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Abu Dhabi Media signs MoU with RAI COM

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Abu Dhabi Media has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RAI COM, a leading Italian television operator working across public service, broadcasting, radio, satellite and digital platforms. The MoU agreement between Abu Dhabi Media and RAI COM will ultimately unite both geographic markets and will allow each organisation to continue promoting tourism and cultural interests, in addition to creating awareness of EXPO 2015 and EXPO 2020, which are set to take place in Milan and the UAE respectively.

“This MoU is yet another significant milestone in Abu Dhabi Media’s mission to build awareness of the UAE’s achievements locally, regionally and internationally, and reaffirms the nation’s leadership position as an international cultural, economic and financial hub,” says His Excellency Mohamed Ebraheem Al Mahmood, Chairman and Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Media. “Our partnership with RAI COM will facilitate knowledge transfer and best practice exchanged across several facets of the media industry including production, publishing and digital.”

Luigi de Siervo, Managing Director of RAI COM adds, “The signature of this agreement between RAI COM and Abu Dhabi Media represents for RAI the act for a future and long lasting mutual cooperation. It also confirms the willingness of the two countries to develop a continuous partnership. The first objective is to grant a complete coverage and detailed information about EXPO 2015 in the UAE. This will pave the road for a successful EXPO 2020 taking place in the UAE.”

The strategic partnership will see Abu Dhabi Media work in close cooperation on brand logistics and production, with each organisation benefitting from the resources and support through a series of communications and initiatives aimed at promoting activities to diverse audiences across local and international markets.

Al Jazeera Arabic reaches 10 million FB followers

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Al Jazeera Arabic has become the first Arab news channel to reach ten million followers on Facebook. Having already secured its status as the most-watched Arab channel on TV, this Facebook achievement further highlights Al Jazeera’s goal to become the number one pan-Arab news outlet across all media platforms.

“The Arab viewer since 1996 has evolved from a TV viewer to someone who now absorbs news content on TV, tablets, desktops and mobile whenever and wherever they want,” says Yaser Abuhilalah, Managing Director, Al Jazeera Arabic. “Al Jazeera will always hold true to its values of journalism and fearless reporting, however it will change and adapt to new technology and platforms on which it is delivered. The constant evolution in news consumption is not due to the strategy of the channel but is due to the partnership with you, the viewer, the follower and the consumer. Each of the ten million followers on Facebook is a partner, same as anyone who shares our content on Twitter, Instagram and Google Plus, as well as the person who watches Al Jazeera on TV. I hope the partnership will expand and will continue to be enhanced.”

Al Jazeera Arabic’s Facebook page provides followers the ability to engage with the latest news, analysis and features. In December 2014, the page reach improved from appearing on 1.5 million timelines daily to 4 million. At the same time, the rate of engagement through comments, shares and clicks increased from 100,000 to 220,000 per day.

Al Jazeera moves satellite broadcast to Es’hailSat

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Al Jazeera Media Network is to permanently terminate broadcasting via satellites Badr-4 and Badr-5 as of January 1, 2015. With new channel bundles broadcasting through satellite Es’hailsat 1, this move comes as part of the network’s efforts to provide its viewers in the MENA region with uninterrupted satellite TV broadcasting, as Al Jazeera channels have seen deliberate jamming in the wake of its coverage of the Arab uprisings. Included in the move are Al Jazeera Arabic, Al Jazeera English, Al Jazeera Mubhaser-Misr, Al Jazeera Documentary Channel and Al Jazeera America.

“Al Jazeera has carefully investigated and considered the intentional jamming of its signal in recent years,” says Ibrahim Nassar, Manager of RF & Teleport Engineering, Al Jazeera Media Network. “The jamming is part of an orchestrated and multifaceted campaign to block the network’s signal and internet websites from it viewers.”

Es’hailSat covers the same geographic area as Arabsat and provides viewers with secure and uninterrupted transmission with more powerful abilities to hold off signal interference attempts. Nassar added that the move to Es’hailSat does not require viewers to adjust their satellite dish location or the satellite receiver.

Nilesat viewers can still watch Al Jazeera channels in the GCC, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan and Djibouti via Nilesat (EAST) 11636 V, FEC: 3/4 and Symbol Rate 27500; in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Mauritania, Al Jazeera channels are available via Nilesat (WEST) 10992 V, FEC: 3/4 and Symbol Rate 27500

DPP Motion launches MEA and Asia video library

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Dubai-based DPP Motion has become the first stock library to specialise in footage exclusively from the emerging markets of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, offering content to production companies, broadcasters, advertising agencies and other media. Featuring 4K footage, aerials and time lapses, the DPP Motion video library has been built by a team of locally-based video producers, and provides up-to-date creative and editorial footage depicting vibrant and dynamic life from places often undocumented by other video libraries, including the UAE, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Georgia, India, Malaysia, Namibia, Vietnam, Madagascar and China. Stock video can be instantly and securely purchased online at DPP Motion’s website, and is powered by Amazon’s latest cloud technology (AWS).

“With globalisation, the world is getting smaller and historical and geographical borders are becoming increasingly insignificant,” says Dalia Penzik, Managing Director, DPP Motion. “However, very little video content exists in any real breadth or depth from these areas. There are many countries that are ideal locations for today’s media uses – whether for advertising, feature films, editorial use, corporate videos or e-publishing – but a large number are difficult to access due to challenging terrain, bureaucratic access issues or security concerns. We are making this high quality material readily available, as well as offering a simple online payment system. Our team comprises professional video producers with extensive, first-hand experience of the regions we cover, so we can assure that the footage we are offering accurately depicts current content that can be used for either editorial or commercial purposes. The library was built following in-depth research on the latest business demands and trends of the markets we aim to serve, so we really understand the needs of production companies, broadcasters, advertising agencies and other media makers.”

Signé magazine set to go monthly

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Signé magazine – owned by Ad Maiora Media – is increasing its frequency from six to 10 issues per year starting from January 2015. Signé will now be available in stores on the 1st of every month, with the exception of July and August. Signé was first launched in September 2013 with an emphasis on style, design and researched editorial content, and the new monthly editions will give readers the opportunity to keep up with the evolving world of men’s luxury lifestyle.

“After an amazing first year, it’s a real pleasure for us to answer the market’s call to see Signé more often!” says Daniel Giacometti, Managing Director, Ad Maiora Media. “With 42,000 more copies a year, the other major change for 2015 is that we will be using a wood-free recycled paper in our publication to greatly reduce our footprint on the environment.”

AOL secures acquisition of Vidible

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AOL has acquired Vidible, an independent cross-screen video management and exchange platform for digital media. Headquartered in Bellevue, with additional offices in New York City and San Francisco, Vidible allows content creators to expand the distribution reach and monetisation options of their video content, while publishers are given the option to source and manage content, creating new advertising-based revenue streams.

In AOL’s official announcement, the acquisition will allow the company to expand its video stack with new video content management tools; increase the availability and management of premium video to publishers and content owners via a self-serve platform; add a video content exchange that will plug into AOL’s monetisation platforms; and add a team of highly experienced operators, product and technical leaders.

“AOL is focused on transforming the digital media environment by creating an open marketplace for video,” says Dermot McCormack, President, AOL Video and Studios. “We are thrilled to welcome the Vidible team to AOL as we accelerate our mission of providing our partners with the platform and tools they need to better create, curate, syndicate and monetise their content across the globe.”

Tim Mahlman, President and Co-Founder of Vidible adds, “We’re excited to be joining AOL, a company that’s on the forefront of video. The combination of AOL Video and Vidible accelerates our vision of making content management and syndication available to video content creators and publishers everywhere.”

Last issue of Good Housekeeping ME to hit stands

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The publication of Good Housekeeping Middle East is officially being brought to a close after the December issue. Launched December 1, 2011, Good Housekeeping Middle East has brought the latest tried and tested advice on fashion, beauty, food and home from across the region. Backed by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and Good Housekeeping Seal, the publication has had a monthly circulation of 15,000 copies distributed throughout the UAE and GCC under Editor-in-Chief Lena ter Laare.

 

 

Active announces results of Digital Trends Report

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PR and communications agency Hotwire and Active PR have announced the launch of the first Digital Trends Report 2014 for the Middle East region. The first dedicated Digital Trends Report for the Middle East comprises of eight key trends for the region when it comes to digital communications, with this year’s theme for the report centred on ‘The Year of Reflection’. Main highlights of 2014, as well as what organisations, brands and technophiles should be looking forward to in 2015 are covered. The Digital Trends Report will be published annually.

The eight digital trends for 2014 are as follows –

  1. Politics finds its voice: Active and Hotwire take it back to 2011, when we were getting started with social media. As the younger Arab generation comes of age politically and the region continues its transition from autocracy and dynasty to representative government, the impact of social media will have a permanent political impact, perhaps more than in any other region.
  2. Social media in school: Whose responsibility is it to educate children on the pros and cons of social media? Should social media education be added to the curriculum? These are questions we expect to be raised more in 2014 and beyond.
  3. Cultural sensitivity: Communications in the Middle Eastern region is a different ballgame from the West, so how do you express opinions or communicate on social media without breaking the law or common courtesy? This chapter highlights what the rules and protocols are when communicating publicly on social media and what private users and organisations should be aware of.
  4. Death of anonymity: How safe is our personal information online? What should or shouldn’t we share?
  5. Data for the moment: How did brands leverage Dubai’s bid for Expo 2020 to their own benefit? Were they creative while doing so? This report looks at how brands should understand their social data and base their social media campaigns on that.
  6. From customers to consumers: It is likely that customer service teams and community management will merge in 2014/2015. Customer service teams will lose their reputation for starched-collar-stuffiness, while community managers will gain authority to act on behalf not just of the brand, but also of the organisation.
  7. Digitisation of retail: Frictionless digital technology has the potential to delete the middleman. We expect to see retailers move upstream and become content and product manufacturers, and downstream to own mobile and television.
  8. But how much? The upcoming year will be a breakthrough year for campaign measurement and in the establishment of standards for measuring social media focused activity.

“We’re very excited to present our first Digital Trends Report for the Middle East,” says Fatima el Malki, Digital Communications Manager, Active PR. “Through many interactions and conversations with our clients and fellow specialists in the fields of communications, public affairs and technology, we noticed a lack of thought leadership focused on digital. Reading reports and articles comprising of various percentages on social media behaviour are educational, but our report focuses on how to leverage on these trends as a brand or communications professional.”

Sawsan Ghanem, Editor of the report and Managing Partner at Active PR adds, “Digital is literally changing the way we all look at things and the way we behave. The Digital Trends Report 2014 is designed to provide a taste and insight into how much of an impact digital communications has on society, both worldwide and in the Middle East.”

Al Jazeera launches Palestine Remix

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In commemoration of the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Al Jazeera Media Network has launched Palestine Remix. The interactive website will allow users access to some of Al Jazeera’s best documentaries on Palestine, and enables people to cut-and-paste footage to tell stories and share it immediately through different social media platforms. The remix tool is a built-in simplistic video editing software that allows users to build their short films in minutes. The project also contains interactive maps and timelines, granting users a better understanding of the Palestinian issue and the opportunity to contextualise it.

“This project is not just about telling the important story of Palestine,” says Rawan Damen, Project Manager, Palestine Remix. “It’s about creating new ones. We want to give you a new way to understand, tell and share stories about Palestine. That why we’ve created Palestine Remix – to put the power of storytelling into your hands.”

The database provides the user the ability to watch full documentaries with their full transcripts, allowing the visitor to click on a word in the transcript and go directly to the specific point in the film. The user can also pick and choose, as well as mix and match the extracts of different films, view full films, or search the full transcripts using any word, name, place or concept. The database contains 84 hours in four languages, with more than 250 people, 580 places and a timeline that spans 215 years. It also provides drone footage of iconic places in historic Palestine – Jerusalem, Acre, Gaza and many others.

Palestine Remix is the first of its kind on the Palestinian issues, has a version specifically for mobile users and will be a mobile app before the end of 2014.