The Nielsen Company in conjunction with Dubai Media City today revealed some of the largest companies in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region that have signed up to its Market Intelligence service.

The Maktoob group, Samardy (a Vodafone company), the ITP group, Propertyfinder and Orange are now using Market Intelligence - a service based on a precise site-centric measurement technology that provides competitive benchmarking and market-level information on Web sites for the publishing and advertising industries across the world.

Ahmed Nassef, Vice President Maktoob Group, said, "Using measurement technology from a globally recognised and trusted research provider like Nielsen gives advertisers greater confidence in the accuracy of our numbers and, consequently, drives greater levels of ad spend across our properties."

Diego Sempr?n, Senior Director Commercial Development EMEA, Online, for the Nielsen Company added, "The MENA region is benefitting from a tried, trusted and transparent technology that has helped develop the online advertising market around the world for both small domestic players and large international brands."

Semprun continued, "We are essentially aiming to create a unified advertising market, covering two continents and 13 countries, which will make the Arabic Internet an extremely attractive option for advertisers when it comes to spending their budgets. This is a big first for the region and the caliber of companies already signed up is testament to the huge potential that lies ahead."

Nielsen provides market-leading online audience measurement solutions worldwide.  Nielsen data is the official industry online currency in Australia, China, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and Switzerland as well as being the local currency of choice in Brazil, Japan and Taiwan. Market Intelligence also has strong industry-wide take up in Bulgaria, Greece and Sweden.

To help establish a currency in the Arabic market, and drive its online advertising industry, Nielsen will utilise its global partnership with the BPA who use Nielsen's technology to audit business publishers worldwide to improve the transparency and credibility of the online medium to advertisers.

"BPA chose to work with Nielsen, because like BPA, Nielsen is a globally recognized brand in the media industry. It has cutting edge, patented web measurement and reporting systems in place, and an installed base of media buyer users," said Glenn Hansen, CEO & President BPA Worldwide.

He adds, "The "BPA powered by Nielsen Online" solution offers website traffic metrics providing an industry standard that gives advertisers and media buyers an apples-to-apples comparison when making their marketing decisions. There are a number of web measurement tools available to media owners but this new solution will create a level playing field with a single set of standards - provided on a constant basis and performed by one analytics tool - that advertisers and agencies can trust as accurate. A single, standard web measuring system across BPA membership eliminates any guesswork on why data is different amongst competitive sites."

Mohammed Abdullah, Executive Director, Dubai Media City, said: "Our unique media-cluster environment at Dubai Media City is instrumental in supporting all kinds of media work at the regional level, through the creation of new standards and the application of global best practices, as well as the use of state-of- the-art techniques and mechanisms. As a regional destination that hosts global media organisations, Dubai Media City is confident that our business partner Nielsen's Market Intelligence Solution in the MENA region will effectively guide the publishing and advertising industries across the region to better understand prevailing market conditions and develop appropriate solutions."

The Nielsen Company is planning to enlarge its portfolio in the MENA region over the next two years with more global standards for the measurement of online media including AdRelevance, BuzzMetrics, Video Analytics, Campaign Analysis and NetEffect.

Piyush Mathur, Regional Managing Director MENAP, The Nielsen Company, adds, "We aim to bring relevant media and Internet services that exist in the Nielsen world to the MENA region, in order to demystify different forms of media consumption and their interplay. These services will help in making consumer targeting more precise, a key objective of marketers during this slowdown".

Dubai Media City (DMC), the region's leading media hub and a member of TECOM Investments, leveraged the recent 'Focus on Media and New Technology in the Arab World' conference in Italy to highlight its value added services, networking opportunities and business development benefits to global companies.

Held in Milan, the event was attended by Mohammed Abdullah, Executive Director of DMC; Abdullatif Al Sayyegh, CEO, Arab Media Group (AMG) and Mohammed Khawaja, Executive Director of Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship (Jordan).

Focusing on latest industry developments with the aim to encourage partnerships and dialogue on specific sectors, the conference also drew a high number of officials from the Milan Chamber of Commerce, as well as media professionals, journalists, and entrepreneurs.

Mohammad Abdullah, Executive Director, DMC, said: "Dubai shares a comfortable trade relationship with Italy, and this conference served as an ideal platform to highlight our value added services, exchange views and identify collaboration opportunities with industry majors. Through our presence at the event, we have successfully invited potential business partners to set up their operational base in Dubai.
 
"Our unique media-cluster environment is instrumental in supporting all kinds of media work at the
regional level, through the creation of new standards and the application of global best practices, as well as the use of sophisticated techniques and mechanisms."

The UAE-Italy bilateral trade has witnessed notable growth over the last five years with non-oil trade increasing by 28 per cent to reach US$4.914 billion, making Italy one of the biggest trade partners of the UAE.

TECOM Investments' media entities - Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone - provide a complete value chain of specialized offerings that have created an established community hub for the media and content creation industries in the region.
 

Bareface, Dubai's leading stills production house and agency representing photographers, models and locations has re-launched both its brand identity and website with added features and up-to-date information on the company's services and divisions.

The revamped website www.bareface.com reflects Bareface's growth in the industry and strong presence in the region. Easy to navigate and regularly updated, the website will also provide clients and partners with the latest information on the company and its activities.

Commenting on the new website, Venetia Maunsell, General Manager of Bareface, said:

'Bareface has managed to establish itself as the number one source for models, locations and photographers in the region. Today the company is comprised of seven key divisions with distinct identities representing models, photographers, production, entertainers, cast & kids, locations and session stylists, and much of our focus will be on expanding our business further. Our new website will be an effective medium to strengthen our client relations and reinforce the growth of the company over the past few years.'

The Bareface logo has also been updated as part of the new marketing drive the company is undertaking. Whilst the logo still retains its identity, the new style and colors give it a fresher, bolder and more streamlined look.

Bareface have also relocated to a new and larger office. They are now located in Dubai Media City at the Business Central Tower B, Office 3302. 'The move accommodates our recent growth and will enable us to provide better service to our clients,' said Venetia Maunsell.

Bareface is looking forward to further development and is also evaluating opportunities in the region's markets such as Abu Dhabi, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.
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During a lunch ceremony held at Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, Al Aan TV has announced officially the agreement signed with Pomo Media as Al Aan’s sole sales representative in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq.

Remarking on this collaboration, Zoya Sakr, Head of Sales and Marketing at Al Aan TV said “The decision of collaboration with Promo Media came as a part of our integrated strategy where we aim to be strongly presented in the Middle East advertising  and media markets”.

“The healthy growth in the region had contributed to strengthening the TV Channel’s position in the media industry as well as attracting well-established and leading companies to explore the opportunities of publicizing their brands and products through our unique infotainment channel that’s targeting Arab women and families”, Sakr added.The leading Dubai-based TV channel pointed out that the current boom in the region and the unprecedented high level of interest in the television as an effective tool of advertising has urged Al Aan TV and Promo Media to join efforts and experiences together. Promo Media will be solely representing Al Aan TV as sales and marketing representative in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq. This collaboration is expected to widen Al Aan's futuristic advertising plans and to generate a strong advertising and marketing foundation for Al Aan in the Middle East area.

Awareness levels of the channel have increased remarkably in the region since its establishment in 2006. Imad Jomaa, Chairman of Promo Media said “viewers showed a markedly high preference for Al Aan TV content while offering original programming presented in an innovative infotainment format. We are confident of representing the channel as this will lead certainly to a mutual success”.

Al Aan's content is based on constant research to identify and respond to the changing desires of the regional audience. Al Aan produces all of its programs specifically tailored for its viewers. The unique infotainment format is a first for the region. It means the viewer can benefit from the daily contact with the channel, and that the viewing experience is a pleasurable one.

“Ipsos's recent study showed that the viewership of the channel has increased 80% from the last year. This grants us a strong vote of confidence in our growing profile as the premier source of infotainment TV content” Sakr added, “This important factor has also helped Al Aan TV to evolve as the ultimate media and marketing vehicle for both advertisers and viewers”. The ceremony was attended by high profiled businessmen, marketing and advertising professionals, famous media figures, Al Aan’s presenters and directors in addition to Promo Media directors.

Al Aan TV is a pan-Arab satellite broadcaster based in the state-of-the art communications hub in Dubai Media City available on Arabsat or Nilesat. Al Aan offers programs specifically designed to address the needs and aspirations of a young, dynamic and modern family audience. Al Aan's female tonality is a solid reflection of the central and decisive role of the Arab women in the family.

Dubai Properties, has assigned creative agency group, Thinkscape, to design the interactive marketing media for Mudon, a property development covering an area of 73 million sq ft valued at $21bn.

Mudon, meaning 'cities' in Arabic, is among Dubai Properties' largest developments to date. Recreating five major Arab cities - Baghdad, Beirut, Damascus, Cairo, and Marrakesh - Mudon will be a 'cities-within-a-city' development.

The architecture of each of the cities will resemble its real-life counterpart, providing 50,000 residents with an authentic living experience and a modern and luxurious lifestyle.

'Thinkscape continues to improve its capacity to provide creative digital design that is at once sleek, cutting edge and above all, effective for Dubai Properties to market its products. Mudon is our latest task, following the previous success with the creation of interactive media kit for Dubai Properties global marketing, as well as its Bay Square project,' said Thinkscape group managing director, John Jong.

Dubai Properties is a leading master developer in the United Arab Emirates and a regional player. It was formed from the core group that sparked off the latest phase of mega developments in Dubai, including Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City.

Thinkscape is an international group headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It also has a regional setup in Dubai near the World Trade Centre district.

Described by UK's Web Designer magazine as an ideas-rich yet unpretentious creator of 'some of the best digital communication out there', the digital and creative communications agency is conferred MSC- (multimedia super corridor) Status recognition by the Malaysian government, and is an associate member of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents (4As).

Its unique one-stop integrated portfolio of creative services includes brand planning, 3D animation, exhibition and retail design, experiential digital media, architecture rendering, advertising, identity and collateral design, brand strategic planning, web and interactive new media.

Venture Communications, a leading independent full-service communications agency based out of the Boutique Offices in Dubai Media City, celebrated its 3^rd year with the recent appointment three client servicing professionals.
 
Chief Executive Officer Gabby Bechara Chamat expressed his satisfaction over the growth of the agency in the past three years, starting from 10 staff to more than 30 staff, covering all communications disciplines. The agency provides media buying, branding, creative, production, and PR services, including event management such as festivals.
 
Chamat announced the appointment of Ellen Samano as Client Services Director, Bernie-Lou D’Souza as Account Manager, and Lisa Anderson as Account Executive.
 
Samano has 16 years of agency work involving business management, brand planning, consumer insights, and client management. Before joining Venture Communications, Samano held the position of Business Unit Director at Publicis-Manila, Inc. where she was the overall lead person responsible for the strategic directions for the brands handled and was also in charge of business development as well as client servicing.
 
D’Souza has over two years of experience with Fortune Promoseven of McCann WorldGroup in Dubai. She has been involved in strategic marketing planning, project management, advertising, direct marketing, branding, and event management.
 
Anderson has a Media and Advertising degree from the UK and has over two years of experience with administration work. She has provided support to the sales executives of the advertising department of Condé Nast Publications while in the UK.
 
Chamat also announced the appointment of Art Los Banos as Senior PR Manager. Los Banos has more than 10 years of PR experience. He was formerly connected with regional PR agencies Trans-Arabian Creative Communications and Asda’a. Los Banos started his career in the Philippines as a journalist and political analyst. He held the position of Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager at United Laboratories, the biggest pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, before relocating to Dubai in 2001.
 
Commenting on the recent appointments, Chamat said: “We are delighted to have attracted qualified, talented and experienced professionals. We are therefore looking forward to the continued growth of the company in all communications disciplines.”  

The latest advances in measuring and optimizing online marketing and the advantages of implementing such strategies in a competitive marketplace were discussed at a seminar on Search Engine Marketing hosted by Dubai Media City, a member of TECOM Investments.

The two-hour interactive workshop was organised in association with WSI Internet Consulting, a leading provider of internet solutions to businesses worldwide.

The event witnessed the participation of 95 regional marketing professionals, representing advertising and PR agencies, media buyers and other professional organizations, keen to optimize the online presence of their companies and clients.

Mohamed Almulla, Executive Director, Dubai Media City, said: ‘The seminar is in line with our objective to offer a suitable platform for corporate leaders based in the UAE and the wider GCC market to benefit from latest technological trends. We are confident this event will further reinforce Dubai Media City’s mission of launching initiatives that are geared towards nurturing the region’s knowledge economy.’

Husam Jandal, Internet Business Consultant, WSI Internet Consulting, said: ‘With the highest growth rate of Internet users in the world, the Middle East represents a vast opportunity for the business community to promote their products and services online.

‘With more than 90% of all traffic generated on the Internet coming from search engines, it is important for the local business community to identify various ways of utilizing these Internet tools to achieve the desired visibility for their businesses.’

He added a majority of the regional companies are yet to realize the immense benefits that could accrue through the use of the Internet, which can be tapped for generating fruitful business leads and for building brand recognition.

He added: ‘There is a huge gap between demand for information and the supply of relevant content in the business arena. There are people who are desperately looking for certain products and services but unable to find relevant links because business offerings are not available online, or at least not visible on search engines. As an essential marketing tool for businesses, search engine marketing has become one of the world’s most preferred marketing strategies due to its flexibility, accessibility, accuracy, and cost effectiveness.’

Focusing on the details of regional internet usage, experts who led the seminar found Yahoo, Google and MSN as the most preferred search engines, a trend akin to the Western world. However, recently launched language specific search engines such as ‘Araby’ have become increasingly popular among Internet users in the Arab world, the seminar highlighted.

The workshop also underlined the findings of market studies that the Internet is the best vehicle for addressing the youth segment as a key target audience with more than 65 per cent preferring the Internet as their main source of information, according to a recent study by Maktoob Research, another regional internet market research company.

His Excellency Ahmad bin Byat, Executive Chairman of TECOM Investments, today announced that TECOM Investments, a member of Dubai Holding, has restructured its expansive portfolio which includes the appointment of Abdullatif AlMulla as TECOM Investments Group CEO.

Abdullatif AlMulla, in turn, has mandated the creation of a new division, TECOM Business Parks as an umbrella organisation incorporating TECOM’s free zone clusters.

Overseeing the various companies under TECOM Investments, Abdullatif AlMulla will steer the growth strategies of Media Services Group (MSG), eHosting Datafort, Empower, EIT, SmartCity and the newly established division, TECOM Business Parks.

Headed by Dr. Amina Alrustamani as the Chief Executive Officer, TECOM Business Parks will bring under its ambit Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Studio City, International Media Production Zone, DuBiotech, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai International Academic City and Enpark.

Broadening TECOM Investments’ reach further to its international operations, Fareed Abdulrahman has been appointed CEO of SmartCity.

SmartCity develops self-sustained townships worldwide based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.

With SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi being the first two townships to create a global network, Fareed Abdulrahman will continue to expand SmartCity internationally to develop significant hubs of excellence for knowledge-based industries.

His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat said: 'With the ongoing expansion of TECOM Investments, a necessary and obvious measure that had to be taken was to grasp a more focused approach from both, within and beyond the Dubai Free Zone Clusters. With his outstanding track record at the helm of TECOM Investments, it was a logical progression for AlMulla to assume a larger mandate.'

Meanwhile, Dr. Amina Al Rustamani will be responsible for guaranteeing the timely delivery of projects, achieving greater cost and process efficiencies, enhancing customer satisfaction, while ensuring the entities remain aligned to the values of TECOM Investments.

Abdullatif AlMulla said: 'Dr. Amina Al Rustamani has consistently demonstrated her ability to handle complex projects across different industries, while remaining dedicated to the values endorsed by TECOM Investments. I am confident in her ability to rise up to the challenging role and display unrivalled professionalism.

'As an excellence based and operationally sustainable organisation, TECOM Investments continuously invests in the realisation of Dubai’s vision.

This restructuring of TECOM Investments reflects the rapid growth of a conglomerate that constantly needs to innovate itself to remain a market leader.

It will strengthen our growth into a diversified company that is committed to exceeding its business objectives while unleashing new leadership potential.'

'Meanwhile, we will be placing a large focus this year on our international operations. With the great successes achieved by Fareed Abdulrahan, CEO of SmartCity; by implementing our strategic aspirations in various international countries.

Both SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi have proven that our move towards implementing successful models internationally was one that will reap great result both for the respective cities and their people as well as for TECOM Investments.'

Representing a landmark in its rapid growth curve, the restructuring process also involves the reorganization of some of TECOM Investments’ centralized departments and the announcement of new corporate leaders.

While Jamal Al Sharif becomes Executive Director, Dubai Studio City, Ismail Al Naqi will head Dubai Outsource Zone as its Executive Director.

Abdullatif AlMulla added: 'Additionally Jamal Al Sharif and Ismail AlNaqi have both set exceptional standards of performance and integrity that have resulted in the remarkable growth of their respective entities, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Outsource Zone.

Their continued drive and diligence augurs exciting times for both the free zones that stem out of innovative business concepts.'

TECOM Investments free zone clusters have registered remarkable success over the years and the concept has been replicated by other countries in the GCC region and the Arab world.

In addition, attracted by the growth story of the cluster model, a number of countries, beyond the Middle East, are in talks with the Dubai Government to establish similar entities aimed at either revitalising or diversifying their economies