Posts

Promotion for Yousef Tuqan at Leo Burnett

/0 Comments/in /by

Leo Burnett has announced the promotion of Flip Media’s CEO, Yousef Tuqan, to the position of Chief Innovation Officer of Leo Burnett Group of Companies MENA, effective January 1, 2014. Kareem Monem will take over Leo Burnett-owned Flip Media, the region’s largest digital agency, as its new Managing Director.

In his new role, Tuqan will create an environment of experimentation within the Group, encouraging its creative teams to combine the Leo Burnett HumanKind philosophy with innovations and breakthrough technologies. Working with Leo Burnett’s Managing Directors around the region, and with the Leo Burnett MENA digital leadership team, he will map future plans for growth and development to better meet the needs of clients.

“Innovation is the key to combining creativity and technology and with his extensive background Yousef is well positioned to take his involvement with the Group to the next level,” says Raja Trad, CEO, Leo Burnett Group of Companies MENA. “Under his guidance, our teams will be encouraged to go beyond the norm in seeking new creative solutions to our clients’ needs, further establishing Leo Burnett as not only a leading source of innovative work, but as an avant-garde agency setting new standards across the advertising board. We welcome Yousef into his new role, and wish him the best of luck.”

Tuqan joins Leo Burnett following an eight year tenure at Flip Media, during which time he has served as CEO since 2007, and has worked with Leo Burnett across the Group’s network since Flip Media’s acquisition by Leo Burnett in 2012. With close to two decades of regional experience, Tuqan is at the forefront of the digital industry and is a respected digital marketing expert who frequently participates in industry and innovation seminars and events. He is a Board Member of the International Advertising Association’s UAE Chapter, as well as a Goodwill Ambassador for the children’s charity, Gulf for Good.

“I am delighted by this opportunity,” said Tuqan. “Since Flip’s acquisition in 2012 by Leo Burnett, I’ve worked extensively across the Leo Burnett network with some amazing people and iconic brands. I look forward to building the agency of the future with them.”

Kareem Monem, who has been announced as the new Managing Director of Flip Media, has more than 10 years of international experience in leading digital agencies and software companies. Before joining Flip in 2012 as its Practice Director, he worked in the UK with a number of leading digital agencies and software companies, on top consumer brand accounts such as GSK and Vodafone. During his time with Flip, he has developed new market areas of operation for the agency with clients in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and the US.

“Kareem is the ideal person to write the next chapter in Flip’s story,” says Yousef. “He’s earned the respect of everyone around him, and has a clear vision on how he and the Flip Media management team will build on our success into the future. I look forward to us working together in the years ahead within our agency network.”

OMD named Media Network/Agency of the Year

/0 Comments/in /by

OMD, part of the Omnicom Media Group, has been named the Media Agency/Network of the Year by Communicate and Campaign Middle East as revealed in both magazines’ latest editions. Consolidating business wins from the previous year as well as retaining or securing 14 new ones in 2013 has demonstrated the value of OMD’s first-mover advantage in digital, performance, social and mobile marketing, as well as analytics.

“OMD has thrived on its culture of innovation and challenging the status quo. This approach has served us well and it keeps on giving,” comments Elie Khouri, CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA. “It is the relentless spirit among the team that propels OMD upward and forward. Being the media agency of the year is something we aim to achieve every day on every one of our accounts.

DPQ hires new Sr. PR & Marketing Accounts Executive

/0 Comments/in /by

DPQ Communications has appointed Chloe Geake as Senior PR and Marketing Accounts Executive. Chloe brings with her a wealth of experience from the UK and Dubai, having worked across a number of consumer, technology, F&B, health, fashion and retail brands. She will oversee a number of hospitality and consumer clients including Costa Coffee UAE, Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Al Tamimi Stables and Nanogen Hair Care.

“I’m very excited about joining DPQ and being part of the dynamic and growing team,” says Chloe. “I have great accounts at the agency and am looking forward to a busy 2014.”

McCann Worldgroup announces new President

/0 Comments/in /by

Luca Lindner has been named President of McCann Worldgroup, wherein he will be engaged in delivering integrated marketing solutions across the organisation’s International agencies to serve the network’s clients.

Lindner first joined McCann in August 2004 as CEO of McCann Mexico and Deputy Regional Director of Latin America/Caribbean, shortly before rising to the post of Regional Director the following year. He was named President of the Americas, Middle East and Africa for McCann Worldgroup in late 2012, thereafter establishing himself as one of the most respected global leaders while overseeing multinational clients in the Middle East, Africa Latin America, North America and Europe.

“Luca is a true globalist and has established himself as one of the industry’s most experienced multi-platform and global marketing leaders,” says Harris Diamond, Chairman and CEO of McCann Worldgroup “He has been a key architect behind the success of McCann.”

 

Newgate Communications launches in AD

/0 Comments/in /by

Newgate Communications has opened its seventh overseas branch in 2013, with the launch of Newgate Abu Dhabi. The introduction of a branch in this region follows office openings in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.

The office is located within the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority and will be headed by Habib Bacha, who will liaise closely with Byron Ousey, Partner in the Newgate, London office. Habib has extensive consultancy experience in the region and has collaborated with Byron previously at Gavin Anderson.

“The UAE and the wider Middle East region is the land of opportunities,” says Habib. “Financial communication is a must, especially after the expansion of the regional banks and finance houses around the world. Newgate is an expert in financial communications with an experienced team who understand the local culture and the industry.”

Newgate Abu Dhabi has already won its first client with the launch of Eurisbank, an Islamic financial services group.

 

Steven Bond to step down at AMEinfo.com

/0 Comments/in /by

Steven Bond will leave AMEinfo.com and Mediaquest this week to take up a new role of News Editor at Destinations of the World News. Having worked at AMEinfo.com for two years and Mediaquest since June, when it acquired the news and information portal, Steven steps down on Thursday and will commence his new role in the New Year. Steven will be responsible for the daily news content online and taking charge of the monthly magazine’s news content.

“I’m leaving business reporting with some (very slight) reluctance, but it’s a magical world and I’m increasingly drawn to people and places over dollars and cents,” says Steven. “I’m thrilled to be joining Destinations of the World News – there’s lots in store for 2014 both for online and print.”

 

Nancy Nusrally joins Hilton corporate comms team

/0 Comments/in /by

Nancy Nusrally has joined Hilton Worldwide’s MEA Corporate Communications team as Senior Manager, Regional Brand Public Relations Middle East & Africa.

“My new role is to support the growing portfolio of Hilton Worldwide brands in the region, such as Hilton, Conrad, Waldorf Astoria and Double Tree by Hilton,” says Nancy. ” My focus will be on building awareness of our brand initiatives and properties and also aligning our global PR activities, mostly from consumer angle news.”

Nancy will be working alongside Heather Shaw, Senior Director, Corporate Communications Middle East & Africa.

Royal patronage for Arab Woman Awards

/0 Comments/in /by

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development, confirmed his patronage for tonight’s Arab Woman Awards UAE 2013. Established in 2009 by ITP Publishing, the awards recognise and honour successful women from across diverse fields in the UAE including art, business, fashion, entrepreneurship and charity. Nominations for this year ceremony have surpassed judges’ expectations with entries coming in from across all seven emirates.

“The patronage of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan is a testament to the significance of these awards,” says Sue Holt, Deputy Managing Director, ITP Consumer and Founder of the Arab Woman Awards. “His endorsement confirms our vision, as a platform that celebrates women who strive to succeed and contribute to the growth of the nation.”

The Arab Women Awards UAE 2013 will take place tonight in a glittering, ladies-only gala dinner on at Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel.