Zoya Sakr, Head of Sales and Marketing - Al Aan TV

In a glamorous signing ceremony that took place in the renown Music Hall in Beirut, The Iraqi band UTN1 launched their first official Arabic and English album, “Titzakarin” and “One Last Time”. This album is the first product of a partnership agreement that was signed earlier this year between Al Aan TV and LCI entertainment.

According to the agreement, Al Aan will sponsor and support UTN1 by producing their album and music video, and promoting them through the region. Al Aan will also produce a special edit that depicts the band’s musical journey. The signing event brought together renowned figures from the art and media scene, along with UTN1 band members and key representatives of LCI entertainment and Al Aan TV.

UTN1 was formed in 1999 by four ambitious young men, Shant, Art, Akhlad and Hassan, who were determined to follow their passion for music and to peruse their dream of performing to the entire world. The band’s music is a unique mélange of occidental music and oriental influences that bridges different genres through harmonious tunes.

The Arabic album, “Titzakarin” consists of nine Arabic songs, while the English one “One Last Time” has 6 songs. The Album includes a song especially dedicated to Al Aan TV titled “Al Aan Ahibek Akthar” or in English, “Now I love you more” which was also filmed as video clip, directed by Oliver Ojeil. During the star-studded celebration, the band performed their new song “Al Aan Ahebik Akthar in addition to other new and old songs that rocked the stage with their powerful voices and stage presence. 

Zoya Sakr, Head of Sales and Marketing at Al Aan TV thanked LCI entertainment, UTN1, and the media for their continuous support. She added that this collaboration is in keeping with Al Aan’s belief in the importance of providing a strong platform for talented youth to achieve their dreams and share their creativity and talent for others to enjoy. “The dream became true due to the devoted efforts that were revealed from everyone was engaged in this project”, she added.

"From the very first day of meeting the boys, i knew that they had the dedication needed to fulfill their dreams and excel in their music careers" says Lawrence Underwood, owner of LCI entertainment. "It has truly been a long journey, but one of success and hope”. He added.

Chris Abou Samah, Marketing Manager at LCIE, congratulated the team on their endeavor, and said: "The album is a product of the team’s dedication and true perseverance. Nothing stood in their, not even the war that tore their apart. They stood still in the face of every hardship they faced, and now we’re all here to celebrate their success.”  
 

Right to left: Zoya Sakr, Sultan Al Abdul Mohsen, Maysaa al Aamoudi and Sadaqa

Al Aan TV has revealed its distinctive participation and sponsorship of the Media and Marketing Show on its first day where it covered live on air the inauguration of the exhibition from a studio that was designed specially to cover the activities of the show and give an opportunity to all exhibitors to endorse their products and services.

Al Aan’s outdoor broadcasting crew worked in conjunction with the Studio at its headquarter in Dubai Media City to cover the inauguration ceremony witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of Dubai Information Department, Who stopped by Al Aan TV studio during his tour inside the exhibition and expressed his consideration to the channel’s efforts in supporting meaningful media strategies.

Maysaa Al Amoudi, news anchor of Al Youm morning show on Al Aan TV who was present at the show, hosted Zoya Sakr, Head of Sales and Marketing in the channel who has revealed the remarkable progress that was achieved in 2009 and particularly the resounding increase of viewership. Sakr also shed light on the future marketing plans and the constant research for producing programs to meet with the concerns of the Arab viewers.

On the sidelines of the interviews, Maysaa also hosted Mrs. Nisreen Sadek, Head of News department in the channel who focused from her side on several important points among which the plan to produce new programs, Ms. Nasreen has also focused on the importance of highlighting the successes Saudi women and creativity in other areas, and talked about the need for deployment during the current time through the modern methods most notably the Internet to build a mass base. She also commended the technical team which has spared no effort in installing studio equipped with a record time in the Exhibition Hall in the Dubai Media and Marketing 2009.It should be noted that it is the only channel that has proved its presence in a live broadcast media covering the event.

Also many prominent media figures have been hosted on the sidelines of the exhibition, where they showed their views in a number of issues concerning media in the Arab world.

Al Aan TV is a Pan Arab TV channel based in Dubai Media City and available free-to-air on Nilesat and Arabsat. As a broadcaster AL Aan offers original programming presented in an innovative infotainment format. The channel aims to educate as well as to entertain while addressing the needs and aspirations of a young, dynamic and modern Arabic woman and family audience.

 

Al Aan TV organized a round table event and a dinner on honor of Saudi women working in Media. The event took place at Jeddah Hilton Hotel, Saudi Arabia, to launch the program "Al Saoudiyyat Gheir," "and to open woman's issues focused dialogue with Saudi Media which is playing an active and influential role in Saudi society.

Ms. Zoya Sakr, Head of sales and marketing, Al Aan TV, went to say:"We believe on the importance of the vital role being played by Saudi women in the development of their society, " Al Saoudiyyat Gheir," aims to demonstrate the different roles played by Saudi women and to highlight their high skills, talents and capabilities to which they belonged to. It based on a practical and scientific research to shed light on the reality of Arab women and leads to correct the popular image. Briefly, it is celebrating the successes of women in various fields".

Underscoring the value of this production, Abeer Baloush, the onwer of Servo Production Company said: "We met with officials in Al Aan TV who identified the vision and concept which encouraged them to produce this program as a result of many research studies; we were impressed by the whole idea which led to our collaboration for the success of this action ".

Commenting on the program, Hiba Jamal the presenter of Al Saoudiyyat Gheir," said:" the program met a huge success immediately after its launch. Our audience feedbacks were tremendously positive during the first month; we are looking forward to furthering our success through a purposeful and constructive approach to all issues of concern to Saudi women."

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.