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CNN launches new forum

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CNN hosts its first Middle East Business Forum this week at the Four Seasons, Abu Dhabi. The theme for the forum was Beyond Oil in the Changing World with over 350 members in attendance and started out with keynote speeches by former President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso and Mubadala’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, H.E Khaldoon Al Mubarak. The forum served as a platform for discussions among key influencers in the Middle East in the field of business and will be aired on CNN International on December 9, 2016.
“This inaugural CNN Middle East Business Forum was a platform of informed and intelligent discussion amongst key influencers about the opportunities and challenges in the Middle East during a time of seismic change,” says Rani R. Raad, President, CNN International Commercial. “We are proud to have worked with our partners Mubadala and twofour54 to bring together news-makers, agenda-setters and business leaders for meaningful debates about what the future holds.”

CNN expands Cathy Ibal’s role

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Cathy Ibal has joined CNN International Commercial’s executive team and taken on a wider remit, adding CNN’s advertising sales across Middle East and Africa to her existing responsibilities in Southern/Central/Eastern Europe, Turkey and CIS. In her expanded position, Cathy will lead CNN’s advertising sales teams across all of these regions and extend her work with CNN International’s digital, data and branded content divisions to deliver smart, integrated advertising and brand solutions to a wider range of clients. She will also be responsible for developing CNN’s long-term strategic relationships with key brand partners in these regions, as well as continuing to identify opportunities for advertisers in innovative areas such as CNN Digital. Cathy will now report directly to CNN International Commercial President Rani R. Raad.

“I am immensely pleased to see homegrown talent like Cathy taking responsibility over these key territories and leading one of the most accomplished advertising sales teams, not just at CNN International but the entire industry,” says Rani. “I look forward to Cathy continuing to grow these regional sales markets and working with clients on brand solutions that simply aren’t possible or as effective anywhere other than CNN.”

Cathy adds “Over the last 15 years, I have developed a full appreciation of the power of CNN, our content and unique approach to developing commercial solutions that can completely change the way a brand is perceived around the world. I’m delighted to add Africa and the Middle East to my existing remit and work with clients in all of these regions to collaborate on impactful and exciting partnerships that leverage CNN’s momentum in areas such as digital, data, branded content and the enduring power of TV and quality video.”

CNN names new VP of Arabic Services

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Caroline Faraj has been named the new Vice President of Arabic Services for CNN, as the international news outlet unveils ambitious plans for growth in the Middle East. Caroline was previously responsible for the content and management of the CNN Arabic website, leading the site’s re-launch in 2014.

In her new role, Caroline will have strategic oversight of CNNArabic.com while also working alongside CNN’s Middle East newsgathering team, and the CNN Abu Dhabi platform on major cross-platform editorial initiatives. She will also work with the CNNI commercial and digital teams on new digital opportunities in the region. Her immediate focus will be on continuing the expansion of the CNN Arabic brand, while also expanding the CNN Dubai operation in order to allow for increased content development to feed all of CNN’s linear and non-linear platforms.

“CNN Arabic has proved an outstanding success story under Caroline’s leadership and has demonstrated the region’s growing digital appetite for our news product,” says Andrew Morse, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CNN Digital.

Rani R Raad, Managing Director, Turner Broadcasting in the Middle East, adds “Our continued investment under Caroline’s leadership in CNN Arabic reflects the strength of our aspirations for this region. Caroline is perfectly placed in this new role to continue to enrich the news content we offer our consumers, while also helping to develop exciting new digital propositions that will engage audiences and excite our partners.”

 

CNN named #1 international news brand

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The latest IPSOS Affluent Global survey has confirmed CNN International as the leading international news brand, reaching an unrivalled four out of 10 upscale consumers and decision-makers across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

CNN’s reach of affluent international audience is larger than all news competitors in every metric across TV and digital platforms. According to the IPSOS Affluent Global survey, every month CNN is currently reaching 40% of the international upscale population via TV and digital platforms – well ahead of BBC (29%), CNBC (14%), Bloomberg (11%) and Al Jazeera (11%).

On TV, CNN is the most watched international news channel for monthly (34%), weekly (19%) and daily (5%) reach. This is significantly ahead of the reach of other news channels’ TV reach – BBC (23% monthly, 13% weekly, 4% daily), Sky (21%, 13%, 5%), CNBC (10%, 5%, 1%), Al Jazeera (9%, 5%, 2%) and Bloomberg (8%, 4%, 1%).

CNN International is also excelling digitally, ranking in the number one position ahead of all news and entertainment brands with a 14% monthly reach. This compares to National Geographic (11%), BBC (11%), Discovery (9%), Bloomberg (5%), CNBC (5%) and Al Jazeera (3%). The IPSOS Affluent Global findings confirm CNN registering a global digital audience of 99 million unique visitors in comScore’s August data – over 25 million ahead of BBC (73 million).

“What is commonly referred to as the ‘CNN effect’ is our ability to deliver non-partisan, objective reporting from all corners of the world quicker and in more detail than anyone else,” says Rani R. Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International. “It’s this effect that connects with our consumers on TV, mobile, digital and social platforms, making CNN the worldwide news leader it is today.”