MSG signs MoU with Dubai-based CSM

The Media Services Group (MSG) announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai-based Content Specialised Media (CSM), bringing together the region's two major communications entities to create an advertising and public relations' network covering the Middle East and North Africa region and key international markets.

CSM is a fully owned subsidiary of Riyadh-based Saudi Specialised Publishing Company (SSPC), a unit of Saudi Research and Marketing Group, the largest media group in the Middle East.

The MoU was signed at the Dubai Press Club by Mona Al Marri, CEO of Media Services Group, and Dr Azzam Al Dakhil, the CEO of Saudi Research and Marketing Group, in the presence of senior executives from both organisations.

The MSG-CSM joint venture will operate out of Dubai Media City, and offer services in advertising, branding, direct marketing, web development, design and printing, public relations, public affairs, media relations, crisis communications, media training and messaging. Its key target markets will span the Mena region and include Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt.

The two partners are currently negotiating with prominent global communications firms to establish affiliations and alliances for addressing a significant client base globally.

Mona Al Marri said: "Within two years of its inception, the Media Services Group has quickly expanded its bouquet of offerings, providing incisive communications consultancy for government entities and major corporate brands. The joint venture validates the Media Services Group's mission to establish itself as a leading player across the marketing communications value chain in the Middle East and will allow our public relations and public affairs subsidiaries, Jiwin and A'Sidrah, to immediately extend their service offerings to their clients across the region.

"Content Specialised Media was our obvious choice as partners in furthering our ambitions for its shared vision and strong resolve to impact a meaningful difference in the communications sector. The resulting synergy between us will benefit our key stakeholders and the industry at large."

Dr. Al Dakhil said: "The macroeconomic picture for the region looks highly optimistic. With oil prices and revenues at record levels and spending on media investments growing at 22 per cent a year, we perceive a great opportunity for the

MSG-CSM joint venture to add tangible value to the industry. The coming together of two media giants will redefine industry benchmarks and raise the bar for providing premium services.

"We look forward to achieving the fruition of our strategic objectives for growing the media industry across the Arab region and beyond."

The Media Services Group currently includes A'Sidrah Public Affairs and JiWin Public Relations, with several more initiatives in the pipeline. Established at the beginning of 2006, SSPC is active in specialised content consumer and B2B publishing. SSPC is working, among other things, on launching some of the biggest international titles in Arabic and English in the Middle East.

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