The power of social media is tremendous. Paris Hilton's recent endorsement for Emirates Airlines is esteemed to be worth US$ 1.5 million.

Social media is more than Twitter, Facebook and MySpace; it's about brands having conversations and engaging with audiences. It's about the permanent change in the region's marketing, PR and news landscape.

IIR's Social Media Forum taking place on 18 – 19 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, explores how you can use social media more effectively within your overall strategy and discusses what social media can do for your business.

Probably the best and largest social media example comes from Barack Obama's campaign – Obama For America in which he used social networking sites, blogs, video-sharing and Twitter to spread the views and organise supporters.

Andrew Bleeker, Director Internet Advertising for Obama's election campaign and New Media Director, Obama Inaugural Committee, is keynote speaker at the Social Media Forum.

Be ready to explore regional social media case studies as well, with top-notch speakers including:

Martin Newland, Editorial Director, The National, UAE
Khurram Hamid, Global Head Mobile Marketing Innovation, Procter & Gamble, UAE
Husni Khuffash, Country Business Development Manager, Google, UAE
Joel Berger, Managing Director, MySpace, Germany
Arshad Khan, Senior Executive, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, UAE

 

Abu Dhabi Media Company today confirmed that Martin Newland, the founding Editor in Chief of The National, will spearhead expansion of the newspaper's brand across the company's range of platforms and services in a new role as Editorial Director. Hassan Fattah will step up from his role of Deputy Editor to become the new Editor in Chief.

Commenting on the promotions, Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Media Company said: "The National has rapidly established a reputation for quality, innovation and authority thanks to its world-class editorial team.  We are delighted that Martin will now focus his efforts on the next phase of brand expansion across our digital and broadcast spaces, enabling us to pioneer a new era of regionally relevant, on-demand content to rival the multiple platform approach of global news brands. Day to day editorial control of The National's converged newsroom passes to the experienced hands of Hassan Fattah. Together, these well deserved promotions from within the company reiterate our commitment to The National and to recognising the achievements of both Martin and Hassan."

Martin Newland said: "Launching The National has been a great accomplishment. My new role allows me to build on this success and to explore the brand potential in the new multi platform era. My job of building the business of The National story remains on the ambitious path of growth and expansion. I am as excited by the new challenges today as I was when I first started.

Edward Borgerding, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media Company, said: "Martin Newland and Hassan Fattah have forged a formidable partnership in setting up The National; A partnership that will be invaluable as Martin now drives the broader ambitions of The National brand forward."

The National's new Editor in Chief, Hassan Fattah said: "We have assembled a dream team of journalists over the past year and a half with the ambition of making The National essential reading in the UAE and the region as a whole, setting a new bar in excellence in journalism and production. In the dynamic environment of the Middle East media landscape The National will continue to thrive based on its commitment to excellent journalism, photography and more. The National is evidence to the publishing world that great brands, built on quality, can succeed and grow."

Abu Dhabi Media Company also confirmed that Bob Cowan is promoted to Deputy Editor at The National.

The Abu Dhabi Media Company, one of the largest media companies in the region, announced today that The National newspaper will launch a weekend edition called The National on Saturday, on 15 November 2008.

The newspaper is extending its acclaimed content to include five specialised sections including motoring, sport, travel, personal finance, house and home and a glossy lifestyle magazine simply called 'm'. These sections will all support a 24 page news section providing quality reporting, opinion and analysis.

Commenting on The National on Saturday, Martin Newland, Editor-in-Chief, said: 'We're extending our brand of quality content and have recruited a dedicated, experienced, new team for The National on Saturday to create a compelling and comprehensive read on Saturday that fits into the weekend lifestyle, priorities and pace of life. We'll focus on stories that resonate with everyone living in the Emirates: news, sport, cars, personal finance, travel, house and home and fashion. It's a big package of quality journalism which provides a sophisticated narrative of the UAE and the Middle East, with a notable and confident point of view.'

Gavin Dickinson, Executive Director, Publishing at Abu Dhabi Media Company adds: 'The National on Saturday will continue to raise the bar of publishing excellence in the region, while providing better commercial opportunities for advertisers. The National on Saturday will bring a strong sense of branding to its daily counterpart. We are confident we will engage readers to interact with the paper on several levels. The move to publish daily reflects the strength of Abu Dhabi Media Company's publishing strategy, which will see more improvements to its magazine titles and digital content over the next year,'

Burhan Wazir, Editor of The National on Saturday adds, 'We expect the new paper to prove popular with its unique blend of specialised supplements that appeal to both men and women who appreciate intelligent lifestyle and world class journalism. We also expect people will want to keep a hold of 'm', the magazine to enjoy throughout the week.'

The National on Saturday is designed by the Canadian award winning designer Lucie LaCava.

Abu Dhabi Media Company confirmed today that its new, much-anticipated quality English language newspaper will be called The National.

Editor-in-Chief Martin Newland commented, "The role of The National is to reflect society, help that society evolve and, perhaps most importantly, promote the bedrock traditions and virtues that must be preserved even in times of change and that is why we have called our paper The National."

The broadsheet, which goes on sale across the UAE on April 17, will contain 80 pages of intelligent and well-designed news, business, sports, culture and features coverage. An online version will also be available at www.thenational.ae.  The 200 strong news team, which includes award-winning journalists from the emirates and around the world, will provide local and international coverage from across the globe.

The National will be officially launched at a gala event on April 16 under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.