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Kuwait blocks terrorist websites
Kuwait's communications ministry has blocked a number of internet blogs and websites with links to terror cells and groups, Kuwait Times has reported. The ministry has also blocked sites deemed offensive to God and the Amir and which undermined what it called national unity, in addition to sites promoting pornography.
Al Hilal Group opens office in Abu Dhabi
Bahrain-based media group Al Hilal has expanded its operations in the UAE with the opening of a new office in Abu Dhabi Media Zone, twofour54. The office will be headed by Simon O'Herlihy, who has previously worked with Al Hilal Group and Motivate Publishing.
Acxiom buys direct marketing service in Saudi
Acxiom Corp, a US-based interactive marketing services and infrastructure management firm, has acquired Saudi Arabia-based Direct Marketing Services (DMS) and its UAE branch. The new Acxiom MENA organization will serve global and regional clientele from offices in Jeddah and Dubai. The operation will be led by DMS managing director Yousef Hamidaddin, who becomes CEO of Acxiom MENA. Alaa Al-Shroogi of Dubai will serve as president, Acxiom said.
BBC aims to boost presence in the region
BBC Worldwide, which recently increased its presence in the region by launching BBC Arabic, intends to enhance its broadcasting by producing more original content, according to Emirates Business. BBC will encourage local production houses and work hand-in-hand with privately-owned TV channels in the region. The broadcaster will particularly be encouraging environment-based programmes and may also look into financing individual productions or co-producing with them, according to BBC insiders.
CNN to launch Abu Dhabi bureau
CNN is expanding its operations in the UAE with the launch of a new bureau in Abu Dhabi in November. The expansion includes broadcast production facilities in the new Abu Dhabi Media Zone with increased newsgathering operations set up alongside an existing editorial team for the CNNArabic.com website.
ART to protect FIFA rights against piracy
Arab Radio and Television Network (ART), a comapny owned by Arab Media Corporation is investing in anti-hacking devices, set up in its set-top boxes to prevent piracy, The National has reported. ART is upgrading its technology in preparation for its regional broadcast of the FIFA World Cup next year. Arab Media has reportedly paid $220m for the right to broadcast the World Cup in 2006, 2010 and 2014. ART has inked a joint agreement with French company Viaccess and Opentech, a Korean company to roll out its new set-top boxes that is said to contain a 'Praha' card to protect against illegal card sharing and enables the analysis of hacker attacks.
Etisalat inks FIFA deal
Emirates Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat) has signed a sponsorship agreement with Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the international governing association of the sport of football, to become a National Supporter of the tournament in the UAE. The sponsorship will enable Etisalat to bring live football events to its customers in the country.
E-Vision to offer free viewing
UAE-based Emirates Cable TV and Multimedia (E-Vision) has said that it will offer all its packages including its a la carte channels for free viewing starting September 20 from 12am till September 24. The offer includes all channels on Showtime, Orbit, Pehla, Firstnet, ART and TFC packages, as well as 24 hours of programming on its e-Masala channel.
MBC inks deal with Paramount
Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has signed a long-term free television deal with Paramount Pictures film studio to screen some of the film studio's movies in the region. Under the deal, MBC will have exclusive rights in the region to broadcast some of the studio's hits including this year's, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek, and Paramount's recent box office hit, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, in addition to other block-buster titles.
Jeeran launches French language interface
Jordan-based Arab Online community, Jeeran, has launched a French language interface for its website, in a bid to attract readership and participation from the site's North African visitors. Jeeran, which was launched in 2000, currently serves over a million unique visitors a month in the North African Region, and has offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Madison Kuwait wins Viva PR contract
Madison Kuwait has won a contract to provide comprehensive public relations services for Kuwait's VIVA Telecom. Madison Kuwait is part of the Madison Network with offices in the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Sudan.
UAE manufacturing guide published
Global Resources, a UAE-based data and events organizer, has published the 'UAE Manufacturers' Guide', which aims to provide information on UAE manufacturing. The guide includes information on the initial steps necessary for manufacturing start-ups in the UAE, as well as sections on UAE overview, industry regulations and policies, market requirements, product sourcing and suppliers list.
Twitter a hit for brands - survey
Spot On Public Relations has released a survey result showing brand growth via the social media network Twitter. According to the Middle East & North Africa Twitter Demographics & User Habits Survey, over 90% of users in the region say they have found out about a new product or service through Twitter and over 60% have had their perceptions of a brand changed by Twitter. However, the survey also showed over 50% had also formed negative perceptions of a brand via Twitter. The survey revealed over 85% of users surveyed said they used the service to find news or stay updated and 55% actively use the service to research new opinion and information.
UAE newspapers get Metro ad boost
The UAE's national newspapers have recorded 20%-30% additional advertising dedicated to Dubai Metro with many of the advertisements using Metro as a theme, according to Emirates Business. The majority of newspapers have also brought out supplements dedicated to the launch of Dubai Metro with advertising of 40%, according to the report.
Google launches Arabic question and answer tool
Google has launched a new web service named Ejabat aimed at Arabic-speaking users of the web. The new service will enable users to post questions and answer others in Arabic. One of the aims of the service is to boost the Arabic language content on the web and provide a platform to users to help each other. The US-based company estimates that less than 1% of information online is in Arabic.
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