Primedia Qatar, leading media solutions provider and publisher, recently unveiled its new corporate image with a new logo and a new website - www.primedia-qatar.com.

The new logo supports the strategy of Primedia Qatar and its affiliate company, Primedia International, to reinforce their regional market strength by encouraging a unified identity between the two companies, whilst keeping a local positioning in each of the branches - Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Primedia Qatar's innovative new website provides users with the portfolio of products and services offered by Primedia Qatar to businesses which want to increase their visibility and leads in the GCC.

With the rise in technology and the growing demand for companies to be visible in their respective markets, this website presents opportunities and platforms for businesses to maximise their presence in the region.

During the past few years, together with continuing the development of its well-known print products - The Qatar Yellow Pages, The Gulf Directory, Arab Banking & Finance and many others - Primedia Qatar has focused on maximising digital offerings.

With the company's recent upgrades and restructuring of its online platforms - www.yellowpages.qa, www.gulfind.com, www.yellowpages.bh - Primedia Qatar has expanded its digital expertise: website and app development, email broadcasting and data management are part of Primedia's extended portfolio.

"Our aim in launching the new www.primedia-qatar.com is to provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about Primedia Qatar's portfolio of solutions enabling all businesses to achieve exposure and visibility through print, online, on-mobile, e-broadcasting and database management services," said Chief Operating Officer Aldrin S.Menezes.

"Our new logo and brand re-positioning demonstrate the mission of Primediq Qatar to keep offering new media solutions to all Qatari SMEs to increase their visibility both locally and regionally," he added.

Lipton Yellow Label, Unilever’s leading tea brand and the region’s favourite, is relaunching with a new, improved blend designed to appeal to the next generation of tea drinkers. 

With the newly introduced blend, the iconic brand will use a groundbreaking innovation in tea production. In a new process unique to Lipton, fresh, high-quality tea leaves are pressed during production. This releases a ‘natural tea essence’ full of fresh tea flavour. The essence is added back to the tea blend; thus Lipton Yellow Label delivers a fully rounded, satisfying flavour that Yellow Label lovers demand, with a rich, without bitterness or astringency. 

The new tea essence process was developed by the Lipton Institute of Tea - Lipton’s dedicated tea research facility.  The team were inspired to experiment with the concept of tea essence using the same techniques involved in pressing olives and grapes. From this inspiration came the new process now operating at the Lipton Tea Gardens in Kericho, Kenya, one of the finest tea growing regions in the world. Only freshly picked, high-quality tea leaves are pressed as part of the new Yellow Label process.  

Lipton has updated its high quality blend to continue to give consumers the rich tasting tea they love. “Yellow Label is probably the world’s most famous tea” said Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman of Unilever, North Africa and Middle East. “It is designed to be enjoyed not only by the millions of people around the world who currently drink it every day, but by a new generation of drinkers looking for a tea that can deliver a great taste, without dryness or bitterness, cup after cup.”

Mehta continues: “Creating brands that our customers want and love is at the heart of our business and we’re hugely excited about this new use of tea essence. Not only is it a world first, it also means we’re now able to develop products in ways that have never been seen before.” 

The new Lipton Yellow Label is available on major supermarket shelves across the region.

The Deloitte Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions 2013 report was launched at Dubai Media City, revealing the emerging issues that will impact the TMT industry in the coming year.

The report, now in its 12th year, is compiled through a series of interviews with Deloitte clients and practitioners. Of the most notable findings were that a record one billion smartphones will be shipped in 2013; mobile advertising will get split into two categories— tablets and smartphones— andmore than 90% of user-generated passwords will be vulnerable to hacking in a matter of seconds.

The Deloitte TMT Predictions 2013 were launched in collaboration with Dubai Media City,as a stride towards promoting the media industry and thought leadership. Dubai Media City has grown to become a thriving business community that is home to leading international and regional brands, creating a business environment that encourages expansion and growth of business.

"This is the first time Deloitte is presenting a Middle East version of the TMT predictions, directly relevant to the region," said Santino Saguto, partner and TMT Leader, Deloitte Middle East. 

"We believe it is vital for our local clients and industry practitioners to understand the drivers that are shaping this sector across the region. Hence, these 10 TMT predictions have been formulated to highlight where we are heading." 

Of the hot topics in the TMT predictions, particularly relevant for the region include an upsurge in momentum behind Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile networks across the GCC, which experts say will need to be combined with a better understanding of end-game strategies from the new technology. In addition, leading operators across the region are likely to devote greater effort towards managing data profitability. 

The Deloitte TMT Predictions report also points to advertisers who are expected to navigate in a rapidly growing digital space, with mobile advertising emerging as a major beneficiary. 

"I am pleased that Dubai Media City is able to support the launch of Deloitte's Middle East TMT Predictions 2013. As a thriving community that has become home to many global, regional, and local media organizations, it is our duty to support research and study into the future of our sector. Identifying the key trends that will shape our industry over the near, mid and long term," said Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director, TECOM Investments Media Cluster. 

"This report's findings contain many valuable insights that will be able to serve as a guide to many operators whether they are in advertising, technology, broadcast production, or content development."

"This year's predictions cover a range of topics, from the continued dominance of personal computers (PCs) despite inferior sales relative to smart devices, the developments around LTE, and data access, to smartphones and the vulnerability of passwords," said Paul Lee, Director, Deloitte TMT Knowledge & Research.

"With the splitting of 'mobile' advertising into separate mobile and tablet categories, advertisers should begin to consider new forms of advertising specific to smartphones, such as interactive videos or game functionality, and tablets meanwhile, may borrow content created for PCs as well as usage formerly undertaken on PCs." 

Additionally in 2013, the smartphone sector may globally generate $4.9bn in revenues in 2013, while advertising on tables may generate $3.4bn. Revenue per unit however reveals a different dynamic: smartphone display ad revenues are forecast at $7 per tablet and $0.60 per smartphone (including in-app ads). In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) the tablet market grew by 90% year on year - reaching a total of 1.36 million units for the fourth quarter of 2012. 

This surge is the result of a number of factors, including the introduction of cheaper tablet models, reduced prices by vendors, and overall rising consumer demand for these devices

There will also be an upsurge in momentum behind LTE, with 2013 being the first year in which LTE thrives across multiple markets. The subscriber base will triple to 200 million by year end, and those on LTE tariffs will represent about 10% of all service revenues. 

Usage of LTE will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary: the major benefits of subscribing to LTE from 3G are likely to be better performance from existing applications from e-mail to updating social networks.

Additional highlights of this year's TMT predictions to impact theMiddle East marketplace in 2013 include:

• "Mobile advertising" thrives, led by tablets, but smartphone display lags — "Mobile" advertising — a category including tablets, smartphones and feature phones —should grow by 50% to reach $9bn globally. In the Middle East, Deloitte predicts that digital ad spend will grow at a CAGR of 35% in the region over the period from 2011 to 2015 reaching approximately 10% of the total advertising spend by 2015. These estimates are conservative when viewed in the context of markets such as the UK, where the shares of the digital platform in total ad spend stood at 32% in 2011.

• A billion smartphones should ship for the first time ever— Usage, however, will become increasingly varied, with a growing number of smartphones owners (about 400 million out of an installed base of 1.9 billion by year -end) rarely or never connected their devices to data. In 2012, around 40 million smartphones were shipped in the Middle East, representing a growth of more than 30% over 2011 shipments. More significantly, smartphone penetration across several key markets is already in excess of 50%.

• A strong year for LTE, but end-game strategies of regional operators are as yet unclear— Several LTE launches expected across the region in 2013, however operators would need to have a clearly though out value proposition for LTE

• Dual screening readies for prime time - Evidence of ownership of multiple screens in the region but television remains the predominant screen for viewing video content

• PC is not dead, it's about usage and not units - PC sales to end-users will continue to remain strong and drive a significant portion of internet traffic

• The looming spectrum shortage : Spectrum harmonization and re-farming critical to growth 

• Over-the -top may lift broadcasters and distributors more than pure plays - Several OTT models prevalent in the Middle East but broadcasters are likely to emerge as the most likely winners.

As part of its strategy to help Dubai businesses embrace the exciting journey into the world of e-commerce, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in association with Alibaba.com, a leading global e-commerce platform, has launched the e-commerce portal, www.dubaichamber.com/alibaba.

The portal, launched on the sidelines of the Africa Global Business Forum 2013, will serve businesses across the entire MENA region, highlighting Dubai's role as the region's leading business hub and a gateway into and out of Africa.

In a ceremony on the second day of the Forum, Dubai Chamber signed an MoU with Alibaba.com to facilitate and increase international trade through Dubai by businesses using the e-commerce platform.

H.E. Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman, Dubai Chamber, said, "The new e-commerce portal will generate an exciting and innovative opportunity for Dubai Chamber's members to trade with a global client base."

"Dubai is MENA's leading business hub and a gateway to business opportunities across this region and into markets of Africa. The launch of this exciting new e-commerce site on the sidelines of the Africa Global Business Forum 2013 demonstrates Dubai's role as a gateway into and out of the continent. It also shows how Dubai is leading the MENA region in terms of the provision of e-commerce," he said.

"For the first time, Dubai Chamber will leverage Alibaba.com's Arabic platform to offer businesses in the MENA region a unique opportunity to create new market prospects and to sell their products and services to businesses worldwide. This is an exciting new approach and one that will open doors into new markets for our members," H.E. Buamim added.

Alibaba.com has 36 million registered users from more than 240 countries and regions and showcases 2.8 million supplier storefronts.

Mr. Michael Lee, Director of Global Marketing for Alibaba.com, said, "We believe the future of e-commerce across the MENA region is very strong and Dubai leads the way with adopting new technologies and approaches to global trade. We are pleased to work with the Dubai Chamber to bring our proven e-commerce platform to their members, giving businesses the opportunity to trade with the world." 

Through the Alibaba.com collaboration portal, Dubai Chamber members will have the opportunity to create a virtual catalogue of their products free of charge. This will give them maximum global exposure and allow them to expand and manage their business wherever they are. 

The portal will create a club of trusted traders, which will be extended by Dubai Chamber over the medium to long-term to ensure Dubai's growing e-commerce market will continue to thrive for years to come.

The benefits offered to companies include increased exposure to potential global customers, the opportunity to become part of a dynamic networking group, and to interact with companies that are already successfully trading on the Alibaba.com website to share knowledge and experience.

Primedia Qatar, leading media solutions provider and publisher, recently unveiled its new corporate image with a new logo and a new website - www.primedia-qatar.com.

The new logo supports the strategy of Primedia Qatar and its affiliate company, Primedia International, to reinforce their regional market strength by encouraging a unified identity between the two companies, whilst keeping a local positioning in each of the branches - Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Primedia Qatar's innovative new website provides users with the portfolio of products and services offered by Primedia Qatar to businesses which want to increase their visibility and leads in the GCC.

With the rise in technology and the growing demand for companies to be visible in their respective markets, this website presents opportunities and platforms for businesses to maximise their presence in the region.

During the past few years, together with continuing the development of its well-known print products - The Qatar Yellow Pages, The Gulf Directory, Arab Banking & Finance and many others - Primedia Qatar has focused on maximising digital offerings.

With the company's recent upgrades and restructuring of its online platforms - www.yellowpages.qa, www.gulfind.com, www.yellowpages.bh - Primedia Qatar has expanded its digital expertise: website and app development, email broadcasting and data management are part of Primedia's extended portfolio.

"Our aim in launching the new www.primedia-qatar.com is to provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about Primedia Qatar's portfolio of solutions enabling all businesses to achieve exposure and visibility through print, online, on-mobile, e-broadcasting and database management services," said Chief Operating Officer Aldrin S.Menezes.

"Our new logo and brand re-positioning demonstrate the mission of Primediq Qatar to keep offering new media solutions to all Qatari SMEs to increase their visibility both locally and regionally," he added.

JWT has won a place on the global advertising roster for brewing and beverage company Carlsberg Group. Following a competitive pitch, JWT joins a handful of other agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi, Fold7 and Santo. As part of the global roster, JWT will be able to pitch for brands from Carlsberg Group’s wide portfolio that spans the regions of Northern and Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. 

Carlsberg Group is the world’s fourth largest brewery group and is characterised by a high degree of diversity among its brands, markets, and cultures. The group’s beer portfolio includes more than 500 brands, including the well-known international premium brands Carlsberg, Tuborg, Baltika and Kronenbourg 1664.

Carlsberg’s global category manager, marketing, Diana Starbanov, was excited for JWT’s win commenting, “We are very delighted to have JWT within our global advertising roster. We look forward to a successful cooperation for our brands across the region.”

JWT Europe CEO Toby Hoare also added, “We’re absolutely thrilled to have a chance in some of our local markets to work with a company like Carlsberg with their diverse portfolio of beverages.”

Source:www.jwt.com

At the 2013 New York Festivals Awards Show, held last night in New York City, Draftfcb’s global network was a big winner, leaving the ceremony with eight World Medals.

This successful performance at The New York Festivals continues a streak of major creative award wins for the agency in 2013.

At last night’s show Draftfcb had 16 shortlisted entries, with eight ultimate winners: two Gold World Medals, two Silver World Medals and four Bronze World Medals. The winners included:

• “Driving Dogs” for SPCA & MINI - Draftfcb New Zealand won a Gold World Medal in the Digital: Viral – Video category, a Silver World Medal in the Public Service Announcements: Collateral / Direct Marketing - Civic & Social Education category, and two Bronze World Medals in the Branded Entertainment: Products & Services - Automotive Products & Services category and in the Creative Marketing Effectiveness: Best Use - Low-Budget category.

• Oreo “Daily Twist” for Mondelez International - Draftfcb New York won a Gold World Medal in the Digital: Websites & Microsites: Products & Services - Snacks & Sweets category, and a Silver World Medal in the Direct & Collateral: Use of Medium - Social Media & Viral Marketing category.

• “Philharmoniker – When Music Starts to Flow into Pictures” for The Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Draftfcb Germany won a Bronze World Medal in the Outdoor: Craft – Illustration and Integrated Illustration category.

• “Call Girl” for Prime Television - Draftfcb New Zealand won a Bronze World Medal in the Radio: Craft - Use of Medium category.

For more than 50 years, the New York Festivals has been a diverse advertising awards competition, with entries and jury members now representing more than 70 countries. The shortlist, evaluated by the Grand Jury, is judged by the Executive Jury, an exclusive group of prominent worldwide chief creative officers from the world's leading advertising agencies. This elite group comes together for five days of live judging to determine all winners.

Ogilvy & Mather will be recognized at the 54th Annual CLIO Awards for another year of outstanding work and creative achievements on behalf of its clients.

Tham Khai Meng, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & MatherThe CLIOs have also named O&M Agency Network of the Year for the second consecutive year, honoring the agency’s remarkable body of award-winning work throughout the network. O&M notched 127 shortlists (out of a total of 896 named), which was a 112% increase over last year when the agency also received this honor. 

CLIOs recognized exceptional, multi-award winning work from O&M offices spanning the globe, representing executions for clients big and small. O&M performed in multiple categories including Film, OOH, Print Technique, Print, Direct, and Engagement.

“Building a culture of Pervasive Creativity requires great minds and great clients. We are fortunate to have both,” stated Tham Khai Meng, Worldwide Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy & Mather. 

O&M is especially proud to receive this honor in a year when its client, The Coca-Cola Company, is receiving the inaugural CLIOs 2013 ‘Brand Icon’ Award that recognizes continuous and exceptional creative execution over the years.

This collection of accolades stands as testament to O&M’s worldwide network of clients and employees and the exceptional work they produce together.

Showcases Evolution of Leading Public Relations Firm Into the World’s Most Complete, Fully Integrated Communications Company

New Logo and Creative Revealed, First Issue of Digital Magazine Launched

FleishmanHillard today unveiled a newly refreshed corporate brand and associated digital media property. The new branding reflects the evolution of the leading public relations firm into a fully integrated communications company that provides clients with the world’s most complete communications solutions. Long recognized around the world for excellence in public relations, public affairs, and digital and social media communications, FleishmanHillard has redefined the boundaries of traditional public relations by becoming channel agnostic, able to solve client business problems by working across paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) media channels.

“Many years ago, we recognized the changing communications environment and increasingly heard client demands for integrated solutions,” said Dave Senay, FleishmanHillard president and CEO. “Mostly under the radar, we reimagined and reinvented our business. We invested in nontraditional talent and new capabilities behind four significant growth areas driving our business today: the alignment of brand and reputation; analytics and insights; social enterprise; and strategic integration across paid, earned, shared and owned media channels.”

New Brand Platform, Tagline and Logo

To reintroduce the firm, FleishmanHillard is unveiling a new brand platform, tagline and logo. “Having evolved, and with a new story to tell, we needed our brand – a brand that had not been touched since 1990 – to catch up,” said Stephanie Marchesi, FleishmanHillard chief marketing officer. Believing that brands are revealed and not invented, the firm looked closely at itself, conducting more than 100 one-on-one interviews with employees, clients and industry observers. They found that three significant factors – who the firm is at its core, how the world has changed, and new client demands – intersected at one word: True.

“True speaks to our unique ability to help clients navigate a world demanding unprecedented authenticity and transparency,” said Senay. “True also reflects our firm’s moral compass and commitment to the highest values. It defines who we are as a company, and the direction we are moving ahead.” To capture the meaning and message behind true, FleishmanHIllard is introducing the tagline The Power of True.

The Power of True defines who FleishmanHillard is and what it believes. It also explains what the firm offers clients, including: the power of true insights; the power of true ideas; the power of true integration; the power of true client service; and the power of true outcomes.

The new logo equally reflects the firm’s transformation. “Our former logo did an excellent job of reflecting the trust and confidence clients have long placed with us,” said Marchesi. “Our new logo maintains those values, but with a fresh, innovative and more contemporary interpretation.”

The logo unites the names of both founders – Fleishman and Hillard – on one line to reflect the heritage of the firm and the originators of modern public relations. FleishmanHillard also added to its logo an iconic mark that complements the logo but also symbolizes the transformation of the firm. The vertical bars tell the story of a firm deeply rooted in the industry sectors and communications capabilities most important to clients. The horizontal bars represent FleishmanHillard’s ability to innovate, integrate and redefine the boundaries of traditional public relations.

New Digital Magazine

Brands today have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to not only leverage media channels to tell their story, but also to be the media channel. As a firm steeped in knowledge, rich with thought leaders and connected to some of the most important minds in the world, the company is launching FleishmanHillard TRUE – a digital magazine. TRUE has engaged forward thinkers from business, academia, consulting and other disciplines to share their insights on new realities, challenges and opportunities that exist at the intersection of marketing, communications and media.

FleishmanHillard has appointed veteran journalist Pat Wechsler as editor and content strategist. Wechsler joined FleishmanHillard with more than 25 years’ experience as a writer and editor at prestigious media brands such as Business Week, Bloomberg News, Crain’s New York Business, New York Magazine and Newsday.

FleishmanHillard TRUE (true.fleishmanhillard.com) will publish a themed issue each quarter, but will refresh portions of its content weekly so it has an opportunity to weigh in on developing stories. The first publication explores the evolving relationship between a company’s brand – what it says about itself – and a company’s reputation – what others say about it. The May 1 launch includes interviews with Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya on the Greek yogurt maker's challenge to remain entrepreneurial after hitting $1 billion in sales and Hyatt CMO John Wallis on how companies need to recognize employees as potentially their best spokespeople. It also features commentary by Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why, on the ability of some companies to inspire.

TRUE Creative Campaign

FleishmanHillard is supporting its refreshed brand with a multimedia creative campaign spanning paid, earned, shared and owned media. “In a nutshell, the creative strategy is to be the media, not merely appear in it,” said Nick Childs, FleishmanHillard executive creative director, who led the creative and production teams. “Success is not limited to just reaching people and raising our visibility. We are aiming for something much more magnetic that will draw clients and talent back from time to time, especially as we debut each new issue of TRUE.”

Working with FleishmanHillard's media planning team, a media plan that signals the evolution of FleishmanHillard and public relations was developed. Ads will appear in expected channels, including trade media, as well as in channels untraditional for a public relations or communications company,

such as broadcast and digital display ads in mainstream business outlets. The creative campaign makes its debut in the U.S. and will expand across international markets. A new corporate website that reflects the firm’s refreshed brand and positioning also makes its debut today. 

Operated by OT Ventures’ subsidiary LinkOnline on behalf of Microsoft, the MSN Arabia portal offers compelling web content to modern Arabs with a focus on lifestyle, news related to entertainment, sports, technology and cars

arabia.msn.com, the leading Middle East internet destination for millions of Arabs in the region and around the world, and operated by LinkOnline on behalf of Microsoft,  is offering exciting opportunities for brands and marketers across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region to target millions of users through innovative features and unique advertising opportunities on the  MSN Arabia web portal.

The latest move by MSN Arabia to attract regional advertisers comes in the backdrop of internet advertising revenues climbing 14 percent year-over-year—to an all-time high of $17 billion—in the first half of 2012 as compared to $14.9 billion in 2011, according to a report by consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC). MSN Arabia seeks to transform its already existing huge user base of 22 million unique users and 185 million monthly average page views, into a sustainable, revenue-generation business by offering exciting advertising packages with maximum return on investments (ROI) to brands and marketers across the Arab and North Africa region. 

The MSN Arabia & North Africa web portal, with exciting features available on its platform promises to offer a better engaging and interactive experience to web users through a user friendly interface. The site offers a broad array of localised content and information for Arabs around the globe, encompassing lifestyle, entertainment, cars, sports, and technology including breaking news stories and in-depth coverage with HD videos and pictures of live events. The website is also uniquely positioned as a powerful digital platform for advertisers to reach millions of Arab consumers.

Ramy Riad, Executive Producer of MSN Arabia said, “The MSN Arabia & North Africa web portal aims to broaden our appeal to web users across the Middle East and North Africa region. Similarly, we are presenting exciting opportunities to regional and international brands to promote their products on our website by creating a deep relationship with users while guiding them to interact with their brands through our various web tools.”

According to the latest web ratings by Alexa.com, a global web metrics company, MSN Arabia is the 16th most popular Arabic website in the world. With over 257.3 million internet users estimated from the Middle East and Africa region (http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm), the all new MSN Arabia and North Africa web portal offers exciting opportunities for brands to engage with users from the region. The MSN network offers a wide range of services which includes the Windows Live Hotmail & WL Messenger, serving more than 44 Million unique users in the region and receiving 1.7 to 2 billion page views per month.

MSN Arabia boasts off an impressive list of companies who have benefitted from their innovative services which include the likes of BBC Arabic, Reuters, Agence France-Presse (AFP), CNBC Arabia, AllTheContent.com and WebTeb.com. With the new look and feel, MSN Arabia aims to tap the growing internet user base in the region and expand its scope of services.

MSN Arabia, developed in partnership between Microsoft Online Media & Publishing (MOMP), Microsoft and OT Ventures, has been leading its market for many years. With the will to expand into North Africa, MSN Morocco was created in 2008 and proposes a mix of Arabic and French content. Currently, the network offers 8 homepages, 5 web portals covering a wide geography from Morocco to Pakistan in three different languages which include Arabic, English and French and the content available for free for web users.

Ramy Riad,  Executive Producer of MSN Arabia concluded, “Our website is a significant evolution that promises to attract more visits to arabia.msn.com, improve our interaction with users, and facilitate the flow of accurate information in a timely manner. From taking advice from health care professionals, to information on popular tourist destinations, upcoming sporting events, or latest car launches, msnarabia.com is a one stop destination for Arab web users.”