Newly-formed holding group Emicom Media has acquired five separate UAE businesses as part of its bid to increase market presence and widen geographical reach for its brands.
Modelling agency Bareface, visual content provider arabianEye, photographic and film space The Studio, production house Alchemy and Magnet (the newly formed merger between Bareface Production and arabianEye Production) all now fall under the Emicom umbrella, with the board of directors populated by senior members of the five companies. Through arabianEye, Emicom will also represent Corbis exclusively in the MENA region.
Jesus Blanco has been named as Emicom CEO, Venetia Maunsell as chairman, Celia Peterson as client services director, and Nick Davidson as executive partner, with all playing a key role in developing and expanding each of the group’s brands.
“The launch of the group brings with it a powerful merge of resources, expertise and strong client relationships and enjoys the wealth of experience and successful track record of its member entities, some of which were amongst the very first companies of their kind in the region,” said Blanco.
Maunsell added: “Our clients not only need us to provide solutions that they need today, but also solutions that meet their requirements tomorrow. We are confident the new structure will help meet that rising demand for quality, flexibility and reliability, allowing us to provide newer and ever more exciting innovations.”
The creation of Magnet means Bareface, which previously operated under seven divisions, retains four divisions, namely the model agency, session stylists, cast and kids and entertainers. The production, photography and locations divisions have migrated to Magnet. Ishani Pawar, previously the head of the production division at Bareface, has been named general manager of Magnet. “Bringing the two largest stills production companies together is a combination of resources and expertise that will bring the extra value that our clients are always searching for. I am excited about our future potential in the UAE and further a field,” said Pawar.
Emicom was officially created in April this year.
