Author Archive for Nick Cooper
Al Jazeera’s Wadah Khanfar steps down
Wadah Khanfar has resigned as director-general of Al Jazeera, the Doha-based pan-Arab satellite broadcaster. He leaves after eight years in the role, with him citing a “desire to move on” as a reason for his departure. In his resignation letter which has been published online by Foreign Policy, Khanfar says: “Upon my appointment, the Chairman [...]
Warning: this coffee is, erm, hot
Ramsey Naja is chief creative officer at JWT MENA For many political commentators, US policies post-9/11 have been mostly built on fear. It is only normal, in the aftermath of one of the most shocking events of our time, that people would develop an extra level of wariness and that politicians would latch onto it. [...]
Long live the mighty artisan!
Phil Lynagh is regional director at Tag:MENA I’m bored of celebrating creative directors and their game-changing ideas, so this column is a tribute to the people that take that big idea and then transform it into something resembling a commercial solution. Imagine the scene: “I’ve cracked the VW brief, Hamed, three kittens swinging from trapezes [...]
Abu Dhabi Media appoints new CEO
Malcolm Wall has been named the new CEO of Abu Dhabi Media following the departure of Ed Borgerding in February this year. Wall will take the helm of ADM effective from 1 September and his appointment will end Frank Mooty’s spell as caretaker CEO. Wall is the former chief executive for content of Virgin Media, [...]
UAE Young Lions 2011 competition open for entries
The 2011 edition of the UAE Young Lions competition is now open for entries. The annual competition is open to teams consisting of a copywriter and an art director, with the chance to win an all expenses paid, week-long trip to Cannes to represent the UAE at the prestigious Cannes Lions 58th International Festival of [...]
Burger King reviews regional ad brief
Fast food giant Burger King has called a review of its regional advertising account. A number of agencies have been invited to pitch, including the incumbent, Dubai-based Tonic Communications. It is not known which other agencies are involved. The Burger King brand in the Middle East and North Africa is managed by HANA International, a [...]
JWT and Leo Burnett retain STC account
JWT and Leo Burnett have retained Saudi Telecom’s advertising business following a review process that lasted the best part of a year. The agencies’ Saudi operations will oversee the accounts, with Leo Burnett’s remit covering corporate communications, home, enterprise and wholesale. JWT will handle the company’s mobile operations. The Saudi Telecom (STC) account had been [...]
Now, my friends, that is good advertising
Phil Lynagh is managing partner of LightBlue Rarely, and I mean rarely, is an ad produced that you wish you’d been part of. The recent ad for VW, yes the one with the little Darth Vader (above), is such a beast and to some extent has given my faith back in how effective great advertising [...]
FP7, OMD and Leo Burnett Beirut shine at Cristals
FP7/BAH, OMD and Leo Burnett Beirut were the main winners during the first night of awards at this year’s MENA Cristals in Lebanon. At the Intercontinental Mzaar last night, a total of 33 Cristals were awarded in the promo/direct, cyber, media and production categories. FP7/BAH walked off with a total of 11 Cristals – nine [...]
ADMC CEO Ed Borgerding to step down
The current CEO of Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) and Imagenation Abu Dhabi is to step down from both roles with immediate effect. The chief executive is leaving his post after three years to concentrate on independent projects. ADMC’s chief financial officer, Frank Mooty, has been appointed acting CEO of both the above entities while [...]
