Middle East media draws global spotlight

Prominent regional and international figures from the industry will conduct an in-depth analysis of newspaper and magazine markets, and present global best practices to help the development of Middle East publishing.

Experts from five continents will team up with Middle East counterparts to share their vision and experience and run workshops for more than 300 delegates over two days under the banner "Discuss, Educate, Interact."

The Middle East Publishing Conference (MEPC) is being staged under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Defence and Crown Prince of Dubai, on January 17-18 by the Dubai Consultancy, Research & Media Centre. It is being staged in conjunction with the International Media Production Zone in Dubai (iMPZ) and Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI), through its Al-Bayan daily.

Global partners are the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), and the International Federation of the Periodical Press (FIPP). The conference will mark the first collaboration between WAN and FIPP, the two leading global publishing associations.

Paris-based WAN represents 18,000 newspapers worldwide, 72 national newspaper associations, 13 news agencies, and newspaper executives in 102 countries.

FIPP has 182 members in 53 countries, comprising 42 national associations, one regional association (Latin America), 104 publishing member companies, 31 associate members and six individual members, between them publishing more than 110,000 magazine titles with estimated annual advertising revenues in the region of US$70 billion.

The two organisations will share their international expertise, strategies, and knowledge with their Middle East colleagues, focusing on issues such as editorial responsibility, exploiting technological advances, and cultural sensitivities in advertising and editorial.

The event augments Dubai's strategic position as a top international convention destination and its status as a regional economic powerhouse, easily accessible to delegates attending from as far apart as Morocco and Hong Kong.

Mohammed bin Ghalib, director of the International Media Production Zone said: "This conference signals the beginning of a new era in Middle East publishing. It brings together experts, leaders, and professionals to share knowledge. We at iMPZ are proud to be the facilitators in keeping with our commitment to providing the regional publishing industry with a highly cost-effective base to establish their operations."

Key topics under review include:

• Impact and opportunities of new media and technology
• Middle East publishers and the Internet
• Media research - the basis for a profitable business
• Establishing media credibility

The organisers chose Cairo and Beirut as pre-event launch venues in recognition of Egypt and Lebanon's major historical contribution to the development of the media industry in the Arab world. Prominent figures from publishing industry will address in both countries the conference and share their vision and experiences.

Project director Talal Alkhadra says say that many regional and international delegates have already confirmed their attendance at the conference which will address the opportunities and challenges facing the region's publishing industry as seen from a global perspective.

"The aim is to establish a framework for the transformation and development of regional publishing, focusing on relevant issues ranging from content to digital technology and revenue forecasting," he added.

"This is a 'must-attend' event for everyone in the region who is serious about the publishing business and wants to benefit from the experience and expertise being made available."