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Citigate Dewe Rogerson wins Qatar accounts
Citigate Dewe Rogerson has announced its latest business wins, with increased presence in Qatar. Some of its recent wins include advisory to Barwa Real Estate Company, Aamal Company, Barwa Bank, and HSBC Middle East, as sole consortium communications advisor for the potential merger of Qatar Navigation and Qatar Shipping.
Al Alam dropped by Arab satellites
Iranian Arabic-language satellite TV channel, Al Alam has said that it has been taken off the air by Egypt-based Nilesat and Saudi Arabia-based Arabsat satellite operators without explanation, Reuters has reported. Nilesat chief executive, Ahmed Anis has confirmed dropping Al Alam due to an unspecified breach of contract. A spokesman at Arabsat's headquarters in Riyadh was not available for comment. The operator is owned by a group of Arab countries.
Citadel appoints Sahara as PR agency
Egypt-based private equity firm, Citadel Capital has appointed Dubai-based Sahara as its PR agency to strengthen its presence in the GCC. Under the agreement, Sahara will handle Citadel Capital's corporate communications requirements including media relations, crisis management and corporate affairs in the GCC.
CNN Abu Dhabi marks official opening
Tony Maddox, Managing Director and Executive VP of CNN International, has announced the launch of the network's Abu Dhabi-based operations. The new production centre and newsgathering hub for the Middle East will also be home to CNN's first ever daily live news show from the region. CNN Abu Dhabi will coordinate newsgathering for the seven CNN operations in the region; Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, Jerusalem, Kabul and Islamabad.
New TV channel to launch in Saudi
A new television channel focusing on Saudi affairs and heritage is due to be launched soon, Arab News has reported. The new channel, Alif Alif, will broadcast its programmes from Jeddah, London and Dubai, according to the sources. The channel is the brainchild of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and will be financed by its founders including Prince Khaled bin Sultan, founder of Al Watan Arabic daily, and other investors.
Reuters expands staff in Middle East
Thomson Reuters expanded its presence in the Gulf with the hiring of 104 new staff over the past year throughout the Middle East and Africa, the National has reported. Altogether, the news service now has 520 staff members in the region, of which 135 are based in Dubai and 15 in Abu Dhabi, Basil Moftah, the company's managing director for the Mena region, told the daily.
Lagoona hires Young and Rubicam
Qatar-based Lagoona shopping mall has signed up Action Global Communications Group as its public relations agency, and has selected Young & Rubicam-Qatar to be its advertising agency. Action Qatar will guide all PR-related activities for Lagoona as it launches its shopping mall while Y&R will execute the company's advertising and corporate identity campaigns, the company said in a statement.
Prophet Mohammad film planned
Qatari media company Alnoor Holdings has said it has agreed with American producer Barrie Osborne to make a $150m film about Prophet Mohammad, Reuters has reported. Osborne, the producer of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Matrix', said the film would be an 'international epic production aimed at bridging cultures'. The film - in which the Prophet would not be depicted, in accordance with Islamic rules - is in development and talks are being held with studios, talent agencies and distributors in the US and Britain, Alnoor said.
Confusion over Al Arabiya blasphemy charges
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture and Information has said that there has been no official complaint of blasphemy against Al Arabiya satellite news channel yet, despite media reports to the contrary. A report by Arab News newspaper last week said that the case had been filed at the Jeddah Summary Court, which in turn submitted it to the justice minister to refer to the ministry. "We have so far not received any information about a case filed by a number of citizens against the channel," Assistant Undersecretary for Local Media Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza said. It is alleged that the station, which is part of MBC Group, ridiculed God and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Qatar firm sets up $200m film fund
Alnoor Holdings, a newly-formed Qatar-based company and a media unit of Al-Hashemi Group has set up an initial $200m international film fund, Bloomberg has reported. The company will invest in at least 10 films over five years. Entertainment Capital Advisors is Alnoor's advisors.
FM radio stations increase in 18 Arab countries
Arab Advisors Group has reported there are 346 FM radio stations broadcast in 18 Arab countries up to July 2009, including 8 regional stations. The UAE has one of the highest number of local government-owned FM radio stations while Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon have the highest number of private local radio stations. The report has noted 176 state-owned radio stations, up from 157 stations by February 2008, while private radio stations increased from 150 stations in February 2008 to 162 by July 2009.
Emari Toons inks $22m TV deal
Dubai-based Emari Toons has signed a $22m deal with South Africa's Speedy Productions for the production of animated TV episodes. The South African company's 'Know Your Nation,' is a series of 10,000 two-minute animated episodes that explain one thing about a country's culture, history and geography. Under the agreement, Emari Toons will produce 100 episodes on each of the 22 countries in the Arab League, including the UAE, a total of 2,200 episodes. The first two pilot episodes will be ready in January 2010, and full production will roll out after broadcasting deals are in place globally.
Memac Ogilvy to open Syria office
Memac Ogilvy, in partnership with Droubi & Hillert, has announced the opening of its new office in Damascus. The new office, which will operate under the name 'Memac Ogilvy Droubi', will be active in the areas of advertising, public relations, CRM and additional disciplines such as brand activation, that are to be introduced in 2010. Memac Ogilvy also plans to expand into other key markets in the region with a second office in the UAE scheduled to open for business in Abu Dhabi before end of the year.
Omani magazine censored in Kuwait
The 59th and 60th issues of Nizwa Magazine, a quarterly Arabic literature, art and culture magazine published in Oman, were censored by Kuwaiti authorities, the Oman Observer has reported. The magazine's circulation company, United Press and Publications Distributors, said no explanatin has been given for the censorship.
BankMuscat radio programme to offer investment tips
Oman-based lender, BankMuscat has launched a radio programme that offers tips on the world of investment. The initiative is aimed at educating and raising awareness on investment opportunities, the bank said. The programme is hosted by Al Wisal 96.5 FM and broadcast weekly from Sunday through Thursday. The interactive programme which began on October 18 is scheduled to run till December 31.
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