IN BRIEF
> TBWA\RAAD ranks two globally in the Adforum Business Creative Report, which designated Nissan KSA’S #Shedrives and Nissan Middle East’s ‘Camel Power’ campaigns among the most creative in automotive category throughout 2018.
> J. Walter Thompson (JWT) PR Levant has rebranded as Hill+knowlton Strategies (H+K) Levant. The joining together of H+K, a leading global public relations and integrated communications agency, and JWT PR Levant, is set to create an exceptional talent base, enhanced client offer and stronger combined footprint in Lebanon. “We are thrilled to expand our reach in the Levant to better serve our clients’ regional needs,” said Bashar Alkadhi, H+K MENAT CEO. “As the first international PR company established in the Middle East, this partnership is a significant step in our journey to grow our already strong regional footprint.” As in the rest of the global network, H+K Levant will deliver purpose-driven, integrated client campaigns, leveraging human truths and insights to tell stories through an earned media lens.
> WPP is selling its 49% share in Richard Attias & Associates to the consulting firm’s founder Richard Attias. A spokesperson from RAA said that the two firms look forward to working together.
> Etisalat has received ‘The Most Valuable Portfolio Brand’ in MENA by Brand Finance as a recognition for the company’s impressive portfolio of brands becoming the first Middle East group to break the $10 billion barrier in terms of wider portfolio value. Etisalat boasts of a portfolio of brands such as Etisalat Misr, Mobily, Ufone, Maroc Telecom, PTCL and Etisalat Afghanistan. The company has also seen an eight percent growth since last year, resulting in becoming the first Middle Eastern brand to hold such a wide portfolio. For the second consecutive year, Etisalat also retained its position as the most valuable consumer brand in the Middle East and Africa.
> Facebook Announces It’s Merging Messenger, Whatsapp and Instagram. Facebook is planning on integrating the messaging services of Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. While all three apps will continue to work as stand-alone applications, the underlying messaging infrastructure will be integrated. For example, a Whatsapp user could message an Instagram user, which is something that is currently not possible. The integration effort will be completed by the end of 2019 or early 2020, according to reporting by the New York Times who interviewed four people familiar with the project.
> Outdoor media company Pikasso has acquired all Parapub’s assets. The agreement that was concluded between Antonio Vincenti, Chairman and CEO of Pikasso, and Tony Nassar, Chairman and CEO of Parapub, consists of two Walls on Nahr El Mott and Zalka, and six Large Format Rooftops, all of them located on the most trafficked highway of Greater Beirut from Nahr El Mott to Antelias. The addition of these eight prime locations will bring, thanks to their concentration on a stretch of highway of just 3.3 km, an added value to the collection of Pikasso Large Format Classic locations.