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New appointment at PRCA

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Georgia Ramm joins the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) as International Relations Officer. Currently completing her masters in public relations and corporate communications, Georgia will be responsible for increasing international engagement for the PRCA (UK and MENA) as well as developing initiatives for the International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO).

“Georgia’s appointment as the new PRCA International Relations Officer will allow us to increase our international work even further,” says Francis Ingham, Director General, PRCA UK and PRCA MENA. “We already manage ICCO, operating in 55 countries around the world and have an office in Dubai. We will now ramp up our activity, exploring other markets where the PRCA can usefully establish itself, and increasing the range of services we provide to members in the UK, MENA and elsewhere.”

Hussein Dajani joins Nissan

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Nissan Motor Corporation welcomes Hussein Dajani to the role of General Manager – Digital Marketing, for the AMI (Africa, Middle East and India) region. With over 10 years of experience in marketing and communications, Hussein was most recently Chief Operating Officer at hug digital. Starting June 18, 2017, Hussein will oversee all digital marketing transformations for Nissan and Datsun across the AMI region as well as head the respective teams.

“There has never been a more exciting time to join the automotive industry, especially with a forward looking corporation such as Nissan,” says Hussein. “The competition and challenges ahead make this assignment an exciting one to me. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Nissan teams and partner agencies to ensure that we keep developing innovative products, services and solutions.”

In The Hot Seat – Ahmad Al Nashash

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Team TMN sits down with Ahmad Al-Nashash, Editor at Petrolhead Arabia, who talks about transitioning from PR to journalism and what he thinks about the media industry in the Middle East…

Name: Ahmad Al- Nashash

From: Jordan and Palestine

Current Job Title: Editor at Petrolhead Arabia

When did you first arrive in Dubai?

In 1997.

Where did you work prior?

Prior to my current role, I worked with Drive Arabia as Arabic Editor and most recently with Secret PR as PR Executive.

What were your first impressions of the media industry in the Middle East?

It is different and tough. I assumed that working with and in media would be similar to other industries related to business, but in reality it is different. I realised this from my time as a PR executive, dealing with media has somewhat of an art to it in order to keep them happy and get what you want at the same time.

Has your opinion changed much?

Not much, I also just noticed how competitive the media industry is.

Tell us about your current role…

I make sure anything automotive-related happening in the UAE is covered. I also review cars for potential buyers and petrolheads alike.

 What challenges do you face?

Finding a perfect balance to have the review readable by auto enthusiasts, while remaining attractive to your everyday person looking to buy a car.

How do you overcome writer’s block?

I simply go for a long drive.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

To experience magnificent cars and put that experience down on paper.

How would you rather be contacted at work?

Email, phone or text. I am not picky!

What is one of the things you know about journalists that you didn’t know as a PR professional?

I have noticed the comradery amongst them.

As an Editor now, do you have a PR pet peeve when working with PR professionals or agencies?

Yes, confirmations that falls through at the last minute!

What have you taken from previously working in the PR industry to your journalism career?

I know what PR professionals go through with their senior colleagues and clients when journalists do not come through with promises. So I try to be as cooperative as possible to turn things around and make life easy for them.

How would you describe yourself at work?

I have been told that I am positive and easy to talk to.

What inspires you?

Progress.

What’s your most overused saying?

If you can’t take the heat, just get out of the kitchen.

Five things you can’t live without?

Family, cars, engine grease, car lifts and the desert.

If you weren’t in your current role, what would you be doing?

I would be elbow deep in grease working in a garage!

If you could have one work wish granted, what would it be?

Constant music in the office.

What’s your most used social media platform?

Facebook

What advice would you offer to someone looking to start a career in the media industry in the UAE?

Starting a career in the media industry is not as easy or as glamorous as you may think.

Publicis Media launches new boards

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Publicis Media has introduced next generation boards across international and regional markets. The new boards, consisting of leaders from the media and digital industry, aim to foster collaborations and influence the direction of all brands within Publicis Media. The board for the MENA region includes:

  • Ravi Shekar, Associate Director at Publicis Media Analytics and Insights
  • Khaled Gaber, Senior Client Management at Zenith
  • Ghina Marouf, Associate Media Director at Mediavest | Spark
  • Amir Antoun, Media Director at Starcom
  • Sajid Ismail, Senior Manager – Social Strategy at Publicis Media
  • Aneesha Hingorani, Associate Director at Zenith
  • Omar Madi, Director – Performance Media at Perfomics

“The launch of the next generation boards is about challenging and disrupting how we currently do things, to the benefit of all stakeholders,” says Steve King, CEO, Publicis Media. “We had our first global board meeting earlier this month, which ran in parallel with the global Publicis Media board and we were incredibly impressed with the proposals that were presented, some of which we have already started to adopt.”