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4th GCC Government Social Media Summit held

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The fourth annual GCC Government Social Media Summit began today at the Sofitel Dubai Downtown. Held under the theme of “Leveraging social networks to drive government innovation and create smart cities”, the importance of social media among UAE leaders was highlighted, with the social media campaign launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to determine the name for the Mars mission cited as an example of this.

The summit features six industry-specific workshops and hosts around 120 delegates, discussing innovations in social media techniques against the backdrop of its increasing importance in government relations. The event will also run tomorrow, Thursday, September 17, 2015.

“Social media is an effective means of communications,” says Dr. Aisha bin Bishr, Assistant Director General, The Executive Office UAE. “It allows us to target specific segments of the public, especially young audiences and share relevant news and information with them. There is a continuous increase in social media use amongst residents and visitors to the UAE and we are very proud of how the government department is taking advantage of this by utilising social media and its analytical tools to develop ways to communicate with the public.”

Time Out Dubai gets a makeover

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Weekly, Dubai-based print publication, Time Out Dubai has been redesigned. The updated version of the magazine, part of ITP Publishing Group, will be available from September 16, 2015 from newsstands across the city. Launched in 2001 and headed up by Editor Mark Dinning, Time Out Dubai is a listings magazine that covers cultural and consumer life, with 43,000 copies distributed locally.

The magazine was redesigned in response to research into Time Out Dubai readers and will now include a minimum of 112 pages every week, with more features, reviews and photography, as well as additional insight into things to see and do in Dubai. The magazine will also now be distributed via Emirates departure gates for all Dubai-bound flights from London’s Heathrow airport. Time Out Dubai’s relaunch will be supported by a campaign across radio stations in the Emirate, as well as increased retail presence and an increase in distribution of the publication to residences, cafes, salons and events. In addition to the print magazine’s relaunch, a new-look website – www.timeoutdubai.com – will follow later in the year.

Bell Pottinger welcomes new Partner

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Ehab Khairi has joined Bell Pottinger as a Partner in its Middle East business. Ehab joins the international PR agency from the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), where he was Senior Manager of Media and PR – VP, Corporate Communications for eight years. In his new role, Ehab will be based in Bell Pottinger’s office in Dubai, supporting clients across the wider MENA region, including in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Africa. He will also lead the agency’s team of 10 native Arabic speakers, based across its three offices in the Gulf.

“We are delighted that Ehab has joined our growing business in the Middle East,” says Tim Wilkinson, Chairman, Bell Pottinger Middle East. “He is a highly experienced and wise public relations practitioner, and he has a deep understanding of the Arabic language, local media landscape, as well as the regional business community. This senior hire illustrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring we offer a diverse range of senior PR consultants who can operate successfully in local and international environments.”

Ehab adds “Bell Pottinger already has a strong Arabic offer and my ambition is to keep developing it, in line with the needs of our diverse client base. I’m excited to be joining the team at an interesting time for companies and governments across the Middle East, and I look forward to using my experience to help make Bell Pottinger’s communications offering in the region an even more compelling one.”

EDGAR welcomes new Editor-in-Chief

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Rob Chilton has joined EDGAR magazine, a LuxMedia publication, as Editor-in-Chief. Most recently Senior Editor at What’s On, Rob has worked in print and broadcast journalism for over 20 years in London, New York and Dubai. As Editor-in-Chief, he will lead the EDGAR team in producing the monthly luxury lifestyle title for men, as well as contributing to the magazine’s brand development, both online and in print. In addition, Rob will begin a new slot on Dubai Eye later this month as part of his new role with EDGAR.

“I have loved every minute of my time at What’s On,” says Rob. “The creativity, hard work and energy of the What’s On crew has been outstanding and I have huge admiration for them. I am sad to leave but extremely excited to join EDGAR, a magazine of which I am a big fan. I can’t wait to start working with the talented folk at EDGAR, both in print and online at EDGARdaily.com.”

Ana Emraa welcomes new Editor-in-Chief

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Heba Abdalla has joined Ana Emraa, part of APP Publishing, as Editor-in-Chief. With over nine years of experience in media, across everything from editorial to advertising, Heba has most recently worked at Arabia.com as Senior Editor, where she handled the website’s Fashion and Beauty content. As Editor in Chief of Ana Emraa, Heba will oversee all editorial content for the online publication, such as events coverage, red carpet news and bespoke lifestyle updates.

Edelman completes acquisition of DABO & CO

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Edelman has completed its acquisition of DABO &CO, expanding the company’s presence in the Middle East region. The completion sees the launch of a new co-branded entity – Edelman DABO – which combines the consumer public relations and digital capabilities of both companies. The co-brand will also see the launch of Edelman DABO Experiential which builds upon DABO’s creative events management division. The company now has a roster of over 50 clients in the Middle East.

“The communications marketing landscape is evolving at a pace where yesterday’s innovation horizon is reached at a speed that was unimaginable even a couple of years ago,” says David Bran, President and Chief Executive Officer, Edelman Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. “Our focus on building our leadership position requires us to be one step ahead of our clients’ evolving needs. DABO & CO has been consistently able to deliver high levels of creativity in consumer communications and experiential activations, making it an ideal addition to our existing business in the Middle East.”

Lucy d’Abo, Managing Director, Edelman DABO Experiential, adds “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition process and to have revealed our new brand identity as an Edelman company. In terms of both strategic vision and cultural fit, it was clear that Edelman represented the best partner for us and everything we’ve experienced to date has reinforced that view.”