Welcome to the weekly Wrap from How-Do - media news for the North West.
The Wrap's guest editor this week is Mark Rix.
Even in Dubai we hear of great news for local media owners from the BBC Trust in their announcement that permission had been denied the broadcaster to spend £68m of licence fee payers’ money on local video services. As if that was ever likely to stimulate a healthy market and consumer choice!!
There has been much coverage lately about Dubai’s bubble having burst, but if you commute along Sheikh Zayed Road each day you would be forgiven for thinking that kind of talk is wildly off the mark as you try and weave through six packed lanes of traffic (each way) for thirty miles and more. It is true that certain projects have been temporarily shelved until greater liquidity returns to financial markets, but by and large the development of this exciting emirate and Abu Dhabi (the capital) continues apace in line with the ‘can do ‘approach of the UAE government. The clear ambition of creating a globally central hub for trade, tourism and travel, and the best retail environment on earth is evidenced wherever you look and not least by the impressive structures presented with the Burj Tower and the magnificent Dubai Metro rail system, the first phase of which opens in September. Go to www.dubaimetro.eu
For my own company, our leading product 7 Days provides a unique proposition in the UAE as an audited, independent, free daily newspaper and one that enjoys a considerable rapport with its affluent, multinational expat readers. As evident with the continued successes of UK Metro (Owner of 7 Days) and the MEN’s own part paid/part free model, it is clear that quality free daily newspapers will thrive.
I read with interest GMG’s decision to rebrand Century Radio as Real Radio and good luck to Andy Carter with that. We could do with some Real Radio here! On that theme, if you are considering expansion in the UAE then invest a few Dirhams in a great tome entitled ‘Dubai & Co’ (Global Strategies For Doing Business In The Gulf States) – Aamir A. Rehman, 2008. (Great book Ruth!)
And finally... anyone fortunate enough to have known or worked with Tony Boore, former MD of the Manchester Evening News, will have been deeply saddened by his passing away recently. Tony was an absolute gentleman, great fun and a zealous advocate of the printed medium. RIP.
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