the UAE, highlighting and localising the latest trends with personalised creativity,” says Sue Holt, Executive Director, APP. “We are delighted to recognise and reward these online content creators as contributors in the industry and encourage growth for influencers to expand their reach online.”
Porto Montenegro, a marina village located east of southern Italy, home to a five-star Regent Hotel, super yacht home-port, luxury waterfront apartments and over 50 retail spaces of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and amenities, has appointed PRCO Dubai as its PR partner for the GCC.
The integrated communications agency, will look to boost Porto Montenegro’s local presence by increasing the destination’s brand in the Gulf through event collaborations and continued PR strategy to maximise exposure throughout the GCC.
“We are eager to collaborate again with Porto Montenegro, as this dynamic destination has great importance for the GCC,” says Jonathan Rivlin, Managing Director, PRCO Middle East. “The team is excited to begin working on this account in order to increase awareness of Porto Montenegro in the region.”
Uber, the multinational online taxi dispatch company, has appointed House of Comms as its PR partner for the GCC.
“Famed for its innovative software connecting riders to drivers at the push of a button, Uber has taken the Middle East by storm and it is truly leading the way with its customer centric platform,” says Abby Wilks, Managing Partner, House of Comms. “Uber’s vision for the future of technology and transport coupled with the passion and creativity of its team, makes this an extremely exciting win for us. Great things are to come!”
Socialize has secured the digital account for Betty Crocker. The Dubai-based digital agency will be handling the strategy, set-up and execution for the General Mills brand’s social media presence, as well as its digital activations across the Middle East.
“This is a significant appointment for Socialize,” says Akanksha Goel, Director, Socialize. “We are proud to be joining forces with General Mills and elevate Betty Crocker to be the top digital and social brand in its category by delivering strategically driven, memorable and meaningful creative work.”