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New Editor-in-Chief at Men’s Health ME and Women’s Health ME

ITP Media Group has appointed Danae Mercer to the role of Editor-in-Chief of Men’s Health Middle East and Women’s Health Middle East. Danae previously worked as a freelance journalist writing for CNN Travel, The Sunday Times, Afar, Shape magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits and others, and doing radio for the BBC World Service. Before freelancing, Danae was with Motivate Publishing as Editor of Jumeirah Magazine, where she oversaw publication production and worked closely with Jumeirah Group to shape the overall direction of its magazine. In her new role, she will oversee all editorial content of both titles and contribute to their brand development across the Middle East. She will also create cutting edge features to highlight the brand’s image and recognition across the region. Danae will be expanding WHME and MHME’s online brands as well.

Yi-Hwa Hanna joins Edelman Dabo

Edelman Dabo has appointed Yi-Hwa Hanna to the role of Senior Content Manager. Bringing with her a wealth of experience in journalism, Yi-Hwa previously worked with ITP Media Group, as Deputy Editor for Good Housekeeping Middle East and most recently as Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health Middle East. In her new role, she will be working with the brand teams on content management, strategy and creation.

“Content strategy and management is a relatively new discipline, and is one that continues to evolve as content creation and the way we communicate continues to do so in the changing media landscape,” says Yi-Hwa. “It’s an exciting role to be in and a great way to utilise a diverse skill set in creating impactful, lasting, and effective perceptions whether that’s in the scope of branding, communications marketing, or indeed, even the broader publishing industry. I’m thrilled to be entering the next phase of my media career not only in this great position, but also with such an innovative, thought-leading, progressive and creative company like Edelman Dabo, where both the company itself and the staff are among the most well-reputed in the industry.”

Yi-Hwa Hanna steps down at Women’s Health

After eight years with ITP Media Group, Yi-Hwa Hanna is moving on from her position as Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health Middle East. Yi-Hwa joined ITP Media Group in 2010 and worked across a number of publications including VIVA Magazine as Features Editor and Good Housekeeping Middle East as Deputy Editor before taking on her most recent role of Editor-in-Chief at Women’s Health Middle East. Having been a key member of Women’s Health Middle East’s launch team and as a part of her role, she conceptualised the features of the magazine from start to finish, worked with emerging talents in the creative fields, handled photoshoots and represented the brand on several occasions to lead it towards becoming one of the region’s most recognised titles.

Yi-Hwa will be moving on to a full-time position in content management at a leading agency, and continue to work on her lifestyle blog, intotheether.me, where she will write and feature contributors time to time on a number of thought-provoking topics, interesting information, practical advice and inspirational stories.

“Launching and then working on Women’s Health Middle East as the Editor-in-Chief for the past four years has been a dream role for me in many ways, where I was able to combine both my skill set and personal passions and work with some of the most inspirational people I’ve met throughout my career,” says Yi-Hwa. “I’m so proud to have been able to grow the brand into what it is today and it will always remain a highlight of my career. However, it’s time for a new adventure for me and I’m thrilled to be moving on to a new chapter, at an exciting position with an amazing team of people.”

Women’s Health ME announces Next Fitness Star

Women’s Health Middle East, in association with the National Health Insurance Company – Daman and their ActiveLife initiative, has announced the winner of the region’s first campaign for the Next Fitness Star. In a search for the UAE’s ultimate fitness personality, the title has been awarded to Heba Abel Gawad, who was selected by readers from among five finalists during a two-month online voting campaign and workout series. Heba, 32, from Egypt and Spain, is a former two-time Olympic athlete, NeuroPilates instructor and fitness educator who specialises in targeting the brain and nervous system to get the most out of the body. Heba is starring in her own fitness DVD, which will be given away with the next issue of Women’s Health Middle East – out on October 1, 2014.

“We are so thrilled to announce Heba as Women’s Health Middle East’s Next Fitness Star!” says Yi-Hwa Hanna, Editor-in-Chief, Women’s Health Middle East. “All of the finalists were amazing candidates and it was an exciting and tough competition, but we can’t wait to share Heba’s incredible workout with the region. She’s an inspiration.”

Heba, the Next Fitness Star winner adds, “This competition has been an amazing opportunity for me to be a part of, and I feel very grateful and supported by everyone who voted for me. It’s a great honour to be part of the movement in the Middle East to promote a healthy lifestyle, and it’s been really great meeting the four other finalists who are all stars.”

Women’s Health Middle East available now

The first issue of Women’s Health Middle East is now available on newstands with an eye-catching image of Hollywood beauty Jessica Alba adorning the front cover. The new ITP Consumer-run publication, has a print run of 16,000 copies and is currently available in English language.

Headed up by Yi-Hwa Hanna and assisted by Deputed Editor, Ashley Lane, the publication focuses on health, nutrition and fitness, while also covering fashion, beauty, advice, travel, food and lifestyle. The launch will be celebrated this Tuesday night with a lavish party to welcome the first issue.

Michaela Williams joins Good Housekeeping team

Michaela Williams has joined the Good Housekeeping Middle East team as Deputy Editor. Formerly Hotels Editor for QANTAS The Australian Way magazine, Editor of beauty blog Lather Rinse Repeat and Online Beauty Contributor for Cosmopolitan Australia, Michaela takes over the role from Yi-Hwa Hanna, who recently moved across to Women’s Health Middle East.

Michaela will be working across beauty, fashion, home, health and lifestyle pages and can be contacted at michaela.williams@itp.com / 04 444 3000

Team start work on Women’s Health Middle East

The Women’s Health Middle East team have now commenced work on the new ITP Consumer-run publication, with Yi-Hwa Hanna taking the reins as Editor-in-Chief. Previously Deputy Editor of Good Housekeeping, Yi-Hwa will be joined by ex-Shape Editor, Ashley Lane, after the title ceased publication in December. Gareth Lloyd-Jones is publisher and will oversee all commercial opportunities for the brand. The first edition of Women’s Health Middle East will hit the newsstands on March 1, 2014.

While the publication will focus on health, nutrition and fitness, the women’s glossy will also cover fashion, beauty, advice, travel, food and lifestyle.

ITP Publishing to launch Women’s Health ME

ITP Publishing Group has announced it will launch the 25th edition of the world’s fastest-growing international women’s magazine, Women’s Health Middle East, on March 1, 2014. The magazine will join ITP Consumer’s rising portfolio of market‐leading women’s titles, which includes Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, OK! Middle East, VIVA, Ahlan!, Good Housekeeping Middle East, Grazia Middle East and Cosmopolitan Middle East.

With 25 international editions covering 44 countries, Women’s Health continues its rapid global expansion in the Middle East. The Middle East title will be aimed at educated female consumers, offering its readers not just focused health and fitness topics, but a comprehensive lifestyle guide. The Middle East edition will be ITP’s first title from Rodale.

“We’re thrilled to partner with ITP on Women’s Health Middle East and look forward to joint success in the marketplace,” says Rob Novick, Senior Vice President, International, Business Development and Partnerships for Rodale. “The Women’s Health brand is taking the world by storm with 11 new overseas editions launched in the last four years, and we’re excited to see the reaction from readers and advertisers in the Middle East.”

Women’s Health Middle East will initially be published in English with a print run of 16,000 copies, circulated across the GCC. The magazine will be available at all major retail outlets in ITP’s point-of-sale units, in addition to limited free circulation in select five-star hotels, salons, health clubs and spas.

Gareth Lloyd-Jones, Publishing Director for the new title, commented: “Globally we’ve witnessed a shift towards people seeking out a healthier lifestyle as part of their every day regime. This has resulted in fitness lifestyle magazines around the world becoming a high growth sector and I’m confident that Women’s Health Middle East will meet the demand in this region. Targeting today’s active women – in areas of fitness, nutrition, beauty and style – Women’s Health Middle East will equip its readers with the tools they need to make instant, positive changes in their lives”.

The title will be led by Editor-in-Chief Yi-Hwa Hanna. With over six years of experience in the media industry, Yi-Hwa has previously held editorial roles on leading titles such as Good Housekeeping Middle East and VIVA. “I’m thrilled to be taking the helm of this world-renowned brand. The Middle East’s ever-growing interest in a wellness-focused lifestyle makes Women’s Health the ideal magazine to introduce to the region, and I’m very excited about launching the brand and bringing a trusted source of quality content to this audience,” she says.

The launch is bolstered by a $100,000 marketing campaign that includes radio, online, retail and print advertising throughout ITP’s leading consumer titles, and will go live in early 2014. The magazine will premiere with an exclusive red carpet event and promotional tie-ins with some of the region’s top lifestyle and fitness events.

Lloyd-Jones concludes, “From the outset, the prominent positioning of this publication, with its inspirational and informative content, will be aimed at women looking for that extra positive edge in their lives.  The title will be a great addition to ITP’s ambitious lifestyle and fashion portfolio.”