In this exclusive interview, Fazalur Rahman, Marketing Director of Hisense Middle East & Africa, provides insights into Hisense's evolution since its inception in 1969, major milestones, and the brand's remarkable growth in the Middle East. He discusses the changing dynamics of the marketing industry, successful strategies, and the brand's expansion into new avenues, including AI adoption and B2B air-conditioning marketing plans. Excerpts:As Marketing Director of Hisense, Middle East, can you please share as to how the company has evolved since its inception in 1969? Kindly mention a few major milestones that the organization has achieved.Since the company’s inception in 1969, Hisense has been pushing the boundaries of innovation and investing heavily in the research and development to bring to life wide range of electronic products and solution to ever demanding consumers and changing lifestyle. Hisense now has over 90,000 employees worldwide, 29 industrials parks, and as of H1 2023 22 research and development centers across the world that service specific key markets for the brand.Since establishing ourselves in the UAE in 2012, Hisense Middle East has experienced remarkable and steady growth, evolving into a multi-million-dollar enterprise. We now have a strong presence across the region, witnessing substantial expansion across diverse product categories. Our business is thriving through a combination of online and offline channels, earning recognition as one of the top electronic brands in physical retail stores, including both organised and independent outlets, as well as major e-commerce platforms.The company’s solid MEA performance closes a successful 12-month period that has also seen us secure a number of high-profile product awards, including the prestigious CES 2023 Innovation Award and EISA Award for ‘Best Product of the Year’ for our premium 4K Mini-LED ULED TV 65U8HQ, and the Tom's Guide Award 2023 for our 4K UST Triple-Laser Trichroma Projector 100L9H.Hisense is one of the largest consumer electronics companies. What are your responsibilities in running such a big organization flawlessly?As the regional marketing director for Hisense Middle East & North Africa, it is my responsibility to design and reshape strategies to improve brand awareness and equity, execute GTM plans, enhance consumer engagement, and optimise retail/shopper marketing. My primary focus in this role is on driving brand equity, influencing consumer behaviour, and accelerating business growth across the Middle East region.While retail expansion remains key to us, we are also elevating our presence through e-commerce and online platforms. Comprehensive marketing plans that drive traffic and conversions through various social and digital platforms, have supported the brand to increase its brand equity.Another key part of our marketing efforts is supporting the brand through collaboration with global sporting events, which has helped us position Hisense as one of the top consumer electronic brands in the region. Participations included the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, as well as the UEFA European Championships in both 2016 and 2020 and football club PSG, and previously the Australian Open, NASCAR Xfinity Series, Red Bull Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Germany’s FC Schalke 04.Being a Marketing Director, how have you seen the marketing segment evolving over the years? What are your views on the changing dynamics of the marketing industry?In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in marketing. Today, If the brand wishes to stay ahead of competition and thrive in an ever-changing environment, then it must prioritize providing relevant, personalised customer experiences and meaningful engagements.The pandemic has changed how marketers build brands, and marketing’s role has been redefined. Today’s consumer is more concerned with value than with product, and other factors such as the environment and brand activism are equally important when making a purchasing decision.Customers’ expectations for Online/digital experiences have climbed sharply. These experiences must not only be seamless, but they must also span the whole consumer journey. Be it social, mobile, digital, web, brands must meet the needs of their customers wherever they are.On the execution front, there have been great developments too, like Marketing Automation, Artificial Intelligence and 360 degree experiential marketing, which has changed the marketing landscape.What campaigns and strategies have you devised for Hisense over the years? Have they all worked for the brand? According to you, which would you like to re-work on?Hisense has witnessed a big surge in its brand equity over the years. In the last 5 years Hisense brand equity increased by over 154%, in a highly competitive and challenging business environment. This is a result of our strategies and various activations. Our global brand building platform is Soccer marketing, which has worked very well for us, as it is a highly passionate, engaging and mass appeal touch point. Sponsorships like FIFA World cup 2018 and 2022, Euro ups 206, 2021 and now 2024, PSG had all contributed a lot, creating a strong brand awareness with high engagements. We would be pursuing this strategy for years to come.Apart from that, our strategic approach focuses on engaging and influencing consumer behavior at each touch point of the customer journey, be it online or offline. Also we are focusing a lot on experiential marketing, by enhancing our retail marketing, experiential zones as well as consumer activation for real life interaction with our products and solutions.Our strategy rests on three key drivers i.e. Brand marketing, Product marketing and Retail marketing, these play an important role in driving and brand and business growth. Our strategy is delivering the results and we plan to continue pursing it in future too.Hisense as a brand is best known for its consumer electronics division. Is the brand planning to diverge into different avenues? What would be the forthcoming plans of the brand?Hisense is leading in the space of home appliance and consumer electronics globally. Our business covers multimedia products with a focus on Smart TVs, home appliances, and IT intelligent information. We have grown rapidly in the past few years and have expanded to different avenues.One being Intelligent Transport Systems, providing overall solutions like traffic operation monitoring and emergency central system, ordinary public transportation intelligent system, taxi service management information system, road electromechanical system, intelligent road management system to name a few.We have also diversified into the Medical and Healthcare Industry. Last year we introduced imaging platforms that provide medical practitioners with more accuracy using 4k ultra high-definition resolution and state of the art connectivity in endoscope or surgery monitors. Its diagnostic monitors are currently in the final stages of testing at Ahalia Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE, while its ultrasound devices are being tested at Medicano Hospital in Erbil, Iraq.In a recent development, Hisense has opened its flagship stores in GCC, LEVANT and North Africa region. What can you share on this?Hisense’s regional growth has been elevated by the expansion of local offices in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, and Algeria, improving regionwide operations and a more robust partner network and relations strategy. This advancement has also brought the brand closer to its key markets, allowing us to better cater for our end users and network partners. We also look forward to catering to local requirements in terms of products, lifestyle, environment and social that influence the customers consumption patterns and habits with a global R&D centre based in Dubai, that will be an innovation centre for Hisense to introduce new products and technology.AI is taking the centre stage worldwide. What is your take on this? How far has Hisense adopted AI in the marketing domain and other related areas?Artificial intelligence is a great technology that can make human-like decisions, and there are many ways to utilize this power in the world of marketing. What makes artificial intelligence so powerful is that it comes in many different forms. Machine learning and artificial intelligence has come together to optimize ad campaigns across multiple ad platforms. We are utilizing AI tools for various marketing activities like Social listening, which helps us collect and analyze data related to our brand, audience and competitors across various social media platforms. We also use it for integrating customer-facing channels to collect every single interaction for in-depth analysis and insights. It helps in right content development, based on VOC data to find out content which the target audience is interested in and responds to it. AI is also used for identifying the right audience segmentation for programmatic campaigns, which helps us to improve digital ads ROI.Hisense is also making huge inroads into the region’s B2B air-conditioner market with a growing reputation for product efficiency. What are the marketing plans for this?B2B air-conditioning is quite different in approach compared to B2C products. The business characteristics are quite different in terms of the entire decision-making process and stakeholder profile, which are our primary target audience. Our marketing strategy is based on creating the right awareness and engagement to the stakeholders through knowledge sharing initiatives as well as B2B communication events to elaborate Hisense technology, solutions and service back-up for their projects. B2B Exhibition, technical seminars, focus groups from specific industry verticals as well as industry online & offline publication are great ways for us to create demand for our products and solutions.

Sharjah: Rafid Automotive Solutions has launched nine hybrid vehicles, including the C-HR and Corolla Cross models, and six BMW F900XR motorcycles to bolster its fleet. These vehicles will manage minor traffic incidents and improve response times and traffic safety across all roads within the Emirate of Sharjah. His Excellency Brigadier General Dr Ahmed Saeed Al Naour, Director General of Central Operations, and His Excellency Ahmed Al Mashrakh, Chief Officer of Rafid and Deputy Head of the Team, attended the launch event.Abdulrahman bin Kanoon Al Shamsi, Director of the Accident & RSA Department at Rafid Automotive Solutions and a member of the Joint Committee, stated: "This step aligns with our vision to support strategic goals and initiatives aimed at achieving climate neutrality and supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the United Arab Emirates, and the Emirate of Sharjah in particular. This is achieved through the utilisation of innovative solutions and modern technologies. Hybrid vehicles and bicycles are environmentally friendly solutions to reduce carbon emissions and decrease fuel consumption."Bin Kannoon further explained that using motorcycles will enhance accessibility for Rafid customers. He emphasised that expanding the bicycle fleet, which will reach 12 motorcycles, will substantially reduce the average response time to minor traffic accidents. Currently, the average response time stands at 10 minutes, and this initiative aims to further reduce this period by increasing the number of bicycles known for their swift and efficient mobility.Rafid applicationThe Rafid application offers a wide array of services designed to simplify the process and empower users by giving them effortless access to services anytime, anywhere. It provides the flexibility needed to efficiently complete transactions, including emergency roadside assistance services such as fuel delivery, tyre and battery replacements, and towing services for vehicles experiencing breakdowns.The application allows vehicle owners to book a car inspection service at "Motorcheck," which offers many inspection options. The "Rafid" app, available in Arabic, English, and Urdu on iOS and Android stores, enables users to schedule appointments at "AutoXpress," a comprehensive facility for repairing all types of vehicles. The "Mobile AutoXpress" service consists of a specialised mobile workshop for repairs and maintenance, providing essential and urgent services such as tire replacement or repair according to the highest quality standards."Rafid Automotive Solutions" is one of the subsidiary projects of Sharjah Asset Management, the investment arm of the government of Sharjah, which was established in 2017 to develop and enhance the automotive sector. "Rafid" has been actively involved in numerous service-oriented projects since its inception up to the present day.

Dubai: Salesforce and Google announced an expansion of their strategic partnership to bring together Salesforce, the #1 AI CRM, and Google Workspace, the world’s most popular productivity tool, to drive productivity with AI. This partnership will deliver new bidirectional integrations that allow customers to bring together context from Salesforce and Google Workspace, including Google Calendar, Docs, Meet, Gmail, and more, to power generative AI experiences across platforms.With these integrations, users will be able to seamlessly work across platforms through Salesforce and Google Workspace’s generative AI assistants, Salesforce’s Einstein Copilot, and Duet AI in Google Workspace. Customers can use their own account, contact, and opportunity data from Salesforce to generate customized Google Slides and Docs while Google Meet summaries and context from Gmail and Google Calendar can be brought into Salesforce to update records and trigger workflows, such as saving a signed contract to Salesforce and closing the opportunity with a win-loss report generated in Docs.As part of this collaboration, Salesforce and Google have worked together to make their generative AI assistant offerings extensible and each will be the first partners to integrate with the other’s newly available third-party platforms. Significance: Generative AI is reshaping the way businesses and people work. In fact, 77% of senior IT leaders say generative AI will help their organization serve customers faster, and 64% of businesses expect AI to increase their workforces’ productivity.This expanded partnership will help drive increased productivity by providing the right data and context at the right time, and unlocking generative AI benefits in the flow of work. With this integration, users will be able to:Generate personalized content across Google Workspace and Salesforce: Users will be able to generate personalized and contextual Workspace content, including emails in Gmail, content in Google Docs, and more, from Workspace or Salesforce, by seamlessly accessing relevant Salesforce information on prior meetings, customer interactions, and sales outcomes.Keep Salesforce records up-to-date with context from Google Workspace: Users will be able to leverage Google Workspace data to automatically keep Salesforce records up-to-date, increasing productivity and eliminating manual tasks — like moving an opportunity stage forward in Salesforce based on context from Gmail.   Drive automation at scale: Users will be able to automate processes and eliminate the need for context switching by automatically generating interaction and meeting summaries, scheduling follow-ups and assigning tasks, and more, based on context from Salesforce and Google Workspace. For example, after a successful sales call, a summary from Google Meet can trigger assignment of tasks to owners in Salesforce, schedule follow-up meetings in Google Calendar, and move a deal stage to closed.Go deeper: Salesforce is the first partner to integrate with Google Workspace’s new Duet AI extensions framework and Google Workspace is the first extensibility partner for Salesforce’s new Einstein Copilot. Einstein Copilot will be able to access relevant context in Google Workspace to enrich workflows across sales, service, marketing, commerce, and more. Each of these integrations are backed by the robust privacy and user data protections already in place across Salesforce and Google Workspace. Broader AI momentum: In addition to Google Workspace integrating with Einstein Copilot, today Google and Salesforce announce the ability for customers to bring their LLMs deployed on Vertex AI, including Google’s PaLM family of models, and use them within the Einstein 1 Platform to build generative AI powered experiences across the Customer 360. This continued momentum around data and AI builds upon partnerships announced earlier this year between Salesforce Data Cloud, Google BigQuery, and Google Vertex AI to help businesses utilize data and AI to deliver more holistic customer data strategy and drive personalized customer experiences.The Google perspective: “Our partnership with Salesforce is an example of why an open and extensible ecosystem for generative AI will create the most value for customers. Together, Salesforce and Google Workspace will empower organizations to redefine how work is accomplished with generative AI, help foster innovation and productivity at scale, and make common tasks more efficient and purposeful.” – Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google CloudThe Salesforce perspective: “Our partnership with Google empowers organizations to unlock the full potential of AI and data, grounded in trust. This deep integration between Salesforce and Google Workspace, where many users spend much of their day, helps save time and effort, unlocks far greater value and deeper insights from their data, and will fundamentally change how people work.” – David Schmaier, President and Chief Product Officer at Salesforce

Online store Winly has introduced a unique and engaging shopping concept, which is poised to disrupt the e-commerce landscape. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Hassan EL Imam, Winly has introduced a captivating shopping concept that combines convenience with a gamified experience, making each purchase an opportunity to win.With every purchase made on the platform, customers receive a complimentary Prize Draw ticket, unlocking the chance to win a range of captivating prizes. This gamified shopping experience sets Winly apart and appeals to modern consumers who seek value, entertainment, and quality products all in one place. The platform has launched three competitions, providing users with the opportunity to win AED 10,000, AED 35,000 or an IPhone 14 Pro.Founder Hassan EL Imam, a seasoned entrepreneur with over five years of experience in licensing and franchising, has a vision for Winly which is driven by a desire to transform the online shopping landscape. Recognizing the changing needs of customers, he set out to blend the convenience of e-commerce with an interactive and rewarding twist. Through Winly, customers can access a curated selection of products while enjoying the anticipation of winning valuable rewards.Anchored in transparency and integrity, Winly ensures that all Prize Draw proceedings are regulated by the Dubai Economy & Tourism, instilling confidence in customers as they explore this groundbreaking shopping platform.The launch of Winly marks a significant stride in the world of e-commerce. As businesses adapt to dynamic market demands, Winly emerges as a frontrunner, offering not just products, but an immersive and innovative shopping journey.

entourage has appointed Manassvini Rizvi as Head of Marcom. Rizvi has taken the control of the agency’s Marketing & Communications division, solidifying efforts in growing the vertical within entourage and expanding the regional team. Manassvini has been an integrated communications practitioner for more than 15 years, and has been the driving force behind the growth of several local and international brands, including ENOC Retail, DEWA, Western Union, and Coca-Cola, to name a few. She has held leadership roles, overseeing the brand planning, campaign management and the successful deployment of communication strategies across local and multinational agencies, including a decade at C2 Communication where she held the role of Group Marcom Director. Mohammed Tayem, Founder & CEO, entourage welcomed Manassvini into the team. He said: “We are reinforcing our commitment to the region and expanding our capabilities to meet the evolving media scene. With the expanding economy and the renewed push towards marketing activities, it is a part of our growth strategy to bolster our teams to meet new challenges and expand on our offerings within the communications spectrum, specially across performance and data driven marketing.” In her new position, Manassvini will lead the development of Marcoms strategy across the agency’s impressive portfolio of clients, while continuing to power the agency’s strong credentials in organising and managing turnkey mega projects.Manassvini also shared her excitement on being a part of Entourage. She said: “With its dynamic edge, entourage offers me a series of opportunities and challenges to navigate along with the team and build capabilities across the board.”

iKO Media Group has announced its new partnership with STN. This partnership will provide added value to the customers of both companies, allowing the use of both companies’ services and abilities to bring together the optimal solution for the channel or content owners.STN is a well-established, forward-thinking global teleport facility, firmly placed at the cutting edge of satellite, broadcast, connectivity, and co-location services. Based in Slovenia, the heart of Europe provides a strategic location that presents a wide visible arc of 120 degrees, allowing easy access to all major satellites’ orbital positions.STN provides global telecommunication services in C-, Ku-, DVB-s, and Ka-band for all prime satellites to all continents around the world.High level security and a well-connected facility allow STN to provide a comprehensive range of equipment hosting services for servers, TT&C, antenna with available ground space for larger scale projects.With one of the world’s most highly developed internet infrastructures, the company has virtually unlimited capacities with complete double or triple redundancy/diversity options.iKO Media Group AG is a Swiss entity with a state-of-the-art teleport in Rome, Italy, connected globally and providing tailor-made solutions focused on customer needs through dedicated service, expert knowledge, and high professionalism.Recent company growth led to the broadcasting of almost 400 TV channels using 450 Mbps on satellites and 700 Mbps of IP for contribution delivery. iKOMG provides a full spectrum of services to broadcasters and content owners, such as automated, high-capacity playout management services, cloud services, EPG creation, disaster recovery solutions, monitoring feed, OTT platforms, and IP delivery. iKOMG differs from other service providers thanks to a holistic approach and a keen ability to offer the best-suited technology-based solutions for their customers.To support growing demand, iKOMG and STN have established a strategic partnership focused on teleport and ground services, sports and event services, and OTT platforms. As one of the biggest and most experienced providers in Europe, STN is an excellent partner to help iKOMG provide faster, more reliable, and higher-quality services to its customers.“We’ve been talking with STN for a few months but finalized the dynamic partnership a few weeks ago. Our agreement has no defined timeline as we see the relationship delivering tremendous benefits for iKOMG, STN, and the combined customer base for years and years to come. We are excited to start building and developing alongside the great team at STN” said iKO Media Group’s Chairman, David Treadway.  “As our collaboration discussions progressed over the recent months it became quickly and mutually apparent to both companies of the great advantages to client services this robust combination could provide. This new partnership will give way to expansion and progress in every area of business. The expertise, industry experience and professionalism of both STN and iKOMG will bring a broader spectrum of enhanced service solutions to all clients.” Commented Mitja Lovsin, General Manager, STN.

Dubai: Dell Technologies has appointed Alexandre Brousse as EMEA Channel Lead, effective October 1. Brousse will work with the EMEA Channel team to deliver a customer-centric and partner-empowered ecosystem that drives growth and innovation in the region. He succeeds Anwar Dahab who has been appointed to lead Dell Technologies in France. Brousse has been with Dell Technologies for 18 years, most recently leading Channel Sales for Western Europe. “With today’s leadership announcements we demonstrate our commitment to growth and creating market opportunities for both our customers and partners.,” said Diego Majdalani, President, Global Channel Sales, Dell Technologies. "Alexandre Brousse is a highly experienced, respected leader and will be an asset to my leadership team and our broader EMEA partner ecosystem, while Anwar brings a great channel perspective, relationships, and a deep understanding of the French market to his new role.” “Partners are essential to our success. When we work hand-in-hand with partners, we move faster, spur progress and deliver strong outcomes to our customers,” said Alexandre Brousse, EMEA Channel Lead, Dell Technologies. “I am honored and excited for the opportunity to accelerate our partner momentum and look forward to building even stronger relationships with our partners in region.” 

Kristian Imhof has been appointed as the new General Manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region by the LEGO Group. Imhof is highly experienced in corporate leadership, with a proven track record in both established and emerging markets. Jeroen Bejier, who established the LEGO Group’s presence in the Middle East and spearheaded operations in MEA over the past four years, handed over his responsibilities to Imhof.Imhof joined the LEGO Group in 2012 and has played an essential role in developing the company. Starting in the Munich office in Germany, he has led innovative initiatives in Austria, Switzerland, and beyond.In 2017, he moved to Johannesburg as the General Manager of South Africa and Sub Saharan region. Imhof’s visionary leadership expanded wholesale channels in Southern Africa and fostered distributor relationships in both West and East Africa. After an impressive track record, Imhof returned to Europe Central in 2021 and later assumed the role of Acting General Manager. Now, he is taking on the exciting challenge of leading the dynamic MEA region.The LEGO Group has been actively engaging consumers in the region. Imhof plans to build upon this and expand the brand’s footprint through various distribution and communication channels. His expertise in diverse markets will enable him to create tailored strategies that resonate with the unique cultures and preferences of the MEA region. Additionally, he envisions geographical expansion to ensure that the LEGO experience reaches more corners of the region.

Muscat: Sayarti LLC, a subsidiary of The Zubair Corporation, announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Tesla Power MENA (Middle East and North Africa) – a part of Tesla Power USA LLC. The partnership marks Sayarti LLC as the Authorised Distributor for passenger car, SUV as well as commercial vehicle batteries and a range of industrial batteries. This affiliation cascades within Sayarti’s framework of meeting the evolving needs of customers in the fields of renewable and conventional energy storage.The partnership agreement was signed by Niels Bormans, CEO of The Zubair Corporation and on behalf of Tesla Power Middle East by Irfan Ahmed, the CEO -MENA region. The ceremony was graced by the presence of several senior representatives of both the companies.Speaking on the occasion, Niels Bormans, CEO of The Zubair Corporation said, “The agreement between Sayarti and Tesla Power MENA is a strategic move to provide high-quality innovative products and energy solutions to the local market. As a trusted and experienced entity, the opportunity to serve as an Authorised Dealer for Tesla batteries holds special significance and will allow Sayarti to provide comprehensive mobility solutions to its customers. We look forward to a long-term productive relationship between the Corporation and Tesla Power MENA.”Tesla Power MENA is a part of the American company Tesla Power USA LLC, has been acknowledged for being a pioneer and leader in introducing high quality and long-life battery solutions, completely revolutionising the energy storage industry. After having established a prominent client base in the American continent, Tesla Power USA has now expanded its operations in the MENA region. Tesla Power USA is also well known for its Sealed Maintenance Free Valve Regulated Lead Acid Batteries as well as Solar Batteries with a growing customer base in the region. Irfan Ahmed, CEO of Tesla Power MENA said, “With a strong focus on innovation through research & development, Tesla Power USA continually provides innovative solutions in the energy storage space. We are delighted to enter the Omani market through our range of automotive and industrial batteries with a robust partner such as The Zubair Corporation. This partnership will further Tesla Power’s position as a leading company in the renewable and conventional energy storage industry across the globe."Commencing operations in 1992, Sayarti LLC is an ISO certified company that serves as a market leader in the field of vehicle rental and leasing services in Oman. Operating under the General Automotive Co. LLC, the company offers best-in-class services to deliver innovative solutions in the field of vehicle leasing, catering not only to the needs of individual customers, but to those of corporate clients as well.

Abu Dhabi: ANYbotics strengthens its presence in the Middle East, appointing Sigma Enterprises as a reseller partner for the UAE. Sigma Enterprises, part of the privately-held diversified holding company Mazrui International, will increase inspection robot deployment in the region's oil & gas, power, chemicals, metals, and transportation sectors. ANYbotics' advanced mobile robots perform autonomous inspections, asset monitoring, and anomaly detection in complex industrial environments. Sigma Enterprises will offer the ANYmal inspection solution, support services, customer training, and technical expertise. The partnership and ANYmal will be showcased at ADIPEC 2023 (International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference) in Abu Dhabi, October 2-5.Marwan Moubarak (center, MD, Mazrui Trading and Sigma Enterprises) with Satschin Bansal (left, VP Partnerships) and Dr. Péter Fankhauser (right, CEO) from ANYbotics, during a recent visit to ANYbotics at their head office in Zurich.Bringing Automated Inspection to Ex-zones in the UAEANYbotics' collaboration with Sigma Enterprises (part of the Mazrui Group) underscores the demand for industrial robotic inspection in the region, particularly in the oil & gas and power sectors. Sigma Enterprises and ANYbotics have combined their automation and advanced-legged robotics expertise to provide unparalleled industrial inspection solutions. By leveraging local expertise, industry networks, and proximity to key players delivered through Sigma, ANYbotics can better address the specific needs of production facilities, improve customer support and build a strong position in this crucial market.“As part of the Mazrui Group, Sigma Enterprises provides one of the UAE's best-in-class calibration and technology support services. Growing ANYbotics' presence in the region and focusing on expanding our partner network with accomplished reseller partners like Sigma Enterprises are strategic initiatives that drive our growth, increase market penetration and accelerate the global adoption of our robotic inspection solutions.” Satschin Bansal, Global VP Strategic Alliances & Partnerships, ANYboticsTransforming the Regional Inspection Ecosystem with Cutting-edge Robotic TechnologyWith the addition of ANYbotics' robots to its portfolio and the introduction of state-of-the-art robotic inspection technology in the region, Sigma Enterprises is changing the inspection landscape. ANYbotics' inspection solutions increase safety by reducing worker exposure to hazardous environments, improve predictive maintenance through early detection of equipment anomalies, and optimize production through more accurate and frequent data collection.ANYbotics' advanced autonomous robots are designed to perform autonomous inspection, monitoring, and anomaly detection tasks in diverse and complex industrial environments. They provide immediate added value by integrating as an end-to-end solution with asset management software and digital twin platforms that enable customers to automate inspections easily.Leveraging its extensive experience in oil & gas, power generation, and utilities, Sigma Enterprises offers ANYmal and ANYmal X inspection solutions including a range of local support services, customer training, and technical expertise to ensure successful implementation and operation.“At Sigma, we are proud to work with world-leading technology brands from America, Europe, and Japan, among others. By partnering with ANYbotics, Sigma Enterprises can leverage its expertise in advanced technology to expand its offerings and provide effective solutions to its customers.” Marwan Moubarak, Managing Director, Sigma Enterprises LLCANYmal - Revolutionizing Industrial InspectionANYmal is a rugged, autonomous, highly mobile inspection solution with ready-to-use payloads and a leading non-Ex inspection robot. As the world's only Ex-certified legged robot solution, ANYmal X combines the performance of ANYmal and is the world’s only Ex-proof legged robot for safe use in hazardous and potentially explosive atmospheres.Whether automating repetitive tasks, performing detailed inspections in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring safety compliance, or monitoring environmental parameters, ANYmal and ANYmal X are the leading robotic inspection solutions for the oil & gas, chemical, and power sectors.See ANYmal, ANYbotics and Sigma Enterprises in ActionThe ANYbotics - Sigma Enterprises partnership and ANYmal will be showcased at ADIPEC 2023 in Abu Dhabi, October 2-5. More than 2,200 companies worldwide, representing the entire energy ecosystem and beyond, will gather at ADIPEC to showcase the latest strategies and innovations defining tomorrow's energy. This makes the event an ideal platform to showcase ANYmal’s capabilities.ANYmal's presence at ADIPEC will allow industry professionals to learn firsthand how robotic solutions can improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. Demonstrations will showcase ANYmal's potential applications in plant inspection, asset monitoring, and environmental tasks.

Dubai: Mindware, a leading value-added distributor (VAD) in the Middle East and Africa, today announced its distributor partnership with BitTitan, a premier provider of cloud migration solutions. As per the terms of the agreement, Mindware will market and distribute BitTitan's suite of migration solutions for managed services automation, enabling the vendor to broaden its SaaS migration services within the Middle East and Africa region. This strategic partnership aims to provide regional businesses of all sizes with a seamless and efficient experience when they need to migrate data to the Cloud or between tenants.Speaking about the partnership, Silmi Khanfir, Director of Cloud & XaaS at Mindware commented: “Businesses are transforming, and so is their IT spend strategy. We live in a digital, and data-driven world where migration to the Cloud securely is a constant challenge faced by enterprises. BitTitan’s fully automated, industry-leading SaaS solution simplifies Cloud migration projects. Mindware’s collaboration with the company will give our current and potential customers the tools required to expand and operate in the Cloud with enhanced efficiency, security, and productivity. The company’s robust solution portfolio will help Mindware’s channel partners to play a vital role in aiding enterprises to digitally transform with confidence while optimizing time and resources.”Companies and organizations around the globe are migrating to the cloud and between cloud tenants in response to ongoing trends. Migration activity has increased as a result of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Moreover, companies are requiring migrations as they move more to the cloud to support remote work and workplace modernization. Technology changes, including cybersecurity concerns and Microsoft’s upcoming end to active and security support for Exchange Server, are also driving migration activity. IT teams and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are looking for an intuitive yet customizable migration tool that will handle projects of every size and type.BitTitan’s secure, fast, and scalable MigrationWiz is the industry-leading, 100% SaaS solution that enables users to quickly and securely migrate email, files, and other workloads from a wide range of source and destination endpoints. The company has customers in over 180 countries and has successfully migrated more than 28 million users.Mindware supports 4,000+ partners across the region. With the new VAD partnership, BitTitan will have increased presence in the region and be able to leverage trusted channel partnerships of Mindware.The two companies will work together on several key initiatives including identifying cloud partners who align with the vendor’s goals; offering BitTitan product and technical training and certification; digital marketing campaigns including webinars and social media activations; and joint participation at live in-region events to build brand awareness, generate demand, and attract the attention of industry leaders and decision-makers.Lon Clark, Sr. Director, Global Channel Sales, at BitTitan said: "BitTitan is thrilled to partner with Mindware, a leading distributor in the Middle East and Africa. Our commitment is to enable our partners with the solutions they need to ensure swift and secure data migration for customers.”“Together with Mindware, we’re providing our partners with a single source for best-of-breed cloud migration solutions capable of managing multiple cloud workloads. Whether migrating between instances of tenant-to-tenant environments or Microsoft Teams, MigrationWiz provides a seamless migration experience for end-user companies, ensures a high level of customer satisfaction, and enables our partners to achieve continued business growth,” he concluded.

Dubai: Nutanix, a leader in hybrid multicloud computing,  today announced that Paulo Pereira joins the worldwide leadership team as Vice President, EMEA Presales.Paulo joined Nutanix in 2016, where he hit the ground running as a Systems Engineering (SE) Manager for the Middle East. With his dedication and strategic approach, he quickly moved into managing EMEA Emerging Markets, where he has been leading with distinction for the last 5 years. Before Nutanix, Paulo spent 16 years at Cisco, working in diverse roles across Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.Commenting on the appointment, Mike Phelan, SVP Global Solution Sales at Nutanix says, “Paulo’s passion for work, and life, shine through in his leadership style. Those who have worked closely with Paulo remark on his ability to simultaneously inspire, challenge and mentor others through change. He is deeply analytical, thoughtful, a straight shooter, and someone who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. I couldn't be more excited about what he will accomplish in this new leadership role at Nutanix.”“I am truly honoured to lead Nutanix’s EMEA pre-sales team, at an exciting time when digital transformation is the need of the hour, cloud computing and AI are imperatives and no longer a luxury. In the cloud space, Nutanix is at the forefront of innovation - solving the very toughest challenges that plague organizations as they try to wrap their minds around the complexities of hybrid cloud. We understand that enterprises have unique requirements and are at different stages of the cloud adoption cycle, and our job is to identify and match technology opportunities with customers’ business issues and objectives. I’m looking forward to progressing the great work that’s currently underway and excited to move Nutanix’s business to the next level across the region,” concludes Paulo Pereira.

In line with Arab Telemedia Studios commitment to keeping pace with technological advancements and digital innovations in the field of studios and broadcasting services, the company is participating in the 2023 International Broadcasting Conference taking place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from September 15th to 18th.The conference serves as a dynamic platform where significant global technological developments unfold, bringing together international media outlets and everything related to the entertainment industry and modern technology. It showcases the latest cutting-edge technologies that offer viewers a delightful and entertaining experience, catering to their diverse preferences and interests.Furthermore, the conference, with its diverse activities, serves as a magnet for leading companies in the film and television production sector. They convene to discuss technological advancements and how to harness them to meet the requirements of viewers who follow a variety of artistic works with different themes.This year's conference attracts a substantial number of companies and individuals to attend sessions and seminars related to digital and technological broadcasting. Participating entities aim to share success stories and exchange expertise and knowledge.The conference boasts over 37,000 participants representing nearly 170 countries and features specialized exhibitions, expected to surpass 1,000 exhibitors. It will host 250 speakers from various parts of the world during discussion and dialogue sessions covering a wide range of technical and technological topics and issues.

A major landmark antitrust trial is set to begin in the US, targeting Google. The case was filed in December 2020 by the Justice Department and eleven states, accusing Google of maintaining its stranglehold on the search market through deals with smartphone manufacturers and Internet browser creators. This, says the Justice Department, has made Google the default search engine almost everywhere. These deals often include provisions preventing partners from installing rival search engines. Google's legal troubles poin to a major shift in the regulatory approach towards tech giants. For years, major tech companies went on an expansion spree without much constraint, but now they face multiple antitrust investigations. The outcome of the Google case will have far-reaching implications extending beyond online advertising and search engines, particularly in the realm of AI technologies.Google's huge market share—nearly ninety percent of US general search queries—led the US government to label it a "gatekeeper for the internet." The US government argues that Google's monopoly profits allow it to perpetuate its dominance through these deals, leading to a cycle of control and profit.Google defends saying that its market dominance is the result of offering a superior product. The company argues that users have a choice and so they choose Google. Unlike the Microsoft case in 1998, where most users preferred Netscape, Google claims that consumers genuinely prefer its search engine. Google also says that it's easy for users to switch to alternative search engines if they desire, such as Bing or DuckDuckGo.AI-based search sites like Neeva, which seek to challenge Google's dominance with AI-powered search, faced difficulties attracting users due to Google's dominance. The verdict in the Google case could determine the future of online search and the emerging AI-driven search technologies.The Google antitrust case is reminiscent of the Microsoft case in 1998, when the software giant faced an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and twenty states. Microsoft was accused of engaging in anti-competitive practices in both the computer operating systems and Internet browser markets.

Dubai: Air France-KLM has announced the appointment of Hichame Lahkim Bennani as the new Regional Commercial Director for the Middle East region. In his new role, Mr. Lahkim Bennani will be responsible for the regional team covering pricing, marketing and business intelligence, e-commerce and distribution for the Middle East including the company's online and offline markets.Hichame Lahkim Bennani has taken over the role from his predecessor, Sylvain Mathias, who has moved to a new position within the group. Mr. Lahkim Bennani is based at the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai Airport Free Zone, United Arab Emirates and reports directly to the Air France-KLM General Manager Middle East, Simon Scholte.In his career with Air France KLM, Hichame Lahkim Bennani has held a series of senior executive positions across a range of business areas from sales to business development, yield management and pricing responsibilities. He has held key roles at the Paris group headquarters and in international locations, including India, Nigeria, Switzerland and The Netherlands. He was selected as a finalist in the Air France ‘Boostez Le Futur’ program 2019 for an Intrapreneurial project platform. Hichame Lahkim Bennani holds a Master of Management degree from ESSEC Business School and an Engineering degree from Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs. He is fluent in English, French and Arabic.Commenting on the new appointment, Simon Scholte, General Manager Middle East, Air France-KLM, said: ‘We are delighted to announce Hichame Lahkim Bennani as the new Regional Commercial Director for the Middle East and to welcome him to the regional team. With a distinguished 17-year career with Air France-KLM, Hichame brings extensive international experience and broad expertise to his new role. He has an outstanding track record in leading diverse teams, innovative thinking andstrategies to deliver consistently impressive results. Hichame will add significant value to our regional team and our ability to provide exceptional service and drive growth within the Middle East region.”

Dubai: Visa, the world's leader in digital payments, launched its innovative "GetP@id" initiative, dedicated to helping Gen Z creators and influencers transform their passions into profitable careers. This initiative marks Visa's commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by bridging the gap between creativity and commerce.Visa's "GetP@id" kicked off with an interactive workshop led by Emirati content creator Khalid Al Ameri, a renowned figure with 21 million followers across several social media platforms. The workshop, hosted at Visa's headquarters in Dubai on Sunday 17 September, provided a unique opportunity for aspiring creators to gain valuable insights from Khalid Al Ameri, who shared his personal journey, learnings, and challenges encountered while transitioning from a hobbyist to a successful content creator. The aim was to educate and empower novice content creators, helping them improve and grow in their skills.Tarek Abdalla, Visa's Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), said: "Visa's 'GetP@id' initiative comes at a crucial time. A study revealed that only 2.5% of Gen Z individuals across CEMEA have successfully transformed content creation into a sustainable career[1]. This means there remains a significant pool of Gen Z talent in our region with a strong desire for content creation as a career choice."He continued, "Through the 'GetP@id' initiative, we aim to create a collaborative ecosystem where budding creators can learn from established ones, fostering their success in their chosen fields. By inspiring creators to shift from pursuing their passions to making a living, Visa remains at the forefront of promoting financial inclusion, facilitating money movement, and fostering success for the creators of tomorrow."Khalid Al Ameri expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, "Visa's 'GetP@id' is a game-changer for young creators in the UAE. It's not just about turning a passion into a paycheck; it's about understanding the difference between a hobby and a thriving business. I'm thrilled to be a part of this initiative and help empower the next generation of content creators." Visa's recent study shows that 37% of Gen Z individuals in the UAE earn income from their own businesses, similar to non-Gen Z counterparts at 39%[2]. This underscores the importance of offering Gen Z creators the support and resources they need to shift from hobbies to successful entrepreneurs.As part of this initiative, Visa aims to work closely with established creators to mentor emerging talent, providing them with the necessary tools, tips, and support to turn content creation into a lucrative career. For more information about Visa's "GetP@id" initiative, please visit our website.

Positive Technologies analyzed attacks on individuals in Middle Eastern countries between 2022 and 2023. Malware was used in 70% of successful attacks. More than half of these attacks involved spyware. The vast majority of attacks used social engineering techniques. In 20% of phishing campaigns, the attack was multi-pronged, exploiting multiple social engineering channels simultaneously.According to our data, cybercriminals employed malware in 7 out of 10 successful attacks on individuals in the Middle East region. More often than not, the attackers infected users' devices with spyware (three out of five malware attacks). This type of malware collects information from the infected device and then passes it on to the attacker. Depending on the task, spyware can steal personal and financial data, user credentials, as well as files from the device's memory.Positive Technologies Information Security Research Analyst Roman Reznikov comments: "By using spyware, attackers can compromise not only personal and payment information and personal accounts, but also corporate credentials, network connection information, and other sensitive data. The stolen data is then offered for sale on the dark web forums. As a result, a skilled attacker can gain access to an organization and carry out a successful attack, leading to non-tolerable consequences: disruption of technological and business processes, theft of funds, leakage of confidential information, attacks on customers and partners."In the vast majority (96%) of successful attacks on individuals in the Middle East countries, social engineering techniques were employed. Most often, these were mass attacks in which the criminals aimed to reach the maximum number of victims. To achieve this, they actively leveraged current news about significant global and regional events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.In every fifth (20%) phishing campaign, the attack was multi-pronged, exploiting multiple social engineering channels simultaneously. Criminals led the victims through a series of steps until the device was infected and data stolen. For instance, users could be lured through social media accounts that contained links to a messenger channel from which the victim would install a malicious application.One of the reasons for the success of social engineering is the numerous data leaks from various organizations. According to our research on the cybersecurity threatscape in the Middle East, 63% of successful attacks on individuals in the region resulted in leaks of confidential information. The majority of stolen information consisted of personal data (30%) and account credentials (30%). Cybercriminals were also interested in payment card data (10%) and user correspondence (8%).On the dark web, malicious actors sell information about users and also provide stolen data archives for free. Criminals use the compromised information in subsequent attacks on users. For example, a successful attack on a bank could result in fraudulent actions against its customers.Cybersecurity experts recommend that users follow cyberhygiene rules. Companies also need to ensure the security of employee and customer data. Data breaches cause reputational and financial damage and put at risk users whose information has been compromised. To maintain cyberresilience, it's essential to regularly assess the effectiveness of security measures and pay special attention to verification of non-tolerable events

Dubai:  McDonald's UAE gives brand fans a reason to smile with the latest updates to the McDonald's App. The updates are focused on customer convenience while offering them the chance to earn and redeem Reward Points on delivery via the MyM Rewards Program.The ordering process has never been easier, promising a more convenient experience that caters to all customers’ needs. For the busy customers, you have the opportunity to order ahead for drive-thru or skip the que and pick-up your order from the front counter. For those who prefer ordering from the comfort of their homes, the App now offers a streamlined ordering process with order tracking. What's more, customers can earn and redeem Reward Points for delivery orders as well. For those who'd like to dine in, the App can be used to place an order, select table service, and enjoy a relaxed dining experience and your order will be served to your table.Continuing to enhance the ordering convenience for brand lovers, McDonald’s UAE has also introduced Curbside Pickup as an extension of their App services. The new service is currently available at the Umm Suqeim restaurant, with plans to roll it out across other McDonald’s restaurants in the UAE. This service allows customers to place orders through the App from designated parking spaces, and their orders will be delivered straight to their car, for increased convenience.Available exclusively via the App, customers can choose from great deals when ordering for delivery or pickup. Some of the deals include, for a limited time, receiving a complimentary meal when buying a meal for delivery, the opportunity to get large fries for only 5 AED when placing a pickup order, or redeeming only 800 Reward Points to get a Chickenburger or a Cheeseburger and for those looking for a great meal, you can also redeem 2,900 Reward Points to get a Big Mac Medium Meal or a McChicken Medium Meal!

Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong Trade Development Council ("HKTDC") to promote trade and business between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. The MoU was signed during the eighth Belt and Road Summit on 13th September 2023, which was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the HKTDC. Under the theme of "Ten Years of Cooperation for Mutual Benefit," the summit spanned two days and attracted nearly 6,000 government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from almost 70 countries and regions. Over 100 delegations from overseas and Mainland China participated in various summit activities.This year's summit explored opportunities in emerging markets along the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the Middle East markets and the South East Asia markets. In his opening speech, Mr. John Lee, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, expressed his belief in the potential of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Middle East regions. Since the full implementation of customs clearance this year, he has led business and professional delegations to visit these two regions twice, resulting in fruitful outcomes. Li cited his visit to the Middle East in February as an example, highlighting substantial achievements such as Hong Kong companies providing hydrogen-powered cars and refueling stations, offering energy-saving and environmental services, and planning cooperative ventures in the hotel industry. These accomplishments reflect the diverse business opportunities in the Middle East.The Middle Eastern countries are key partners of the Belt and Road Initiative, providing extensive cooperation opportunities and potential for economic, trade, and infrastructure development with China. Focusing on the new opportunities, developments, and collaborations that the Middle East market offers under the Belt and Road Initiative, this year's summit boasts the largest number of Middle Eastern guests in its history. Among them are notable figures such as Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Abdulla Bin Touq AlMarri, Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, along with several Middle Eastern enterprises.During the roundtable discussion at the Middle East session, Jerry Li, Founding Partner of eWTP Arabia Capital and Director-General of the Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association, remarked, "The Middle East and Hong Kong are full of potential for cooperation and mutual benefit in the fields of finance, new energy, and digital technology. The Middle East has set numerous development goals to achieve its 2030 vision, while Hong Kong possesses world-class financial and technological talents, as well as industry clusters. Collaboration between the two parties will not only diversify the Middle East's economy but also enhance Hong Kong's international influence and reshape its position as a global financial center."During the Belt and Road Summit, Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneurs Association (SCEA), a non-profit organisation initiated by eWTP Arabia Capital to boost cooperation between the private sectors in Saudi Arabia and China, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the HKTDC. The MoU aims to strengthen the commercial and economic ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East regions, particularly start-ups and service providers looking to expand beyond their countries of origin.Since its establishment, Saudi-China Entrepreneurs Association (SCEA) has been committed to becoming a vital bridge between Hong Kong and the Middle East. In February this year, Chief Executive Mr. John Lee visited the Middle East and expressed his support towards the establishment of the SCEA in Saudi Arabia. In July, the SCEA officially announced the establishment of its first Asian office in Hong Kong and signed a MOU to cooperate with 11 Mainland China and Hong Kong companies and facilitate their entry in the Saudi market. Additionally, the SCEA assisted in facilitating the visit of His Excellency Engineer Abdullah Al-Swaha, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, to Hong Kong in July, further enhancing cooperation between the two parties.Operated by SCEA, eWTP Arabia Capital has established deep partnerships with the Hong Kong government, major financial institutions, industrial companies, and technological innovation platforms in Hong Kong since Chief Executive Mr. John Lee's visit to the Middle East in February. Supported by the HKTDC, eWTP Arabia Capital has hosted more than 100 partners from various industries in Hong Kong, including real estate, finance, trade, technology innovation, and healthcare. Currently, eWTP Arabia Capital is actively facilitating the establishment of these institutions and companies' presence in Saudi Arabia.eWTP Arabia Capital has invited a Saudi business delegation to attend the Belt and Road Summit and showcase their products during the pitch sessions in a bid to facilitate connections with investors in Hong Kong. The delegation comprises COFE, a Kuwait-originated company that offers an online marketplace for coffee enthusiasts, Advanced Communications & Electronic Systems Company (ACES), a Saudi Arabia-based digital infrastructure company, and Navigator Consulting, a Saudi Arabia-based strategic consulting company. They were represented by Ali Al Ebrahim, Founder and CEO of COFE, Akram Aburas, CEO and Founder of ACES, and Alfred Wang, CEO of Navigator Consulting.

Mobility technology veteran Gary West has joined the self-driving technology company Cruise as Managing Director of Cruise Middle East, effective September 2023. West will lead the company’s commercialization efforts in the region surrounding the strategic partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transit Authority (RTA).In 2021, RTA selected Cruise as their exclusive provider for self-driving ride-hail services, making Dubai the first international city Cruise will expand to. Cruise autonomous vehicles are currently conducting data collection and initial testing in Jumeirah 1 on Dubai’s traffic systems, signals, signage, and driving behavior.Prior to joining Cruise, West played an instrumental role in setting up GM’s connectivity offering in the region and laid the cornerstone for GM’s autonomous and electric technology in the Middle East. He served as GM’s Managing Director of OnStar Middle East and Head of Future Mobility. This followed a three-decade tenure with GM, which spanned multiple continents and encompassed various roles in operations, mobility strategy, and more.President and Managing Director of General Motors Africa Middle East Operations, Jack Uppal, announced that Luis De La Cruz would succeed Gary as Managing Director, OnStar, and Digital Business. De La Cruz will be responsible for leading the growth of GM’s Digital Business in Africa and the Middle East, as well as supporting GM International Connected Operations.Charged with establishing the groundwork of GM’s future Connected Digital Business, De La Cruz and his team will spearhead the expansion of the OnStar business across the region. They will also debut consumer technologies such as Super Cruise and other consumer solutions enabled by the Software Defined Vehicle.“GM is leading the transformation of the automotive industry. Gary and Luis will play important roles in the implementation of self-driving and connectivity technologies for customers in the Middle East, supporting GM and Cruise’s shared vision of a world of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion,” added Jack Uppal.Luis De La Cruz began his career at GM Mexico in 2008 and has since made significant contributions in Global Purchasing and Portfolio planning over the years.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai and Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites are delighted to announce the appointment of Gerrit Gräf as the new Multi-Property General Manager effective September 2023. Gräf is an industry veteran, with a career spanning over two decades with Marriott, having held diverse roles across eight renowned brands in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and brings with him a wealth of experience overseeing 14 successful hotel openings throughout his career.Gräf’s journey with Marriott began in 1996 as the Director of Food & Beverage at the Renaissance Cologne Hotel in Germany. His exceptional performance led him to the UAE in 2000, where he assumed the role of Director of F&B at JW Marriott Hotel, with his outstanding leadership resulting in a promotion as Director of Operations at the property within three years.Building on his achievements throughout eight successful years in Dubai, Gräf embarked on a new challenge and relocated to Doha to assume the position of Hotel Manager at the Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments complex. In the same year, his exceptional capabilities earned him the position of Regional Director of Operations, overseeing South Asia, Malaysia, Australia, and the Maldives. In 2014, he spearheaded the opening of the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit & Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Thonglor, as Multi-Property General Manager.In 2015, Gräf returned to the Middle East as Hotel Manager for the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, and within a year, he assumed the position of General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh. His exemplary leadership and extensive experience led to his appointment as Area Vice President for Marriott’s Premium Select Brands for the UAE in 2019. In this role, he successfully oversaw Marriott’s 32 Premium and Select Brands within the UAE.Before his current appointment, Gräf held the prestigious position of Multi-Property General Manager at Le Royal Méridien Doha, Agora Doha - Autograph Collection Hotel, Qabila Westbay - Autograph Collection and Palais Vendôme Doha, A Luxury Collection Hotel during the Pre-Opening. Responsible for overseeing the development of several luxury properties, encompassing 889 rooms, suites, residences, and creative event locations, Gräf also supervised 12 lounges and award-winning restaurants. Notably, his remarkable contributions were recognized in March 2023 in Abu Dhabi where he received the Marriott EMEA 2022/2023 Leadership of Excellence Award. "I am excited about my return to Dubai and honored to take on this role, continuing my journey with Marriott in such a dynamic region," expressed Gerrit Gräf. "I'm committed to not only maintaining but elevating the exceptional standards these iconic properties are known for and to lead the dedicated teams at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai and Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites to create extraordinary guest experiences."Gräf’s visionary leadership and dedication to excellence, combined with his extensive expertise in managing luxury properties within the Marriott portfolio, will undoubtedly usher in a chapter of unparalleled hospitality, innovation, and exceptional guest experiences at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai and Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites.

The “Kaspersky Transparency Center”, first of its kind in the Middle East was inaugurated today by His Excellency the Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Haitham bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ohali, in the presence of officials from the Ministry, the company, and a number of specialists from the technology industry. The launch is an essential part of Kaspersky’s Global Transparency Initiative, a flagship program committed to building trust and assuring the integrity of the company’s solutions and processes.Kaspersky selected Riyadh as the venue for its first Transparency Center in the Middle East to closely align with the goals of “Saudi Vision 2030”. The vision aims to promote the Kingdom’s position as the hub for technology and innovation, and has transformed the country into a destination to attracts international companies to establish their regional headquarters in Riyadh.Visitors to the Transparency Center in Riyadh can review the source code of all of Kaspersky on-premise solutions. The whole review process depends on the level of sophistication and follows “piste” skiing classification color codes – “blue”, “red”, and “black”. “Blue piste” offers a general overview of the security development processes of Kaspersky products and services, as well as data management procedures. “Red piste” allows a review of the most critical aspects of source code, assisted by the company’s specialists, and provides a targeted analysis of a particular functionality. “Black piste” enables visitors to conduct the most comprehensive source code review, with the help of Kaspersky’s experts.Commenting on the company’s further developments in the region, Eugene Kaspersky, Founder and CEO of Kaspersky, noted:“This year we celebrate the five-year anniversary of our Global Transparency Initiative. As true pioneers in advancing digital trust, we are pleased to celebrate the arrival of this initiative in the Middle East region, which is witnessing rapid digital transformation. In order to enhance our partners’ confidence in the services we provide to them, we are pleased to welcome them to the newly opened Transparency Center in Riyadh to answer any questions about the nature of our work and our solutions.” 

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has adopted Microsoft Power Platform and its AI-powered tool Copilot. The move is part of DEWA’s efforts to utilise the latest global technologies in all areas and benefit from the capabilities of generative AI to enhance DEWA’s digital transformation. Copilot will assist software developers at DEWA in building smart programmes and applications that support DEWA’s operations more smoothly and efficiently by utilising generative AI tools.“We work to develop DEWA’s digital channels using the latest disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and generative AI tools. This aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world. Adopting the Microsoft Power Platform Copilot is part of our efforts to utilise AI in all our services and operations. DEWA invests in its digital infrastructure to enhance the digital transformation to promote stakeholders’ happiness and provide value-added advanced digital services,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.The Copilot supports developers and programmers in writing code and developing applications. It understands the context of the code being written and provides suggestions and guidance to programmers during the programming process, in addition to tips on how to format code and correct errors to speed up the development process.

With the beginning of the Riding season, Harley-Davidson Doha launched a special offer on the full range of 2022 and 2023 models with an attractive benefits package.Valid until 4 October 2023, customers can avail of the new offer to buy a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle and leverage a wide range of benefits including free one-year registration, first year third party insurance, a three-year manufacturer warranty with unlimited mileage, and free first and second service.All new buyers will receive a complimentary gift voucher worth QAR 2,000 for purchases from Harley-Davidson accessories.The offer features special prices on the bikes the 2022 Softail Fatboy FLFBS 114 for QR 106,200 and 2022 Touring FLHTK for QR 128,920.Harley-Davidson Doha special offers reflect the company’s commitment to the local community and the brand's loyal enthusiasts to offer them the best deals and services that exceed their expectations.The full range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles is available at Harley-Davidson Doha Showroom on Salwa Road. For more information, customers can call 44632428/29 or Visit our Harley-Davidson showroom on Salwa Road from Saturday through Thursday, from 10:30 AM until 8 PM.

Assembly, a global omni-channel media agency will be taking the new account of Virgin Mobile UAE.From now, Assembly will be responsible for building Virgin Mobile UAE’s affiliate network and enhancing its user experience. It will also be in-charge of managing Virgin Mobile’s digital activities to take on its many campaigns, which include paid and organic media channels, and data and analytics. Therefore, Assembly will act as a CRM consultancy for Virgin Mobile. Faisal Dean, CEO of Assembly MENA expressed his excitement on winning the Virgin Mobile UAE account. He shares, “The partnership will showcase our commitment to collaborate with clients as business partners, providing market leading activations touching all stages of the customer journey. With our strengths in data, talent and tech, we are confident in delivering exceptional value to find the change that fuels growth for Virgin Mobile UAE.”Rob Beswick, Managing Director, Virgin Mobile UAE ,shares: “Assembly MENA has demonstrated their ability to effectively navigate the complexities of the advertising landscape. We are excited about this partnership, and we are looking forward to working together with them in elevating our brand, engaging with our customers in innovative and impactful ways and unlocking new avenues of success.”Virgin Mobile UAE had also recently appointed Havas Middle East to be its creative and public relations partner.

GroupM has appointed Hana Khatib as Chief Operating Officer (COO)-Effeciency Hubs. Hana, who is already the Regional MD Levant for GroupM, will retain her position. She will be handling both the senior positions simultaneously.  Hana is a highly experienced and dedicated professional who has consistently excelled at Mindshare and within the broader GroupM family. Her expertise in operational excellence, strategic management, and the art of driving efficient processes has consistently been demonstrated throughout her remarkable journey within the Group.As COO of the Efficiency Hubs, Hana will be instrumental in overseeing all regional operations.Amer El Hajj, CEO, GroupM, MENA, said: “Hana's appointment signifies the pivotal role the COO - Efficiency Hubs holds in driving operational excellence, refining resource utilization, and streamlining processes within our dynamic Efficiency Hubs.”

Ingka Group, the biggest IKEA retailer, has awarded its global ad account to McCann, as the company looks to “streamline” its agency operations.After a thorough process, the advertising agency McCann with its base in Madrid, has been procured for the global assignment. According to reports the account will be run out of McCann Spain which already has a working relationship with IKEA.It is the first time, IKEA has given its ad account to a single agency. With this, McCann will handle Ikea retail for the Ingka Group, which consists of 379 Ikea stores across 31 markets.Licca Li, Acting Global Marketing Manager, Ingka Group said: “As one of the most trusted brands in the world, we have the responsibility to show how we are leading from our vision and purpose; that we are siding with the many through our affordable range and actions we take as a company for people and the planet. I am excited to see how this shift gives us the opportunity to connect to more people with a stronger voice.”The Global Marketing team of Ingka Group is in lead of this transformational change, whilst the operating team is the Marketing team of IKEA Spain. McCann Spain was chosen after the collaboration between the IKEA Global Marketing team and the Marketing team at IKEA Spain. The new approach allows to secure simplified and impactful processes that supports creative quality, with the ambition to stronger position IKEA in all markets. Gabriel Ladaria, IKEA, Spain’s Marketing Director, shares: “We are very excited that McCann has been finally chosen as winner, with us as the operating team. It makes us proud and serves as an acknowledgment for the work that has been carried out for the IKEA brand in Spain for years now. It also comes with the responsibility to build up and strengthen the emotional connection with consumers from all Ingka Group countries in a solid and consistent way, while leaning on the strengths that have shaped how we communicate at IKEA Spain and positioned the IKEA brand as the benchmark it is today.” The new approach and partnership starts in September 2023, and the outcome of this plans are to be visible during spring 2024. “We are humbled and excited to be appointed as IKEA’s first global brand marketing partner,” says Daryl Lee, Global CEO, McCann Worldgroup and McCann and continues: “IKEA’s vision to create a better everyday life for the many people, based on universal truths, is perfectly aligned with our global philosophy of Truth Well Told. Our teams that collaborated around the world, brilliantly led by McCann Spain, cannot wait to launch an enduring brand platform that resonates globally and further builds IKEA’s leadership position in every market.”In the region, IKEA retail stores are operated by Al Futtaim Group and Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Furnishing Co. Al-Futtaim group holds the franchise rights for the store in four countries: Egypt, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. In Saudi Arabia, IKEA stores are operated by Ghassan Ahmed Al Sulaiman Furnishing Co.Fp7 McCann had also recently worked on IKEA’s latest regional campaign, ‘Bring on the Mess’. In this, IKEA was seen accepting a challenge where people make messes and let IKEA provide them with their storage solutions.

An overwhelming 77 percent of female executives surveyed in KPMG's Global Female Leaders Outlook (GFLO) anticipate gender equality in the corporate world within the next 15 years or sooner. This encouraging statistic stems from a comprehensive survey of 839 top female managers worldwide, marking the fourth consecutive study since 2018 tracking their perspectives on global business trends. Notably, half of the companies where these female executives are employed report revenues exceeding $500 million.The report indicates that a significant three-quarters of respondents foresee progress in the realms of diversity and inclusion in the coming years. Yet, regional variations are apparent, with female managers in North America displaying higher optimism levels compared to their counterparts in other regions. In Qatar, the enthusiasm towards gender equality initiatives is equally strong, reflecting a growing commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces and supporting women in leadership positions.The importance of gender diversity at the C-level cannot be overstated, as 75 percent of respondents regard it as a pivotal factor for future growth. This aligns with Qatar's commitment to gender equality and its recognition of the vital role women play in driving innovation and success within the business ecosystem.Addressing the gender pay gap, the report reveals that the pay gap for leadership roles currently stands at 38 percent. Encouragingly, 45 percent of participants confirm transparency within their companies regarding equal pay, while 33 percent report a lack of transparency. An additional 22 percent indicate a need for further data collection on the pay gap issue.Positive Outlook Amidst Challenges: Female Leaders Embrace the FutureIn addition to matters of equality, this year's Global Female Leaders Outlook delved into the growth prospects envisioned by female executives for their companies and personal careers. Despite ongoing challenges and uncertainties, the outlook remains overwhelmingly positive. Remarkably, 84 percent of female respondents anticipate growth for their companies over the next three years, even as tasks become more complex (90 percent). Additionally, 72 percent see opportunities for personal career advancement in these dynamic times, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.Barbara Henzen, Partner and Head of Tax at KPMG in Qatar, remarks, "As female executives continue to navigate the evolving business landscape, their resilience and optimism are commendable. In Qatar, we are witnessing a growing recognition of the importance of gender diversity in driving innovation and success. By nurturing an inclusive culture and supporting women in leadership, we can contribute significantly to Qatar's business ecosystem's growth and development."Huda Ibrahim, Clients and Markets Manager at KPMG in Qatar, adds, "Having grown up and built my career in Qatar, I have personally witnessed the evolving business landscape. At KPMG in Qatar, we are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity. We take pride in actively supporting women in leadership roles and believe in paving the way for greater opportunities for all professionals in Qatar."Increasing Emphasis on Personal NetworksRegarding the structural conditions for a successful career, the report highlights a significant increase in the importance of personal networks, with 57 percent of respondents emphasizing their role in career advancement. This aligns with Qatar's business culture, where relationships and alliances are highly valued.Image by CoWomen on Unsplash

Lipton, the world’s leading tea brand, is partnering with UAE-based café concept, Project Chaiwala, to provide exclusive, tailor-made blends from the best tea plantations. This is the first move, in a series of collaborations aimed at supporting Lipton’s regional market dominance through the support and uplift of homegrown UAE businesses.Project Chaiwala, a homegrown tea concept founded in 2017, sees the Lipton’s tea-masters collaborate with Project Chaiwala to understand the unique needs and taste preferences of the teashop and café’s clients.To start with, Lipton will provide Project Chaiwalla with three dedicated blends and a tea supply solution, eliminating concerns related to product sourcing, raw material availability, and tracking. The bespoke blends will not only provide customers with unparalleled tastes, but has also undergone a seven-step iterative process developed by experts who used different grades, original combinations, and sourced quality products from the finest tea gardens globally.Participants ranging from Lipton’s in-house experts to café staff and customers were invited to taste-test the various blends. Abhiroop Chuckarbutty, President- Africa, Middle East, and Turkey, Lipton Teas and Infusions, said: “We are very excited by this partnership with Project Chaiwala. Our vision focuses on reinforcing Lipton’s position within the regional market, and supporting local businesses and street side cafes is a key part of the objective. Both brands share similar values in that we are both passionate about tea, have strong links to the region, and put our consumers’ needs first. The bespoke blends we curated specifically for Project Chaiwala are only available for consumers at Project Chaiwala café. I believe this collaboration to be the beginning of a long-standing partnership.”Ahmed Kazim, Founder of Project Chaiwala, added: “As a UAE national who grew up here, this partnership with Lipton is a huge deal for me personally. We only started Project Chaiwala six years ago, so partnering with such a renowned name is hard to believe. This year represents major growth for the business as we aim to become a global company representing the multicultural heritage of the UAE through karak. We have plans to launch up to three flagship locations across the country this year, each with a new look yet retaining the traditional ‘Chaiwala experience.”Lipton’s collaboration with Project Chaiwala is the first of several, with further agreements in the pipeline for later this year.

Mercato, the only Italian-themed mall in Dubai, is delighted to announce the opening of several new outlets, offering visitors the opportunity to shop, dine, and savor the authentic Italian ambiance.Mercato and Town Centre Jumeirah continuously welcome new brands to cater to both the local community and tourists visiting Dubai.We are thrilled to introduce a fresh array of brands for our guests to explore while visiting Mercato," said Nisreen Boustani, PR and Corporate Communications Manager at Mercato and Town Centre Jumeirah. "Whether you've visited us once or a hundred times, you can always expect something new to discover at Mercato. This year has been particularly fruitful, with many new brands opening at Mercato. Most recently, the spectacular Turkish restaurant, Pasha Sarayi, opened its doors to welcome residents and tourists. In addition to this exciting addition, Mercato's charming cobbled streets now host several other enticing outlets, including Soul Simple, Trouvaille Bistro, Gissah Perfumes, JR Ethical, Alberto's Chicken, and Sole Care. We are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of other exciting new brands in the near future, such as Happy Hoop, GANT, Long Life, Petra Cosmetics and Barakat”

Three Abu Dhabi-based organizations have partnered with Lega Serie A, Italy’s premier professional football league, to find the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s next football star and give them a chance to play on one of the world’s greatest sporting stages. STARZPLAY, one of the region’s leading subscription video-on-demand services, PureHealth, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi, the Academy Award-winning media and entertainment studio, have partnered with Lega Serie A to launch an original show, The Italian Dream. The show will help boost the UAE’s vibrant sports culture in line with PureHealth’s vision to promote longevity by encouraging a healthier, active lifestyle through the support of sporting activities.Offering the opportunity of a lifetime, this reality TV show gives the best young footballers in the MENA region the chance to showcase their talent and make their dreams come true. Over six episodes, The Italian Dream is filmed in the host emirate of Abu Dhabi, with Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Egypt also participating. Honing their skills alongside world-class players, the sport’s protégés will have the chance to play in one of world football’s biggest leagues.At a special launch for the show in Abu Dhabi which was attended by senior officials, HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi; Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of Etisalat, UAE; Farhan Malik, Group CEO of PureHealth; Shaista Asif, Group COO of PureHealth; Maaz Sheikh, CEO of STARZPLAY; Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the UAE; Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A; Francesco Totti, the renowned former AS Roma football player and Lega Serie A ambassador and other senior representatives from PureHealth, STARZPLAY, Lega Serie A, and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.Footballing legends from Lega Serie A will participate in the show as mentors and guides for the competitors. The show will not only spotlight the participants' exceptional football skills but also offer insights into their families, their aspirations, the importance of healthy living for sport led by what Lega Serie A symbolizes for them.Maaz Sheikh, CEO, STARZPLAY, said: “The launch of The Italian Dream is a testament to STARZPLAY’s commitment to diversify its content range to meet its audience’s preferences, and its continued drive to produce the highest standard of Arabic content and showcase local talent. By examining audience viewing patterns and viewership data, we recognized that sports play a crucial role in attracting viewers across the Middle East and North Africa, with football standing out as the sport of choice in a nation driven by the vision of its leaders towards healthy and happy living. It was from this analysis that the concept for The Italian Dream was born.”Shaista Asif, Group Chief Operating Officer of PureHealth, said: “We are proud to support The Italian Dream TV show – a strategic collaboration that propels young football talent in the MENA region towards unprecedented opportunities. By empowering these aspiring athletes, we are not only shaping their futures but also fuelling the region’s sporting excellence.”She added: “Our participation in The Italian Dream reflects our deep commitment to empowering communities and ensuring their health, happiness, and overall well-being. By providing a platform for aspiring football talent in the MENA region, we contribute to the UAE’s efforts to nurture youth potential and foster a vibrant sports culture. At PureHealth, our vision extends beyond healthcare, as we believe in empowering individuals to lead longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Through this strategic collaboration, we are supporting a journey where health, sports, and community empowerment converge to create a brighter future for generations to come.”Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A, said: “The Italian Dream exemplifies Lega Serie A's commitment to investing in grassroots talent in the MENA region by providing opportunities for local emerging players to grow, learn, and showcase their abilities on one of the world's most renowned and storied football leagues – Lega Serie A. This project cements Lega Serie A's partnership with STARZPLAY, introducing a new dimension to the collaboration with an engaging content platform combining sports and entertainment for regional audiences.”  Commenting on the production, Ben Ross, Acting CEO of Image Nation said: “Image Nation constantly looks for diverse new projects that uncover inspirational stories from the UAE and the region. We are excited to embark on this unique show which will not only give a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to talented young footballers but will provide audiences with the chance to experience the emotional personal journeys of the lucky participants.”STARZPLAY is the home of Italian football in the MENA region with the rights to stream every match from the Lega Serie A live and exclusively. With thousands of hours of premium content including the best Western content, Arabic shows, Turkish favorites, anime, and live sports, STARZPLAY is fast solidifying its position as a leading multi-faceted entertainment hub. The service is available in 19 countries across the MENA for fans to enjoy quality content anytime, anywhere, and from any device. 

Deja Vu Real Estate, a stalwart in the UAE's real estate landscape since its inception in 2007, proudly unveils the appointment of Mohab Samak as its new CEO and Managing Partner. Mohab Samak, a seasoned industry veteran with nearly two decades of experience in real estate, including distinguished roles at industry titans like Emaar, Hamptons International, and Engel & Völkers Dubai, is celebrated for his profound knowledge and expertise. This strategic alliance signifies a momentous occasion for the company, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to growth and transformation.The decision to welcome Mr. Samak into this pivotal role underlines Deja Vu's steadfast position as the leading authority in buying, selling, renting, and managing properties in the UAE. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the company's evolution, signaling its dedication to raising the bar in the industry. With a well-thought-out strategy in place, Deja Vu Real Estate is primed to ascend to the summit of the UAE real estate market. Deja Vu is committed to delivering excellence through its array of property services, effectively offering comprehensive one-stop solutions to all real-estate related queries. Central to their ethos is the art of relationship-building, and CEO and Managing Partner, Mr. Samak's wealth of industry experience will undoubtedly fortify these connections with clients. The company is eagerly anticipating Mr. Samak's contributions as they expand their real estate services and optimize their operations in Dubai. Mohab Samak, Managing Partner and CEO, says, “We are thrilled to extend an invitation to all our clients, partners, and stakeholders to join us on this exhilarating journey of growth. Together, we are set to redefine real estate consultancy standards and service levels, reaffirming our belief in the limitless potential of Dubai's real estate market and beyond." The UAE's real estate sector is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, and Deja Vu is strategically poised to seize these opportunities. Mr. Samak's appointment as CEO and Managing Partner aligns perfectly with the burgeoning real estate landscape in the UAE, which promises robust growth in the coming years. As the demand for housing continues to surge, and with the UAE's commitment to tailored housing solutions within its limited land space, property investment remains an enticing prospect for investors. Deja Vu eagerly welcomes Mr. Samak, a true visionary in the real estate arena, as their new partner.

SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI), a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software, released the findings of its 2023 IT Trends Report: Lessons From Observability Leaders. The report explores how enterprises can act proactively to maximize the advantages of their observability solutions, integrate best practices into implementations, and mitigate common adoption challenges. The report also found that companies implementing observability benefit from increased operational efficiency, faster innovation, and better business outcomes overall.The new report is released in advance of IT Pro Day 2023, which falls on September 19 this year, and highlights a stark contrast between enterprises that have embraced observability and their peers who have not. Among the findings, the survey uncovered that observability leaders-those who follow best practices to leverage observability and report experiencing better business and IT outcomes as a result -are three times more likely to say their organization is doing extremely well with growing revenue, more than twice as likely to say the same about operational efficiency, and 2.5 times more likely to say they’re excelling with the speed of innovation. Observability leaders also gave higher ratings to their organization’s employee experience, including lower levels of reported employee burnout and fewer skill gaps on their teams.These takeaways come at a critical time, as IT environments become increasingly complex, and companies experience more challenges in efficiently addressing IT issues as a result. According to the findings, the typical enterprise suffers from an average of nine brownouts or outages every month, lasting around twelve hours each, at an average annual cost of $13.7MM. Observability has emerged as a solution to not only preemptively detect anomalies and potential issues before they escalate into full-blown outages but to proactively address those issues at the root cause and prevent future outages. “Outages and security concerns are no longer just an IT problem, and observability is no longer just an IT solution,” said Jeff Stewart, Field CTO and Vice President, Global Solutions Engineering at SolarWinds. “The better business, innovation, and technology outcomes experienced by observability leaders prove the benefits to every level, department, and employee. The findings of this year’s report should serve as an urgent call to action for business leaders who believe they can’t afford to invest in observability tools-when the truth is that we’re rapidly entering a landscape in which companies simply can’t afford to risk being without them.”The survey also highlighted trends among the observability leaders reporting fewer and less frequent challenges in their ecosystem, finding the majority are: Investing in top priorities: Data shows organizations using observability solutions to support the priorities most critical to their growth and success: improve their customer experience (96%), enable faster innovation (71%), reduce time spent solving (71%), and detecting (60%) issues, and increase operational efficiency (55%). More automated and integrated: Observability leaders embracing automation and investing in tools that provide enhanced efficiency are 214% more likely to say they are doing extremely well with operational efficiency, 750% more likely to say they are doing extremely well with auto-remediation of complex alerts, and 300% better at automatically collecting background diagnostic data for IT support staff. Ahead on IT: The data found that those ahead of the curve on observability are also leading by huge margins when it comes to monitoring, detecting, and resolving issues that could otherwise bring the business to a screeching halt. When it comes to IT, they are 233% better at auto-escalation of tickets, 213% better at auto-remediation of simple alerts, and 36% better at settling alert levels based on historical behavior.SolarWinds offers its customers full-stack observability solutions that provide organizations across all sizes and industries cost-effective, end-to-end visibility and actionable intelligence to expedite remediation using powerful machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. These fully integrated, on-premises, and cloud-native SaaS solutions provide comprehensive visibility in hybrid and multi-cloud environments, including SolarWinds Observability and SolarWinds Hybrid Cloud Observability.

Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced the launch of Amagi DYNAMIC at IBC2023, a ground-breaking platform that empowers rights owners and holders to effortlessly deploy cloud-based live production and playout systems for single live events. By eliminating the need for costly upfront hardware investments, Amagi DYNAMIC allows users to spin up cloud infrastructure only for the duration of the event. It enables them to efficiently manage infrastructure resources, run multiple live events in parallel, expand distribution, engage viewers, and increase ad revenues, all while providing immediate and demonstrable ROI."For far too long, broadcasters, rights owners, and rights holders have grappled with the limitations of hardware-driven infrastructure, resulting in underutilized content libraries and underexplored distribution networks,” said Baskar Subramanian, CEO & Co-founder at Amagi. “Amagi DYNAMIC empowers users to maximize their content investments, optimize distribution, and create new avenues for viewer access. This transformative solution will have a profound impact on the way the industry approaches single live events and opens up new monetization opportunities."With Amagi DYNAMIC, broadcasters can swiftly provision cloud infrastructure for the duration of an event and deactivate it once the event concludes, effectively creating pop-up channels. This innovation is particularly beneficial for rights owners and holders of live sports, music, news, or special events, enabling the simultaneous broadcast of multiple events and expanding distribution to D2C apps, thereby widening viewership and boosting ad revenues.Additional benefits of Amagi DYNAMIC include:Improved Cost Savings: With features such as multi-source, multi-protocol ingest Amagi DYNAMIC streamlines content integration by allowing resources to be consumed only when required. Additionally, achieving a low latency of just two seconds ensures that resources are used optimally during live events, minimizing unnecessary resource consumption and associated costs.Flexible Remote Control: With group control of live source inputs and distribution outputs, Amagi DYNAMIC enables users to control multiple events remotely from a single instance, regardless of location. This remote management capability not only saves time but also enhances operational adaptability.Increased Viewer Engagement and Retention: Features such as frame-accurate live controls enable dynamic adjustments to breaks, graphics, and other elements, creating an engaging live event experience for viewers. The quick edits feature, with its two-second turnaround time, ensures that live event coverage remains up-to-date and captivating.Integrated Amagi LIVE Functionality: Building upon the success of Amagi LIVE, Amagi DYNAMIC offers an intuitive platform for managing live segments for both linear TV and OTT channels. This integration ensures a seamless transition to Amagi DYNAMIC and a consistent, high-quality broadcasting experience.Enhanced Operational Flexibility: Thanks to its multi-tenant system, Amagi DYNAMIC supports deployments in multiple regions for redundancy and operational flexibility. This feature provides the necessary infrastructure and scalability to manage multiple events seamlessly, adapting to various scenarios and changing demands.Amagi provides a complete suite of solutions for channel creation, distribution, and monetization. Amagi’s global clients include ABS-CBN, AccuWeather, A+E Networks UK, beIN Sports, Cinedigm, Cox Media Group, Crackle Plus, Fremantle, Gannett, Gusto TV, NBCUniversal, PAC-12, Tastemade, and The Roku Channel, among others.For more information about Amagi and its streaming TV solutions, visit www.amagi.com. Amagi DYNAMIC will be on display at Booth #5.A81, IBC2023, Amsterdam.

Former Dentsu Creative CEO James Morris is set to join Publicis Groupe as CEO Creative Transformation EMEA. This strategic move underscores Publicis Groupe's commitment to growth, collaboration, and enhanced client services in the UK and Europe.Morris will report to Loris Nold, CEO of Publicis Groupe EMEA, and collaborate closely with Sergio Lopez-Ferrero, Global CEO of Publicis Production. In his newly created role, Morris will leverage his cross-disciplinary leadership skills to scale production and innovate client solutions using technology.Morris will assume his position in January 2024, bringing his extensive experience in media, creative, production, and strategic leadership to drive transformative models for clients in the EMEA region.Loris Nold, CEO Publicis Groupe EMEA, comments: “I am thrilled that James is joining us as he is truly a hybrid leader with a proven track record in delivering connected and innovative solutions for clients. Production is a massive priority for us and we’ve been accelerating on both delivery capabilities and tech solutions for our clients across the region. His unique and multi-disciplinary skillset, spanning media, creative, production and strategic leadership, positions him perfectly to help deliver transformative models to our clients.”James Morris, CEO Creative Transformation EMEA, comments: “I am over the moon to be joining Publicis at a time of such momentum and growth. Publicis Groupe’s world leading agency brands, clients, diverse capabilities, craft and integrity, is second to none. I cannot wait to join this incredibly talented team to deliver groundbreaking solutions for clients across the EMEA region.”

Organizers of the Eventex Awards, the world’s most esteemed accolade in the world of events and experiential marketing, have unveiled the highly anticipated Eventex index covering the top 100 event organizers and agencies for 2023, with Viola Communications becoming the only UAE agency to appear on the list, having garnered five awards for the work carried out for the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development’s Abu Dhabi Moments, an integrated initiative designed to help foster a sense of belonging amongst communities.Speaking on the accolade, Reham El Ezaby, Viola’s Events’ Client Services Director, said: “We are incredibly proud to announce that Viola Communications has not only achieved recognition on the prestigious Eventex index but has done so by working hand-in-hand with the Abu Dhabi government on a project to enhance community cohesion across all society sectors. Our team's unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts earned us five awards, a testament to our commitment to creating unforgettable experiences through initiatives such as these. What makes this accomplishment even more special is that we are the only UAE-based agency to be featured on the list for 2023, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable team behind this success and to the Abu Dhabi DCD for their invaluable trust and partnership. Together, we've not only organized events but also forged connections that foster a sense of belonging within our communities."The ranking represents consistent excellence in the events and experience-marketing industry over the last 3 years and is determined by the number of Eventex awards won during that period. For Eventex Awards 2023, a Platinum award is equivalent to 150 points, Gold means 100 points, Silver award winners get 50 points, and Bronze awards yield 30 points. For the 2022 and 2021 editions, Platinum winners get 75 points, Gold yields 50 points, and 25 and 15 points go for Silver and Bronze winners, respectively.The country that has emerged as the year’s undisputed champion is the USA, accounting for 24 agencies on the list. Netherlands is the runner-up, boasting 9 agencies, with Germany following close behind with 8. The UK and Poland round out the top 5 with 7 and 6 agencies, respectively. The total number of countries represented on the list stands at 34. Ovanes Ovanessian, Co-founder of Eventex Awards, said: “Being recognized as one of the “Top 100 Event Organizers and Agencies” shows not only outstanding creativity but also unwavering consistency in delivering stellar experiences and staying at the forefront of the industry. I would therefore like to congratulate everyone who made the ranking.”

Pixis, a leading codeless AI infrastructure company focused on enabling brands to enhance performance marketing, has raised $85 million in its series C1 funding round. The round was led by Touring Capital and brings the company’s capital raised to $209 million. The new and existing investors who participated in the funding round include Grupo Carso, General Atlantic, Celesta Capital and Chiratae Ventures. The funding will be used to deepen Pixis’ AI capabilities, accelerate global expansion, invest in R&D to refine and launch a generative AI-powered creative studio, and build strategic product and business partnerships.Pixis develops accessible AI technology for growth marketing and has a rich product suite that includes targeting, in-flight performance optimization and generative AI capabilities. Since launch, Pixis has demonstrated a tremendous growth trajectory, with its platform leveraged by more than 200 global brands including names like DHL, Carsome, JOE & THE JUICE, Kavak, HDFC Bank, to name a few.<img src='https://erp.adgully.me/artical_image\fff5f8f2e69473b2e2c3675157f925de.png' class='content_image'>Nagraj Kashyap, co-founder and General Partner at Touring Capital said, “We passionately believe in the power of generative AI to transform enterprise software use cases. We see Pixis as a pioneer in this category and have been thoroughly impressed by the platform’s powerful technical capabilities translating into rapid customer adoption. We are excited to partner with Pixis, having had a years-long relationship with the team.”Creative StudioPixis recently launched its creative studio, with breakthrough AI capabilities that enable brands to instantly generate photorealistic creative assets – both 3D images and videos – through simple text prompts. The creative studio is deeply integrated into Pixis’ marketing campaign optimization capabilities, embedding contextual campaign data into the creative asset generation process.Expansion and Roadmap“This is shaping up to be an exciting year for Pixis as we welcome Touring Capital as investors; the Touring team have been important thought partners over the years and we are delighted to announce our new partnership. With this capital raised, we will continue to concentrate on strategic channel partnerships with renewed vigour, and invest heavily in our R&D efforts,” said Shubham A. Mishra, co-founder and CEO, Pixis.This year also saw a significant expansion of Pixis’ AI infrastructure with the company having achieved its goal of building 200 AI models. Along with having successfully beta-tested their generative AI-powered creative studio, they have also released products for cross-platform growth marketing that are proving to be game-changers in the market. Additionally, the company has also begun live deployments of its AI-powered solutions for B2B companies.

Clubhouse, a social audio platform, is evolving itself, with its new voice-only group messaging called ‘Chats’. Clubhouse had lost its appeal among users after a meteoric rise during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the launch of ‘Chats, they are looking to make a comeback, trying to be "more of a messaging app". With this feature, Clubhouse aims to make it 100x easier for users to be with friends throughout the day, bump into friends unexpectedly, and get to know new friends through your existing friend groups – even if they don’t have many friends on Clubhouse or so much time to spare.According to the company, a Chat is a voice-only group chat with your favourite people. In their blog post the company says: “It’s like a Clubhouse room, but it takes place asynchronously, so you can drop by and chime in on your own time. With Chats, you can push to talk, listen at 2x, tap to skip, swipe to the next Chat, and slide into your friends’ VMS to chat privately. They’re designed to be fast, fun and personal.”Although live audio rooms will continue to exist on Clubhouse, chats may encourage users to check in more frequently to hear from their friends rather than whoever is hosting a live conversation at the time.Unlike iMessage, Clubhouse transcribes these voice messages. Chats can be set as friends only, or friends of friends. The platform is available now on iOS and Android. It aims to be like a messaging app and be more social than other messaging apps. Chats are much faster than text, where groups can share more stories and more off-the-record stuff that they would never spend the time to type up.

Cyber breaches are on the rise, and when it comes to responding to them, time is of the essence. In order to drive swift conclusions, security teams need to identify relevant insights and extract actionable intelligence. It’s a daunting task, but SentinelOne, a global leader in autonomous cybersecurity, is expanding its forensics capabilities to simplify things. The company has announced the release of Singularity RemoteOps Forensics, a new digital forensics product offering that brings incident response readiness to companies of all sizes, enabling them to execute efficient and streamlined investigation and response activities with unprecedented speed and scale. “As timelines for reporting and responding to breaches shrink, it is imperative that security teams have advanced forensics capabilities that make investigations faster and more efficient, and with Singularity RemoteOps Forensics, we are delivering them," said Jane Wong, Senior Vice President of Products and Strategy, SentinelOne.Seamlessly integrated with the SentinelOne Singularity Platform and offered as an add-on to Sentinel One’s Endpoint and Cloud Workload Security solutions, RemoteOps Forensics is a fast, efficient, and flexible digital forensics and incident response solution that security teams can use to:? Optimize resources and accelerate Mean Time to Resolution?   Perform ad-hoc or conditional trigger-based evidence collection, enabling targeted investigations on one or multiple assets including endpoints and server workloads.?   Automate the collection of evidence, such as processes, ports, service listings, MFT, Amcache, JumpLists, and memory dumps, and orchestrate them in less than a minute.?   Consolidate evidence into one data pool through the Singularity Security DataLake, correlating SentinelOne and partner data with forensics data in the same search to create a comprehensive picture of an attack, quickly identify the root cause and take measures to mitigate risk.?   Analyze collected evidence alongside Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) data in one console to proactively defend against future threats. ?   Correlate and analyze integrated data to uncover hidden indicators of compromise, identify advanced attack patterns, and understand the tactics, techniques, and procedures employed by threat actors. And, fully integrated with the SentinelOne agent, RemoteOps Forensics eliminates the need to deploy and provision multiple tools during investigations, saving organizations both time and resources. The solution also makes investigations more forensically sound, as fewer changes are made on disk, and SentinelOne employs its anti-tampering capabilities as well as metadata collection capabilities to ensure data integrity is maintained.“SentinelOne's new forensic capabilities are reinventing incident response by empowering security teams to perform deep investigations in less time without the need for niche expertise or additional tools,” Wong concluded.To learn more about Singularity Remote Ops Forensics, click here for a free demo.

Acer expanded its support for Small and Medium Business (SMB) resellers, dealers, value added resellers (VAR) and system integrators in the country with a first-of-its kind UAE Channel event. The event featured insights into Acer’s global strategies, comprehensive product training, an overview of the benefits of its quarterly channel partner programs, and more.The event, which took place on September 12, reaffirmed Acer’s support for the dealers and resellers of the UAE channel. The event featured a morning session dedicated to commercial and education partners and an afternoon segment dedicated to consumer partners, aligning with Acer’s commitment to foster a greater collaboration with their channel partners. This in turn aims to enhance the company’s business growth and deliver a more satisfying and fulfilling customer experience.Commenting on the initiative, Michele Montecchio – General Manager, Acer Middle East said: “At the heart of Acer’s business model are our valued partners whose contribution is immeasurable: our success wouldn’t be possible without theirs. Additionally, the channel plays a significant role in the economy, contributing to 25% of the UAE revenue market in the PC segment, according to International Data Corporation (IDC) figures for the first half of 2023. That’s why we are thrilled to have hosted our UAE Channel event for this valuable segment, expanding their presence into Acer's existing programs, campaigns, and discount schemes. This strategic shift ensures a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to our market presence.”“Our unwavering dedication to our channel partners will not only help them transform potential challenges into new opportunities for business growth, but also ensure that they are suitably rewarded for performance, capabilities and collaboration within Acer’s evolving and expanding portfolio. This milestone event reaffirms Acer’s steadfast commitment to our valued dealers & resellers.”During the sessions partners were presented with Acer’s global, regional and local strategies, guiding and advising them on how Acer has successfully kept pace with the ever-changing business models regionally and globally. The briefing also shed light on Acer’s strategy for maintaining sustainable operations and elaborated on Acer’s quarterly Channel Partner Program benefits, which facilitate successful collaborations with partners and help deliver market-leading solutions. This session included an array of tools and instruments designed to help resellers and dealers effectively market Acer’s products and solutions to their target customer base in the UAE.Acer’s experts at the UAE Channel event showcased the brand’s class-leading products and solutions, including Desktops, Notebooks, Monitors and Projectors, demonstrating how the company can enable partners to deliver superior business solutions that best fulfil the needs of their end customers. The sessions also introduced Acer’s powerful Altos Computing which provides the most streamlined and cost-effective integrated solutions such as servers, workstations, thin client, networks, and storageThe UAE Channel event concluded with hands-on demonstrations of selected Acer products that were on display throughout the day. With decades of experience in the world of computing, the event not only reaffirmed Acer’s commitment to UAE channel partners but re-affirmed continuous support for partners and end customers across all levels.

Ooredoo Qatar will be able to monitor and control energy consumption in real-time while optimizing the network’s use of energy sources and reducing reliance on diesel generators.The solution contributes to Ooredoo Qatar's sustainability journey, with plans to further explore the use of renewable energy sources.Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and Ooredoo Qatar deploy the Ericsson Smart Connected Site solution to increase the network’s energy efficiency and reduce the carbon emissions in the network. The Ericsson Smart Connected Site solution, which includes Enclosure 6150, will enable Ooredoo Qatar to hybrid manage multiple energy sources, such as li-ion batteries in addition to the traditional power grid and diesel generators. The hybrid energy management will optimize their use based on the availability of energy. The Ericsson Smart Connected Site solution provides real-time, remote monitoring of all aspects of the site like collecting, aggregating, and communicating radio, power and enclosure, and site material operating data and status. It also aids in hybrid managing and controlling energy consumption by optimizing the network’s use of energy sources, reducing the reliance on diesel generators, and thus reducing Ooredoo Qatar’s carbon emissions.Günther Ottendorfer, Chief Technology and Infrastructure Officer at Ooredoo Qatar says: "Ooredoo Qatar is fully dedicated to reducing the carbon footprint of our network and investing in innovative solutions for sustainable energy management. The implementation of the Ericsson Smart Connected Site solution is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey, allowing us to decrease reliance on diesel generators and achieve substantial carbon emissions reduction. By enhancing energy efficiency in our operations, we aim to support Qatar's ambitious goal - part of Qatar National Vision 2030 - of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030."Trials where hybrid energy management of power provided by diesel generators and li-ion batteries have already been conducted, resulting in up to 66 percent daily diesel generator runtime reduction with up to 55 percent reduction in fuel consumption. This in turn results in a reduction of approximately 3 tons per month per site of carbon dioxide emissions and a 50 per cent reduction in number of site visits. Kevin Murphy, Vice President and Head of Ericsson Levant Countries and Global Customer Unit Ooredoo Group at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: “Ericsson is creating a world of limitless connectivity, where mobile technology opens new possibilities to pioneer a sustainable future. Our innovative solutions reduce the environmental impact of network operations while at the same time enhancing network performance. By leveraging the Ericsson Smart Connected Site solution, and real-time monitoring and control, Ooredoo Qatar will derive significant benefit in its operations. We look forward to working closely with them to deliver a successful deployment in line with Qatar's National Environment and Climate Change Strategy.”

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Brazilian TV SBT to strengthen and develop cooperation in news exchange.The MoU, on the sidelines of the International Government Communications Forum in Expo Centre Sharjah, was signed by Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, and Roberto Franco, Director of Institutional and Regulatory Affairs of SBT.The WAM-SBT collaboration is part of WAM’s efforts to strengthen its partnership with international media outlets, especially as it is set to host the second edition of the Global Media Congress in November.The MoU also aligns with the two sides’ keenness to boost their cooperation in news exchange and build constructive friendships and cooperation between media institutions in the UAE and Brazil to serve their common interests.Al Rayssi underscored the distinguished and growing relations that UAE and Brazil share at all levels, noting that the MoU signing comes within the framework of efforts to build bridges of cooperation and enhance news exchange with SBT.The WAM Director-General said that he is looking forward to the participation of the Brazilian media in the second edition of the Global Media Congress, scheduled to be held next November in Abu Dhabi, as it provides a vital global platform that facilitates establishing strong partnerships between media outlets from around the world.Robert Franco expressed his eagerness to consolidate SBT-WAM relations and commence their exchange of expertise, noting that the UAE’s media sector shows great promise, especially as it continues to push its development to new heights.

Entrust, a global leader in trusted payments, identities, and data, today announced that it named Jordan Avnaim as its Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). With more than 20 years of experience leading information security functions and influencing change and enterprise digital transformation, Jordan will help scale and mature Entrust’s information security program for both corporate and commercial portfolios.“We are excited to welcome Jordan to the team and are confident his experience and deep understanding of information security, IT security operations and risk leadership will support Entrust’s mission to be an innovative and trusted solutions provider,” said Anudeep Parhar, Chief Operating Officer at Entrust. “Jordan will be instrumental in helping to further build our information security program that will strengthen our security posture.”Entrust’s solutions are at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry and include new solutions to support organizations through their Zero Trust journey and post-quantum cryptography approach. As CISO, Avnaim will play a key role in the company’s advancement of these solutions.Avnaim joins Entrust with experience in a variety of information security and risk leadership roles including most recently at The Capital Group Companies, where he was responsible for leading various information security, technology risk and technology audit functions over his tenure. Previously at Deloitte & Touche, Avnaim led delivery of specialized security and risk consultative services to C-suite executives and clients across the globe. Avnaim’s experience and achievements in these roles have well-positioned him to lead Entrust’s information security program, continue strengthening the company’s security posture, and assist in delivery of exceptional security solutions to Entrust’s clients and customers.“The threat landscape continues to rapidly evolve and companies need to constantly be identifying and initiating new cybersecurity practices, like post-quantum cryptography to prepare for the future,” said Avnaim. “With my passion for cybersecurity and technology risk management, and experience providing consultative services to worldwide clients, I am thrilled to be stepping into this role to support Entrust’s strategy and assist our clients in realizing their cybersecurity objectives.”Avnaim holds both a Master of Engineering in Management of Technology with an Information Security focus and a Bachelor of Engineering in both Computer Engineering and Mathematics from Vanderbilt University. Avnaim is a member of Infragard, FS-ISAC, ISC2, ISACA and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).Avnaim will also join the Entrust Cybersecurity Institute as an expert member. To access critical insights C-suite leaders need to protect their organizations, tune into the Entrust Cybersecurity Institute Podcast.Entrust’s outgoing CISO Mark Ruchie will remain at Entrust as Vice President, Information Security Advisor, through the first half of 2024, to assist Avnaim and ensure a seamless transition before officially retiring.

A new study reveals that Louis Vuitton is the world’s most popular luxury brand. Research by Cross-Border Shopping Platform Ubuy analysed five different metrics including global searches, global website visits, social media following and engagement and revenue, to determine out of 100 of the most well-renowned and revered brands, which is the most popular.   1 – Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton is a renowned luxury fashion brand that epitomizes elegance, sophistication, and timeless style. Founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton, the French company has since become synonymous with high-end fashion and accessories. Louis Vuitton has the most global monthly searches (8,330,000) and website visits (15,500,000). In 2022 Luis Vuitton alone did over £15 billion in sales. With a massive online following as well, Louis Vuitton cements itself as the most well-known and popular luxury brand globally. ?Popularity score: 32.75   2 – Dior Dior has become an icon in the fashion industry. Beyond its signature haute couture creations, the brand offers a wide range of products, including ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, fragrance, and cosmetics. Because of Dior’s broad range of products the company recorded the highest revenue of any of the luxury fashion brands making over £60 billion. Dior also has one of the highest monthly website visits (12,600,000) and has a huge online following with over 40,000,000 followers. ?Popularity score: 31.73   3 – Gucci Established in Florence, Italy, in 1921 by Guccio Gucci, the brand has become a global symbol of elegance and sophistication. With its signature double G logo and bold, innovative designs, Gucci continues to captivate fashion enthusiasts around the world, setting trends and pushing boundaries in the industry. Gucci has the second-highest search volume (4,690,000 monthly searches), and over 9 million website visits every month. ?Popularity score: 23.39   4 – Chanel Chanel is a renowned French fashion and luxury brand Founded by Coco Chanel in 1910. The brand quickly became synonymous with high fashion, introducing innovative designs and revolutionizing women's clothing with its signature tweed suits, little black dresses, and quilted handbags. Chanel also has over 9 million website visits every month as well as the largest social media following with over 56 million followers. Chanel's broad range of products also means the brand's revenue streams are multiplied making them one of the most profitable with a revenue of over £12 billion.  Popularity score: 22.15   5 – Rolex Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, Rolex has consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking, setting the industry standards for quality, reliability, and innovation. The brand's iconic models, such as the Oyster Perpetual, Submariner, Daytona, and Datejust, have become synonymous with luxury and success. Rolex has been a popular brand for many years setting the standards for luxury watches. Rolex receives over 6 million monthly visits to its website and made over £7 billion in revenue in 2022. Rolex does have a slightly smaller online following with 14 million followers however has a better engagement rate than many brands with 0.50% ?Popularity score: 14.48   6 – Versace Versace is an Italian luxury fashion brand known for its glamorous and opulent designs. Founded by Gianni Versace in 1978, the brand quickly gained global recognition thanks to its bold prints, vibrant colours, and daring styles. Versace's creations often feature intricate detailing, Medusa head motifs, and a fusion of classical and modern influences. Versace is searched globally over 2 million times every month. Boasting just over 29 million followers, Versace also has strong engagement with 0.71%. The brands popularity is also shown through its sales with over £1 billion in revenue in 2022. ?Popularity score: 14.32   7 – Michael Kors Michael Kors is a renowned American fashion designer who has made a significant impact on the global fashion industry. Known for his luxurious and sophisticated designs, Kors has built a brand that exudes timeless elegance and modern style. Michael Kors is searched 2.8 million times every month and has over 9.8 million monthly website visits, while the brand’s revenue also exceeded £3 billion in 2022 establishing itself as a top 10 global brand. Popularity score: 13.83   8 – Ralph Lauren Born in 1939, Lauren founded his eponymous brand, Ralph Lauren Corporation, in 1967. Ralph Lauren's designs often blend classic elegance with a touch of American heritage, showcasing his love for timeless aesthetics and the pursuit of luxury. Ralph Lauren receives 10 million monthly visitors to its website and the brand made over £4 billion in 2022. Popularity score: 12.85   9 – Prada Prada was established in 1913 by Mario Prada, and the company initially focused on producing leather goods and accessories. However, it has since expanded its offerings to include clothing, footwear, eyewear, and fragrances. Prada gets 2 million searches and 5.6 million website visits every month, and boasts a big online following of 32 million and in 2022 made 2.9 billion in revenue. Popularity score: 12.67  10 – Coach With a rich heritage dating back to 1941, Coach has become a symbol of American luxury and style. The brand offers a wide range of products, including handbags, accessories, footwear, and ready-to-wear clothing. Coach gets 9 million website visits every month and made over 5 billion in revenue in 2022 making them a global powerhouse of luxury fashion. ?Popularity score: 12.29   A spokesperson from Ubuy.com commented: “The popularity of luxury fashion stems from a combination of factors that make it highly desirable. It represents exclusivity and craftsmanship, offering meticulously designed and impeccably crafted garments and accessories. The allure of luxury brands lies in their rich heritage, timeless elegance, and association with status and prestige.  Celebrities, influencers, and high-profile individuals often showcase luxury fashion, creating a desire for consumers to emulate their style and sophistication. Furthermore, the rise of social media has significantly contributed to the popularity of luxury fashion, as it allows brands to reach a global audience and create a sense of aspiration among fashion-conscious consumers.” 

Ethara, a company based in the UAE specializing in event management, and Oak View Group (OVG), a US-based arena developer, have unveiled a collaborative endeavor. This partnership marks OVG's expansion into the Middle East and aims to revolutionize the live entertainment and hospitality industries within the region.This announcement comes on the heels of OVG's acquisition of Rhubarb Hospitality Collection (RHC), a prominent British venue caterer. The joint venture will involve close cooperation between RHC and Ethara, with the objective of enhancing the fan experience by providing top-notch food, beverage, and hospitality services at live entertainment venues throughout the Middle East, including the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.Ethara is renowned for organizing events such as the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yasalam After-Race Concerts, and managing various venues in the UAE, including the Etihad Arena, Etihad Park, Yas Marina Circuit, and Yas Conference Centre.Meanwhile, OVG currently operates nine major arenas in North America and Europe, with some already open and others in development under its OVG 360 brand. This brand oversees the company's venue management operations, serving over 300 arenas, stadiums, and convention centers worldwide.The live events industry in the Middle East and Africa is poised for substantial growth, with projections indicating it could reach $76.67 billion by 2028. This growth is expected to be driven by a estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% from 2021 to 2028, as reported by Research and Markets.

Kantar, the world's leading marketing insights and analytics company, today released the fifth annual Who Cares? Who Does? study, the largest, global sustainability survey, involving more than 112,000 shoppers, which connects consumers' sustainability attitudes and actions to in-depth shopping behaviour data across all FMCG categories, revealing how brands need to evolve to tap into the ~$500 billion annual sustainable shopping spend.  Who Cares? Who Does? identifies that the ‘Eco-actives’ segment, made up of the most eco-conscious consumers, has rebounded from its 2022 cost of living crisis-related decline. In 2023, sustainability-conscious shopper segment rebounded to represent 22% of shoppers, compared with 18% in 2022 and 22% in 2021. These consumers spend almost $500 billion in the FMCG market each year, with this projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027. That said, 43% of overall respondents say that financial constraints are making it harder for them to act sustainably. This suggests that brands that invest in making sustainable choices affordable will be able to reverse the shift to own label products – a major coping strategy during the cost of living crisis. Currently, sustainably marketed products cost 70% more than the category average price. Tactics that will secure these returning consumers include using non-plastic packaging, locally-sourced and natural ingredients, increasing refill and recycling options, and adopting fairtrade practices.Global Eco-Actives household population share projection Eco-conscious behaviour is now mainstreamWhen it comes to their own behaviour, Who Cares? Who Does? finds that three quarters of people (74%) now bring their own bags when shopping (+3% since 2019), including almost half of people using fabric bags (+12%). Almost two-thirds of consumers now use refillable bottles, while the use of "to-go cups" is closing in on majority status – now at 42% (+6%). “Consumer habits have changed significantly over recent years. It is clear that retailers and brands can shape habits by offering sustainable options and incentives, while governments are increasingly seen as responsible for addressing environmental issues at a systemic level. By aligning actions with eco-conscious consumers' changing needs and desires, brands can win back shoppers who are switching en-masse to white-label goods and contribute to a more sustainable future.” comments study author, Natalie Babbage. ?The price of progress: balancing living costs and environmental valuesThe study also reveals:• The cost-of-living crisis is inadvertently creating more sustainable behaviour in spaces like clothing, where cost is a major driver in the growth of second-hand clothes sales, while food waste is now a major concern for 24% of people globally. Consumers’ tactics to minimise food waste include proper food storage (80%), making meals with leftovers (70%), meal planning (64%), creating shopping lists (62%), and finding alternative uses for foods at risk of spoiling (55%).• Sustainability concepts remain poorly understood among consumers. Only 8% frequently choose carbon-neutral products, citing their own lack of understanding (24%) or availability of such products (27%). However, recyclable packaging is a fundamental expectation, with 72% frequently or occasionally choosing products with 100% recyclable packaging.• The perception that sustainable options are expensive remains the top barrier to sustainable choices, with 60.9% globally citing cost as a hindrance.  Natalie Babbage, Global LinkQ Solution Director, Worldpanel Division, Kantar, continued: “The reality in 2023, is that the media and public discourse play a significant role in driving sustainability engagement. Governments have power in shaping consumer behaviour, with actions that raise all boats, like banning specific products. And while consumers desire better products which have less environmental impact and waste, realistically sustainability is not the primary driver for most decisions at a time when budgets are tight. Brands should view sustainability investment as an avenue to gain trust, and to signify quality, health, and taste.” Download a copy of the Who Cares? Who Does? 2023 study and register to watch the webinar “Eco-insights 2023: what consumers (really) want” on demand at www.kantar.com.

Saudi Arabia is set to launch a new channel called 'Saudia Alaan' (Saudia Now) to coincide with the celebration of the 93rd National Day on September 23rd. Salman Al-Dosari, the Minister of Media and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA), made the announcement, stating that the channel will serve as the official platform for broadcasting all official events, entertainment activities, and programs in Saudi Arabia.The primary objective of 'Saudia Alaan' is to showcase the significant growth and rapid development occurring in the Kingdom, along with the extensive array of events being organized as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. These events encompass a wide range of local, regional, and international activities and conferences, spanning political, economic, educational, and entertainment domains.Al-Dosari emphasized the importance of the media in keeping pace with this development, highlighting that it serves as an indicator of the Kingdom's progress through the coverage of events, activities, occasions, and conferences. He also noted that media plays a crucial role in reflecting the national image and is aligned with Saudi Arabia's soft power approach to present itself to the global community. Al-Dosari described this initiative as a small part of the broader efforts undertaken by SBA to boost local content and achieve transformation goals.Mohammed Al-Harthi, CEO of SBA, confirmed that all preparations for the new channel's launch have been completed. He explained that 'Saudia Alaan' will focus on covering events, occasions, and activities within the Kingdom, aligning with SBA's mission to contribute to the development of all sectors and collaborate with partner entities. The channel will allocate dedicated time slots for live event coverage and integrate with social media platforms to reach a broader audience and foster public interaction.Al-Harthi also noted that SBA has formed partnerships with various organizations to enhance the channel's content and provide high-quality services. The decision to launch the channel comes in response to the growing demand for coverage of events, exhibitions, and conferences across the Kingdom, with a remarkable 367 percent increase in event licenses issued in 2022 compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the channel is expected to support the strategies of companies and institutions seeking to engage with a diverse segment of the Saudi public.

PRCA MENA, the leading Public Relations Communications Association of the Middle East and North Africa, organised the PRCA MENA Leaders Breakfast in partnership with Guinness World Records, hosted at the Guinness World Records office in Dubai.A special guest speaker at the Breakfast, Noha Hefny, the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Communications at UN Women, delivered an inspiring speech on women's empowerment and the essential steps for a company to foster gender equity.Following this, PRCA MENA members participated in a Guinness World Records attempt to achieve a historic feat by breaking the Guinness World Record title for "Most High and Low Fives in Relay in Three Minutes," with an impressive 160 high and low fives.The invite-only gathering provided a platform for influential PRCA MENA members to connect, share knowledge, and forge valuable partnerships.Monika Fourneaux, Head of EMEA, expressed her appreciation, saying, "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Noha Hefny for delivering a compelling presentation on women's empowerment and gender equity, sparking a meaningful dialogue among the participants. Congratulations to the PRCA MENA members who participated in the Guinness World Record attempt – you are now officially amazing!" Shaddy Gaad, Senior Marketing Manager at Guinness World Records, commented, "It was a pleasure for us to host the PRCA MENA Leaders Breakfast. We congratulate all participants and look forward to further cooperation.”PRCA MENA and Guinness World Records have been long-term partners, and their partnership continues to thrive.With another successful event, PRCA MENA continues to lead the way in the field of public relations and communications, bringing together PR professionals who are not only committed to excellence but also dedicated to making a positive impact on the industry and society.

Intigral, the media arm of stc Group and leader in digital entertainment in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, participated in the Digital Experience Show 2023, held on September 5-6 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Qurtuba, Riyadh.The event brought together global and regional industry leaders to provide valuable insights and practical solutions around the opportunities and challenges in leveraging digital experience. In-depth sessions on a wide range of topics were held, including pioneering digital experiences strategies, technology infrastructure support, and reimagining digital experiences to optimize business advantages, promote customer engagement, and boost retention rates.Intigral Director of Customer Ops & Customer Experience, Zahra Alsamurae, addressed the strengths of the company’s digital ecosystem during a panel titled ‘Deep Dive: Strengthening your digital experience management strategy through capability building’. “At Intigral, we leverage the digital revolution to complement it with the human sentiment to passionately craft a curated user experience.We focus on harnessing a customer-centric culture to deliver engaging solutions to our viewers in Saudi Arabia and the region. The foundation of our operations begins with leveraging innovation to pinpoint and address pressing pain points within the video streaming experience and optimize them throughout the customer journey. This is all within a strategy that prioritizes investments in user-friendly interfaces, AI-powered features, and responsive customer support, including deploying advanced recommendation algorithms and content assistant chatbots. Intigral seamlessly combines AI innovation and human expertise to provide customers with a streamlined, engaging, and immersive entertainment experience.”Under the theme "The Business of Digital Experience", the 2023 Digital Experience Show Middle East provided a platform for valuable networking opportunities, fostering connections and championing cutting-edge digital strategies that empower organizations to thrive in this rapidly evolving digital landscape.