2006
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GSCS Boulevard design win
Dubai-based Gregg Sedgwick Creative Strategy has won a contract to design a navigation system for The Boulevard, part of Emaar's Burj Dubai project, according to Campaign Middle East. The Dubai-based branding consultancy will create signage, street furniture and a way finding strategy for development.
Unilever, media appointments
Unilever Middle East has made various new appointments within its Media team, with effect from October 1. Mark Butterfield will be joining Unilever as Media Director, North Africa and Middle East and, from his Dubai base, will head media buying for Unilever NAMET. Meanwhile, Inger Hedin, currently Unilever Nordic Communication Channel Manager, will become Media Director, Unilever Middle East.
HSI eyes expansion
Hollywood Studios International, the US based entertainment company planning on setting up a base in Dubai, is looking to raise $500m for film production and business expansion, reported Gulf News. The company plans to spend $70m on buying Inferno Distribution and HSI hopes the injection of Arab money could help triple Inferno's current output to 15 films a year. HSI is also eyeing a listing on the DIFX within two years.
FM stations for Oman
Two new private FM radio stations could be broadcasting within six months in Oman, reported Gulf News. Licenses have been given to the respective operators but the country's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has yet to allocate frequencies. Oman's Information Ministry granted licences to OHI and Sabco last October but the TRA wants to make sure any frequencies handed out are not already being utilised by a neighbouring country.
Sheikh Mohammed, TV quiz
The UAE Ministry of Education , alongside Infinity TV, is launching a nationwide competition for secondary school pupils based on My Vision, the book recently published by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE. The objective is to expose students to the ideas, concepts and experiences of Sheikh Mohammed and also to generate healthy competition between pupils.
Al Jaz, Ohio link up
The Al Jazeera Media Training and Development Centre and Ohio University have signed an agreement for the development of media training in the Middle East, reported The Peninsula. From next month, Ohio University will offer one and two week courses at the JMTDC. The first set of courses will include subjects such as interviewing skills, media management and investigative journalism.
Dubai Lynx advertising awards
Organisers of the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival are holding a Dubai version in March 2007, called Dubai Lynx, in association with the UAE Chapter of the IAA. Award categories are in TV/cinema, print, outdoor and radio. Entries will be taken from agencies throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Internet transforms marketing
Marketers are using a more data-driven approach to reach online consumers, according to an Economic Intelligence Unit study, TradeArabia reports. Key findings of the study, which was sponsored by Google, included the importance of interactive tools for product research; the integration of marketing into a single strategy; and the advantages of online in measurement and accountability.
AME Info, 10 new newsletters
The first issues of 10 new Weekly Newsletters from AME Info will drop into the email boxes of subscribers on Thursday. All the AME Info vertical newswires are now available in a handy weekly newsletter format. Subscription is free from the AME Info Home Page.
BBC World Service in Kuwait
BBC World Service has started its 24-hour broadcasts in English in Kuwait through new radio station BBC 100.1FM. Programmes include flagship programme Newshour, which is 60 minutes of news and analysis of the day's top stories from BBC correspondents. The service complements the broadcaster's existing Arabic relay on 90.1FM.
NettResults nets Boyden
Dubai-based NettResults Media Relations has won a bid to represent the interests of executive search company Boyden Middle East. Set up in March 2006, Boyden Middle East places high level executives in public and private sector organisations in GCC countries, the Levant, Iraq, Iran and North Africa. The deal is for 12 months.
Dubai gets promotion bonus
Dubai will get some "free" advertising in tonight's Champions League match between Emirates-sponsored teams SV Hamburg and Arsenal. Rules stipulate that no two opposed teams can sport the same shirt sponsors, so Arsenal, being the away team, will have "Dubai" emblazoned on the front of players' shirts in lieu of the Emirates logo.
Sri Lankan PR search
SriLankan Airlines is looking for a new PR agency in the UAE to help build its brand there, Campaign Middle East reported. Firms believed to be in the running for the account are the incumbent Euro RSCG Furness, Active PR, Biz.com, Concept PR, Market Buzz and NettResults. An announcement on the winner is expected in around two weeks.
Arab Box sales promising
Eurostar says it has sold more than 150,000 units of its Arab Box digital satellite receiver since launching the product in 22 Arab countries four months ago. The device works in both English and Arabic. The company is targeting 1m sales by the end of 2006.
Iraq suspends Al Arabiya
Iraq has closed the Baghdad office of Al Arabiya for one month because of its coverage of a controversial draft law on regional autonomy, AFP reported. Mahmud Al Mashhadani told reporters that "it is an unjustified accusation against a community when Al-Arabiya says that a draft submitted by the Shiites would lead to secession or the division of Iraq." International press organisations condemned the ban.
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