in brief

> Omnicom Media Group-owned agency PHD has opened office in the Lebanese capital to respond to growing client requests. In order to manage these clients’ interests in Lebanon and the Levant region, Maroun Hassoun has been appointed as general manager. Hassoun who previously served as investment director for the Levant region at MCN, will report to Elda Choucair, CEO of PHD MENA, and lead his team from an office located in Beirut’s Mar Mikhael district.

> Dubai-based communications agency, O2, has appointed Sami Eid as chief executive officer. The announcement marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the company, which is celebrating its 11 anniversary.

> its. Communications has integrated new departments to the agency in order to consolidate its offerings. The new departments that have been added are: Public Relations department managed by Raya Haidar, a digital services department managed by

Christelle Abdullah, and an Event Marketing department in collaboration with event specialists Ezzat Kraytem. The company also established its. Sports by merging with Proteam, an agency that has been organising sports events in Lebanon and abroad for 20 years.

> Uk-headquartered creative and technology agency Omobono has expanded into the Middle East. The expansion includes the opening of an office in Dubai headed up by managing director Hadley Newman. Omobono launches in the region with a client roster that includes DMCC and Sadara. Omobono has offices in London, Cambridge, Chicago and now Dubai.

> Cicero & Bernay (C&B) continues to enhance its strong MENA region network capabilities through the sealing of a new affiliation with Kuwait-based PR agency Local Flavor. This agreement follows a number of 2016 announcements of new alliances for C&B, with the agency expanding its reach to Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.