Dubai, UAE – 3 December 2011: BBC Arabic was awarded the Best News Channel for the first time at the Hot Bird TV Awards 2011, announced in Venice, Italy, last week. The HOT BIRD™ TV Awards is the unique international event distinguishing quality of content creation and innovation by thematic satellite television channels, were presented on November 25 at a gala ceremony in Venice in the company of 250 international broadcasting executives. Winning public and private channels from eight countries reflected the vitality of the satellite broadcasting market and its capacity to innovate.

“The winners at this year’s HOT BIRD™ TV Awards showcase global excellence in programming and a capacity for creative inspiration and quality,” said Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO. “The strength of the winners in each of the categories demonstrates a wealth of talent and our congratulations go out to them and all the nominees.”

Founded in 1998, the Awards comprise 10 thematic categories. The HOT BIRD™ TV Awards Jury includes experts from leading publications and TV associations.

Commenting on the award, Mr Faris Couri, editor in chief of BBC Arabic, who also accepted the HOT BIRD TV award on behalf of BBC Arabic, said:

Faris Couri, Editor in Chief of BBC Arabic said: “The past year has been an eventful one for those of us who cover the Arab World. It is very much an honour to receive this award as it is in recognition of our work by our colleagues and our industry.”

Red carpet highlights, clips of the nominated programmes and all the latest images from the night’s events are at: www.hotbirdtvawards.com

Wadah Khanfar, the director-general of the Qatar-backed Al Jazeera satellite TV network, resigned on Tuesday, to be replaced by a member of the Gulf state’s ruling family.

Khanfar, who has led the network for eight years, said that his goal had been to “establish Al Jazeera as a global media leader,” and that the “target had been met”.

The man widely seen as the face of Arab media will be replaced by Sheikh Ahmad bin Jasem al-Thani, a member of Qatar’s ruling family and a member of a top body at state-run Qatargas.

In a posting on Twitter, the Palestinian-born correspondent said: “Eight years is a long time to be leading a network. Renewal and change is always good.

“I think everyone will agree that Al Jazeera is stronger than ever. Our coverage has been exceptional and is now widely viewed.”

Since it was launched in 1996, Al Jazeera has become the highest-profile satellite news broadcaster in the Middle East. It has frequently had difficulties with Western and Arab governments in a region where governments have traditionally kept tight control over state media.

Al Jazeera, owned by the Qatari government, aired round-the-clock coverage of uprisings that brought down veteran rulers in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya this year, and the station promotes itself as a democratic voice in the region.

In a note to staff, Khanfar, a former correspondent in Iraq and Africa, said media independence had been a “contradiction in terms” before Al Jazeera’s launch.

“State media was prevalent and was blatantly used for propaganda and misinformation. Within such an environment the public probably doubted that Al Jazeera would fulfill its promise of independent journalism,” he said.

“We managed to pleasantly surprise them by exceeding all expectations.”

But critics say the network is more timid in covering events closer to its Gulf home, and the cameras of its main Arabic channel were notably absent during a month of similar protests in the Gulf Arab state of Bahrain which the government crushed in mid-March.

Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Lebanon, Ghassan Bin Jiddo, resigned in April, apparently in disagreement over its coverage of the revolts, which have also engulfed Syria and Yemen.

Leaked US diplomatic cables described the channel as a tool in Qatari diplomacy. The channel has played an important role in raising the prestige of the small, wealthy Gulf Arab state.

Shaabiat Al Cartoon characters

An episode on Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy initiative, will be aired on Shaabiat Al Cartoon on August 19, aiming to build awareness on sustainability through the popular medium of animation.

The episode will run on Sama Dubai television channel at 7.20pm with a repeat telecast scheduled for midnight the same day. Masdar collaborated with Fanar Production by supporting one of the Ramadan season episodes of the new series of Shaabiat Al Cartoon, which traces the lives and traditions of Middle Eastern families and individuals in Dubai.

Aida Al Busaidy, who manages outreach programs for Masdar, said: “The medium of cartoons is very popular and a great way to generate awareness about Masdar as it appeals to people of all ages. Through Shaabiat Al Cartoon, we aim to build awareness about what Masdar has achieved in the emerging sustainability industry and the renewable energy sector.”

The Arabic animation feature is produced by Emirati filmmaker Haider Mohammed. Shaabiat in Emirati Arabic refers to a rural neighborhood, just like the setting of the show.

Based on a group of Middle Eastern families and individuals living in Dubai, the series seeks to portray their lives and traditions in a very humorous and engaging way that is popular with all age groups.

Comprising 24 unique characters (the most popular being Shambee, Afari, Atooga and Bo Mhayeer) of local and Middle Eastern origin, each with their own unique accent and habits, the animated series has attracted an increasing loyal fan-following across the Middle East.

The cartoon series has also gained international attention and generated high levels of interest in other markets, with viewers captivated by the insight into Middle Eastern and Emirati culture.

Fujairah Media Group, the joint venture between the Fujairah Cultural Authority and Arab International Media Services, in collaboration with Mamoth Holdings, has announced that it has recently started broadcast of the newly launched ABC TV, a free-to-air, family-oriented TV channel that features Western and Arabic programming.

Mekki Abdulla CEO, Fujairah Media Group, “The launch of ABC TV is consistent with our mission to deliver great-value entertainment to the region’s TV audiences. ABC TV is a free-to-air TV that features excellent-quality programming and includes several western  productions that have not been featured in this market, making it a truly attractive choice for TV viewers all over the region. Moreover, the new channel offers general entertainment programming, so we are targeting a diverse mix of viewers. In particular, we have lined up an exciting selection of programs targeting younger audiences in the morning, while there will be family-oriented programs in the afternoon and evening.”

Hany Barakat, Station Manager, ABC TV, added: “We have a great team at ABC TV and an excellent line-up of programs that will definitely attract audiences of different ages. Our unique programs have been developed based on extensive research of the preferences of our target audiences. In this regard, we are confident of catering to the distinct demands of TV viewers all over the region.”

Headed by Barakat, who brings his extensive industry experience to the network, ABC TV stands out with its distinguished team of presenters from all Arab nationalities, who collectively provide audiences with a wide variety of programming. The network’s premium shows cover various interests, including entertainment and games, culinary art, sport, culture, and several other fields of interest – all presented in an innovative way to attractive audiences from different age groups.

One of the prominent personalities at ABC TV is Taj, the famous kids show presenter and comedian who is now part of the ABC Team. Taj will be providing top-notch programs for young audiences and will also host an amusing cooking show. Another program to watch is ‘Krazee TV’, a television shopping program that runs daily live reverse auctions from 1 am to 7 am. ‘Krazee TV’, is also expected to be expanded and broadcast on other TV channels.

A whale of a challenge for re-brand-ingTM

BlueWhale webimage

Dubai, UAE; September 20, 2010: When Golf World Entertainment Group set up the world’s first and only floating broadcast centre in Belize, they approached one of the region’s newest branding agencies, re-brand-ingTM.

The Brief
Create a corporate identity for a broadcasting company that will deliver entertaining golf and lifestyle HD and SD programming to viewers around the globe via satellite broadband and mobile transmission from aboard a 60 meter long, super yacht.

The only other dedicated golf broadcaster in the world is The Golf Channel out of the USA, which distributes its programming through affiliate broadcasters globally.

The concept behind a floating broadcast centre is to provide unrestricted and unregulated broadcast solutions that are unique, entertaining and transportable. LIVE golf action from all over the world to be broadcast LIVE anywhere in the world. 

The First Challenge
What name will encompass what the broadcasting centre is capable of? Name after name was deliberated upon, until one surfaced and stayed afloat – Blue Whale. It is the

ideal name, since the blue whale is said to be the largest animal in existence and can reach speeds of up to 50kph while communicating with other blue whales across the vast oceans.
The Next Port of Call
Blue Whale Broadcasting needed a corporate identity that will look distinctive, whether at sea or anchored in any of the world’s most glamorous ports and marinas.   

The re-brand-ingTM team dove deep into their collective sea creature psyche and came up with a watertight concept.

Blue Whale Broadcasting Sets Sail
The team decided that the best feature of the blue whale is its distinctive dorsal fin, a definite show of strength and steering power. On the logo design, the dorsal fin is formed inside the letter “B” with transmitter waves “spouting” like jets of water from a whale’s blowhole.

The dark blue and subtle grey colour combinations of the logo was inspired by the blue whale’s skin colours, giving it an overall “organic” effect as opposed to the already expected electronic techno look.

 re-brand-ingTM ensures smooth sailing for Blue Whale Broadcasting
re-brand-ingTM brings together all the elements needed to create or “re-create” a brand’s personality – name, graphic identity, market image, philosophy. Composed of talented professionals with years of experience in research-based branding design, re-brand-ingTM is a specialist unit focused on giving birth to a brand and ensuring its successful lifespan.      

re-brand-ing TM can be reached through +9714-3902003 or email at info@re-brand-ing.com

Is using the voice of Tiger Woods’s deceased father in a TV commercial a piece of genius marketing or just plain creepy?

Nike is going to find out, courtesy of a controversial new TV spot it is running that features Woods staring silently at the screen as the voice of his father Earl plays in the background. The ad ends with the image of a Nike swoosh.

The 30-second commercial, which began airing on Wednesday, stars Woods in his first commercial since a sex scandal prompted some sponsors to distance themselves from the world’s number one golfer and onetime most marketable athlete.

The spot is already generating intense interest – nearly 700,000 people had viewed it online by early Thursday afternoon – and a wide mix of reactions.

“Well, that will make you want to buy shoes, won’t it? What the hell?” late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel said after showing the ad to viewers. “I guess you have to admire their chutzpah.”

A poll by Yahoo showed 63 per cent of almost 166,000 voters said they liked it, while a separate poll at celebrity website TMZ found 77 per cent of roughly 91,000 readers thought the spot was “PR BS”.

Some advertising executives say the commercial is a good strategy to move the story beyond Woods’s extra-marital affairs, which have dominated media coverage for months.

“It’s a worthwhile gamble to take,” said Kevin Connelly, senior manager with Greenlight, a licensing, talent and rights agency owned by photo archive company Corbis. Nike is not a client.

“It is a little strange and creepy one way if you look at it, but we live in a world of YouTube and Twitter. People are pouring their confessions out right and left,” he added.

But many experts and commentators were put off by the black-and-white spot from Wieden+Kennedy, featuring an older recording of Woods’s late father.

“I want to find out what your thinking was; I want to find out what your feelings are, and did you learn anything” his father asks.

The athletic shoe and clothing maker declined further comment on the ad beyond its Wednesday statement that Nike supports Woods and that the commercial addresses his time away from golf using the words of his father.

Dave Zirin, The Nation’s sports correspondent, suggested that the spot represents a “cultural rock bottom”.Its broadcast this week coincides with Woods’s first appearance back on a golf course since the scandal broke, at the Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

“The idea that Tiger and Nike would see the incredible turmoil that has engulfed Tiger’s life as an opportunity to rebrand Tiger and sell us more swoosh-laden crap is simply sickening,” Zirin wrote in the magazine.

Michael Fanuele, chief strategy officer with Euro RSCG New York, part of advertising services company Havas, said the ad could damage Nike’s brand and will not help Woods much either. Nike is not a client of his firm.

“Nike is a brand that has always championed virtue, the strength, the heroism of athletes, and I think this is a contradiction of that legacy,” he said. “You might say it’s off brand.”

He added, “They’ve created the best brand in the world, so I don’t think this is lethal to Nike by a long shot. I just think it’s strange.”

Nike has been one of Woods’s strongest backers, while other sponsors, such as Accenture, AT&T and PepsiCo’s Gatorade dumped him as a spokesman.

Before the scandal, Woods earned $100 million (Dh367m) a year in endorsements.

One of the top Indian enterment networks’ Star One channel has announced the launch of a fresh lineup of programmes.

The new shows include, Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi and Rang Badalti Odhani beginning today at 9.30pm and 10pm respectively from Monday to Friday.

With a spanking new array of content being added to the channel, the shows will now comprise a high voltage entertaining mix of reality, fiction and drama.

The channels claimed that the new programmes will surely striker a chord with family viewers.

The new line up of shows is a result of the in-depth research conducted by the channel. The research revealed the changing viewership trends and also a new set of audiences with a certain entertainment need.

Hence, with the aim of expanding its viewership and filling in the gaps, Star One is all set to present a range of new, refreshing and differentiated content in its prime time slot.

The two new shows are non-traditional and inspiring stories of young women, who have the ability to script their own destinies by defying conventions.

Commenting on the launch of the new shows, Sumantra Dutta, Country Head for Star Middle East, Pakistan and Africa, said: “Star One as a brand has been an innovator.

“With the aim of expanding our viewership, we are presenting a new programming line up which is clutter breaking and refreshing. The new shows have emotionally uplifting storylines challenging convention and existing stereotypes.

“The shows have strong characters and issues not seen on other channels. With this great combination catering to the young women, we look forward to growing our relationship with viewers.”

Produced by Endemol India and 4 Lions Films, Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi highlights the NRI marriage related problems which are very prevalent in India.

It is a story of a young spirited girl, Geet, who is abandoned by her non-resident Indian husband and how she faces the challenges and stands for the rights and values she believes in.

Produced by Beyond Dreamsand Anahita Productions, Rang Badalti Odhani is about a girl who takes destiny in her own hands when she is widowed at a very young age. She demands justice from the man who is responsible for the death of her husband, the only bread earner of her family. She is bold and takes responsibility to get compensation for the loss of her husband.

Star is one of the leading media and entertainment companies of India. The network broadcasts more than 32 channels in eight languages to more than 168 million people every week across India and more than 65 countries across the world. Its channel portfolio includes Star Plus, Star One, Star Gold, Channel [V], Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star World, Star Movies, Star Utsav and joint venture channels Asianet, Asianet Plus, Star Vijay, Suvarna, Star News, ESPN and Star Sports.

Star’s businesses extend to films, television production, cable systems and distribution, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services.

Star also manages a portfolio of business ventures including Cable system Hathway, channel distributor Star Den, news channel operator MCCS, south Indian broadcast business of Asianet channels and Star Vijay. It also manages film producer and distributor Fox Star Studios India.

Orbit Satellite TV and Radio network and Animal Planet announced the winners of its latest Watch & Win competition at a gala event at the Mamlaka Tower in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Read the full story

O2 Marketing Communications is proud to announce the successful organization of the mega fun and entertainment gala event held to launch Discovery channel on the Orbit format. The event celebrated the partnership between the Discovery group and Orbit Communications Company with a party at the Loft in Dubai on the 21st February. Read the full story

O2 Marketing Communications is proud to announce the successful organization of the mega fun and entertainment gala event held to launch Discovery channel on the Orbit format. The event celebrated the partnership between the Discovery group and Orbit Communications Company with a party at the Loft in Dubai on the 21st February. The event was attended by top management and officials from both the companies, guests and leading television and print media from the Middle East. Around 25 media titles and 31 members of media attended including major dailies of the UAE and the region and a local news channel. Read the full story