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Etisalat spotlights local production by twofour54

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As a result of the ongoing partnership between twofour54 and Etisalat, an extensive collection of films produced by twofour54 is now available for subscribed viewers on Etisalat’s video on demand platform (VOD), eLife on Demand, as well as Etisalat’s eLife Video Packs. The aim of this is to highlight local talents from the filmmaking industry, as well as reinforce Arabic content.

40 creative lab films and music videos will be shown, some of which have previously participated in Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival in New York and the Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival in the UK.

“twofour54’s creative lab intends to support young talent and provide them with opportunities to develop their skills and experiences through the appropriate media platforms,” says Maryan Al Mheiri, Chief Operating Officer, twofour54. “This initiative is an opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to highlight their creative work through an established platform, showcase their projects to broader audiences and motivate others. twofour54’s creative lab films can now be accessed on Etisalat’s VOD, which is a testament to the quality of work our members are achieving and we look forward to continuing our relationship with Etisalat.”

Rashed Al Abbar, Vice President of Home Services at Etisalat adds, “As well as delivering top class TV content and entertainment to homes in the UAE, Etisalat is actively seeking new means of supporting the community of local artists and filmmakers. Through our wide reach in the UAE, we are excited about introducing a new platform for award-winning, homegrown talent to showcase their skills and creativity. Overall, our partnership with twofour54, one of the leading media hubs in the UAE, helps promote locally produced content and enhances the UAE’s film industry.”

For further information, contact William Royce at william.royce@twofour54.com / +971 (0)50 614 6653

Michaela Williams promoted at Stylist Arabia

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Michaela Williams has been appointed to the newly created role of Lifestyle, Fashion and Beauty Director for Stylist Arabia. Previously holding the role of Acting Lifestyle Editor at the Arab Publishing Partners’ (APP) weekly title, Michaela boasts years of editorial experience in women’s lifestyle, having worked across publications including Good Housekeeping Middle East, Qantas The Australian Way and Cosmopolitan Australia, as well as editing beauty blog Lather Rinse Repeat.

Kaveh Gharachorlou joins Mindshare MENA

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Kaveh Gharachorlou has joined the Mindshare MENA team – part of WPP – as its new Regional Talent Development Director for the region. With over 20 years of experience in human resource management, Kaveh has worked across a variety of industries including banking, oil and gas, government, manufacturing and construction, as well as security and defense. Kaveh previously ran his own HR consultancy business for three years in the United Kingdom, before moving on to work as Head of HR in construction and manufacturing eight years ago, and was most recently HR Director for DynCorp International, a global security and defense organisation.

“We welcome Kaveh on board and look forward to seeing his contribution to position Mindshare MENA as the preferred employer,” says Samir Ayoub, CEO, Mindshare MENA. “He brings a wealth of HR experience and valuable talent development skills to our team.”

Mediaquest & C Squared to launch Festival of Media

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Mediaquest has joined with C Squared to launch the first-ever Festival of Media in Dubai. The partnership between two of the region’s leading publishers and events companies will bring the internationally renowned industry awards and networking programme to the city, with the inaugural event scheduled to take place on April 15, 2015.

“The Festival of Media has a well-earned reputation as being one of the foremost marketing and media events in the world and one that celebrates the very best in industry thinking,” says Alexandre Hawari, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Mediaquest. “The Festival comprises a number of components that marks it out as a global leader. These include an awards programme that recognises the very best marketing campaigns, an exhibition that enables vendors to promote initiative to prospective clients and several platforms that provide networking and thought-leader opportunities. In fact, the high quality of discussion and debate at the Festival has led to it becoming known as ‘the Davos of advertising.’

Launched in Venice in 2007, the Festival of Media Global was created to highlight key developments in the media sphere, such as consumer trends, branded content, advertising and social media. The Awards element was added in 2009, establishing the Festival as a leading media event on the international marketing calendar. The Festival of Media MENA will add to the pantheon of global Festival of Media events, which currently take place in Rome, Singapore and Miami.

Charlie Crowe, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of C Squared adds, “The Festival of Media is more than just an event, it is a movement. Since 2007, we have not only been reflecting the changes taking place in media, but we have also been part of shaping this change. After our partnership with our friends at Mediaquest, we now have the Festival of Media in four regions and we look forward to inviting media professionals and advertisers across the MENA to be part of the conversation.”

The Festival of Media Global Awards is one of the world’s largest advertising ceremonies, attracting work from more than 40 countries. The awards are judged by a senior panel of media agencies and advertisers and are open to all who are involved in advertising. The MENA edition of the Awards is expected to attract a multitude of entries that reflect the diverse array of media operators producing high-quality work in the pan-Arab region. Alongside the awards programme, The Festival of Media MENA’s one-day conference is set to feature seven to nine global media leaders who have been invited to offer their thoughts and expertise on a number of topical and pertinent MENA media subjects.

house of comms appoints new Account Executive

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Dubai-based PR agency house of comms has appointed Hannah Shanks as its newest Account Executive. Hannah joins the team from UK creative agency, The Black Eye Project, where she worked as Senior PR Account Executive across various industry sectors on a client list of national and international accounts, including Spanish olive and Mediterranean brand, Fragata, as well as global ice skating brand, HD Sports.

“It’s a fantastic time to be joining house of comms and I’m thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and forward thinking team,” says Hannah. “I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and supporting on client accounts across the region.”

Boye Balogun heads up Future Tech Media

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Boye Balogun, former Region Head of Digital at Mindshare, has left the company to head newly established Future Tech Media as Co–Founder and Managing Director. Having been with Mindshare since 2012, Boye will now oversee Future Tech Media, a Middle East & Africa digital media solutions and consultancy business, which focuses on innovative digital solutions.

“We have a perfectly curated suite of innovative digital products across native advertising, mobile and video to help drive the next wave of digital advertising in this market,” says Boye.

With its first office currently open in Dubai, another is set to be established in Lagos to cater for the African region later in the year.

Cressida Meale moves across to Stylist Arabia

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Cressida Meale has been appointed as the new Deputy Editor for Stylist Arabia. Having held the position of Deputy Editor for Grazia Middle East since 2013, Cressida has worked across a number of publications including Motilo.com and Vogue Turkey. She now moves across to the weekly women’s magazine at Arab Publishing Partners (APP), which is part of the ITP Group.

TNS welcomes new Middle East CEO

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TNS, a leading global custom market research consultancy, has appointed Stephen Hillebrand as CEO Middle East. With this promotion, Stephen takes over from Steve Hamilton-Clark who had been in the position for the past 17 years, guiding the business through a period of exponential growth. Having joined TNS in 2000 and spending the past seven years in the Middle East, Stephen most recently held the position of Vice President for the Africa, Mediterranean and Middle East region, playing a pivotal role in enabling the acquisition and leading the subsequent integration of RMS, the then independent Sub-Saharan market research agency, into TNS.

In his new role, Stephen will be responsible for leading TNS’ Middle East business units into the next phase of growth with a strategic concentration on technology-enabled research, focused on the complexity of digital-influenced integrated marketing, particularly in the culturally diverse regional markets.

“I am excited to further push the boundaries in the work we conduct with our clients, ensuring that we are continually evolving to meet their changing needs in a region with such great potential for growth,” says Stephen.

Kim MacIlwaine, Regional CEO TNS AMME adds, “We are proud to partner to so many local businesses as well as global players. I know Stephen’s vast experience in business planning and executing will bring new energy and ideas to build on our strength, especially in the UAE, Saudi and the Gulf states.”