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Judy Cogan made Lifestyle Editor of Friday magazine

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Judy Cogan has been appointed as Lifestyle Editor of Gulf News Magazines’ flagship title, Friday. Having been in the position of Acting Lifestyle Editor since April of this year, Judy takes over from Tabitha Barda and will be in charge of Friday’s fashion, beauty, health, travel, food and review pages.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the number one magazine in the UAE,” says Judy. “Food, health, fashion and travel are all incredibly popular pages within Friday and I hope to make them even more compelling. I’m more than ready for this new and unique challenge and I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with you all!”

Karen Pasquali Jones, Editor of Friday magazine adds, “Tabitha was a hard act to follow but I found the perfect replacement in Judy. She is a lifestyle expert with myriad ideas and an amazing energy – she is great at finding stories, networking and giving the readers exactly what they want.”

James Hewes, Publishing Director of Gulf News Magazines and Gulf News Publishing concludes “Judy is a fantastic addition to the team. Friday is going from strength to strength, and with Judy as part of the editorial team it will only get stronger.”

MCG Associates announces new Director

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MCG Associates, a leading international executive search and recruitment company specialising in the communications industry across the Middle East, has appointed Kate Watson as Director. Kate joins from Fabric Recruitment, where she spent four years as Senior Consultant MENA, responsible for maintaining and growing Fabric’s client and candidate base, as well as developing solid relationships on both the agency and client side. In her new position, Kate will manage MCG’s integrated communications team, placing international talent into the Middle East’s most impressive roles on behalf of a range of blue chip companies and international PR and marketing agencies.

“MCG is a growing business and our recruiters are the very best in the Middle East,” says Justin McGuire, Managing Director, MCG Associates. “Kate is an excellent addition to our team, as her international experience in the communications industry means our clients will benefit from her accumulated expert knowledge and understanding. I am delighted to welcome Kate to our company and look forward to supporting her bid to ensure that our integrated communications division thrives.”

Kate’s appointment comes as MCG Associates embarks on a major expansion programme. In addition to relocating offices in Dubai, the communications recruiter has launched candidate searches in the Far East, with plans to enter the US and South America in 2015.

Global instagrammers to film #MyDubai Trip series

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12 globally recognised instagrammers are to visit Dubai over the next four weeks to experience the Emirate through the eyes of its residents, each following a tailor-made itinerary created by 12 influential Dubai-based Instagram users. Their experience will collectively form the #MyDubai Trip series, which is being produced in partnership between Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Qabeela New Media.

The selection of 24 instagrammers – globally and Dubai-based – was conducted through two competitions earlier this year, during which 40 international Instagram users and 30 Dubai residents campaigned for votes. The visiting instagrammers will be joined by Mohamed and Peyman Parham Alwadhi, Co-Founders of Qabeela New Media and Co-Hosts of Peeta Planet, and will guide the visitors throughout their #MyDubai Trip.

Featured international Instagram participants include – Garth Pon and Craig Howes from South Africa, Danny Zappa and Paulo Del Valle from Brazil, Christina Santoso and Daris Cahyadi from Indonesia, Seo Ju Park, Virgina Navarro and Saul Aguilar from Mexico, Devrim Ates from Turkey, Ahmad El Abi from Egypt and Abdulaziz Al Duwaisan from Kuwait.

The individual itineraries have been curated by Anas Bukash, Managing Partner of Ahdaaf Sports Club, Herald Herrera, Network Engineer and Manager of @igersdubai community; Ienobu Kaneko, entrepreneur and social media influencer; Kanu Al Kendi, Emirati stand-up comedian; Karen McLean, Blogger at Secret Squirrel Food; Khalid Al Ramsi, IT student and designer; Max Stanton, Consumer Market Knowledge Manager at Procter and Gamble; Muneera Al Tamimi, Co-Founder of Turba Studios and Co-Founder of Tamashee; Nouraldin Al Yousef, television presenter and media personality; Omar Samra, Founder and CEO of Wild Guanabana; Samantha Wood, freelance journalist, communications consultant and food blogger at foodiva.com and Sharifa Badri, marketing graduate and social media influencer. 

By creating the #MyDubai Trip series, Qabeela New Media is the latest company to join the #MyDubai initiative, launched in January of this year by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The winning Instagram users will begin to arrive in Dubai from mid-September for a period of three or four days each, with the last arriving in mid-October. The #MyDubai Trip series is scheduled for online broadcast between November 2014 and January 2015.

SME Advisor to host Roadmap for Growth Conference

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SME Advisor, a leading publication for business owners published by CPI Media Group, has announced the final line up for its one-day conference entitled ‘Roadmap for Growth’. Hosted in association with strategic partners National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and Etisalat, the event is expected to draw a crowd of over 400 owners and managers of SME businesses across the GCC. The event will be held September 29, 2014, and will take place at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai.

The day’s themed sessions – based on leadership, connectivity and growth – are anchored by ten VIP speakers, who fluently understand the SME agenda and the critical landmarks of growth. The final session of the day will follow a unique format, with two adversary panels debating whether it is best to achieve growth by borrowing or by building on profits and re-investment. The sessions will include a strong emphasis on aspects such as sustainability, marketing, corporate strategy and business education.

“The event is a powerful point of focus for everyone leading and building an SME in the region,” says Paul Godfrey, Editor, SME Advisor. “It will also provide networking opportunities for the suppliers and contractors eager to reach these decision makers. We are very pleased to have an impressive line-up of speakers, not just from our event partners NBAD and Etisalat, but from some key businesses across the region.”

To register for the conference, visit http://smeadvisor.com/events/smeroadmap/registration.php#registration

Four Communications to acquire Consolidated PR

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Four Communications, part of the Four Communications Group, has made an offer to acquire 100 percent of Consolidated PR Limited, the UK public relations brand. The offer has been recommended by the board of Consolidated PR and more than 90 percent of shareholders have already agreed. The deal is expected to be completed successfully sometime in early October, 2014.

With the addition of Consolidated PR, Four Communications Group’s fee income would reach up to £15.5 million. Nick Clark, Managing Director of Consolidated PR would join the Four Communications Group operating Board, and Directors Will Holt, Elspeth Rothwell, Liz Fay and Anne Clarke would become Practice Directors. Upon completion, Consolidated PR would initially retain its brand whilst the companies plan for the future.

“We are please to make this offer to the shareholders of Consolidated PR and look forward to the completion of the deal as the next step in both our futures,” says Nan Williams, Chief Executive, Four Communications Group. “Consolidated PR is an excellent fit alongside our other communications teams and does exceptional work for their list of clients.”

Nick Clark, Managing Director of Consolidate PR adds, “We believe the future of communications is integrated and international, so by joining Four Communications we are opening up those opportunities for our clients and people. The board has unanimously voted to recommend this future to shareholders.”