ITV

Tag: Abu Dhabi

  • Abu Dhabi gears up for World Tennis League season three

    Abu Dhabi gears up for World Tennis League season three

    Mumbai: The World Tennis League (WTL) returns for its third season from 19 to 22 December 2024 at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena. Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism and Miral, WTL season three will feature 16 top players across four teams, including Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Iga Świątek, Aryna Sabalenka, Daniil Medvedev, and India’s Sumit Nagal.

    Alongside tennis, performances by Bryan Adams, Akon, Sean Paul, and Anastacia will add to the entertainment. This year’s ‘Kids Watch For Free’ initiative allows up to four children to enter for free with each adult ticket purchased. The previous edition drew 20,000 attendees and was broadcast in over 125 countries. WTL aims to further cement itself as a major global event by combining world-class sports and entertainment.

  • SG Sports awards mandate for SG Mavericks Kites & Bengaluru SG Mavericks to Buffalo Soldiers

    SG Sports awards mandate for SG Mavericks Kites & Bengaluru SG Mavericks to Buffalo Soldiers

    Mumbai: In a new chapter in sports marketing, creative agency Buffalo Soldiers has teamed up with SG Sports to boost the branding and social media presence of their elite tennis teams: SG Mavericks Kites and Bengaluru SG Mavericks.

    The SG Mavericks Kites set to play at the Meteora World Tennis League (Season 2) in Abu Dhabi are prepped for an electrifying tournament. With stars like world number 2 and Australian Open 2023 winner Aryna Sabalenka, Spanish sensation Paula Badosa, Bulgarian dynamo Grigor Dimitrov, and world number 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, the team is poised for a spectacular showcase of tennis prowess.

    Buffalo Soldiers’ role in amplifying this excitement through innovative digital strategies is pivotal. Buffalo Soldiers co-founder & head of delivery Arnab Kundu of is enthusiastic about the partnership said, “Tennis is a sport that thrives on passion and precision, much like our approach to branding. We’re thrilled to bring our digital expertise to SG Sports’ teams, promising to create a buzz that resonates with tennis fans worldwide.”

    On the other hand, Bengaluru SG Mavericks, fresh from their victory at the Tennis Premier League Season 5, are a testament to Buffalo Soldiers’ successful branding strategies. The agency’s involvement in crafting their online persona played an integral role in building momentum and fan engagement.

    Owner of SG Sports Rohan Gupta is confident in Buffalo Soldiers’ abilities and said, “Our teams have incredible talent, and we needed a partner who could match that with equally impressive branding skills. Buffalo Soldiers was the obvious choice, and they have delivered beyond our expectations.”

    This collaboration highlights Buffalo Soldiers’ diverse capabilities in handling sports branding, a domain that demands dynamism and innovation. Their work with SG Sports’ tennis teams and their chess team SG Alpine Warriors is a showcase of their ability to blend creative storytelling with sports enthusiasm.

    Buffalo Soldiers’ strategy involves not only highlighting the teams’ achievements but also creating an engaging narrative that connects with the audience on a deeper level. It’s about bringing the thrill of the game to the forefront, making each match an experience to remember.

    As SG Maverick Kites gear up for their upcoming tournament and Bengaluru SG Mavericks bask in their recent triumph, Buffalo Soldiers are ready to serve up some ace branding and digital play.

  • IIFA Weekend & Awards: Abu Dhabi to host the 23rd edition of the event in Feb 2023

    IIFA Weekend & Awards: Abu Dhabi to host the 23rd edition of the event in Feb 2023

    Mumbai: The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend And Awards, which brings together the best of the Indian film industry, will return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in February 2023. IIFA 2023 will be held in collaboration with the department of culture and tourism in Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, which creates immersive destinations and experiences.

    The 22nd edition of IIFA this year at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, was hosted by Salman Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Maniesh Paul. It had performances by talent from the Indian film fraternity. The three-day awards weekend was attended by more than 350 media from 17 countries across the globe, and more than 20,000 people thronged the arena.

    The 23rd edition of IIFA will again be hosted at the world-class Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi—the Middle East’s largest state-of-the-art indoor entertainment venue in February 2023. The upcoming edition will see Salman Khan, Varun Dhawan, Karan Johar, Kriti Sanon, and many more in attendance.

    For many decades, India and Abu Dhabi have had strong cultural and commercial ties. IIFA Weekend & Awards will be a celebration of togetherness and positivity, returning to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and enhancing, strengthening, and building even stronger bonds. IIFA 2023 will be a grand celebration of the best talent in Indian cinema, bringing together global dignitaries, international media, fans, and film enthusiasts worldwide. The aim is to also present a greater opportunity for long-term impact in tourism, trade, and the film production business for the destination.

    IIFA VP Noreen Khan said, “IIFA this year was an amazing experience thanks to the wonderful partners Miral and DCT. Coming back after two years, we really worked hard to deliver the very best of live entertainment again. The best part was that the entire weekend delivered a positive experience for everyone who witnessed or experienced the event in any way. We have been inundated with unprecedented appreciation and comments from everyone who truly has had a wonderful time this year in Abu Dhabi, and so we are pleased and excited to bring it all back again, but with much more magic to come next year.”

    DCT Abu Dhabi DG for Tourism HE Saleh Mohamed Al-Geziry said, “We are honoured to once more welcome the IIFA Weekend and Awards to the Etihad Arena. With the eyes of the world’s film industry upon us, we have an amazing opportunity to share with the world Abu Dhabi’s exciting nightlife, inspiring cultural experiences, and restorative escapes. The awards in February can only enhance our reputation as a global centre for top-tier leisure, entertainment, and business events.

    Miral executive director of group communications and destination marketing Taghrid Al Saeed said, “We were thrilled to see the immediate impact that IIFA presented to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi when we hosted the event last June, which created great engagement around the world. We are excited to be back hosting again this year and to be the first destination to consecutively hold the IIFA Weekend and Awards.  We are proud of this partnership, which is already delivering valuable business and tourism opportunities from India to the island.  The return of this great event is another testament to Yas Island’s position as a global entertainment and leisure destination as well as an international events hub.”

    People can now buy tickets to the awards ceremony spanning over three days at https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/ from 30 September 2022. The price range begins at 100 AED and goes up to 1,500 AED. People can now get an opportunity to buy tickets to the celebration of Indian Cinema at https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/box-office or head to www.yas island.ae where fans can add all that they need for their visit to Yas Island as a travel package.

  • IPL governing council clears UAE as venue; Vivo as sponsor

    IPL governing council clears UAE as venue; Vivo as sponsor

    MUMBAI: So, the Indian Premier League is moving to the UAE after all. All that it awaits is the official government go-ahead, which is likely to come in the next couple of days or so.  The IPL’s governing council green signaled the holding of the world’s most premium cricket tournament in the UAE on Sunday from 19 September to 10 November.

    The council also approved the retention of all its sponsors including Chinese mobile company Vivo, which has committed to Rs 440 crore annually for five years. The tournament will be played in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi – all of which have world class stadiums.

    Ten of the matches will be played in the afternoon from 3.30 IST while the evening matches will be played from 7.30 pm.

    The IPL governing council agreed that each team will have a squad of 24 while allowing any number of replacements in teams in case players get infected. However, standard operating procedures are being prepared.  The final will take place during the Diwali week, which should augur well for brands and broadcaster Disney Star India as well.

    Fans who have been starved of cricket are clearly looking forward to the recommencement of live cricket starring their favorite Indian players.

    Meanwhile the IPL council has also agreed to go ahead with the women’s IPL, featuring three teams and four matches to be played during IPL Playoff week. 

  • EaseMyTrip Adds “Activities” to Its Bouquet of Services

    EaseMyTrip Adds “Activities” to Its Bouquet of Services

    NEW DELHI: EaseMyTrip.com, has launched ‘Activities’ on its [platform] that allows travelers to book tickets to an amusement park, staycations at resorts, cruises, boat tours and microlight flying.

    In addition to the services offered by the Company, this new service allows users to book travel experiences from on our website through their desktop / mobile site or the mobile application. Customers visiting domestic destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and international destinations like Dubai, Prague, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Singapore, London, Paris and New York are able to get information about major tourist attractions of these cities. They have an option to choose from a variety of activities at these locations including adventure sports, water sports and cruises.

    Talking about the new service addition, Mr. Prashant Pitti, Executive Director, EaseMyTrip, said, “We have added ‘Activities’ in our array of service for allowing the travelers visiting a place to explore some of the best and most popular attractions. These are fit for those visiting a place for either business or personal purposes with little time to spare without having to wander at places and rely on tour guides. Such activities can offer travelers experiences at their destinations and aim to enhance their trip.”

    He further said, “All the activities available on our platform can be booked separately but can also be clubbed with the tour packages provided by the Company on special demand of the customers.”

  • ZEE5 Global kickstarts its partnership with LuLu in the Middle East with their “Celebrating India” Festival

    ZEE5 Global kickstarts its partnership with LuLu in the Middle East with their “Celebrating India” Festival

    ZEE5 Global has kickstarted its partnership with LuLu, the top retailer in the Middle East, by powering their bi-annual Indian-themed festival “Celebrating India” rolling out across its stores in the UAE, coinciding with the Indian Independence Day. The week-long festival will highlight food, offers, cultural shows and celebrity visits from 14th to 20th August 2019.

    The festival was inaugurated by H.E. Navdeep Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, alongside Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer of ZEE5 Global, the official partners of this promotion, Saifee Rupawala, LuLu Group Chief Executive Officer and other top officials and government authorities at LuLu Hypermarket Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi.

    H.E. Suri shared: “This is a wonderful initiative by LuLu in showcasing the rich culture and food heritage of India. I am looking forward to welcoming the residents and citizens of UAE to come and explore the delicious flavours of India. I am sure these products will be highly appreciated not only by Indian nationals, but also the local and other expat communities residing here.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Archana Anand said: “With a huge demand for Bollywood and Indian content from not only the South Asian diaspora but also mainstream audiences, and a highly conducive digital and payment ecosystem, the Middle East is an extremely exciting market for us. As the largest retail conglomerate in the Middle East, LuLu has an extremely strong presence in the market and our partnership with them will help us reach our fabulous content bouquet to audiences in this market. I’m thrilled to be here today at the inauguration of the Celebrating India Festival, which marks the first step of this partnership.”

    Powered by ZEE5, the global entertainment app for the best of Bollywood movies, Indian TV shows and more, LuLu gives customers a chance to join and win a free annual subscription of ZEE5 for every AED 50 purchase. LuLu customers will also have access to the latest movie releases exclusively on ZEE5, and a chance to meet with their favourite stars.

    Speaking on the occasion, Rupawala said: “We have always taken pride for showcasing the beauty and diversity of Indian culture through a festival like “Celebrating India”. This is our humble tribute to the glorious tradition, food and offerings of India, which have been widely popular and embraced by the UAE population with more than 200 nationalities residing in it. More than 5 Million shoppers are expected to experience India through this festival. Other than the wide product range that we offer in store, this is our initiative to bind together all communities for a common interest.” 

  • Prasar Bharati to work with Emirates News Agency in programming and news

    Prasar Bharati to work with Emirates News Agency in programming and news

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati and Emirates News Agency have agreed to strengthen ties through mutual exchange of programmes and news.

    This was one of the 14 memorandums of understanding signed to coincide with the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India.

    The MoU between Prasar Bharati and the Emirates News Agency will also exchange best practices to improve each other’s functioning.

    The Crown Prince is the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parada where a unit of the UAE forces will also take part.

  • Prasar Bharati to work with Emirates News Agency in programming and news

    Prasar Bharati to work with Emirates News Agency in programming and news

    NEW DELHI: Prasar Bharati and Emirates News Agency have agreed to strengthen ties through mutual exchange of programmes and news.

    This was one of the 14 memorandums of understanding signed to coincide with the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India.

    The MoU between Prasar Bharati and the Emirates News Agency will also exchange best practices to improve each other’s functioning.

    The Crown Prince is the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parada where a unit of the UAE forces will also take part.

  • CNN Digital Asia appoints Marc Lourdes as new director

    CNN Digital Asia appoints Marc Lourdes as new director

    MUMBAI: CNN Digital has appointed Marc Lourdes as the new director of CNN Digital Asia. Lourdes will be based in Hong Kong and will lead the channel’s digital Asia team across editorial content and multi-platform programming for CNN’s global audience during that time-zone. He will begin with this new role immediately.

    He will work closely with CNN’s digital teams in London, Abu Dhabi, New York and Atlanta and as the digital leader in Asia-Pacific, will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies to grow key audiences in the region.

    CNN Digital vice-president and managing editor Andrew Demaria said, “With his combination of editorial excellence, regional experience and industry acumen, Marc is a perfect fit for CNN. His experience in co-developing news apps, growing social media traffic, and working with teams to drive new opportunities will help us realize our vision for the Asia-Pacific region.”

    The channel is significantly increasing its global footprint by creating an additional 200 jobs plus enhancing its products and technologies with a specific focus on mobile and video. This unprecedented growth follows other recent digital investments including the global expansion of CNNMoney, the amplification of CNN Politics, the launch of CNN Style, and the creation of the socially distributed video network Great Big Story.

    Before joining CNN, Lourdes worked at Yahoo for five years as the editor in chief based in Singapore.

  • CNN Digital Asia appoints Marc Lourdes as new director

    CNN Digital Asia appoints Marc Lourdes as new director

    MUMBAI: CNN Digital has appointed Marc Lourdes as the new director of CNN Digital Asia. Lourdes will be based in Hong Kong and will lead the channel’s digital Asia team across editorial content and multi-platform programming for CNN’s global audience during that time-zone. He will begin with this new role immediately.

    He will work closely with CNN’s digital teams in London, Abu Dhabi, New York and Atlanta and as the digital leader in Asia-Pacific, will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies to grow key audiences in the region.

    CNN Digital vice-president and managing editor Andrew Demaria said, “With his combination of editorial excellence, regional experience and industry acumen, Marc is a perfect fit for CNN. His experience in co-developing news apps, growing social media traffic, and working with teams to drive new opportunities will help us realize our vision for the Asia-Pacific region.”

    The channel is significantly increasing its global footprint by creating an additional 200 jobs plus enhancing its products and technologies with a specific focus on mobile and video. This unprecedented growth follows other recent digital investments including the global expansion of CNNMoney, the amplification of CNN Politics, the launch of CNN Style, and the creation of the socially distributed video network Great Big Story.

    Before joining CNN, Lourdes worked at Yahoo for five years as the editor in chief based in Singapore.