New UAE holding company 'Media Services Group' launched

The group which includes two prominent existing entities - Dubai Press Club and Jiwin Public Relations - intends to unveil new member companies within its diversified media services portfolio in the near future.

Mona Al Marri, Chairperson of the Media Services Group, said: "We are looking forward to raise the bar of excellence in communications services through this new integrated group. The group enjoys several advantages including the wealth of experience and successful track-record of its member entities."

Al Marri said the new group will further enhance and sustain the UAE's image as a leading player in the media industry and boost Dubai's reputation as a world class media hub. By adopting international best practices and global standards to suit regional requirements, the new group would usher in a new era in service quality.

Since its inception in 1999, Dubai Press Club has played a pioneering role as an effective platform for local, regional and international media. It has also been active in offering media services to a number of strategic partners in the government and private sectors.

After seven years, DPC's assessment of the market requirements revealed an urgent need for a more specialized service through a separate UAE entity, resulting in the launch of Jiwin Public Relations.

Launched in 2006, Jiwin has managed to build a remarkable reputation as a reliable and loyal partner for its clients. In less than a year, the company has succeeded in lining up an impressive array of corporate clients, including Dubai Holding, and 'du', the new telecom operator in the UAE, among other major local, regional and international brands.

Jiwin is currently the exclusive Middle East affiliate of Burson- Marsteller, a leading global public relations firm.

Al Marri said: "Through profound understanding of the market dynamics, challenges and opportunities, and an in-depth knowledge of both local and regional political, social and economic landscape, the Media Services Group is capable of offering unrivalled world-class communications services and result-oriented solutions to our partners."

The Media Services Group will offer top-of-the-range support service by adopting excellence, integrity, speed, loyalty, innovation and talent as its core corporate values.

Al Marri said: "We felt that there was a genuine need for efficient communications service providers in the region and we are confident the new group will help meet that rising demand for quality service.

"The group's major strength is its highly efficient team of communication professionals with diverse cultural backgrounds. The UAE Nationals, with their deep understanding of the local and regional landscape, represent an integral part of the team, adding tremendous value to the group."

The launch of the new group comes at a time when the regional media industry has witnessed sustained and significant growth rates. The Arab Media Outlook 2007-2011, issued by Dubai Press Club in cooperation with PricewaterhouseCoopers, a leading international professional services company, showed that advertising revenues in the Arab world touched US$ 1.3 billion in 2006, a growth of 17 per cent against 2005.

Advertising revenues are projected to double to reach US$2.7 billion by 2011. Industry estimates also show that the number of TV and radio stations has more than doubled in the Arab world in the last two years.

Capitalising on this trend, the Media Services Group plans have a wide regional presence through a network of offices. The group has already initiated a number of strategic partnerships through its member companies.

The group currently has a strong client base of more than 50 partners, ranging from government entities to major private corporations.