The Emicom Media group of brands organzied another Creative Industry Night. Over 200 people from the creative industry showed up to The Studio to meet and mingle.

Speakers included artist James Clar, DOP Harvey Glen and Hair & Makeup Artist Dennie Pasion.

Washing Machine, a provocative, innovative, publication brought to life by the Emicom Media group of brands has officially launched. The magazine aims to cross boundaries and deliver the latest in creative talent from all across the Middle East.
Each and every single issue of Washing Machine will provide ‘fresh’ thoughts, stimulation and creativity to its readers.

The magazine has launched through a promo video created by Alchemy Films and has laready created a buzz across social media channels.

To watch the promo click here.

Interested in submitting your work and ideas for our next issue? Click here.

The first week of the series asks: “Is there enough humour in Dubai Advertising, and if not, why not?”

Click here to watch answers by Fouad Abdel Malak, Executive Creative Director of Impact BBDO, Peter Bidenko, Regional Executive Creative Director, Leo Burnett, Leopoal Al Ajami, Creative Director, AGA, Andy Richards, Senior Creative at Omnia, Carl Lundqvist, Art Director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Mansoor Bhatti, Creative Group Head at Lowe Mena, Martin Wright, Executive Creative Director at Euro RSCG, Graeme Stephenson, and Senior Designer at The Brand Union.

Make sure to check every week for new questions!

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.

Corbis Acquires Splash News to Lead the Market with Candid Celebrity Content

SEATTLE, WA and LOS ANGELES, CA (July 20, 2011) – Corbis Images (www.corbisimages.com), a leading visual media provider for the creative community, today announced its acquisition of Splash News for an undisclosed amount. The Los Angeles-based company provides candid celebrity photography and video content to the world’s premiere entertainment print, online and broadcast media outlets.

Since its founding in 1990, Splash News is recognized worldwide as a leading source for exclusive, breaking entertainment news and continues to experience explosive growth as consumer demand for candid celebrity content increases. Splash has more than 3.000 active photographers worldwide in entertainment hubs throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Splash’s market-leading offering of candid celebrity photography complements Corbis’ extensive collection of exclusive portraiture, red carpet and archival entertainment content. Corbis will now provide the industry’s most robust solution for outlets demanding a full selection of entertainment offerings.

“With the addition of Splash, Corbis will provide our customers the most comprehensive, unique and differentiated offering in the high-growth entertainment sector — from candid celebrity to high-end portraiture to motion,” said Gary Shenk, CEO of Corbis. “Splash photographers consistently capture the most significant celebrity stories around the globe, ahead of the competition. With Corbis’ global sales organization and web platform, we look forward to aggressively expanding the reach of this high-quality offering to our customers worldwide.”

“We are thrilled to join Corbis and will continue to do what we do best – deliver the authentic, breaking content that connects the media with its audience. We look forward to providing Corbis’ customers real-time entertainment content to support their business growth and providing our global network of photographers the ability to expand beyond their current reach through Corbis’ global footprint,” said Gary Morgan, CEO, Splash.

Splash images are regularly featured on top-rated entertainment outlets including; TMZ, the E! News Network and the New York Post. Additionally, the company has delivered some of the industry’s largest scoops and scandals including; Sandra Bullock’s first public appearance with her newly adopted son, the first images of Michael Jackson’s first child, Anna Nicole Smith’s death in 2007 and Tiger Woods’ mistress in 2009.

Dubai, UAE, June 1^st 2011, MAGNET, the region’s largest photographic production company launched today.

Industry leaders arabianEye and Bareface have combined their production divisions and have joined forces to become the largest photographic production company in the Middle East. The merger was completed over the last few months and the new company has been named Magnet Photo Production.

arabianEye and Corbis will continue to operate as the region’s leading global visual content provider combining middle eastern and international content for the Mena region.

Bareface, which previously operated under seven divisions will now retain four divisions namely the model agency, session stylists, cast & kids and entertainers. Best known as the number one source for models and talent, Bareface will now solely focus on representing the best, most diverse pool of talent in the region. The production, photography and locations divisions have migrated to the newly formed 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 .” — Ishani Pawar, GM, Magnet

The merger of the production divisions of arabianEye and Bareface creates a stronger business partner for the two companies’ collective existing and potential clients, allowing Magnet to offer an unparalleled breadth and depth of service, quality and capacity for accelerated innovation throughout the MENA region.

“This joining of forces creates not only the largest production facilitation company in the region but also a much stronger business entity with increased market presence and capacity for innovation. We are very excited and look forward to becoming one team.” — Celia Peterson, GM, arabianEye

With the merger of the Bareface and arabianEye production divisions, Magnet becomes the largest and most experienced production company with a structure that offers unprecedented reliability, quality and expertise across the region.

The resulting three companies from the merger; arabianEye, Bareface and Magnet are now all members of Emicom Media, a newly formed media group which currently owns two other companies Alchemy, a Dubai-based film and TV Production Company and The Studio, Dubai’s largest fully coved space.