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29 March 2024

Global downturn fails to contain Mideast media

Print media dominates the overall advertising revenues Mohammad Abdullah, Dubai Media City. (SUPPLIED)

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By Staff Writer

The media industry in the Middle East region has remained dynamic and independent despite adverse impact of global crises, according to Mohammad Abdullah, Executive Director of Dubai Media City.

Abdullah's comments came during his speech at the fifth Annual Wan-Ifra Middle East Conference and Workshop, organised by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (Wan-Ifra), and supported by International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), the free zone dedicated to the printing, publishing, production, packaging and graphic art industries and a member of Tecom Investments.

The conference was attended by Saeed Al Falasi, Executive Director, IMPZ, and about 100 industry leaders. The event aimed to help publishers re-orient their operations, seek and share new business models, as well as determine the right tools necessary to execute their strategies, based on the combined strengths of print and digital platforms.

Abdullah, who was also the conference's chairman, highlighted why publishers need to change their strategies and remain creative to survive in today's economic environment. He also pointed out that media businesses need to specifically understand what makes the region's print industry so distinct in order to take advantage of the abundant growth opportunities.

Abdullah said: "The print media dominates the overall advertising revenues, despite a generally low concentration of newspapers in the region. In fact, during 2009 we saw new entrants thriving despite the global economic crisis as the key to survival for such brands as well the established names depended largely on the opportunities provided by a marked shift towards cross-platform advertising packages.

"As advertisers in 2009 began to demand improved efficiency, media outlets responded by offering cross-platform pricing packages.

"These packages which included online, print and in some cases broadcast offerings, were embraced by advertisers, who changed their budget allocation practices to categorise spending by companies rather than platform," said Abdullah.

 

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