2007
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AD Group into Africa, Asia
The Abu Dhabi Group, which last month bought 50% of Arvato Middle East Sales (AMES), the Middle East mobile phone affiliate of Germany's Bertelsmann, is eyeing the digital media and telecoms markets in Africa and Asia, reported Reuters. The group's CEO Bashir Tahir said Bertelsmann's music content, featuring artists such as Elvis Presley, would be central to its plans which initially involve the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
TV channel for Quran award
The Dubai International Holy Quran Award is to launch its own satellite channel, according to the local WAM news agency. The channel will air from September 6 to October 5, with this year's edition, the 11th, getting underway at the start of Ramadan. The award will liaise with a number of local and international satellite channels through the Dubai Media Incorporate, its key sponsor.
200 killed in Iraq
Around 200 journalists and media workers have been killed in Iraq since the US led invasion in March 2003, reported the AFP citing the Paris based group Reporters without Borders. The murder this week of interpreter Anwar Abbas Lafta, who worked for the CBS network, brought up the milestone. It is estimated 49 media workers have been killed so far this year in Iraq.
CEO urges more online advertising
Gulf companies are guilty of a 'missed opportunity' for not taking full advantage of the possibilities offered by online advertising, said Gulf Saatchi and Saatchi CEO Khamis Al Muqla as reported by Gulf Daily News. His comments come after a recent study which showed online ad-spending currently accounts for less than one per cent of the amount spent on advertising in the region.
Film festival seeks sculptors
The Dubai International Film Festival is offering sculptors the chance to gain international recognition by shaping and crafting the new prize trophy for the annual Muhr Awards for Excellence in Arab Cinema. The winning sculptor will be fully recognized by DIFF ensuring international recognition and his or her name name will be engraved on the trophy.
Saudi bans Al Hayat newspaper
Distribution of the Al Hayat newspaper in Saudi Arabia was blocked Tuesday for a second day by the kingdom over objections about articles published by the pan-Arab daily, reported Khaleej Times. The paper's editor said the government had stopped distribution of the local edition without specifying the content of the offending articles. The London-based newpaper sells around 250,000 copies daily in the ultra-conservative kingdom.
E-library honors muslim heritage
Dubai-based Muslim Heritage Consulting has launched the world's first online image library dedicated to the history of the muslim world, named www.MuslimHeritageImages.com. The library includes thousands of images, including manuscripts from the 10th Century along with contemporary pictures of people and architecture. While some images highlighting muslim history are already available from other libraries, this is the first time they have all been available from one source.
TravMedia opens office in Dubai
TravMedia, the world's travel news portal for travel industry professionals, has launched its first Middle East office in Dubai. This represents the seventh worldwide office for the company, which was established in 2000 as a service for travel journalists to receive breaking travel news. Currently, more than 10,000 journalists are registered with the service.
Iranian journos hunger strike
The Paris based Reporters without Borders has expressed its concerns about the well-being of two Iranian journalists who have been on hunger strike for more than 40 days to protest against their imprisonment, reported Reuters. Adnan Hassanpour and Hiva Botimar have been held for more than six months and have been sentenced to death on the charge of 'moharebeh', which represents a crime against Islam and the state.
Sharjah sports channel
Sharjah TV is to launch a new dedicated sports channel, Channel 2, within the next few weeks, reported Gulf News. The channel will feature several languages including English, French and Farsi. It will broadcast around the clock showing a wide selection of sports and will be beamed off of an Arabsat satellite.
Hollywood Tonight for Dubai
Hollywood Tonight is to open an Emirates Tonight Productions office in Dubai by early 2009. The firm develops programmes reflecting local or national tastes and issues. Hollywood Tonight plans to open offices in a number of cities by 2010 including Paris, London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago and Toronto.
Jordan ad up for award
An advertisement for Jordan's Peace Through Sport initiative has been shortlisted at the 25th Milan International Festival Awards, reported the Jordan Times. The 90 second advert features people from countries affected by war and conflict handing on the Peace Through Sport baton and has been shown on TV channels and at sporting events around the world. Filing took place in Lebanon.
Jordan's ATV awaiting approval
Jordan's ATV has announced that it has given its employees a 10 day paid vacation till 1 September. The channel had announced that it would go live on August 1st, but its signal was taken down by the authorities 24 hours prior to the launch date. ATV's Managing Director blamed the bureaucratic process for the action. The channel is awaiting official notification from the authorities to resume its broadcast.
Dubai Film Fest seeks workers
Dubai International Film Festival organizers are seeking a temporary workforce to help with the 4th annual festival. Organizers will hold a job fair on 2 September at Dubai Knowledge Village to seek applicants for over 200 available positions, including theatre operations and marketing, box office and customer service, accreditation, and registration. The festival will run from December 9-16, 2007.
Documentary film features Sharjah
A documentary crew is filming a new production that will showcase Sharjah's business and tourism potential, Arab News reported. The film is being shot by a crew from Siberia's TV. The crew was given a special tour of Sharjah's East coast, its museums and heritage areas, and the Souq Al-Arsah, one of the oldest popular souqs in the UAE.
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