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Shock Middle East launches new radio station

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Dubai-based radio network, Shock Middle East has launched Heart 107.1 in the UAE. Heart 107.1 will focus on delivering interesting and relevant content, musical hits from the 90’s and the noughties, local and international news as well as inspirational topics with an aim to tap into all communities in the UAE.

The new station will also feature four main daily live shows and will see the appointment of a new team of presenters. Dave Cleary, previously Presenter at Dance FM will take on the role of Presenter for ‘Drive with Dave’ from 4pm – 8pm. ‘Mornings with Heart’ from 10am-1pm will be hosted by Jade Worsley, having previously worked in the UK with Dee 106.3 as Presenter. Tim Hartman and Faris Al-Raqqad who previously worked in Jordan with Bliss 104.3 will present ‘Breakfast with Tim and Faris’ from 6am-10am, along with Sheron Nanayakkara, joining them from Sri Lanka’s Red 107.8 Sky Media Network. Also joining the team is UAE-based Disc Jockey, Fadi Mansour who will host ‘Afternoons with Fadi’ from 1pm – 4pm.

“To say we’re pretty excited that this day has finally come is an understatement,” says Theo Makris, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Shock Middle East. “Heart 107.1 has been a long time coming – and we know it’s just what the UAE needs. Get ready to listen to some excellent music, the best of the best radio presenters – and a radio station which will always make you feel good.”

House of Comms welcomes New Account Director

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Integrated communications agency, House of Comms has appointed Alexia Lawrence-Jones to the role of Account Director. With over ten years of experience in the PR industry, Alexia previously worked in the UK with PR agencies such as Frank PR, Freuds and most recently with Hill + Knowlton Strategies where she worked across brands such as Mondelez and QVC. In her new role, she will join House of Comms’ senior management team and focus on delivering strategically led brands and digital communication solutions.

“After working in London for more than ten years, I was ready for a new challenge and when the opportunity at House of Comms came up, I knew this was the role for me,” says Alexia. “Having the opportunity to work in the UAE for one of the region’s most forward-thinking agencies was quite simply a no-brainer. The team is so passionate and creative and I can’t wait to get stuck in and help deliver some of the magic House of Comms is renowned for.”

Parker Design expands into the Middle East

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UK-based integrated advertising and digital agency, Parker Design has launched its Dubai office as part of its expansion plan into the Middle East. The new office aims to provide clients in the UAE with a professional but personal approach to business while helping them connect with their audience. The launch will also see the appointment of Dan Kendrew to head the Dubai office as Director bringing with him over 15 years of experience on B2C and B2B projects in a wide range of sectors.

“We have several UK and global clients with operations in the UAE: AstraZeneca, Thomson Reuters, Sage, to name a few,” says Dan Kendrew, Director, Parker Design. “So this, combined with the fact that Dubai is an exciting hub for global business, innovation and creativity, meant that it was a perfect match for us and a really easy decision to make. We’re delighted our international dream is now a reality, and can’t think of a better place than the UAE, and Dubai in particular.”

FIPP appoints new President and CEO

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FIPP has appointed James Hewes to the role of President and CEO starting September, 2017. James previously worked in the UK with BBC Worldwide’s Haymarket Exhibitions as Director and The Art Newspaper as Interim CEO. He later moved to the UAE and worked at Gulf News Publishing as Publishing Director, was appointed to FIPP’s Management Board as Director in 2015 and founded his own company, Soho Consultancy in 2016. In his new role, he will lead the FIPP team to ensure that they continue to deliver products and services that reflect their growth and strategic development as well as enhance the team’s ability to thrive in the changing media environment.

“I am a huge supporter of FIPP and it’s an incredible honour to be asked to lead the organisation,” says James. “FIPP’s ability to connect its members with the information networking opportunities and expertise they need are more important than ever.”

New Deputy Digital Editor at Time Out Dubai

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Time Out Dubai, part of ITP Media Group has appointed Tim Skinner to the role of Deputy Digital Editor. With experience in the UK’s media industry, Tim previously worked with Telecoms.com as Features Editor before relocating to Dubai. In his new role he will join the digital team and contribute towards the brand’s growth across the Middle East, working with PRs to secure exclusive content and cross-platform projects.

Lauren Steadman joins BNC Publishing

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BNC Publishing’s new monthly title, Design Middle East has appointed Lauren Steadman to the role of Editor. With over 5 years of experience in journalism in the region, Lauren was previously Editor at Guardian Media Group, UK, before she moved to the Middle East to work with Switch Global in Qatar and UAE as well as ITP Publishing Group in Dubai. In her new role, Lauren will oversee and contribute to all editorial content for the design title.

“I’m a real design obsessive and I can’t wait to get my teeth stuck into the role,” says Lauren. “My parents run an architectural practice, so the world of interiors is one I’m already quite familiar with.”

Katch International Appoints Engagement Director

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Communications agency Katch International has appointed Vix Machin to the role of Engagement Director. With over ten years of experience in PR, events and marketing within the MENA region as well as Europe, Vix has worked with local and international brands including Lionsgate Films UK, StudioCanal, Burj Al Arab and Shangri-La Abu Dhabi. In her new role, she will work across a number of accounts, head up the PR team and work hand in hand with the company’s founder, Georgie Woollams.

“We’re very excited to have Vix on board at Katch as she brings both local and international experience to head up the PR team,” says Georgie Woollams, Founder and Managing Director, Katch International. “Vix has a great reputation amongst her piers and continues to grow as a valued member of the communications landscape in the UAE.”

Vix adds “Katch has an excellent reputation in both Dubai and London. The team is responsible for so many success stories in the UAE and I’m so happy to now be a part of it. Katch works across so many sectors from consultation to events to digital and design as well as communications and I’m very eager to grow my experience across them all.”

Ben Westwood joins FlipFlop Media

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FlipFlop Media has welcomed Ben Westwood to the role of Sales Manager for its Terminal Operator title. Having relocated to Dubai from the UK in 2013, Ben most recently worked as Sales Manager for Holborn Assets Dubai where he maintained excellent relationships with clients by providing sound financial advice. In his new role, he will be using his strong background in financial services and client relations to oversee the new business development of Terminal Operator as well as other titles in the FlipFlop Media portfolio.

“I am excited to be joining the energetic FlipFlop Media team, especially to be working on such an interesting title like Terminal Operator,” says Ben. “This opportunity is a great way for me to really dig into new areas and use my strengths while still developing in such an intense industry.”

CNC and Capital MSL to merge

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CNC – Communications and Network Consulting – and Capital MSL, have announced their intention to merge. The combined consultancy will adopt the CNC name and offer clients a stronger international network and broader advisory capabilities. This step will considerably strengthen the overall group offering, as well as add a prominent Middle East and emerging markets presence – including offices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – to CNC’s network.

The new CNC will begin operations on January 1, 2015, with 11 offices in eight countries working on more than 200 mandates globally. It will continue to offer a broad range of integrated strategic communications services, including financial and corporate communications, reputation management, crisis and issues management, internal and change communications and public affairs. As part of the MSLGROUP network, the combined operation will leverage the skills of strategic and financial communications sister consultancies, such as Kekst & Company in the US and JKL in the Nordic region, in addition to expanding its presence in Asia and Latin America.

Richard Campbell, Founder and CEO of Capital MSL and Roland Klein, currently Managing Partner of CNC London, will be joint Managing Partners in London as well as overseeing the growth in the Middle East. Claire Maloney and Nick Bastin, both shareholders and Managing Director’s of Capital MSL, will become Partners in the new firm, alongside the existing 10 Partners in the CNC Group.

“Since Publicis Groupe’s acquisition of CNC in 2012, it was clear that not only did we advise clients around similar issues, but that we also had the same vision for the future,” says Richard Campbell, Founder and CEO, Capital MSL. “It makes strong strategic sense to combine the two networks to create an impressive international organisation of real scale, serving our clients as their most trusted advisor. After a successful and highly enjoyable thirteen years of growth as Capital MSL, we are convinced that this is the right step for our colleagues and clients, helping them to realise their own ambitions on a more international stage and in a more complex communications environment.”

New Arabic daily newspaper launches

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Al Araby Al Jadeed, a UK-based newspaper, has launched this week and will be distributed across global markets including the UAE. The Arabic daily newspaper will publish impartial reporting, and will be a platform for a wide range of views and opinions, allowing for freedom of expression and intellectual development. It will provide in-depth, engaging and professional coverage in politics, culture, economy, arts, society and sport at Arab and international levels.

Al Araby Al Jadeed has already launched alaraby.co.uk, which went live on March 30 of this year and provides Arab audiences with credible and independent news coverage; it has already developed a rapidly growing readership and a large Twitter following.

Published by UK company Fadaat Media Ltd, the Al Araby Al Jadeed newspaper will be available in local newsagents, shops and supermarkets across the UK, UAE and selected outlets in Europe.