Waseet launches its newest creation, Waseet TV

The group held a reception at the Intercontinental Phoenicia Hotel attended by 400 people. Among the guests were media advertising figures and businessmen from the Middle East, the Gulf, Africa and Europe.

John Fawaz, Managing Director of AlWaseet International, announced in his speech that Waseet TV is "The third member of the Waseet Family bearing the name 'Waseet.'" However, he reminded the audience that "The Waseet family has become a lot larger. AWI Group has become a pioneering international media organization and a wide-ranging network that extends to Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf states. The group's portfolio includes a number of printed, televised and digital media outlets, among them being Al-Hayat, Al-Balad, Laha and Layalina International, Marie Claire Arabia, Top Gear Arabia, What's On, the Guinness Book of World Records series and Al-Jazeera International."

"The whole story started in Kuwait in 1992. When the advertising newspaper Waseet was released. Waseet quickly began to spread throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Europe and has currently spread to 35 cities in 12 countries, with 6.3 million copies read by 20.4 million. Today, It has become one of the most important free classified ad sources in the world and has established its position as an indispensable authority on all the products one wants to buy and all the information one wants to obtain in over 12 countries."

Fawaz said.

But Fawaz continued by saying, "We are not satisfied with that; rather, we are seeking to continue to spread by opening new channels and by creating a three-dimensional force in the field of supplying diverse media services. These three dimensions consist of the printed Waseet and its sister companies: ewaseet.com and Waseet TV. The interaction between these three media outlets guarantees the public a complete media scope: print, digital and televised."

He explained that, "Waseet TV is an interactive station that uses simplicity as its slogan, much like the printed outlets .Waseet TV works by the principle which the newspaper became known for: simple and clear access. The trade-name is the same, but the television, which can be viewed for free and which offers a regional component, supplies more interface through game shows that draw in viewers who can participate in them, as well as through entertaining advertising. Waseet TV is keen on providing its viewers with the best shows in the region, allowing them to find new and one-of-a-kind products, displaying classified advertisements and supplying groundbreaking solutions to the advertisers."

"Interactive advertising affords marketing specialists, and in light of prevailing economic uncertainty, a means to build a strong, healthy relationship with consumers," he said, before promising that "Waseet TV will show groundbreaking resources that draw in the interest of viewers and, at the same time, respect the necessity of preserving balance between the values of the family and society."

Fawaz concluded that, "Waseet Televised, digital and printed outlets will always remain important and effective elements for helping the public come across their needs in diverse markets."

Samer al-Gharib, Waseet TV Manager described, the launch of the station as "A very important juncture for the media and advertising industry in Lebanon and Arab countries. This event is a new chapter in our success story and an essential step forward in the process of developing and broadening the scope of our project."

"The TV industry has undergone a dramatic evolution over the past few years. Not only has it taken advantage of satellite broadcasting, but it has also developed its techniques and programs. Today, we bring to you the latest innovation in this field: 'Advertainment.'," he continued.

"Advertainment is a new concept on which Waseet TV will be based. It is characterized by the fact that it answers the needs of the main parties involved in the world of television, namely the viewers and the advertisers," he added.

Gharib stressed that, "Both viewers and advertisers will find something they like in Waseet TV, which provides viewers with a space for amusement and entertainment while granting advertisers enough space to display their goods in an attractive package."

He went on to emphasize that, "The Waseet TV team is dynamic and creative and its administration knows what it wants, thus leading to this innovative concept."

In conclusion, Gharib said, "We have not tried to attract star presenters from other channels; rather, we chose to focus on those who have both talent and competences, for we are sure we will develop together and become the stars of tomorrow."

A Waseet TV flyer described it as a "24/7 station with a grid that encompasses a broad range of entertainment programs, advertising and offers for the best deals on innovative products or products to be found on the market or on Waseet TV Shop."

The flyer further divided programs into categories tailor-made to suit the needs of advertisers in Waseet (print edition), its readers and the TV station's viewers:

TV shopping:

Where specific products linked to Waseet shop are sold.

Advertainment:

Where viewers are offered various types of entertainment and where advertisers get to display their products in an entertaining fashion.

Infomercial:

Where advertisers can exhibit their latest news and activities.

Members of the audience also took part in entertainment games to be aired on Waseet TV in addition to a lottery with a Nissan Altima as the grand prize.

The ceremony was hosted by prominent media presenter Tony Abu Jaoudé and his wife, Carla.