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Arab News launches new Hajj App

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Saudi Arabian-based newspaper, Arab News has launched new smartphone application, Hajj App. Officially sponsored by the Muslim World League, the Hajj app aims to provide comprehensive coverage of the Hajj pilgrimage and will offer the latest news updates from Arab News as well as live broadcast service. The application will also include features such as an optional pilgrim tracker function to enable users to switch on and share their location, follow family and friends in real time, get emergency call number and a list of all embassies and other important services during Hajj.

“This Arab News and Muslim World League cooperation is an ideal and practical example of a media outlet working with a non-governmental organisation for the public good,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “Launching this app is part of Arab News’ digital transformation and provides readers and English-speaking pilgrims added value and a very useful service.”

Arab News makes global structural changes

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Saudi Arabian-based newspaper, Arab News has launched two new bureaus in Europe and Asia as a part of its global, digital expansion plan. The new launch has been followed by the appointment of Baker Atyani to the role of Southeast Asia Bureau Chief, who brings with him experience in journalism, having covered stories on conflict zones in the region and previously worked with Al Arabiya as Bureau Chief – Asia, and most recently as its Senior International Correspondent. In his new role, he will spearhead Arab News’ coverage of Asia across print, online and video with a particular focus on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Arab News’ digital expansion will also see the promotion of Ben Flanagan to the role of London Bureau Chief. With 16 years of experience working on national newspapers and news portals, Ben most recently held the position of Senior Editor at Arab News. He will now take on his new role to lead the operations of the new bureau in London and cover the UK and Europe from an Arab perspective, with a particular focus on politics, business and investment to serve as a digital hub for the newspaper.

“The new bureaus support the newspaper’s ‘more digital, more global’ strategy,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “It is a great pleasure for us to have these two exceptionally experienced and incredibly capable journalists heading up our crucial Asia and UK operations. This inevitably adds much value to our readers who will be sure to get the best relevant content and stories from across these regions.”

Arab News partners with online polling firm

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Saudi Arabian-based newspaper, Arab News has signed an exclusive partnership with online polling firm, YouGov. The new partnership will see YouGov conduct regular polls in relation to the MENA region to help shed light on regional views towards international events. The agreement will also produce credible research on international opinions on Arab affairs and allow its findings be published on Arab News’ print and digital platforms starting in May, 2017.

“In an era of fast-moving news cycles, information overload and ‘fake news’, there could be no better time for a media brand to invest in quality, credible research such as that produced by YouGov,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “This inevitably means that Arab News readers will enjoy a series of highly insightful research-based reports which will, in turn, bring us closer to understanding the hearts and minds of the region.”

Arab News win MENAA Award

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper, Arab News has been honored for its recent transformation and achievements at the fourth annual MENAA Awards, that took place on December 15, 2016 at the Burj Al Arab hotel, Dubai. The event recognised Arab News for its progress in the last three months and also awarded the Editor-in-Chief, Faisal J. Abbas, with the Best Business Leaders Award for his leadership skills and work in contributing towards the newspaper’s performance that has created buzz in the media industry, gaining international credit for many recent stories.

“This recognition is dedicated to our Arab News team worldwide, however, the biggest prize we will always continue to aspire for daily is our readers’ continued trust,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News.

Arab News makes new appointment

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Arab News has appointed Khaled Almaeena to the role of Editor Emeritus. Former Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Almaeena will now play an advisory role in newsroom management, staff coaching and documenting the history of the newspaper.

“Arab News is undergoing a major transformation with the intention of taking it forward, international and more digital,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “However, we are equally proud of our history and keen to preserve it. We believe that there is nobody better suited than Mr. Almaeena – who has served as Editor for more than half of the 41-year old newspaper’s history – to help with that task. In addition, as our new Editor Emeritus, he will be an invaluable mentor to a whole new generation of journalists who will carry Arab News forward in the future.”

Arab News announces new Deputy Managing Editor

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Arab News has promoted Siraj Wahab to the role of Deputy Managing Editor. Having joined Arab news as Editor, Siraj previously worked with Bombay Mid-Day as Chief Sub-Editor. In his new role, he will work on streamlining as well as enhancing the editorial coverage of the Arab News team.

“On behalf of the entire Arab News editorial team, I would like to congratulate my colleague, Wahab on this much deserved promotion,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “We look forward to his continued contribution towards the editorial team and Arab News as a whole”

Mohammed Rayes joins Arab News

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Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Arab News has appointed Mohammed Rayes to the role of Resident Cartoonist. Rayes previously worked with Asharq Al-Awsat, London and more recently Okaz, Saudi Arabia. In his new role, he will be responsible for the all cartoon publication for Arab News on all its print and online media platforms.

“We are extremely pleased to have Mohammed Rayes join us,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Arab News. “His cartoons truly have the ability to go beyond borders and I’m the creativity of this truly-talented and self-taught Saudi artist will be appreciated by readers of both our print and online editions.”

Arab News appoints Faisal J. Abbas

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Former Editor of Al Arabiya News Channel‘s English language service, www.alarabiya.new/English, Faisal J. Abbas will be the new Editor-in-Chief of Saudi Arabia’s English language daily newspaper Arab News. Part of Riyadh-based Saudi Research and Marketing (SRMG), the Middle East’s largest integrated publishing company, Arab News was established in the region in 1975 and has been home to a number of influential English-speaking Editors as well as Journalists and Faisal will be working to take the publication global. Having joined the Al Arabiya News Channel in 2012, Faisal worked to relaunch and expand news coverage of the channel’s English language digital platform. Associate Editor Ammar Aziz will now handle interim management of the service.

“Faisal is among the most prominent Saudi journalists on the international scene,” says HH Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohamad bin Farhan Al-Saud, Chairman, SRMG. “He brings an impressive track-record of successful media brands re-launching as well as expanding newsroom operations. This appointment falls in line with SRMG’s future vision of taking our titles to new heights by empowering young Saudi media leaders capable of meeting the aspirations of the new generation who are today’s biggest media consumers.”

Al Arabiya hosts Lord Bell

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Al Arabiya English hosted communications veteran Lord Timothy Bell, Chairman of public relations firm Bell Pottinger, as part of a panel discussion on the PR industry last Thursday, March 10. The event was moderated by Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Al Arabiya English and attended by government representatives, public relations industry professionals and senior journalists, as part of an ongoing series – Al Arabiya News Global Discussions, an initiative created by Al Arabiya News during its relaunch in order to bolster understanding, encourage dialogue and find ways to bridge the communication gap between the MENA region and the rest of the world. Lord Bell offered his opinions on a number of topics, including Britain’s membership in the EU, the ‘war of words’ against ISIS as well as the rise of social media and how this has brought more opportunities to reach more specific audiences.

“The essence of public relations is to use third party endorsement to inform and persuade…none of that has changed,” says Lord Bell, referring to social and digital media and the PR process. “It’s the same skill and the art of it is to have an idea that you communicate with the same power to capture the imagination of the people you’re talking to, which makes them change the way they think and the way they behave.”

 

 

 

Al Arabiya News marks International Women’s Day

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Al Arabiya News is marking this year’s International Women’s Day, which falls on the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration on gender equality, with special coverage profiling the world’s leading women and their contribution to society. The coverage is set to highlight the Middle East’s most pressing issues on the status of women in the region.

Gender-related violence, education and women in the workforce are among the topics being addressed, as well as a look back at prominent women in Arab history and profiles on leading women in the fields of politics, philanthropy, media, technology, business and architecture.

“Since this International Women’s Day marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, we felt that resembles an ideal opportunity to look back and reflect on the challenges and achievements of women in our part of the world over the past two decades,” says Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief, Al Arabiya News. “Sadly, many Arab women continue to face deprivation of many of their basic rights, as well as discrimination and violence; however, this means that women who actually succeed and manage to achieve an outstanding status deserve an even bigger round of applause from all of us, given that they are making it despite these challenges. These are the women we hope to shed the light on, as we see them as a beacon of hope for generations to come.”

Al Arabiya News’ coverage is being inaugurated today on the eve of International Women’s Day, with an exclusive opinion piece by former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and a special report on gender-related violence in the Middle East. Among the profiled Arab success stories being profiled throughout the week are Palestinian Legislator Hanan Ashrawy; Lebanese writer and activist Joumana Hadad; Egyptian Minister for Social Solidarity Ghada Fathi Ismail Wali; CEO of Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 Nora al-Kaabi and Facebook’s UAE-based Head of Brand Amira Rashad.