Media and Advertising
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Jabbar Group buys region's largest online ad group
Jabbar Internet Group has announced it has completed the acquisition of the regional online advertising network, ikoo. Founded in 2005, ikoo has has become the largest online advertising network in the Arab world, combining more than 120 websites from across the region, a network that attracts more than 35 million unique visitors, and serving more than 1.4 billion monthly pageviews. According to the new CEO Isam Bayazidi, ikoo will focus on expanding its network to embrace more publishers, and will work closely with advertisers and agencies on developing successful campaigns based on their needs.
WSJ: Apple buys Lala Media
Apple has purchased online music firm Lala Media, in a move that may signal an expansion of its music strategy, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Apple may seek to adapt Lala's online song offerings or incorporate its technology into a subscription service of some kind, the newspaper said. Lala, which has a playlist of more than eight million tunes, hosts users' digital music collections on the web, allowing access from varied locations.
BBC Arabic to focus on user-generated content
The BBC has said that Hosam El Sokkari, Head of BBC Arabic will spearhead work for the broadcaster's Arabic service on the editorial development of user-generated content and social media initiatives. El Sokkari's current managerial and editorial responsibilities will be managed by the newly appointed Head of Middle East Region, Liliane Landor, BBC said in a statement.
Saatchi + Saatchi Beirut withdraw from network
Saatchi and Saatchi's have released a statement confirming that Saatchi and Saatchi Beirut, which covers Lebanon and Jordan, has dissolved the network membership agreement. The announcement is effective from December 24.
Rotana, News Corp agree deal
Rotana TV and US-based News Corp have closed a deal that will see the latter acquire a 10% stake in Rotana with an option to buy another 10%, according to Rapid TV News website. Rotana, which is backed by Prince Waleed bin Talal, had launched two Fox-branded English language entertainment channels in the region earlier this year and the two companies are expected to launch a range of new channels next year.
Google to allow publishers to set article limit
Google has announced that it will allow news publishers set a limit on the number of articles surfers can read for free through its search engine. The move follows criticism of Google by Rupert Murdoch and some other newspaper owners over the way it provides free access to newspaper articles in his News Corp media group.
Al Rawadi asks for creative pitches
Al Rawabi has asked agencies to pitch creative work for a through-the-line brand campaign, Campaign magazine has reported. The group had an annual turnover of $180m in 2008 and is extending market share into Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi.
Al Jazeera gets approval to broadcast in Canada
Qatar-based Al Jazeera news network has received approval from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to broadcast in English in Canada, AFP has reported. The English-language international news service is currently available in over 100 countries and via the Internet.
e-Vision to launch Catch Up TV in December
The head of UAE-based Etisalat said the company's broadcast service arm e-Vision will roll out a new service in December that allows television viewers to revisit aired content, reported Emirates Today. The service, called Catch Up TV, will launch for five channels and then extend to 50 through the course of next year. The service, which will allow users to playback content up to three days old, will be offered free of cost for MBC, Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai One, Dubai TV and e-junior.
Al Jazeera buys ART sports content
Nasser al-Khulaifi, director-general of Al Jazeera Sport Channels has officially announced the purchase of all sports content, rights of broadcast and trademarks of the Arab Radio and Television (ART), Gulf Times has reported. Under the deal, Al Jazeera Sport Channels will add exclusive sport rights to its portfolio, including the FIFA World Cup 2010 and 2014 and the African Cup of Nations from 2010 to 2016. However, ART will continue to act as host broadcaster for the Saudi Football Federation games, and to transmit the matches on ART Sport 7 jointly with Al Jazeera Sport Channels until the end of the 2010-2011 season.
Google to buy web display ad company
Google has announced it is acquiring web display advertising startup Teracent, AFP has reported. US-based Teracent can pick and choose from thousands of creative elements of a display ad in real-time and tweak images, products, messages or colours for factors like geographic location, language or the time of day, Google said. 'This technology can help advertisers get better results from their display ad campaigns,' Google added in a statement.
Jordan cracks down on IPR violators
Jordan's highest authority tasked with safeguarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) has referred 500 IPR violations to the courts this year, as authorities look to crack down on the latest forms of software and satellite piracy, Jordan Times has reported. Several fines and imprisonments have been handed down by the National Library Department this year for the sale of pirated DVDs, software, hardware and books, as well as the hijacking of satellite network signals, NLD President Mamoun Talhouni told the newspaper.
Eclipse Digital agrees Wild Bunch content deal
Dubai-based digital media, archival and content acquisition management firm Eclipse Digital has entered into a partnership with France-based production and distribution company, Wild Bunch. The deal provides Eclipse Digital with access to over 1,000 titles held by Wild Bunch. The two parties will also identify and acquire other original form content, for TV, cinema and broadband distribution. The conversion of all material will be managed by Eclipse Digital to be distributed to broadcasters and other outlets in a digitally re-mastered format.
Renno CG wins Concord account
Concord, part of the Movado Group Inc, has appointed Renno Communications Group (Renno CG) as its corporate communications consulting agency for the Middle East region. Concord is an international brand of luxury watches, which designs, manufactures, and distributes Movado, Ebel, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Juicy Couture and Tommy Hilfiger watches worldwide. Renno CG is a sister company of Renno and Associates, which is based in Beirut, Lebanon.
Internet traffic up 'sixfold' by 2012
Robert Pepper, vice president of Cisco, has said internet traffic will have increased six-fold by 2012 in a five-year period, as more users view and post videos online, AFP has reported. Speaking before delegates Internet Governance Forum in Egypt, Pepper said that online traffic is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 46%.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds