Dubai 19, May 2008; THE NEW FRONTIER: A wind of change is sweeping across the media & music business in the Arab world; International music publishing group, Fairwood Music and leading Middle East production company BKP Music are delighted to announce a new joint venture between their companies. The new venture, "Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia)" launches as the premier full service music publishing operation in the UAE, and will be representing a number of the worlds leading music catalogues throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
"It's a pioneering step for the world of music publishing and for the protection of copyrights as a whole" says Managing Director Hussain "Spek" Yoosuf.
Over recent years the Middle East and the Gulf in particular has seen an incredible boom bolstered by an influx of international investment. Dubai in particular has become a foothold into Asia for international leaders in media through it's pioneering launching of tax-free zones like Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City; Environments specifically set up to cultivate media activity that have made Dubai the regional hub for some of the leading broadcasters and advertising agencies in the world including BBC World, CNN, Leo Burnett's, CNBC, Reuters and Saatchi & Saatchi.
"This region has largely been ignored by the worlds leading music publishers", says Yoosuf.
"This new step sees us opening the door to the Middle East by leveraging the combined strengths of BKP and Fairwood. Something that will not only allow us to use our experience and relationships in this region to protect and properly represent some of the worlds leading copyrights, but also to help exploit an incredible wealth of music that has never had any formal representation in this part of the world before"
Fairwood Music, one of the leading independent music publishers in the world, have represented a cross section of the world's most successful and innovative artists over the years including U2, Bob Marley, Cat Stevens, David Bowie, Toni Braxton, Average White Band and many others. With 10 fully staffed offices placed in the most strategic territories around the globe, the company has amassed an incredible network over 21 years of experience in international music publishing.
BKP Music, the largest music and audio post-production operation in the Middle East, boasts 6 recording studios, 2 post-production suites and an affiliate office and studio in Lebanon. Based out of Dubai Media City, the company's core clients include the leading advertising agencies in the Middle East and North Africa. The company's main activities include the production of original music, sonic logos, full music scores, jingles, sound design, ringtones, production of radio spots, voice-over recording, dubbing (in all languages), video editing and compositing.
"We see this as a natural progression for our ever expanding worldwide business" says Fairwood Music (International) President, Francis Pettican " we were the first independent publisher to open an office in Shanghai and we are now doing the same, with BKP, here in the UAE.
"BKP Music's CEO, Barry Kirsch sees it as the fruition of years of ground work in the Middle East and North Africa, "We have been working with the key players in this region for over 8 years and in that time the goal has always been to launch the kind of operation we're launching today with Fairwood. It's something we're very excited about, and so are our clients."
The new joint venture will see Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia) exploiting catalogue for placement in film, television and major advertising campaigns. Something BKP has already successfully achieved over recent years. The company will also be endeavoring to protect and collect what is due to composers and publishers from their works being used in print, cd/ record sales, ringtones, downloads and all digital media.
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For more information on Fairwood/BKP Music (Arabia) please contact:
Ammar Tobba
GCI Public Relations, Dubai
+971 4 331 0331
Ammar.tobba@gcidubai.com
www.fairwoodmusic.com
© Press Release 2008
