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The Content Hub launches specialist divisions

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Dubai-based content creation agency, The Content Hub has launched two new specialist divisions, The Yachting Hub and The Wheel Hub. Founded by Sam Richomme who most recently worked as CEO of Lux Media Group and Damien Reid who most recently was contracted by Lux Media Group to contribute for Edgar, Altitudes and Yachts Emirates, the two divisions will offer publishers and marketers ready-to-publish content packages that can be used on all communications channels including print, web and social media. The Yachting Hub will focus completely on yachting and yachting lifestyle while The Wheel Hub will focus on motoring and automotive content.

“Between the devil and the deep blue sea, the media industry’s growing need for immediate and top quality content are at odds with the industry’s continual drop in editorial budgets,” says Sam Richomme, Founder, The Content Hub. “The Wheel Hub and The Yachting Hub caters to the needs of today’s publishers to cover all their media channels in one go, with affordable and immediate access to content produced by media professionals who are experts in their respective fields.”

Damien Reid, Founder and General Manager, The Wheel Hub continues, “The Wheel Hub represents the changing face of media and a solution for time-poor editors who in many cases are either a one-person shop, or worse still, are forced to juggle multiple titles on their own. In 90 seconds, an editor will receive long form and short form text to suit both print and online layouts, 15 to 20 images all resized and colour-corrected to suit, pic captions for every image, headlines, sub-heads and pull quotes. We even include a 60-second, Instagram-friendly video with all the hashtags for their social media. There are no contracts to sign, no chasing late payments through accounts departments and no VAT paperwork issues as the PayPal process is as simple as ordering a home-delivery meal.” 

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller makes new appointment

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Dubai-based PR agency, ASDA’A Burson Marsteller (BM) has appointed Erica Alkhfaji to the role of Head of Finance Practice. Erica previously worked with FTI Consulting as Managing Director and most recently with EKP Consulting as Executive Director, where she worked with brands such as PwC, writing trade-related research reports and digital content, and Google to conceptualise and implement innovative projects. In her new role, she will manage specialist PR services including investor relations and communications surrounding transactions, IPOs, and regulatory filings as well as drive new business growth and manage relationships with blue-chip clients in the financial sector.

“With global players increasingly looking at the Middle East for growth, local firms looking at market listings and governments throughout the Gulf seeking to privatise large enterprises, the outlook for the already vibrant finance sector is extremely healthy,” says Erica. “I’m excited to be working with the team here in the Middle East in building on ASDA’A Burson Marsteller’s excellent reputation for providing world-class financial PR.”

Golin MENA appoints new Associate Manager

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Dubai-based PR agency, Golin MENA has promoted Audrey Fernandes to the role of Associate Manager. Having joined Golin MENA in 2016, Audrey most recently held the role of Public Relations Associate. In her new role, she will work with the technology team to design and execute strategic communication plans for Golin MENA’s key clients across the Middle East. She will also oversee the day-to-day PR outreach activities of the agency and manage spokesperson profiling as well as thought leadership content creation for high-level placements in the media to drive the information market.

“Being a part of Golin MENA, with a growing list of leading clients and an energised and creative team by my side, has been an enriching career experience,” says Audrey. “In my new role, I aim to continue to demonstrate my potential.”

Dubai Lynx 2018 Jury Presidents announced

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Dubai Lynx 2018 jury presidents announced Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has invited ten high-profile international jury presidents to lead the juries at the Dubai Lynx Awards 2018. Set to take place from March 11-14, 2018 at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena, the award aims to honour creative excellence and communications across 18 categories including PR, film craft, media and the newly launched healthcare award. Leading the panel of jurors will be John Mescall, Global Executive Creative Director and President Global Creative Council at McCann Worldgroup – Global, Nadja Bellan-White, EVP and Global Brand Management at Ogilvy & Mather, EMEA, and Sue Daun, Executive Creative Director at Interbrand, UK.

“Our juries are at the heart of the Festival, reviewing work from across the MENA region and the jury presidents play an extremely important role in guiding the discussions that define and award the most creative campaigns,” says Jose Papa, Managing Director, Cannes Lions. “Over the past number of years we’ve worked tirelessly to include highly talented women as leaders of these juries and I’m honoured to say that this year we have managed a 50 – 50 split of male and female jury presidents.”

Shayan Shakeel joins Arabian Business

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Arabian Business, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Shayan Shakeel to the role of Reporter. Having joined ITP Media Group in 2016 as Editor at Aviation Business, Shayan will now cover news on various subjects including technology, finance, aviation and emerging markets from across the GCC and wider Middle East, on the video, print and digital platforms of the weekly business publication.

Five Minute Focus – Dubai Lynx 2018

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With Dubai Lynx coming up, Team TMN sits down with Thea Skelton Festival Director at Dubai Lynx, to find out what to expect from the upcoming event…

When is Dubai Lynx 2018 and where will it be held?

Dubai Lynx 2018 will take place at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena, Dubai from March 11-13 with the Dubai Lynx Awards Ceremony to be held on March 14.

Tell us about the concept behind Dubai Lynx…

Dubai Lynx is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s annual event for the creative communications industry. The Festival brings people together to learn, network, be inspired and celebrate the brilliant creativity that comes from the region.

As a sister Festival to the globally renowned Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity, Dubai Lynx is part of an influential network and its premium global standards makes it well respected as one of the most credible awards and festival in the creative sphere within the region.

How will Dubai Lynx 2018 be different compared to the previous years? Tell us about the new aspects…

This year we have a new focus on healthcare, including a specific ‘Healthcare award’ and ‘Creativity in Healthcare Communications Stage’. We are also expanding our startup offering with a dedicated ‘Startup Stage’, designed to unite start-ups, brand partners and agencies along with ‘The Business of Creativity Stage’, which will explore the business and management of creativity and offer advice and guidance on the practical aspects of business in the creative sector.

What are the challenges you face to make each year’s event different and meaningful?

The biggest challenge we face is raising the bar even higher each year. We bring a mixture of big name celebrities, industry legends, fresh faces and ideas to the stage along with experimental formats, and it’s really important for us to continue to do this and provide attendees with the best experience possible.

Can you tell us more about the awards/categories themselves?

The Dubai Lynx Awards celebrates the best creative work in MENA and have been doing so for the past 11 years. They’re all about recognising, nurturing and setting the standard for brilliant creative work in the region’s creative communications industry each year.

Do you have any feedback or tips for submissions, to help them stand out?

Feedback from our jury usually includes reminders to keep your submissions concise and provide clear examples of what the campaign achieved. If you’re considering entering but need some help, we have a team of experts who manage each award category from the very beginning of the process right through to coordinating the winners picking up their awards on stage. Their knowledge is encyclopedic and you can ask their advice or assistance at any time by emailing awards@dubailynx.com.

Who will be judging the entries for the Dubai Lynx Awards and Competitions?

The juries at Dubai Lynx represent the full breadth of the creative, design and digital communities. With over 2,600 entries from across 22 countries last year the breadth of experience and the global remit of the jury members is essential in ensuring that the benchmarks are set to the highest standards possible. The full jury line up will be announced in the coming months.

Who will be speaking at the event?

All kinds of creatively-minded people come together at Dubai Lynx. Each year we see a selection of top brand leaders, award-winning creatives, start-up founders, innovators, broadcasters, directors, marketers, artists, musicians from across the region and across the broader global creative community.

The line-up for the Dubai Lynx Festival 2018 will be confirmed closer to the Festival but to get a flavour of the event, take a look at who spoke at last year’s event through the website.

What will be the key topics of discussion at the event?

There is no specific theme, but all sessions have creativity in some form at their heart. Themes vary each year based on what the industry puts forward to discuss, ranging from creativity that drives inclusivity and modern storytelling to using technology as an enabler of creative communications.

What has been your advertising strategy in the region?

Dubai Lynx is a joint venture between Cannes Lions, the International Festival of Creativity and Motivate, with the support of Choueiri Group, Dubai Media City (DMC) and in association with the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA). These are fantastic partners with exceptional teams who help us share the Dubai Lynx message.

Is Dubai Lynx open for anyone to attend? What is the registration process?

Of course, anyone can attend and we encourage those with a passion for creativity and innovation to come and be inspired. Each year, the Festival attracts thousands of delegates from across the region and further afield including, advertisers, brands, fintech, governments, healthcare providers, innovators, media agencies and owners, production companies, startups and technology companies.

Passes can be purchased by visiting the website.

What is the reaction you expect, following the event?

We exist to recognise and celebrate the best of MENA’s creativity. The Awards Ceremony is always an incredible event as it demonstrates the quality and variety of regional creativity, which is showcased by the Festival. The connections made at Dubai Lynx propel people, brands and businesses, which is what drives us to make it better each year.

What kind of changes are you hoping to promote and encourage with this event?

We introduced an ‘Innovation Award’ last year to support and strengthen the efforts of the MENA region in becoming a global innovation and technology hub. This has grown and developed at a phenomenal rate with some of our Startup Alley participants taking their companies globally. This year we’ve launched a ‘Healthcare Award’ in consultation with the local industry. There’s a thriving scene of specialist healthcare agencies across MENA who are producing some truly innovative and pioneering work in a challenging sector. We envision that this area will grow in the coming years and it will be exciting to see how Dubai Lynx can help life-changing creativity in the region to flourish.