2006
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DSC reveals first phase
Dubai Studio City has announced the first phase of its infrastructure development. It will include three sound stages, with two providing 25,295 sqft of sound-proofed studio space and expected to be ready by Q1 2008 while a third, providing 15,500 sqft of space, will be developed by Q4 2007. The two larger stages will be inter-connected and would create a 50,000 sqft stage, the largest sound stage in the region.
CNN, Mideast appointment
Rolling news channel CNN has appointed Aneesh Raman as its new Middle East Correspondent. Raman now moves to Cairo but was previously based in Iraq and has reported in recent months from Iran, Syria and Lebanon.
Robert Fisk at MoE
Renowned British journalist and author Robert Fisk will be at Mall of the Emirates this evening at 6pm for a book signing and will also speak about his latest publication and his views on the Middle East. Fisk, who writes for The Independent and is based in Beirut, will be signing copies of The Great War for Civilization: The Conquest of the Middle East at the Jashanmal book store.
Flip, online Panasonic deal
Flip Media has won Panasonic Marketing Middle East's online contract. Flip will launch dedicated bilingual Arabic and English websites to support Panasonic's recently launched Lumix digital cameras and Viera television products. A key feature of the sites will be the Press Room which will enable both customers and the media to keep abreast of the latest news, product and technology launches, information and events.
Fans flock to DIFF
Film buffs have acquired over 12,000 tickets since the Dubai International Film Festival box office opened on November 30. The DIFF's gala screenings such as Babel and Kabul Express are nearly sold out, while most of the tickets still available are in the Screen on the Green outdoor screening section. The festival opens today, December 10.
UAE companies, branding issues
Major companies like Emaar, DP World and Emirates are facing the challenge of building their brand in foreign markets as they outgrow the region, reported Gulf News. Simon Bolton, the CEO of brand agency Enterprise IG, said some companies will need to completely re-interpret their brand in order to make an impact, but Raymond Chan, the Managing Partner of Future Brand, said any strong brand will eventually achieve global reach.
Asian films for DIFF
A wide array of Asian films is set to feature at the upcoming Dubai International Film Festival, running from December 10-17. One of the films featured will be Hana made by Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu, who will attend the showing on December 12. Films from China, South Korea and the Philippines will also be shown as part of the Insights from Asia segment.
It's a wrap for Concept Outdoor
Concept Outdoor has said it took 2,000 production hours and seven days of installation to put a giant advertising wrap around the World Trade Centre Tower in Dubai recently. The wrap was commissioned by Emirates Post to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the foundation of the UAE and to highlight a special edition stamp issued to mark the occasion. 12 specialist climbers were hired to attach the wrap.
BIA guide out now
The winter edition of the Bahrain International Airport Timetable and Guide is out now and is available free of charge at the airport, selected travel agencies and airline offices. The 70 page guide contains every airline's schedule, information about airport facilities and services, maps of the departure and arrival concourses, an overview of Bahrain as well as listings of banks and hotels.
CNN: UAE after oil
CNN will air a special on 16 December on how the UAE is adapting to a future without oil. The programme, 'Global Office', travels across the UAE to examine what the country has to offer aside from oil, CNN said in a statement. Key players in industry give their views.
Starcom, media agency award
Dubai-based Starcom MediaVest was named media agency of the year at the first Campaign Media Planning Awards, Campaign Middle East said. The company collected six awards, including the best media plan for its work on Chevrolet, and best media innovation for Hummer.
ME $60m online by 2009
Online ad spend in the Middle East will reach $60m by 2009, led by the UAE, Saudi and Egypt, 7Days reports. Online ad spend is currently very low in the region, representing 0.5% of all ad spend in 2005, worth around $14-16m. Internet penetration is relatively high in countries such as the UAE, but still low in others.
Memac Ogilvy, Kuwait appointments
Memac Ogilvy Public Relations has announced a major restructuring of its Kuwait operation. Nabil Touma has been appointed as Managing Director and comes to the firm from Saudi Arabia, while Chaitan Jain joins the firm as Senior Public Relations Manager. The firm has recently won contracts from the Burgan Bank and Royal Wings Aviation Services.
Street Smarts 2, MEB nomination
Street Smarts 2, a reality TV show in its second season and currently being shown on Dubai's Infinity TV, has been nominated in the Best Reality TV Programme category for the first-ever Middle East Broadcasters' Awards 2007, reported TradeArabia. Entries from more than 200 television stations from 22 Arab countries will be assessed in 33 awards categories. The awards ceremony takes place in Beirut on March 21.
Protests halt Saudi play
Saudi authorities last week arrested a number of suspected extremists who stormed a theatre in Riyadh in order to halt a play criticising religious extremism, reported the AFP. A police official said the group entered the auditorium and stopped the performance of Moderate without Moderation.
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