New sources of revenue and telecommunication post crisis strategies revealed at Media and Marketing Show forum

The forum discussed the impact of the crisis on the media industry and provided invaluable insights on the next strategic investments to be adopted by the media companies that wish to overcome the crisis.

Changing the business models, finding new sources of revenue, creating sustainable competitive advantage, offering new value added services were the main points that Al Arabiya Panel of speakers discussed.

The forum was moderated by Al Arabiya's Business News Anchor, Nadine Hany, and featured distinguished industry leaders such as the CEO and Director of the Zain Group Mr. Saad Al Barrak, the Chairman of KIPCO Mr. Faisal AL Ayyar, CEO and President of Mobinil Mr. Hassan Kabbani, the CEO of du Mr. Osman Sultan, Chairman of AsiaCell Mr. Faruk Rasool, Director of Mobily Mr. Khaled Al Kaf, Partner at Booz & Co. Mr. Ghassan Hasbani, and the President of Dama Ventures Mr. Michael Dagher.

"Media and Marketing Show has struck a chord with the people of the region, and we are extremely pleased with the response that regional and local media professionals had shown so far," said Ms. Maysoon Abulhoul, Managing Director, Domus Group, organizers of MMS 2009.

"The response to the show in general has been improving every passing year, and as we celebrate our fifth anniversary this year, we thank all the participants and attendees for their continued patronage, and promise to continue organizing a show that provides the media and marketing professionals of the Emirates and the region, a platform to connect, share knowledge, and grow," she added.

The forum was greatly attended by a large number of media professionals that included journalists, broadcasters, producers, editors, directors and executives from leading broadcast companies and media houses.

The third day of MMS 2009 will feature a high level panel of the region's leading advertising agency CEOs who will discuss issues both perennial and those specific to the on-going economic downturn - issues that are fundamental to the future development of the industry. The panel session is being organized by the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and will feature Raja Fares Trad, CEO Leo Burnett Group Mena, Joseph Ghossoub, Chairman & CEO Menacom Group, Ramzi Raad, CEO TBWA RAAD, Alain Khouri, Chairman & CEO Impact/BBDO, Edmond Moutran, Chairman & CEO Memac Ogilvy and Roy Haddad, Chairman & CEO JWT. The panel will meet tomorrow on November 5th at 11:00am and discussions will continue till 12:30pm.

The Media and Marketing Show 2009 concludes on November 5th, and is being held at the Zabeel Hall, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre opening its doors from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.