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.

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, 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 (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.

Steve Smith and Abdullatif Al Sayegh, CEO of Arab Media Group (AMG)

In his new role, Steve Smith is mandated to continue the growth of the network, develop programming and revenue for ARN's existing nine stations, and chart a course for further expansion.

Smith's extensive senior management experience in the Australian radio and entertainment industry spans over 15 years, and includes five years as General Manager of the Melbourne-based Australian Radio Network, where he achieved record ratings and revenue results.

Mahmoud Al Rasheed, ARN General Manager, said Smith's appointment is strategically timed to capitalize on ARN's remarkable growth trajectory.

He said: 'Over the past year, we successfully launched two stations - Virgin Dubai and Pulse 95.3. With more than 50 per cent of the region's population in the youth category and a unique multi-ethnic demography, we believe there exists tremendous market potential for diverse premium content.

'Steve Smith brings with him his rich experience in a mature market such as Australia. His business acumen and keen understanding of the demands of varying target audiences make him the right choice to help ARN set the pace for FM radio both regionally and internationally.'

Smith said: 'It is a privilege to be part of a fast expanding entity such as ARN, which boasts some of the region's most popular radio stations in one of the world's most dynamic media markets. AMG has shown a firm determination to set 'best practices' in Middle East broadcasting, and when this opportunity came my way I was immediately attracted by the group's commitment and passion for raising the standards of entertainment across the region.'