The world's media industry is congregating in Abu Dhabi this week to attend the inaugural Abu Dhabi Media Summit, under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.

The invitation-only Summit will be hosted by the Abu Dhabi Media Company, along with leading Abu Dhabi partners, including twofour54°, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Etisalat, Etihad Airways, ALDAR, and Mubadala. Booz & Company are also participating as the official knowledge sponsor.

From 9th to 11th March, 400 delegates from diverse territories across the globe - including China, Korea, India, Chile, USA, and the UK - will join high-profile regional and UAE-based media executives at the Yas Hotel, where they will be discussing and debating issues affecting the media industry around the globe. A large contingent of high-level regional and international press corps will also be in attendance.

The Summit agenda was created with the participation of several co-chairs from across the media industry. Confirmed 2010 co-chairs include:

• H.E Khaldoon Khalifa al Mubarak, Chairman, twofour54
• Tim Armstrong, CEO, AOL
• Dr Kai-Fu Lee, Chariman and CEO, Innovation Works
• Dr Seok Chae Lee, Chairman, KT Corporation
• Maurice Lévy, Chairman, PublicisGroupe
• Didier Lombard, Chairman, Orange/France Telecom
• Kishore Lulla, Chairman & CEO, Eros International
• Dirk Meyer, President & CEO, AMD
• Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman & CEO, Bharti Enterprises
• Rupert Murdoch, Chairman, News Corporation
• H.E Mohammed, Omran Chairman, Etisalat
• Hartmut Ostrowski, Chairman & CEO, Bertelsmann AG
• Dr. Prannoy Roy, Executive Chairperson, NDTV
• Hans Vestberg, President & CEO, Ericsson
• Mehmet Ali Yalçindag, CEO & Vice Chairman, Dogan Media Group
• Barry Meyer, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros Entertainment.

HE Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Media Summit and of Abu Dhabi Media Company, commented: "The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions for the media industry, thanks to more accessible technologies, higher disposable incomes, and increased consumer appetite for news and entertainment. Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Media Company are looking to play a key role in this growth, which is why we have gathered some of the most influential minds in our industry together here this week. We believe that this Summit will become one of the most important industry forums of its kind anywhere in the world."

Edward Borgerding, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media Company, added, "We are very excited to have such a phenomenal list of co-chairs and delegates for the first Abu Dhabi Media Summit. This is a truly global group, with diverse perspectives and experiences in their regions. We hope that bringing this group together will not only help spark a dialogue about our shared challenges and opportunities in the media industry, but also help us work towards common solutions for evolving our industry during a time of transition."

H.E. Mohamad Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, and Edward Borgerding, Chairman and CEO respectively of Abu Dhabi Media Company, announced today the programme for the Abu Dhabi Media Summit. The invitation-only inaugural Summit, under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, will be held at the Yas Hotel from March 9th-11th 2010.

The Summit has been created by the Abu Dhabi Media Company to reflect the emergence of Abu Dhabi as a global media hub. The programme features a unique combination of high-profile sessions, closed-door discussions and private conversations, bringing together top-tier global media players and their counterparts in fast-growing markets.

H.E. Mohamed Khalaf al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Company, commented on the Summit:
"The inaugural Abu Dhabi Media Summit will bring together media leaders from every continent to the UAE Capital. Our programme of events and discussions reflect both our region's immediate media industry ambition, and longer-term opportunities for the sector worldwide. We believe that this summit will become one of the most important industry forums of its kind anywhere in the world, reaffirming Abu Dhabi's place on the new global media stage."

Delegates have been invited from a broad cross-section of business sectors, including mobile, broadband, broadcast, publishing, entertainment, news, music, advertising & marketing, venture capital & equity finance. Abu Dhabi is geographically located at the nexus of East and West, making it an ideal meeting point for media players from around the globe.

Day one will be made up of key discussion sessions debating globally salient media issues; 10 of the Summit's co-chairs will take part in the sessions. In the morning, Dirk Meyer, President & CEO, AMD, will be discussing the pace of technological change. Didier Lombard, Chairman & CEO, Orange, will discuss smart phones and mobile trends. Dr. Prannoy Roy, Executive Chair, NDTV, will discuss expanding the reach of Television. In the afternoon, Tim Armstrong, Chair & CEO, AOL, and Jon Miller, CEO Digital Media, News Corp, will delve into the next wave of Web-based business models. James Murdoch, Chair & CEO, Europe & Asia, News Corp, will join a discussion on media investment and growth.

Day two will focus on geographic media trends. Three Summit co-chairs will be joined by experts to lead discussions on China, India, the Middle East and global media issues. In the morning, Kai-Fu Lee, Chair & CEO, Innovation Works, will join a discussion on radical new media in China. Maurice Levy, Chair & CEO, Publicis Groupe, will contribute to a conversation on building brands in a fragmented media world. Kishore Lulla, Chairman & CEO, Eros International, will discuss the burgeoning media scene in India. In the afternoon, Karim Sarkis, Executive Director of Broadcast, Abu Dhabi Media Company, will round off the discussion sessions with a conversation on the rising star of Middle Eastern media.

Dirk Meyer, president and CEO of AMD commented on the forthcoming event: "The Abu Dhabi Media Summit represents an unprecedented gathering of global media and technology leaders enabling the next wave of innovation that is poised to drive global media.  I'm proud to be a co-chair at this seminal event in one of the world's fastest growing markets for technology and media."

 

In what stands as the next step in the evolution of online music entertainment, Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music, today marked the ground-breaking launch of VEVO, the new premium music video and entertainment service in partnership with YouTube.

H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, Chairman of ADMC, Edward Borgerding, CEO of ADMC and Ricky Ghai, Executive Director of Digital Media at ADMC joined Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of UMG/Co-Chairman & Founder of VEVO, Rolf Schmidt Holtz, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Entertainment/Co-Chairman of VEVO, Elio Leoni-Sceti, Chief Executive Officer and President, New Music, EMI Music, and Rio Caraeff, President & CEO of VEVO at the launch event in New York.

The largest video network on the web, VEVO blends the best in highest-quality music content with YouTube's cutting-edge video technology and established user community. All searches on YouTube for music videos by any of the artists represented by UMG, SME and EMI, as well as other VEVO label partners, will now be available through VEVO only. In addition, VEVO's content will be available at VEVO.com and through a VEVO-branded embedded player. VEVO will also serve as a syndication platform for additional internet destination sites, expanding the reach of the VEVO brand across the worldwide web.

AOL and CBS Interactive Music Group are announced as VEVO's first syndication partners. Through these deals, VEVO will be available across major online publishers by the end of Q1 2010

"This has the potential to be a true game changer for consumers, artists and brands. For the first time, consumers will have access to the majority of premium music videos being streamed online today all in just one click, while artists and brands will benefit from being connected like never before with their fans and the most sought after demographic on the Web. We're excited about the potential of the new service and we're looking forward to working with all of our new content providers, distributors and brands who want to take full advantage of this extraordinary opportunity." Said Mr. Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of UMG/Co-Chairman & Founder of VEVO.

"VEVO brings together a combination of a premium music inventory, robust investment and media services management expertise on one platform," said H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazroui, Chairman of ADMC. "Being part of this unique partnership is simply the latest milestone in ADMC's strategy, which envisages a growing role for Abu Dhabi as a global hub for world class digital media."

"The launch of VEVO brings together some of the world's largest players in the media space in a truly historic partnership that we are delighted to be a part of," said Edward Borgerding, Chief Executive Officer of ADMC. "ADMC is committed to offering our audiences a diverse range of products and VEVO now forms an integral part of our fast expanding digital media portfolio."

Available free-of-charge to internet users, VEVO features the most extensive array of professionally-produced music videos, exclusive premieres, concerts and more anywhere on the Web from such market-leading companies as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, EMI Music, Hollywood Records, Walt Disney Records, CBS Interactive Music Group, Big Machine Records, Concord Music Group, Lyric Street Records, ABKCO, Caroline Distribution, Fontana Distribution, INgrooves, IODA, RED and The Orchard, among many others. Videos on VEVO are at least twice the quality and resolution of those generally found online today, and unlike videos found elsewhere, a majority of videos on VEVO will feature integrated, synchronized lyrics.

Music fans will drive the VEVO experience through play-listing, commenting and social networking, as well as being able to purchase MP3s of their favorite songs through iTunes and Amazon. Soon they will also be able to purchase an extensive line of artist-related merchandise through a partnership with Bravado, the world's leading global entertainment merchandise company.

"Music video entertainment is a rapidly growing segment and participating in this partnership to launch VEVO is a reflection of our commitment to being part of the innovation that drives online entertainment," said Ricky Ghai, Executive Director of ADMC's Digital Group. "A potential rollout of a localized VEVO portal across the Middle East region will lead to a great destination for viewers, an important channel for Arabic music content, and a major step change in the on-demand media entertainment services offered regionally", added Ricky Ghai, ADMC's Executive Director, Digital Group.

VEVO also announced today a number of integrated marketing partnerships with leading companies including Colgate-Palmolive, Infiniti, MasterCard, McDonalds, Activision Blizzard, Amstel, Canon, Elizabeth Arden, MillerCoors (Peroni), Nikon, Sony, Stoli and Unilever (Dove, Axe) and more.

"The caliber of brand partners that we have launched with today is testament to the scope of the opportunity that VEVO represents," said Mr. Rio Caraeff, President & CEO of VEVO. "With immediate scalability and the capacity to strengthen brand loyalty through engaging and interactive programs, VEVO is uniquely positioned to deliver real value for its partners."

VEVO is launching at a time when Internet users and brands are embracing premium online video as never before. Most recently, comScore Video Metrix service showed that more than 167m U.S. Internet users watched online videos during the month of October, with 28bn videos viewed during the month alone, and 84.4% of the total U.S. Internet audience viewing online video. And research firm eMarketer estimates that video ad spending will likely rise to reach $2bn in 2011, up from $734m in 2008.

Edward Borgerding, CEO - Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC)

The MENA Cristal Festival today announced that the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) and its Chief Executive Officer Edward Borgerding will be the recipient of the prestigious 2009 Media Business Man of the Year award for outstanding contributions to the media and communications industry.

The Media Business Man of the Year Cristal honours a personality and a company based in the region for helping to raise the profile of the MENA region within the international media and communications community. The award is currently in its fifth year.

“I am pleased to congratulate Edward and the team at ADMC for earning this year’s award,” said Christian Cappe, CEO of the Cristal Festival Network. “The award is a wholly deserved tribute to Edward’s vision and understanding of the industry and ADMC’s collective passion and devotion to media excellence.”

“It is an honour for me to accept this award on behalf of Abu Dhabi Media Company and its employees whose hard work and creativity have been the foundation for its growth,” said Borgerding. “Organizations succeed when they work as a team and have the heart of a family. The Board, the Company’s management and team members, and the stakeholders share a vision and passion for ADMC.  It’s a very exciting time to be involved in the media and an exciting time to be working at ADMC.”

He added: “The Company receives tremendous support from its owners and the members of the Board which is chaired by Mohamed Khalaf al Mazrouei.”  

ADMC is a major media player in the MENA region. It owns and operates a number of publications (Al Ittihad newspaper, The National newspaper, Zahrat al Khaleej magazine, and Majid magazine). It also owns and operates a range of television channels (Abu Dhabi Al Oula, Abu Dhabi Al Emarat, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya 2, Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya 3, Abu Dhabi +1, and National Geographic Abu Dhabi) and a network of radio stations (Abu Dhabi FM, Emarat FM, Star FM, Holy Quran FM, and Abu Dhabi Classic FM), as well as LIVE, which owns a fleet of outdoor HD broadcast vans, and a state of the art printing press, United Printing Press. Its digital media group ensures that ADMC brands and content are one step ahead in a constantly changing interactive world but also operates several digital properties including Getmo Arabia (a joint venture entertainment portal with Bertelsmann), goalarabia.com (the first professional fantasy football site in the region covering 6 local and international leagues) and super.ae (the ultimate football fan's destination for all things football in Arabic).

It has also emerged as a global media player with the launch of Imagenation Abu Dhabi who has partnered with high profile producers such as National Geographic, Hyde Park Entertainment, Participant Media, Parkes/MacDonald, and its recently announced partnerships with Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), VEVO, the online music business with Universal Music Group and Sony Music, and Gazillion Entertainment, the groundbreaking MMOG Company that produces games for Marvel, Dreamworks, Lego, and other major brands, as well as its own titles.  

A veteran media professional with extensive experience in managing and operating international media companies, Borgerding joined ADMC as CEO in 2007. Prior to this he served as Executive Vice-President of Walt Disney International in Hong Kong, during which time he oversaw the operating units of the Walt Disney Company in the Asia Pacific region, including India and the Middle East. 

In 1995, Borgerding established the first Disney Channel outside the U.S., in Taiwan. In 1997 he opened the Disney Channel in UAE and another in Australia.  He also established the first television offices for Disney in both India and China. Borgerding began his career in the Disney Studios in Burbank, California in theatrical distribution and marketing, before moving to London in 1984. 

Borgerding and ADMC will be honoured at the MENA Cristal Awards Ceremony to be held on 4th February 2010 in Mzaar, Lebanon.
Osman Sultan, CEO of du Integrated Telecom Company was the Media Man of the year 2008.
 

Vevo, the new premium music video and entertainment service powered by YouTube, has received a strategic investment from Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), one of the world's fastest growing, multi-platform media organizations.

The announcement was made today by Doug Morris, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group and Co-Chairman/Founder of Vevo, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment & Co-Chairman of Vevo, Rio Caraeff, President & Chief Executive Officer of Vevo, H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazroui, Chairman of ADMC, and Edward Borgerding, Chief Executive Officer of ADMC. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

With this transaction, Vevo is now formed as an independent and fully funded entity with Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment (SME) and Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) as founding shareholders. Funding from the shareholders will enable Vevo to come to market with an attractive premium music offering for consumers and advertisers alike.

Launching in the United States and Canada later this year with a further international roadmap to be announced, Vevo will be a premium destination and syndication network for the very best in top-notch music video content that will leverage the massive existing traffic of YouTube.

On joining UMG and SME to create Vevo, H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazroui, Chairman of ADMC, stated: "This global partnership flags Abu Dhabi Media Company's commitment to establish a leading position in the digital media industry. It is part of an integrated approach to expanding the global digital presence and brand portfolio of Abu Dhabi Media Company, and it illustrates our partnering approach with innovators in digital media services and technologies."

"It's a credit to the music community, and to the global opportunity that Vevo represents, that we have been able to attract such a solid investment partner with the vision and track record of Abu Dhabi Media Company," commented Rio Caraeff, President & Chief Executive Officer of Vevo. "Abu Dhabi Media Company brings to the venture important funding support and a team with enormous global media experience and insight, and we look forward to working with them to seize the many opportunities ahead of us."

"Consumer demand for music video entertainment is growing significantly today and is transforming the digital entertainment market and the music industry by fuelling new media business models. Vevo fits our vision and goals perfectly, as we are expanding our capabilities and continue to build the market for digital entertainment around the world. Vevo will redefine the way premium music video entertainment is consumed, created and shared in a global community of music audiences," said Edward Borgerding, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Media Company.

"We're now entering a new exciting phase in the digital media industry in the region and we're determined to be at the forefront of it," added Ricky Ghai, ADMC's Executive Director, Digital Group. "With Vevo there's real opportunity for incredible growth, as both brand advertisers and consumers are looking for new premium video experiences online. The potential rollout of a localized Vevo portal across our region will help to cement ADMC's position as a leading digital media company."

Super, the acclaimed football magazine, is set to evolve into an online sports portal with an exciting new line-up of world class writers, news from the football world and interactive content. Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), one of the fastest growing, multi-platform media organizations in the region, announced today that the new website, Super.ae, will go live on 11 October 2009.  

Super.ae will feature breaking news, up-to-the-minute scores, action-packed highlights and live match streaming, combined with lively editorial and commentary. Former England internationals Andy Cole and Terry Venables will be regular contributors to the site, as will a number of regional and international sports experts such as Mohammed Najeeb, Keir Radnedge and Gerry Cox. Audiences will also be given the opportunity to participate by sharing content and taking part in online conversations through chat rooms, forums and blogs. The site will also feature many one-off exclusive features and interviews with the biggest stars in the game today, both from the MENA region and Europe.

"The evolution of Super from print to digital is further evidence of ADMC's commitment to providing only the best in sports coverage to our audiences," said H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of ADMC. "We are proud to bring a new platform to the world of sports and create a leading online sports entertainment destination, at a regional level. We see Super.ae as the next step in delivering on our vision and mission to power the discovery and enjoyment of digital sports entertainment across the Middle East, while placing Abu Dhabi at the forefront of digital sports content."

Super.ae is the latest milestone in the cross-platform integration of ADMC's sports portfolio, which includes a bouquet of the most successful sports channels in the region- Abu Dhabi Al Riyadiya Channels, an extensive library of broadcast rights which includes the English Premier League (EPL) Middle East rights and the United Football League (UFL), a high traffic fantasy football game on goalarabia.com, as well as the action packed sports coverage from Al Ittihad and The National newspapers.

"Today's audiences want instant access to the latest news and content, on any device and with Super.ae we have created a one-stop sports portal that offers our audiences everything they need at the click of a mouse," said Edward Borgerding, CEO of ADMC. "The new website will set the standard for online sports portals in the region with its world class content and interactive offering. Our decision to create Super.ae is part of a larger effort to expand our footprint in the world of digital sports entertainment, by increasing our regional reach and digital media assets." 

With the launch of Super.ae, ADMC aims to capture a significant audience, engaging hundreds of thousands of sports fans across the Middle East. The site will pave the way for creating the region's leading online sports portal and build on Super's credentials as the premier choice for sports fans. 

Ricky Ghai, Executive Director of ADMC's Digital Media Group said: "Super.ae will provide the most extensive and dynamic football coverage available online, while adding even more value to the content and variety our fans have come to expect from Super magazine. What's more is that the new site will embody the freethinking, innovative, participatory spirit of the football and sports community in a genuine manner. Our readers can be assured that the digital portal will reflect the magazine's quality, vision and voice."

"Football has a large following in the Middle East and Super has been the most influential source of information for this audience with its award winning coverage. As the last print edition hits the stands on 21st of October 2009 and makes way for Super.ae, we're thankful to the magazine team for their outstanding work and support over the last seven years," said Ghai.

Imagenation Abu Dhabi, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Media Company and Ashok Amritraj's Hyde Park Entertainment Group jointly announced an extension of their partnership to create a strategic alliance with Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA).  Under the deal, Imagenation Abu Dhabi and Hyde Park will fund three to four films a year -- worth an estimated production value of 75 million USD over the next five years.  The multi-party venture will commence with an English language cross-cultural production to be named in the coming weeks.

In addition, the new venture will soon open an office in Singapore, which will serve as the Asian headquarters and will hire a management team.  Hyde Park International President, Mimi Steinbauer is handling foreign sales for films produced by the company, Hyde Park EVP Patrick Aiello will be supervising creative affairs and Imagenation Abu Dhabi COO Stefan Brunner will oversee business affairs.

"Abu Dhabi and Singapore are collaborating on multiple levels - both political and economic," remarked H.E. Mohamed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Imagenation Abu Dhabi.  "This new venture solidifies our ties and commitment to the region."

Hyde Park's Ashok Amritraj said: "Hyde Park and Imagenation's activities in Hollywood and throughout Asia are further strengthened by this new relationship with Singapore. We look forward to working closely with the MDA and being a leading force in the global media growth in Asia."

Imagenation Abu Dhabi CEO Edward Borgerding added: "Our continued relationship with Hyde Park and new partnership with Singapore's MDA truly embodies our ethos of focusing on global cinema and establishing strong alliances to create quality commercial feature films.  This deal brings us one step closer to achieving that goal."

Dr. Christopher Chia, CEO of MDA, said: "Connecting partners from three different continents to produce international films through an Asian headquarters in Singapore, the Hyde Park-Imagenation-MDA alliance is the latest transnational industry collaboration that fulfills Singapore's promise as a trusted global capital for media businesses.  Through this new venture, we hope to see stronger ties between media companies and professionals from the Middle East, United States and Singapore -- as they collaborate to create compelling content for audiences worldwide."

Imagenation Abu Dhabi and Hyde Park Entertainment first partnered in November 2008 on a $250 million financing deal to develop, produce and distribute up to 20 feature films over seven years - with additional financing for the production of local language and cross-cultural films.  Their partnership with MDA follows Hyde Park's 2008 announcement of its plans to set up a multi-million dollar fund based in Singapore.