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Publicis to buy Razorfish
French advertising group Publicis, the world's fourth-largest ad group, has said it would buy the digital advertising agency Razorfish from Microsoft for $530m, AP has reported. The software giant will, after the sale of Razorfish, hold 3% of the capital of Publicis, thus becoming one of its main shareholders, Publicis has said. Razorfish will continue to operate under its brand name.
Abu Dhabi Sports to make EPL 'affordable'
Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, which had secured the exclusive Middle East broadcasting rights for the English Premier League (EPL) football matches, has said that its monthly subscription 'will be within the reach of the public,' according to Emirates Business. The regional sports TV channel says that it has contracted a number of football experts to present, analyse and provide commentary on the games, Mohammed Najib, Head of Abu Dhabi Sports Channel has said. The group has contracted the rights to broadcast the EPL for three years, beginning in August 2010.
AME Info named top business site for Gulf advertising
AME info has been named the most successful business focused internet site in the Middle East to target UAE-based consumers. A report by OOX looked at 75 websites during the second quarter of this year and found that among business sites, AME Info had the highest number of adverts focusing on the UAE. The site came third overall in the Middle East, when consumer sites were also included. Explaining the company's findings to Media Week, Fouad Bedran, co-managing director of OOX, said the monitoring service was important for agencies because it helps them design 'more intelligent media plans'.
Mediaedge wins Gulf Air account
Mediaedge:cia Bahrain has won a long-run pitch to handle media planning and buying for Gulf Air. According to a report in Media week, it beat off four competitors to win the account, and will look after the Bahrain-based airline's local and regional activities. Gulf Air is estimated to spend $10m a year on advertising.
LBC Saudi Arabia shut following sex interview
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Culture and Information has closed the offices of Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC) in Jeddah, officially for operating without a licence. However, the Saudi offices of the TV station were threatened with closure after broadcasting an interview with a Saudi man who boasted about his sexual conquests. The offices also served Rotana TV and Al-Resalah, an Islamic broadcasting channel, both owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who also owns a majority stake in LBC.
Momentum PR wins KidsCo TV
Dubai-based public relations agency Momentum has announced it has been appointed by KidsCo TV Ltd to develop and execute a Middle East focused public relations program to create awareness and excitement around KidsCo TV, its website and its programmes. KidsCo is available on the Showtime TV network.
ADMC taps online gaming
Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC) has recently announced its plans with Gazillion Entertainment to create a Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG) Studio, a purpose-built facility based in Abu Dhabi. The project is part of its 50:50 JV agreement with the U.S. based Gazillion Entertainment. The first game from the new studio in Abu Dhabi is the development of an Arabic language MMOG, based on the popular character 'Majid'.
Qtel adds Sharjah TV to Mozaic package
Sharjah TV has been added to Qtel's Mozaic TV+ package in Qatar. It was one of the most requested channels requested by subscribers, Qtel said. Sharjah TV is available as part of the Prime Arabia package, on Channel 295, and customers who have subscribed to the package will receive the channel for free, Qtel said.
Jordan endorses law on media advertising
Jordan's Lower House has endorsed a controversial amendment to the Culture Law as referred by the Senate, which stipulates a 1% tax on media advertising revenues to support the cultural sector, The Jordan Times has reported. In June, the Jordanian government introduced an amendment to the Culture Law in response to a petition signed by 58 MPs calling on the government to annul a 5% tax on media advertising revenues.
Mepra launches industry awards
The Middle East Public Relations Association (Mepra) has launched an awards programme for professionals working in the industry in this region. There are 15 awards in total - 10 for best practice, three individual awards and two for best in class. Companies can enter until October 8, with the winners being announced on November 24.
Saudi Arabia may shut 'sex talk' station's TV offices
The Saudi offices of Lebanon's LBC satellite station could face closure over a talk show featuring a Saudi man who boasted about his sexual exploits, AFP has reported. The Beirut-based broadcaster's local offices, which are controlled by Saudi tycoon Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, could be shut down due to the "offensive nature" of the programme, Abdullah al-Othaim, a senior district judge in Jeddah was quoted as saying.
UAE advertising spend expected to grow this year
A study by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has said that advertising spending in the UAE will grow by 8% this year to reach a total of Dh8bn, despite the impact of the global financial crisis on budgets. Advertising spending in Abu Dhabi is expected to reach Dh3.6bn this year and Dh4.18bn in 2010. The annual growth rate is expected to remain at the same level until 2011, resulting in spends of Dh9.28bn in 2010 and Dh10bn in 2011, ADCCI has said.
Saudi Media Show to take place in October
The 2nd Saudi Media Show 2009 will be held in Riyadh from October 27-29, the Saudi Gazette has reported. The organizer, Batola Company for Organization of Local and International Exhibitions, said that various international companies will take part in the show, specializing in marketing, media, advertising and public relations.
MBC, Du to set up global IP network
Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has signed an agreement with Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co. (Du) and PCCW Global Limited, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based PCCW Limited, to set up a single converged resilient IP network spanning the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America. MBC will use the network to provide secure and reliable connectivity between the group's Dubai head office and its global branch offices for the transfer of data and video. MBC also intends to extend its reach by utilizing the network to aid the global distribution of its Arabic content.
Egypt cracks down on illegal drug ads
The Egyptian health ministry said it will crack down on media outlets which promote medical or beauty products not certified by the ministry, Daily News Egypt has reported. Media companies found guilty of trading these products will face criminal and legal proceedings. The move is in response to a rise in TV ads for counterfeit products that could endanger human life and mislead consumers, and applies to independent, private and local media outlets.
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