ITV

Tag: MENA

  • Moses Francis Chinappa bags additional role of business head (MENA) at B4U

    Moses Francis Chinappa bags additional role of business head (MENA) at B4U

    MUMBAI: B4U Network has announced that chief commercial officer of India, Moses Francis Chinappa, willtake charge of the additional role of business head, MENA (Middle East and North Africa). Chinappa shall now handle the profit center and sales of Aflam and Plus channel (MENA region) along with sales for India.

    He will functionally report to international business head for the MENA region Ashok Shenoy and will continue to report to CFO and COO broadcasting operations India Sandeep Gupta.

    He takes the baton from Zeeshan Sajid Amin, who wishes to explore an opportunity outside B4U after a stint of five years with the company.

    Shenoy said, “We are thrilled to have Moses to oversee the operations in the MENA region. His expertise in sales and business strategies are an asset and we look forward to generating further profitable growth in the MENA market. We thank Zeeshan for his time and commitment to B4U and we wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.”

    On his appointment, Chinappa states, “I am looking forward to taking on the additional responsibility as business head, MENA. Whilst I am certain it will be a challenge, I am confident that I will be able to use my large amount of experience and pre-existing business relationships to develop long-lasting strategies to ensure B4U has consistent growth in the MENA region.”

  • Al-Futtaim, PVR sign MoU to explore opportunities in MENA region

    Al-Futtaim, PVR sign MoU to explore opportunities in MENA region

    MUMBAI: Multiplex operator PVR signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai’s Al-Futtaim to explore opportunities to jointly develop cinema business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

    The joint venture will introduce a collection of unique experiential cinema formats to the region including PVR’s Director’s Cut, a format that blends the best in high-end hospitality and entertainment.

    “We see great potential in the cinema business in the region, and particularly in Saudi Arabia, following the government’s decision to reopen the cinema industry,” said Al-Futtaim Group director corporate development Marwan Shehadeh.

    “PVR is the perfect partner for Al-Futtaim, given its 20 years’ proven track record of operating and creating experiential cinema formats, catering to customers looking for best in class experiences. To begin with, we have already identified locations in Al-Futtaim real estate developments such as Dubai Festival City and Festival Plaza in Dubai and are in discussion with landlords to secure other locations in Dubai and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he added.

    PVR in a regulatory filing said both parties will work together over the next few months to undertake a feasibility study and convert the MoU into a formal joint venture arrangement.

    In December last year, PVR had said it was scouting overseas destinations for expansion and planned to open its first project in Sri Lanka in next two years.

    Commenting on the partnership, PVR Ltd chairman and managing director Ajay Bijli said “We see a great opportunity in taking the PVR brand to the MENA region, particularly expansion in UAE and entry into the Saudi Arabian market which has recently decided to open up the cinema industry. We are delighted to partner with Al-Futtaim, which is one of the most diversified and progressive privately held businesses in the region.”

    At present, PVR operates over 600 screens in 52 cities in India.

  • NBCUniversal accuses BeoutQ of illegal streaming of FIFA World Cup in MENA

    NBCUniversal accuses BeoutQ of illegal streaming of FIFA World Cup in MENA

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal, an American multi-national media conglomerate owned by Comcast, has accused a pirated streaming service called BeoutQ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for illegally broadcasting the FIFA 2018 World Cup matches.

    NBC’s Telemundo unit, which holds the Spanish-language rights to the 2018 World Cup in the US, said that it is working closely with FIFA to protect its rights.

    BeoutQ claims to be backed by Colombian, Cuban and Middle Eastern investors.  

    “We take intellectual property infringement seriously,” NBC said, according to a statement in Rapid TV News. The company also added that it is working closely with FIFA, international soccer’s governing body, to protect its rights.”

    Telemundo is not the first to complain. Qatari sports network beIN, a major rights holder in the Middle East and North Africa, has for months accused BeoutQ of copying its streams in Saudi Arabia.

    The pirated channel has emerged as a result of the year-long poltical dispute in four countries – Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and UAE.

    As Egypt is playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1990, it has asked FIFA to allow them to broadcast games.

    The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and its rights, generally sold by region or by country, are among the most valuable in sports.

    NBCUniversal has paid about $600 million for the American Spanish-language rights for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

    Also Read :

    Sony partners with Markscan to tackle illegal streaming during FIFA World Cup

    Disney makes $70.3 billion counterbid for Twenty-First Century Fox

  • Republic TV enters MENA via OSN Pehla

    Republic TV enters MENA via OSN Pehla

    MUMBAI: English news channel Republic TV is riding to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with its first international launch. The newest kid on the block has tied up with local pay-TV provider to launch on OSN Pehla on 5 November.

    Launched in May this year by stalwart journalist and former face of Times Now, Arnab Goswami, the channel surged up the records chart in its first week and has claimed a significant pie of the English news space.

    Republic TV,president of distribution and international revenues Priya Mukherjee adds, “Since our inception earlier this year, Republic TV has strived towards widening the reach of our cutting-edge content. While we successfully executed the reach of Republic TV across all households in the fragmented Indian cable distribution ecosystem during the first six months of the channel, our next target would be to reach audiences across the world. Our launch in the MENA region is our first foray in international distribution and we hope to expand our reach further with audiences around the world soon.”

    Indiantelevision.com had reported that the channel was to launch in the MENA market by June, followed by a launch in Singapore.

    Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani says, “Demand from the market has been over whelming and we are extremely delighted to bring Republic TV to the audiences in MENA through OSN. We will also look to create original content specific to the MENA markets in due course and Priya and her team will be offering advertisers the most impactful news media platform reaching discerning audiences in the region.”

    Also Read:

    Republic TV to launch in Middle East and Singapore

     

  • dentsu X India ropes in Roopam Garg as chief client officer

    dentsu X India ropes in Roopam Garg as chief client officer

    MUMBAI: dentsu X India, an integrated media specialist, part of Dentsu Aegis Network, has roped in Roopam Garg as the chief client officer (CCO).

    Garg brings with him a rich experience of 22 years across multiple markets; India, MENA, China, Vietnam, London. His diverse set of exposure spans across FMCG majors, (P&G, Coke, Reckitt Benckiser) Two Wheeler (HMSI), Cars (Tata Motors) and Durable (Samsung)

    Given his multi-market, cross category experience, Garg is adept at global best practices. He has tweaked global tools into the Indian market and has also developed strategic media approaches between consumers, brands and their market performance which was then rolled out and adopted in other global markets.

    Garg’s ability to bring multi-functional teams together to see the unified goal is summed up with his motto, “Brand Wins, We Win”.

    Divya Karani, CEO, dentsu X India said, “Roopam brings immense value to the company with his extensive experience and holistic world-view on best practices. We want to increasingly bring on board senior talent who can carry forward the learnings of seamless integrated Consumer and Brand interaction to bear on our clients’ business.”

    Garg said, “In my experience across markets, I have come to realize that it’s critical to keep it simple, actionable and measurable for the client. Media is growing in complexity and the agency of the future needs to harness deep learning to innovate relentlessly.”

    Garg will report to Karani, will be based out of Delhi.

  • Mindshare MENA promotes Ravi Rao as CEO as Samir Ayoub resigns

    Mindshare MENA promotes Ravi Rao as CEO as Samir Ayoub resigns

    MUMBAI: Mindshare MENA CEO Samir Ayoub has resigned from his post and has been appointed delegate of the board at the agency. Ayoub will transition from his current role as CEO, on 1 February, 2016 and continue to act as an advisor and consultant on all matters related to the agency until July 2016.

    Stepping up to the CEO role will be Mindshare MENA chief client officer and UAE team lead Ravi Rao.

    Ayoub, who has led Mindshare MENA since 1999, previously headed up Ogilvy Media. Throughout his 26-year tenure with WPP companies, Ayoub has built up world-class media offerings in the region. His in-depth knowledge of the multiple markets and its consumers’ lifestyles, habits and choices, has supported local and international brands in developing their market share across regional geographies.

    Rao joined Mindshare MENA in May 2015 as chief client officer and in October took on additional responsibility for leading the UAE team. Previously Rao led Mindshare South Asia as CEO for three years. Rao’s nine plus years experience with WPP companies has honed his transformational expertise, which will now support the Mindshare MENA network as it continues to create cutting edge products for its clients and their brands. Rao will leverage new opportunities to further develop the agency’s strategic business alliances and deliver network growth across agency disciplines and client categories.

    WPP MENA director Roy Haddad and Mindshare MENA chairman Edmond Moutran jointly commented, “Whilst Samir will be leaving the day-to-day operations of the agency in February, he will remain a valued member of the team as delegate of the Mindshare MENA board, continuing to support and facilitate the agency’s initiatives that keep it future ready and a sought after media partner in the region.”

    Ayoub said, “My time with Mindshare has been rewarding and exhilarating. Much has changed in the consumer and media landscape since I took on the CEO role 17 years ago. I am delighted that the company will continue to flourish, guided by the experienced and capable hands of my friend and colleague Ravi Rao. In the coming months and years ahead, I look forward to celebrating its continued achievements.”

    Tasked with further developing the agency’s offering, Rao added, “It is most satisfying that I was one of ‘the Day 1 employees’ when Mindshare was set up in the region way back in 1999. A real privilege now to lead Mindshare MENA and I really look forward to further building on the success of our strong team and a world-class product so our client partners benefit the most by driving the Adaptive Marketing vision.”

     

  • Interworld Digital to set up Digital Lab & operation for MENA

    Interworld Digital to set up Digital Lab & operation for MENA

    MUMBAI: Interworld Digital is exploring possibilities to offer various services related to digital cinema in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

     

    The company is looking at either entering into a joint venture or taking over some other company, which has either the required infrastructure readily available or will setup a new lab.

     

    Interworld’s target will be to offer TMS services to multiplexes, online ticketing platform to movie goers and to offer Interworld’s club cinema services to high net worth individuals to watch “First day First show” of Indian movies sitting at their homes in MENA region.

     

    Age distribution in the Middle East, is more heavily tilted towards the youth. On an average 60 per cent of the population in the GCC countries is below the age of 35. With a young population and an increase in high-speed broadband penetration, digital migration in the MENA region is expected to be in full force in the coming years which will provide great opportunities in entertainment business for the company.

     

    The company has also developed its own 3D DCI system and has good potential in the region as a number of 3D movies are released every year.

     

  • Bollywood war breaks out over Middle Eastern skies

    Bollywood war breaks out over Middle Eastern skies

    MUMBAI: Very soon, Hindi film fans in the Middle East are going to be spoilt for choice. Here’s how.

    After launching Zee Aflam in 2008, Zee Entertainment Enterprises yesterday premiered the Dubai-based Zee Film Hindi, which boasts a repertoire of over 500 movie titles and up to 1,500 hours of entertainment every year. Zee Film Hindi has an operational office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and can be accessed through the Arabsat Badr-4 satellite on frequency 12111. What’s more, mid-October will see the Middle East Broadcasting Centre (MBC) launch MBC Bollywood, a free-to-air channel available via Nilesat and catering to the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, with a portfolio of over 300 Hindi films – dubbed in Arabic or sub-titled.

    While this promises a visual feast for Bollywood fans, what cannot be ruled out is the severe competition it will spark.

    About Zee Film Hindi, Zee Entertainment president – Middle East, North Africa, Turkey & Pakistan Mukund Cairae says: “Since its inception, Zee has worked towards widening the reach of Indian cinema to audiences across the world. We started Zee Aflam five years ago to re-introduce Bollywood to the Arab world. The acceptance from the viewers has led to a huge growth of the genre itself. The launch of ‘Film Hindi’ is a testament to our efforts to continue to bridge and unify audiences in the Middle East, by building on the similarities with the Indian Subcontinent.”

    Cairae points out that  between Zee Aflam and Film Hindi, Zee plans to offer a variety of movies straddling Bollywood and Indie cinema.

    About MBC Bollywood, which is expected to give other Bollywood channels a run for their TRPs, a Dubai-based source says: “With the MBC group already capturing 80 per cent of the advertising market in the Middle East, the new entrant may impact the fortunes of  even Zee Aflam and B4U Aflam.”

    The latest addition to MBC’s existing bouquet of 10 channels, MBC Bollywood, promises to cater to the huge demand for Bollywood movies in the Middle East.

    “Zee Aflam is presently the number one bollywood movie channel in the Middle East, with an estimated $ 9 million per annum  advertising revenue. This will surely get impacted with MBC Bollywood,” the source said. And if reports are to be believed, MBC Bollywood may be one of the reasons why  UTV Movies Arabia could be going off-air by the end of this month.

    A trip down MBC lane

    Historically speaking, the satellite transmission for MBC first started from London in September 1991, making it the first-ever, independent Arabic satellite TV station, and a market leader – delivering news and quality, family entertainment programming to over 130 million Arabic speaking people around the world.

    The channel recently moved its headquarters to Dubai Media City, bringing production closer to its Arab viewers.

    The group’s channel bouquet reach out to nearly 300 million Arabs across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and South America.

    Among these figure: MBC1 (general family entertainment), MBC2 and MBC MAX (24-hour movies), MBC3 (children’s entertainment), MBC4 (entertainment for new Arab women), MBC Action (action series and movies), MBC Persia (24-hour movie channel dubbed in Persian), Al Arabiya (the 24-hour Arabic language news channel), Wanasah (24-hour Arabic music channel) and MBC Drama (Arabic drama).

    The group also has two radio stations: MBC FM (Gulf music), and Panorama FM (contemporary Arabic hit music) and O3 Productions (a specialised documentary production unit).

    For all purposes, it is the Goliath of the middle east. Can the Davids measure up?

  • OTT, Multiscreen and Cloud TV Spark Innovation for MENA’s Connected TV Market

    OTT, Multiscreen and Cloud TV Spark Innovation for MENA’s Connected TV Market

    NEW DELHI: Connected TV is rapidly evolving in MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), with providers, broadcasters and manufacturers such as STC, OSN (Orbit Showtime Network) and Samsung already offering consumers increased access to content through smart devices.

    This growing saturation of the market provides the backdrop for this year’s TV Connect MENA, which has developed in recent years to focus on IPTV, OTTtv, multiscreen and cloud TV services for regional service providers.

    The number of connected devices, particularly tablets, is fuelling demand for OTT, cloud and multiscreen services in MENA, and is expected to dramatically increase over the next five years. Informa Telecoms and Media reports that 6.5 million tablets were sold across the Middle East and Africa in 2012. That figure is forecast to increase to a staggering 32.1 million in 2016.

    Informa Telecoms & Media research analyst Michael Dean comments on the growth opportunity: “The OTT-content and services landscape across MENA has traditionally been rather barren, but the situation is changing quickly with OTT start-ups starting to emerge, and the number of rival operator initiatives increasing.

    “Mobile broadband may currently be in the nascent stages across much of the region but it is increasingly becoming a greater growth area for rural internet users in many MENA markets. In addition, the Gulf Cooperation Council is scheduling to have LTE networks in place by end-2013, meaning there will be a further rise in mobile data usage. This will undoubtedly place more demand on increased content delivery. Saudi Arabia and the UAE alone already have traditionally high levels of TV content consumption. For example, according to OSN, the average household watches six to seven hours of TV content per day,” adds Dean.

    Focussing on OTTtv, multiscreen and cloud TV services, and the opportunities within the IPTV industry, the annual TV Connect MENA, holds more relevance than ever for service providers, telecom/cable/satellite operators, broadcasters, content providers, gaming aggregators and CE manufacturers.

    TV Connect MENA conference director Kamelija Stefanova comments: “The event will explore OTT and IPTV convergence; offer presentations about developing content monetisation strategies; look at the business of CDNs and data centers for telecom operators; assess the role of advertising agencies in the connected media space; show best practise OTT and IPTV projects; and see how multiscreen services are becoming part of the digital home. We as organisers are in a unique position to provide one meeting place for broadband, LTE and TV markets and offer learning opportunities for maximising the power of 4G/LTE network to offer TV on the Go, utilising user interface for improved content discovery and using apps for on-demand video services.”

  • Ogilvy Mumbai wins creative duties for Home Centre in MENA

    Ogilvy Mumbai wins creative duties for Home Centre in MENA

    MUMBAI: Ogilvy India‘s Mumbai office has won the creative duties for the retail chain Home Centre in Middle East and North Africa. This was a result of a multi-agency pitch that saw the participation of several creative agencies from India.

    The incumbent agency on the account is a local agency in the UAE.

    O&M Mumbai and Kolkata president Navin Talreja said, “We are delighted to have won the mandate to partner with Home Centre for the MENA region. This is a significant addition to our roster of international businesses and work that we do for Global Markets from Ogilvy Mumbai. Coming on the back of our global recognition as ‘Most Effective Agency Office Globally‘ in the 2012 Effie Effectiveness Index, this truly fuels our ambition to become the agency office for the world.”

    O&M South Asia executive creative director Sumanto Chattopadhyay said, “It‘s both challenging and exciting to play outside one‘s home ground. That‘s the opportunity that Home Centre offers us. Working on the pitch made us realize that client and agency are on the same wavelength in terms of pushing for communication that breaks new ground. I look forward to a long and fruitful association.”

    O&M will be working towards building a strong brand with a global voice that cuts across all markets in the Middle East and North Africa region. This will require O&M to develop a 360 degree brand campaign.

    Home Centre DGM brand and marketing Rohit Bhatia said, “Ogilvy is the name behind some of the most memorable ad campaigns for brands across diverse categories. Post reviewing their work they seemed to best understand our current business needs and were therefore our preferred choice. We are happy to have them on board and look forward in creating some great work together.”

    Started in 1995, Home Centre‘s business idea is to transform ‘houses‘ into ‘homes‘. What started with a single store in Sharjah, UAE has grown to a network of 80 stores occupying three million square feet of retail space.