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Vimala Vasan

ABU DHABI, Jan. 20

DUBAI Media City, which turns two on Monday, has beat the global downturn to emerge as a high-growth media hub in the region, with 560 companies currently operating out of its modern premises in the suburbs of Dubai.

The city was established to promote content creation and give media companies the "freedom to create", according to information provided by the Media City. It is part of Dubai's overall vision of accelerating the development of the knowledge economy in the region. Several global companies have set up base here to tap growing opportunities in the region. From 190 companies at the end of 2001, the media community here is today home to 560 companies.

Going by numbers, marketing services has emerged as the largest sector accounting for 28 per cent of companies in the City. Publishing accounted for 22 per cent and production and post-production 15 per cent. Other sectors such as broadcasting, new media, music, entertainment and event management also flourished.

Broadcasting was one of the sectors that witnessed several new ventures targeting emerging markets in the region. As many as 11 TV and radio channels started broadcasting out of Dubai Media City. A prime example was TEN Sports, a 24-hour sports channel launched by Taj Television, a new UAE-based venture that targets sports audiences in the Indian subcontinent. The company has built a 55,000-sq ft fully-digital broadcast and production facility at the City.

Pan-Arab broadcaster Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) opened its international headquarters at Dubai Media City, which was shifted to Dubai from London to be closer to its Arab target audience and benefit from lower operating costs.

A total of 20 broadcast organisations have a presence in Dubai Media City today. Apart from MBC and Taj Television, these include Middle East Television, Arabian Radio Network, Al Majd Satellite Broadcasting, Asianet Global, Reuters TV, Middle East Business News (CNBC), CNN, ARY Digital, Space Toon Children's Channel and Arab Radio and Television.

Dubai Media City's chief infrastructure value proposition for broadcasters is its own teleport that provides a one-stop-shop for broadcasting requirements, including uplinking, downlinking, turnaround and various content-edit services.

"Over the past two years, Dubai Media City has evolved to become significantly larger in scope than the original idea behind it," said Mr Abdulhamid Juma, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Media City.

As part of its strategic expansion plan, Dubai Media City is developing new commercial, residential, educational and recreational facilities to enhance the quality of life of the members of its community. The completion of its second phase and third phases of expansion has added a huge amount of area for leasing.

Its array of offerings for media companies has been expanded with several new innovative infrastructure solutions. One of them is the Boutique Offices — independent private villa-offices that companies can customise to reflect their own corporate character. It also introduced a new living concept in Dubai — loft apartments that give residents the "freedom to create" their own interiors.

One of the highlights of the City's global activities was its participation at the 30th International Emmy Awards 2002 through which it sought to enhance the region's presence in the international media scene. Freelance talent also flourished at the Business Centre, Dubai Media City's unique facility for independent media professionals, which has developed into the single largest source of talent-on-tap in the region. The Centre is home to 165 freelance professionals and entrepreneurs. In response to demand, the Centre is currently being expanded with a new building.

Through its annual talent quest, the Ibda'a Media Student Awards the Media City continues to foster regional student talent. Last year's Ibda'a Awards were won by eight students from India, Egypt, Lebanon, South Africa and the UAE.

Meanwhile, an extensive strategy to boost the region's educational infrastructure will address the development of talent at its roots.

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