DUBAI, 21 November 2004 — The Dubai Media City hopes to strengthen its position further as a regional media hub and one of the leading international media centers, a position that it has succeeded in attaining in less than four years since its launch.
Abdul Hamid Juma, CEO of Dubai Media City said, “The Media City is working on offering all the support services for media including an advanced infrastructure and supportive environment for media-related businesses which is in line with the message of the city to build a strong media community where every kind of media business will thrive.”
According to Juma, the interdependent media community also boasts a growing talent pool that offers a range of creative skills. Currently, over 120 freelance media professionals are based in the City. Dubai Media City is studying the possibility of allocating an entire building to the freelancers operating from DMC. The new building is set to house approximately 250 freelancers.
Commenting on the creation of Dubai Holding and the future of Dubai Media City Juma said, “This was in fact a positive step which will help shape a better future for DMC because of the tremendous support of Dubai Holding. As a result, the media in the country will witness positive results with the lines of communication and collaboration between the projects under Dubai Holding becoming stronger.” The CEO of Dubai Media City said, “Although these companies have had effective lines of communication, they were not strong enough due to irregular meetings between them. However, with the formation of Dubai Holding, a more organized system of communication and regular meetings will help in the exchange of knowledge between the companies which will contribute to the overall success of the group.”
Juma said that a unified marketing strategy to be launched under the name of Dubai Holding will be more effective than the diverse messages being delivered by each company individually. He believes that joining Dubai Holding will not change the strategic plans of Dubai Media City since all companies, whether under Dubai Holding or not follow the same overall mission.
Juma also said, “Today the City hosts over 860 companies including 80 television and radio stations, 140 magazines besides the headquarters for media production companies and with growth spreading to sectors such as publishing & printing, music, new media, film, leisure & entertainment, information agencies, public relations and advertising with over 12,000 professionals working in them.”
