More than 490 delegates from the media, technology and investment sectors returned home from the inaugural three-day Abu Dhabi Media Summit today, hosted by the Abu Dhabi Media Company.

CEOs and Chairmen talked of successful private meetings, and a strong turn-out of delegates on the final day ensured some lively panel conversations on emerging markets and the new challenges for media marketing in the digital age. The presence of more than 120 media from local, regional and global publications ensured that the Summit received widespread coverage across the world.

The third and final day of the Abu Dhabi Media Summit focused on the emerging markets of the Middle East, India and China, as well as the challenge of marketing to consumers in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

In the final session of the Summit, entitled 'Middle East Rising', a panel of experts from the region debated the opportunities for the region.

Participants included Karim Sarkis, Executive Director of Broadcast at Abu Dhabi Media Company; Osman Sultan, Chief Executive Officer of du; Ali Al Ahmed, Chief Strategy Officer at Etisalat; Yousef Mugharbil, President Digital Media at Rotana Media Group, and; Sam Barnett, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of MBC.

Topics debated in the discussion included the importance of creating quality content in the Arab world and the growing demand for broadband across the region, which is set to change the face of consumer demand for media services.