Mango Jam Studios, an established audio post-production house in the Middle East, has entered into a strategic partnership with The SMC Group to expand access to international music, artists, celebrity talent and entertainment rights for brands, agencies and creative teams across the region.

Established in 2012, Mango Jam Studios has built a strong presence within the region’s advertising and creative landscape, delivering award-winning work for brands including Coca-Cola, Colgate, Mobily, P&G, IKEA and e&. Its core expertise spans bespoke music composition, voice recording, brand sonic development and sound design, alongside music licensing and artist collaborations for brand communication projects.

The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Mango Jam and The SMC Group, bringing together Mango Jam’s understanding of the Middle Eastern advertising and creative landscape with The SMC Group’s international network across music licensing, entertainment rights, artists and celebrity talent.

For brands and agencies, the collaboration provides a more direct and efficient route to global entertainment opportunities, from internationally recognised music and artists to celebrity talent, image and likeness rights and bespoke entertainment partnerships.

“The Middle East has a fast-moving advertising industry, and our clients increasingly want access to talent and music that can help them create stronger connections with their audiences,” said Wilbur D’Costa, Executive Producer, Mango Jam Studios. “The SMC Group’s reach and understanding of the international entertainment industry makes them an ideal collaborator for us. By bringing their global network together with our regional relationships and creative expertise, we can offer our clients a much wider range of solutions while continuing to understand the cultural and creative nuances of the market.”

The SMC Group, which has operated internationally since 1999, brings experience across celebrity procurement, artist partnerships, music licensing, image and likeness rights and entertainment-led brand campaigns. Through the partnership, its global infrastructure becomes more accessible to agencies, production companies and brands operating across the Middle East.

“For us, this partnership is about making our existing global access significantly more available to the Middle East,” said Maurice Hamilton, Global CEO, The SMC Group. “Mango Jam understands the region, its creative landscape and the way agencies and brands operate. We bring the international layer, including access to global music, artists, celebrities and entertainment rights. Together, we can create a much more straightforward route for clients looking to access the global entertainment industry.”

The partnership will enable clients to approach a broader range of entertainment briefs through a streamlined process, with support across music licensing, artist and celebrity procurement, usage rights, territories, platforms, duration and commercial terms.

Mango Jam’s regional client relationships and creative capabilities, combined with The SMC Group’s international talent and rights network, will also enable campaigns to extend beyond geographical boundaries while remaining grounded in the needs of the Middle Eastern market.

“Our ambition is to build a collaboration that is known for being thoughtful about both client and artist needs, while working efficiently within time and budget considerations,” added D’Costa. “Over time, we want to become a go-to partner for brands and agencies when it comes to artist and celebrity management for brand communication.”

Hamilton added: “When an agency or brand in the Middle East thinks about music licensing, celebrity talent, artists or entertainment rights, we want The SMC Group and Mango Jam to be among the first calls they make. Together, we are building a single access point connecting brands and agencies in the region with global music, talent and entertainment opportunities.”

The partnership marks a step towards making global music, talent and entertainment rights more accessible to the Middle Eastern advertising and creative industry, combining regional market knowledge with international access and rights expertise.

Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection has announced the appointment of Christophe Delabarre as Hotel Manager, strengthening the resort’s senior leadership team as it enters its next phase of growth.

With more than 20 years of international hospitality experience, Christophe has held key leadership positions with globally recognised brands including IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental and Disneyland Paris. His career spans Europe, Asia and the Middle East, bringing a broad international perspective shaped by diverse hospitality markets and operating environments.

Throughout his career, Christophe has built a strong track record in driving operational performance, developing successful restaurant and guest experience concepts, and building high-performing teams. His combination of international expertise and hands-on operational leadership will support the continued evolution of Al Habtoor Grand Resort.

In his new role, Christophe will oversee the resort’s day-to-day operations and strategic enhancements, with a focus on strengthening Rooms and Food & Beverage performance, identifying new revenue opportunities and further enhancing the guest journey. He will also play an important role in developing the resort’s talent and fostering a collaborative, performance-driven team culture.

Christophe brings a wealth of international experience and a strong understanding of what it takes to operate successfully across diverse hospitality markets,” said Khalid Saeed, General Manager, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection. “His operational expertise, commercial mindset and ability to inspire teams make him a valuable addition to our leadership. We are delighted to welcome Christophe and look forward to working together as we continue to strengthen the resort’s positioning and future growth.”

Commenting on his appointment, Christophe Delabarre, Hotel Manager, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, said: “I am delighted to join Al Habtoor Grand Resort and become part of such an experienced team. I look forward to building on the resort’s strong foundations, bringing fresh perspectives and inspiration gathered throughout my career. I am excited to contribute new ideas that enhance our operations, elevate the guest journey, and create memorable Autograph Moments that are unique to this destination. I look forward to working closely with the team, contributing to the resort’s ongoing development success.”

Recognising that exceptional hospitality begins with the people behind it, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection announces the appointment of Dragos Paraschiv as Director of Human Resources. His arrival marks a continued focus on building a workplace where talent is nurtured, individuals are empowered, and a strong team culture drives the guest experience.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Dragos has established his expertise in shaping Human Resources strategies within the international hospitality sector. His professional journey has centred on strengthening employee relations, developing future leaders and creating workplaces that balance individual growth with organisational success. He brings a people-focused leadership approach, supported by extensive experience in talent management, employee engagement and organisational transformation.

Having worked with some of the industry’s most recognised hospitality names, including Hilton, Emaar Hospitality Group, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton and Holiday Inn, Dragos brings a broad understanding of the people and cultures that shape successful hotel operations. His experience across these organisations has provided him with valuable insight into managing diverse teams, supporting professional development and creating meaningful connections between employees and the brands they represent.

Welcoming Dragos to the team, Khalid Saeed, General Manager, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, commented: “Behind every memorable guest experience is a team that feels motivated, supported and proud of what they do. That is the culture we are committed to building at Al Habtoor Grand Resort. Dragos understands the value of investing in people and brings the experience and perspective needed to take our Human Resources initiatives forward. We look forward to the positive impact his leadership will have on our associates and the wider resort.”

At Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Dragos will be responsible for shaping the resort’s Human Resources direction, from attracting and retaining talent to introducing initiatives that encourage professional growth and employee wellbeing. Working closely with the leadership team, he will focus on strengthening internal engagement, building a supportive and inclusive workplace, and ensuring that the resort’s people strategies evolve alongside its business ambitions.

Sharing his vision for the role, Dragos Paraschiv, Director of Human Resources, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, said: “For me, Human Resources is about much more than managing people. It is about understanding them, recognising their potential and giving them the opportunity to build fulfilling careers. I am pleased to join Al Habtoor Grand Resort and look forward to getting to know the team, listening to their perspectives and working together to create a workplace where everyone feels they have a part to play in our success.