Media Business | mediaME

Facebook ads growing at faster pace than search marketing

Tue, 2012-02-07 07:54 - By

Advertising Business, Advertising News, Analysis, Digital Media, Media Business, Report, Research, Media, budgets, Facebook, Facebook Ads, MediaPost, Search Marketing

According to Kenshoo Social, budgets for advertising on Facebook continue to grow at a faster rate than paid search. Analysis of more than 100 billion ads served on Facebook worldwide through Kenshoo Social found digital marketing agency's clients spent 109% more on Facebook in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the prior quarter.

However, researchers are left wondering whether budgets for Facebook are growing faster because companies want to join the social media trend, or whether marketers have actually figured out how to calculate ROI from Facebook campaigns.

Promotions reshape Omnicom Media Group’s investment management structure

Mon, 2012-02-06 11:39 - By

editor

Announcement, Media Business, Media, Chadi Farhat, Elie Khouri, investment management structure, Karim Koraytem, Omnicom Media Group, Promotions, Wissam Najjar, Ziad Chalhoub

Omnicom Media Group MENA, the holding of communications planning networks OMD and PHD, has named its new Regional Executive Director-Investments. Chadi Farhat, currently the General Manager of OMD’s office in Beirut, is taking over from Karim Koraytem.

Viacom profits drop 65% due to weak ad sales

Mon, 2012-02-06 11:08 - By

editor

Advertising Business, Advertising News, Announcement, Media Business, Media, profit drops, The Los Angeles Times, Viacom, weak ad sales

Viacom's profits plummeted 65% in the fourth quarter due to lower advertising sales at its cable television networks. The media company depends almost entirely on its cable channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, VH1 and Comedy Central, for its income.

A second blow to Viacom's earnings came from a $383-million payment to former shareholders of Harmonix Music Systems, the company behind the Rock Band video game franchise. Viacom has had a long-running legal dispute with the company after a failed attempt to get into the video game business.

Arab Spring opens opportunities for digital entrepreneurs across the Middle East: ArabNet

Sun, 2012-02-05 08:47 - By

editor

Digital Media, Events, Media Business, Electronics & Technology, Media, Arab Spring, Arabnet, digital entrepreneurs, Omar Christidis, opportunities, The Arabnet Digital Summit 2012

With a rise in entrepreneurialism across the Middle East in full swing, 2012 is expected to see unprecedented growth in start-ups in the region, according to Arabnet Founder Omar Christidis. Following hard on the heels of the ‘Arab Spring’, many young people across the region have decided to take the leap and start their own ventures. The Arabnet Digital Summit 2012, to take place between 27-21 March, is the premier regional conference for the emerging Arab web/mobile industry.

Facebook sets target of $5 billion for IPO

Thu, 2012-02-02 08:02 - By

editor

Announcement, Digital Media, Media Business, Media, AFP, Facebook, Facebook IPO, Google, International Financing Review, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal

Facebook will set a target of raising $5 billion in papers to be filed on Wednesday for an initial public offering. The New York Times and International Financing Review said $5 billion is only a preliminary target, and the final size could be larger. Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook would seek to raise $10 billion at a valuation of $75 billion to $100 billion. At $5 billion, it would be the largest IPO ever by an Internet company, topping Google's in 2004 which raised $1.9 billion and valued the company at $23 billion.

Saleh Al Abdooli named CEO of Etisalat

Thu, 2012-02-02 07:44 - By

editor

Announcement, Media Business, Media, CEO of Etisalat, Etisalat, Etisalat Misr, Saeed Al Hamli, Saleh Al Abdooli

UAE telecoms operator Etisalat named Saleh Al Abdooli as chief executive of its domestic operations on Wednesday. Abdooli was formerly CEO of Etisalat Misr, but has now replaced acting CEO Nasser bin Obood. As a result of the management reshuffle, Etisalat appointed Saeed Al Hamli as CEO of Egyptian unit Etisalat Misr.

Abu Dhabi Media and Entertainment Network India join forces to launch Radio Mirchi

Wed, 2012-02-01 11:48 - By

editor

Announcement, Broadcasting News, Media Business, Product Launch, Media, Abu Dhabi Media, Entertainment Network India, launch, Malcolm Wall, Prashant Panday, Radio Mirchi, Rani Mukherjee, The Times of India Group

Abu Dhabi Media and Entertainment Network (India) Limited, a subsidiary of The Times of India Group, have spiced up the airwaves in the Emirates with the launch of India's largest FM brand, Radio Mirchi.

Publicis Groupe acquires Flip Media, a leading Middle Eastern digital agency

Wed, 2012-02-01 08:30 - By

editor

Announcement, Digital Media, Media Business, Media, acquisition of Flip Media, Dinesh Lalvani, Flip Media, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Martin Diessner, Publicis Groupe, Raja Trad, Tom Bernardin, Yousef Tuqan

Publicis Groupe announced today its acquisition of Flip Media, a leading digital agency in the Middle East. The agency will be folded into Leo Burnett Worldwide and will retain its name.Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Dubai (UAE), Flip Media has more than 100 employees across the Middle East and India, and has worked with some of the region's most well-known brands. The agency provides end-to-end digital solutions, including strategy, design and production, content and delivery, and technology across all platforms. In the years since its inception, Flip has been recognized across the region for its award-winning creative and pioneering technology. Its founders, Martin Diessner and Dinesh Lalvani, will continue to be involved as non-executive directors with Flip and Yousef Tuqan will remain CEO reporting into Leo Burnett’s Middle East North Africa CEO, Raja Trad.

Publicis Groupe acquires Flip Media, a leading Middle Eastern digital agency

Wed, 2012-02-01 08:22 - By

editor

Announcement, Media Business, Media, Dubai, Flip Media, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Publicis Groupe, Publicis Groupe acquires, Tom Bernardin

Publicis Groupe has announced its acquisition of Flip Media, a leading digital agency in the Middle East. The agency will be folded into Leo Burnett Worldwide, and will retain its name. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Dubai, Flip Media has more than 100 employees across the Middle East and India and has worked with some of the region's most well-known brands. The agency provides end-to-end digital solutions, including strategy, design and production, content and delivery, and technology across all platforms.

“Flip Media is a strategic and cultural fit for our company, and we believe its service offering of digital strategy, design, production and content delivery will be a perfect complement to the incredibly strong digital presence we have built across the region,” said Tom Bernardin, CEO of Leo Burnett Worldwide.

Most shared stories in January 2012

Tue, 2012-01-31 12:37 - By

editor

Every month, hundreds of news stories and headlines are shared by mediaME users across social media platforms. January 2012 was a particularly active month. The mediaME editor has picked the most shared stories, which provide a summarized look-back at the month.

The most shared news and stories on mediaME.com in January: