Arab Media Group

Arabian Radio Network launches new Farsi radio station 'Radio Shoma' in UAE

editor — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:45:29 -0700

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Arabian Radio Network (ARN) has added a new Farsi radio station to its seven stations, 'Radio Shoma' in the UAE. Broadcasting on 93.4 FM, Radio Shoma ('Your Radio') will also be available online via the internet. Transmitting for 24 hours each day, the new station will provide a wide range of entertainment and music shows.

ARN, a subsidiary of Arab Media Group, is the largest radio network in the UAE with eight dedicated Arabic, English, Hindi and Malayalam stations. The network also broadcasts a number of programmes targeted at the Filipino community and during the last six years broadcast a Farsi programme "Persian Wave" on Dubai Eye as part of its offering to listeners.

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Dubai Press Club hails Arab Media Forum

editor — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 03:27:01 -0700

The Dubai Press Club has honoured the organisers and sponsors of the Arab Media Forum 2011 in an event at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai. The special gathering honoured representatives of the event sponsors including Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), Emirates airline, Arab Media Group (AMG), Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), JiWin Public Relations, Elaph electronic newspaper and 50 local media students from various universities across the country who contributed as volunteers.

Held from May 17-18, the 10th edition of the Arab Media Forum attracted more than 2,800 participants, in addition to 23 others who attended the meetings through live transmission.

Saudi Arabia prime market for digital marketing

editor — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:50:30 -0800

In a recent survey conducted by the International Quality and Productivity Centre, 73% of 1,048 respondents have chosen Saudi Arabia as the country they are most likely to position their digital marketing focus for 2010-2011.

In a country of almost 30 million where 40% of the population are Arabic speaking digital natives - there has been a rapid increase in global media and consultancies competing to do business with local companies and brands in their native language.

The acquisition of Maktoob by Yahoo! in 2009 along with Google's recent announcement to launch its Buzz feature in Arabic predicts a robust and sustained future for the digital marketing industry in the region.

At the recent partnership launch between Facebook and Connect Ads it was revealed that 9.7 million people in the region are part of the social networking platform, providing a great opportunity for brands to actively engage directly with this as-yet untapped consumer base.

Click 4.0, a digital marketing conference being held in Dubai from June 20 to 24, 2010 commissioned this survey to gauge what marketers across all industries in the region felt about critical subjects like social media, integration of digital marketing into the traditional campaign mix and tackling transparency issues. The survey aims to provide an accurate reflection of the most pressing issues marketers face in order to help the developers of Click 4.0 feature the strategies and solutions needed to tackle them.

51% of respondents also mentioned that their biggest dilemma in the region was marketing in Arabic, with one marketer wondering how to 'create remarkable, relevant content... which sticks or resonates' with the target market.

Abdulla Al-Dabbagh, Marketing Manager of Yahoo! Middle East, Lead Sponsor for Click 4.0, says: "The Internet is a great tool for advertisers as it provides them with the tools to effectively engage with the region's online consumers through various sophisticated targeting capabilities and innovative engagement opportunities. There is a great potential in this market where the spending on online advertising is expected to grow by 35 - 40% this year in the region, according to Madar Research. Online is definitely the way forward and our region is on the right track!"

Joining Yahoo! Middle East as speakers are the region's digital leaders including Yousef Tuqan of Flip Media, Abdullatif Al Sayegh, former CEO of Arab Media Group, Alex McNabb of Spot On PR, Kapil Bhatia of HSBC Middle East Limited, Islam Zween of Logta.com and Reem Bishara of Burger King. International support for the event has come from all aspects of the digital marketing industry, including Digital Buzz - the world's number one digital marketing blog, Communicate Magazine, Mashable, eConsultancy, Zawya and Visibility Magazine.

Abullatif Al Sayegh, CEO of Arab Media Group, resigns

editor — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:44:56 -0800

Arabia Business reports that Abullatif Al Sayegh has stepped down as CEO of the Arab Media Group (AMG) after nine years with the company. “I am gone. This was on my own terms, with everyone’s approval, with everyone being happy. This is a company that I will be grateful to for the rest of my life. What an amazing opportunity I had – at this age to have all the knowledge that anyone would be dreaming (of having),” the 35-year-old said.

In October 2009, it was reported that Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) had taken control of daily newspapers Emirates Business and its Arabic equivalent Al Emarat Al Youm from AMG after a resolution from ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Previously, AMG controlled 20 brands spanning television, radio, print, digital, outdoor advertising, printing and events.

Dubai Media Inc. obtains ownership rights of government controlled media outlets

editor — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:06:23 -0700

Followed by Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum’s instructions, government controlled radio stations, newspapers and television will be brought under the umbrella of one holding company. The emailed statement specifies that all assets, rights, contracts and liabilities will be transferred from Arab Media Group to Dubai Media Inc.

Assets previously held under Dubai Holding's unit Arab Media Group, including the newspapers Emirates Business 24/7 and Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm, will now fall under the ownership of Dubai Media Incorporated.

Abdullatif Al Sayegh, chief executive of Arab Media Group, didn't answer phone calls.

Arab Media Group Launches 'Hala Ramadan' Website

editor — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:39:47 -0700

Arab Media Group, the largest media group in the UAE, today announced the launch of a website dedicated to the Holy Month of Ramadan as part of its cultural policy to provide key insights into Ramadan.

An English-only website, www.halaramadan.com aims to be a reference point for both Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as a charitable and social guide where Expatriate residents and visitors to the UAE can access detailed explanations on Islamic culture and tradition.

On the spiritual level, the website hosts readings from the Holy Quran, and prayers from renown muezzins. In addition, there is also a religious inquiry section answered by two Grand Sheikhs, Ali Meshael and Hassan Al Ebaid.

On a social level, the website will serve as a link between readers and the events happening in the UAE during the Holy Month. It also includes a segment where readers can post new ideas for Iftar meals as well as their own impressions of Ramadan.

The website additionally provides philanthropists with the names and numbers of charitable foundations for offering contributions to the needy during the Holy Month.

AMG's initiative to launch the website comes out of its philosophy to offer products and services that cater to the requirements of the UAE's diverse population.

AMG owns a wide array of media properties, including three television channels; eight radio stations under Arabian Radio Network (ARN); Awraq Publishing; Done Events, and Shoof Advertising. It also comprises Tawseel, an independent distribution company, and Masar, a printing house.

Arab Media Group and Al Nabooda Group sign AED 8 million deal

editor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:36:42 -0700

Arab Media Group, the largest media group in the UAE, today announced it has signed a strategic agreement with the Al Naboodah Group aimed at a mutually beneficial exchange of services valued at over AED8 million.

The agreement was signed by Abdullatif Al Sayegh, CEO, Arab Media Group, and Saif Ali Nabooda, General Manager, Al Nabooda Automobiles LLC (Audi Middle East), in Dubai.

Abdullatif Al Sayegh said: "The deal highlights the role of media and its partnership with the private sector to offer niche services to specific market segments. We look forward to cementing further strategic agreements with the Al Nabooda Group, one of the strongest business houses in the region."

Ali Al Nabooda said: "We are very proud of our partnership with the Arab Media Group, one of the pioneering media organizations in the region. This partnership comes in line with our strategy to maintain the company's leadership position and maximize growth levels in the coming years."

BizXchange lead and facilitated the agreement between Arab Media Group and Al Naboodah Group.

Arab Media Group Supports Dubai Autism Centre's Third Annual Autism Awareness Campaign

editor — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:56:18 -0700

Arab Media Group (AMG), the largest media organisation in the UAE, today announced its support of Dubai Autism Center's third annual April Autism Month initiative through promoting the education and outreach campaign across its spectrum of print and radio entities.

Titled 'Together Again', the month-long campaign is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Dubai Autism Centre.

The campaign is particularly dedicated to raising awareness about parents of children with autism, their trauma and the grief they experience on a daily basis.

During the month of April, AMG will run print advertisements for Dubai Autism Center through its newspapers Al Bayan, Emarat Al Youm and Business 24-7. The group will also air the campaign's key messages through leveraging the reach of its Arabian Radio Network (ARN), the region's fastest growing radio network and communications service that broadcasts across eight frequencies.

Mohammed Al Mulla, Executive Director, Arab Media Group said: "We are thrilled to support Dubai Autism Center's annual campaign that seeks to touch an emotional chord in people through raising awareness on the syndrome, even while highlighting the challenges faced by parents of autistic children.

"As an organization that prioritises people at the core of all that we deliver, we believe our media arms will help the campaign reach a large number of people and create a better understanding of autism and the implications associated with it."

Founded in 2005, AMG owns a wide array of media properties, including Awraq Publishing, Done Events, and Shoof Advertising. It also comprises Tawseel, an independent distribution company, and Masar, a printing house.

The ARN bouquet comprises Al Arabiya, Al Khaleejiya, and Noor Dubai in Arabic; Virgin Radio, Dubai Eye, and Dubai 92 in English, and City 101.6, and HIT96.7 in the South Asian languages of Hindi and Malayalam respectively.

Noor Dubai TV, Nickelodeon, MTV Arabia are the three television platforms under the Arab Media Group umbrella.

Arab Media Group (AMG) and Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) to collaborate

editor — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:53:16 -0700

Arab Media Group (AMG) and Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) will meet this week to discuss different aspects of collaboration.

"We are two of the most aggressive and expanding media firms and therefore, we only complement each other to become the largest media group in the region," said Abdullatif Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer, AMG, explaining the possibility of the collaboration between the two media groups.

Talks on the issue have been going on for long and now they are moving to a decisive stage with formal discussions to take place this week.

"We have been very alert under the circumstances and are eager to take this opportunity to tie up with suitable partners and engage in positive alliances," said Al Sayegh.

"The co-operation could be more of a strategic and commercial nature and will benefit both the establishments to strengthen their hold in the market by uniting their resources and efforts," he said.

"The details will be finalised depending on the outcome of our discussions with ADMC," said Al Sayegh.

The largest media organisation in the UAE, AMG's business interests include eight radio stations, three newspapers, television, online, distribution, printing, events management and outdoor advertising.

AMG announces Noor Dubai TV to go on the air the first day of Ramadan

editor — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:24:44 -0700

Emirates Business 24/7 reports that Noor Dubai TV channel, owned by Arab Media Group (AMG) is to go on air from first day of Ramadan. It's a new free-to-air television channel broadcasting locally-based programming and is a logical progression of the popular Noor Radio station.

The channel aims to embody the social and cultural values of the UAE, uniting all nationalities in positive and constructive discussions on current social, environmental, religious and humanitarian themes.

Abdullatif Al Sayegh, CEO of Arab Media Group, said: "Noor Dubai brings with it a different take on community programming and on television itself."

Arabian Television Network General Manager Maryam Al Falasi concurred: "The channel is a slice of UAE life as it is really led in harmony with our profound values that bring light - or Noor - to life, allowing us to be progressive while remaining rooted in tradition, family and togetherness. We have launched Noor Dubai for the betterment of the UAE society as AMG continues to grow at an exponential rate each year."

Nahla Al Fahad, Head of Radio Television Projects, commented: "Noor Dubai has always been a popular radio station that clearly speaks to the residents of UAE, both nationals and non-nationals alike, and reflects their thoughts and concerns. We wanted to expand the base of the Noor phenomenon by bringing it to television, to give the special Noor 'feel' a face and a visual identity."

Programming will range from talk shows and documentaries to programmes like Marmas Al-Noor, which will run daily from Sunday to Thursday from 10 pm to 11 pm and will discuss issues related to the UAE community. The aim of the programme is to bring the viewers closer to solutions.

Leish! Maa Um Khalid will be hosted by Um Khalid, a senior Emirati woman, and her young co-host Mona Khalil. Weekdays from 9 pm to 10 pm, the two women will present fresh and often divergent advice to callers who seek their wisdom on matters relating to child-rearing, marriage and education. Each Saturday from 9 pm, a special episode will showcase the highlights of the week. The 'old' and the 'new' facets of Dubai weigh in on real-life issues, highlighting the continuity and change between generations in this rapidly-evolving society.

Noor Dubai will be available on Arabsat Badr 4, Frequency 12169 Mhz.