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Saudi ministry signs TV deals
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture and Information has signed agreements at a total value of total value of SR314m with six local firms for establishing TV and Radio centres across the kingdom, the Saudi Gazette has reported. The contracts include setting up three TV and Radio centres in Hail, Tabuk and Jizan, in addition to 10 digital TV broadcast stations in Al-Henakeyah, Msegeed, Al-Ahmar,Tarabah, Al-Harjah, Balqarn, Ba Al-Asmar, Hobouna and Al-Mandaq. The ministry has also signed contracts for the supply, delivery and installation of studio equipment for Makkah TV, as well as the operation and maintenance of radio transmitting stations in each of the Al-Khumrah, Jeddah, Duba and Gurayat and Ras Al-Zour.
GBC and Alef part ways
Dubai-based Gray Business Communications (GBC) has agreed with Saudi Arabia-based Alef Publishing and Media to terminate their licensing agreement under which the Alef has operated in the kingdom over the past two years. Following the termination of the agreement, GBC will handle their regional, media representation business fully in-house, to be run from their headquarters in Dubai Media City.
Sony unit moving to IMPZ
Sony Professional Solutions Middle East is moving its operations into the Dubai's International Media Production Zone (IMPZ). The audiovisual and communication unit will begin moving to the free zone in November, with Sony Professional's operations having completely set up in IMPZ by early 2010.
AllDetails wins Le Gray account
Luxury PR and marketing company AllDetails Middle East has clinched the deal to manage the public relations for boutique hotel Le Gray, Beirut within the GCC region. The PR company has said it also has recently been awarded the PR to communicate in the GCC for brands such as Capella Hotels; Schloss Velden in Austria and Capella's new flagship in the Far East; Capella Singapore, which opened in March 2009.
Momentum wins Bonhams account
Dubai-based Momentum PR has been won the Middle East PR account for auctioneers Bonhams. It has been tasked with developing a public relations programme to raise the profile of Bonhams. The programme will aim to show Bonhams' commitment to building platforms to facilitate cultural exchange of works of art between the Middle East and the rest of the world, the auctioneer said.
Google News expands Arabic outlets
Google has launched four Arabic editions of its Google News service, for Egypt, Lebanon, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The targeted editions will let users access news specific to their country. The company said that as with other editions of Google News, its computer-generated Arabic editions will aggregate headlines from news outlets around the world.
Murdoch eyes Saudi media stake
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is in talks with Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal to buy a 20% stake in Rotana Media, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the deal. The deal would be the first major invesment in the Middle East for News Corp. A formal bid valuing the stake is expected this month, the person told the paper, without giving specifics on price.
RAK Media City cancels freelance visas
RAK Media City has stopped sponsoring freelance visas, leaving media professionals who want to market themselves as freelancers in the UAE with no alternative but to register with Dubai Media City (DMC), reported The National. The RAK free zone was set up two years ago as a cheaper alternative to DMC, which charges Dhs24,500 ($6,300) a year plus fees for a freelance visa. Junaid Shaikh, the chief executive of RAK Media City, said the decision was taken because it proved too challenging for the free zone to monitor the freelancers.
Philippine DOT inks deal with Gulf Reps
The Philippine Department of Tourism has appointed Dubai-based Gulf Reps as its Trade and Media Coordinators. Under the agreement, Gulf Reps will handle all PR related activities for the tourism board, and will start with promoting three trade and media trips from the region to Manila before the end of the year.
Ramadan TV sponsorships decline
Programme sponsorship, which usually makes the bulk of TV ad spend during Ramadan, has declined by about 30% compared to Ramadan in 2008, according to Satish Mayya, Executive VP and CEO of BPG Media. However, ad spend is between seven and 10% ahead of the early months of 2009, he told Emirates Business 24/7. Programme sponsorships, which used to be dominated by real estate developers, are now mostly taken by companies producing fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), particularly international brands.
$1m prize for best TV drama in Ramadan
Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) will award $1m (Dhs3.67m) to the best drama programme broadcast on one of its channels during Ramadan. It will be decided by public vote. The prize is a directive by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
AT Group signs deal with Palestinian media company
Jordan-based AT Group has signed an agreement with the Palestinian Media and Communications to up its reporters covering the Middle East and some key international cities. The agreement is a prelude to AT Group's launch of two Jordanian channels later this year, which will offer general entertainment and news programming. They will broadcast over satellite, internet and mobile, giving a Jordanian view on news.
Jordan's Madison group expands in UK
Jordan-based Madison Holding Group has announced the expansion of its network into the UK and European markets. Madison UK will be based in London as a full service agency and will act as the European hub. Madison UK will be headed by Greg Wixted, who previously was Regional Director of GCI (Cohn & Wolfe) Middle East.
Over 10,000 film fans head to new Dubai Mall cinemas
More than 10,000 movie-goers have watched films at Reel Cinemas, the new megaplex at Dubai Mall, in its first week of opening, the company has said. Emaar Retail, a subsidiary of Emaar Malls Group, which owns The Dubai Mall, said 12 more screens will open later this year, adding to the 10 screens that are currently available.
Du offers Islamic TV content for Ramadan
Du has signed a deal with regional broadcaster Al Majd to offer customers a range of Islamic mobile content during Ramadan. Content will include broadcasts of live Taraweeh prayers from Mecca, Islamic chants, videos and ringtones, customised anasheed (traditional songs), hadeeth, dua'a and fatwa. Additionally, new Du mobile TV subscribers will get free access during Ramadan.
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