The Digital Experiment: Youtube Success or “don’t pretend you don’t like free stuff”
Note: “Reem’s Digital Experiment” is a series on www.interactiveme.com where I put digital marketing formulas to the test. For this first series, I am going to attempt to create a “successful Youtube Channel by a blogger in the Middle East”. Many of my clients have asked how to do this effectively and while I often reference popular “success stories”, they aren’t my own. This is because there are so few successful youtube channels... Read More
The Internet Show Middle East Survey Report 2011
A report released by The Internet Show Middle East reveals important information about online and social marketing in the MENA region. The aim of the survey is to gain insight into how Middle Eastern businesses are currently dealing with internet business issues and the challenges they face now and in the future. The event which will take place on September 27 – 28 in Abu Dhabi will cover the major issues that the report raised. Background... Read More
Abu Dhabi money not good for Zynga – *Revisited
* Correction: Ok so I posted this article below and thanks to Eamonn an tomgara (2 of our readers, I hope they still are!) its not entirely true. Zynga is not actually turning down money, because as he mentions in his comment the shares are being sold by a former exec and not Zynga so technically its not an investment. But apparently Zynga is still getting sued! In conclusion we’d like to thank our readers for their input, and we’ll try... Read More
Dubizzle releases an app in the Ovi Store
Dubizzle have officially launched thier first mobile application on the Ovi Store, which is an online store similar to the iTunes store but exclusive to Nokia. The app (which can be downloaded here) provides users with the latest 20 ads from the Automobile and property listings, it has a simple interface and can keep users updated on the latest items on Dubizzle. Sources at Dubizzle have confirmed that they are just beginning to scratch the surface... Read More
The launch of AppsArabia = Ideas + Training + Community + Fund
Abu Dhabi-based content creation community, twofour54, is about to launch an Arabic applications development fund for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad called ‘AppsArabia’. This is the second fund for Twofour54 Ibitkar after their their launch of Creative Lab. This fund will provide funding and support to start-ups and early stage Arabic content initiatives. ‘AppsArabia’ will invest in the best ideas for apps from entrepreneurs, app developers... Read More
Dubizzle to go Arab-izzle?
If you live in Dubai and have ever thought of purchasing or selling a new/used item or just looking for a new place to move into, then you’ve probably checked out dubizzle.com. For those of you who are not familiar with Dubizzle, it’s a community website offering classifieds and forums for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Starting out as a classified website for Dubai only, Dubizzle has quickly evolved to include the UAE’s capitol to establish its... Read More
MediaWeek ME Monitor (Jan 24): Entrepreneurship, Apple, Flip Media
Read in Media Week Middle East (Jan 24, 2010) about interactive/digital media: Who’s got the X Factor? – The year ahead could be a battle between monolithic media and those with a few tricks up their sleeves, according to industry heavyweights. “[In the Middle East] the truth is that the chance for entrepreneurial businesses to surpass “consolidated corporate” businesses is highly unlikely – advertisers are too... Read More
Etihad Launches A New iPhone Application For Etihad Guest Members
It is the first iPhone application of its kind to offer real-time loyalty points redemption for its users. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, today launched a new Apple iPhone application for members of its award-winning loyalty program, Etihad Guest. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has launched today a new Apple iPhone application for members of its loyalty programme. It is the first iPhone application of its kind... Read More
Akoun: A New Campaign To Inspire Entrepreneurship Among UAE Nationals
The Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) today launched ‘Akoun’ (which means ‘to be’ in Arabic), a new campaign designed to support the development of an entrepreneurship culture among young UAE Nationals in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ADCED has created a workshop programme that will see the ‘Akoun’ team visit key universities in the Emirate over the next month with selected local UAE National entrepreneurs... Read More
Middle East Executives Say: Confidence in IT Spending On The Rise
Middle East business leaders have unanimously agreed that they expect IT budgets to return to pre-downturn levels in the foreseeable future. This compares to only 53 percent of executives questioned in March, indicating the importance major companies in the region are placing on IT assets as a means of thriving in the current economy. In a survey conducted at the SAP User Group Middle East and North Africa (SUG-MENA) Executive Exchange meeting hosted... Read More
Du Telecom First in UAE To Launch Facebook Mobile Texts For Users
du has become the first UAE telecom provider to bring Facebook Mobile Texts to its users, giving them easy access to the wide range of unique communication options offered by Facebook. With Facebook Mobile Texts, du subscribers can provide status updates, and send messages, pokes, wall posts and friend requests via SMS, as well as post pictures and videos via MMS. Users can also sign up to receive free SMS notifications from Facebook, including new... Read More
An Egyptian Start-up Gets Acquired By UAE Company
An Egyptian start-up founded in late 2008 that is based on a simple and smart Arabic service which aims to make the process of uploading files to the internet for sharing purposes and mirroring them on the most popular file uploading services a lot easier and faster gets acquired by UAE website development company. Mrrha.com which was basically an idea of two young entrepreneurs (and brothers) Mahmoud and Ahmed H. Elmasoudy, search engine marketer... Read More
Finance House Abu Dhabi Launches New Online Destination
Finance House Abu Dhabi launches an online destination that contains all the information any investor or customer would be interested to know about Finance House. This corporate website representing the dynamic yet strait-laced Finance House brand online and serving as a two way channel of communication between Finance House as an organization with the general public. The online feedback and job application forms add a dash of basic but essential... Read More
MediaWeekME Monitor: Microsoft, Tahadi, Twitter, twofour54, Lebanon
Read in Media Week Middle East (Nov 1, 2009) about interactive/digital media: Wunderman confident afte Mideast expansion – Direct marketing agency Wunderman has launched offices in Cairo and Beirut as part of the agency;s expanding work for Mircrosoft, especially geared towards the Windows 7 launch campaign. Ipsos enters busy web measuring market - Ipsos MediaCT is launching an online audience measurement service that could challenge Nielsen... Read More
Site Inspection: Aswaaq Digital Experience Changes Your Mind
Website Owner: Aswaaq LLC Content (19/25) Usability (17/25) Branding (12/25) Monetization (18/25) Total (66/100) The Aswaaq community center hosts a friendly and vibrant supermarket complimented by a range of quality shops and services at the heart of the community. Aswaaq, as a brand, has always caught my attention, outdoor advertising and billboards were everywhere around Dubai, so I’m always recognized at my shopping desire/need... Read More
Social Media Forum Abu Dhabi Reviewed in 140 Characters
The Social Media Forum was the 1st dedicated event on social media aspect in the MENA region which took place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center on 18-19 October 2009. Unfortunately, I didn’t attend the event but followed the hashtags – #iir and #socialmediaforum – on twitter to get some sought-after quotes and general status. By human nature many of you would be asking on the status of such event: it’s new forum, new... Read More
Etisalat Acquires A Stake In SoftAtHome To Enhance Your Digital Experience
In yet another technology-pioneering initiative, Etisalat acquired a 16.6% stake in SoftAtHome, a software provider of home operating platforms that helps service providers deliver convergent applications for the Digital Home. The acquisition will enable Etisalat to develop and provide a holistic digital home experience to its customers, thereby, bringing about a paradigm shift in the way technology is consumed today. Etisalat will be demonstrating... Read More
Twofour54 Ibtikar Launches Creative Lab
twofour54 ibtikar, the media industry funding and support pillar of twofour54 Abu Dhabi today launched twofour54 ibtikar: creative lab, a grant funding scheme aimed at engaging with young Arabs and stimulating creativity in order to build a long term sustainable media industry in the Arab world. twofour54 ibtikar: creative lab offers grant funding and business support to talented Arab individuals from the UAE and across the Middle East & North... Read More
Twofour54 Abu Dhabi To Launch Creative Lab For Your Ideas
twofour54 ibtikar, the media industry funding and support pillar of twofour54 Abu Dhabi,will launch Ibtikar Creative Lab funding solution. In our question to Tarek Ghattas, Creative Lab Manager, about the launch he said that it’s just the start, Ibtikar Creative Lab will be scheduled road shows to visit universities, malls and key areas, where they can interact one-on-one with the young Arabian crowd. Tarek added that no schedule of information... Read More
Classes start for first students at Masdar Institute of Science & Technology
Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the world’s first graduate academic institution dedicated to the research of alternative energy, environmental technologies and sustainability, has commenced with classes for the inaugural intake of graduate students. Lectures began last week (Sept 7th) for the 92 pioneering students who were selected from more than 1,200 applicants from 82 countries worldwide. The new students, who hail from as far... Read More
