23 March 2016
Dubai, UAE: TECOM Group has reiterated its commitment to play a leading role in the implementation of the UAE's innovation strategy and reaffirmed its intention to continue to pioneer industry growth through its media communities. The Group hosted a gala dinner last night at which Dubai Media City (DMC) and Dubai Studio City (DSC) unveiled their new logos, which reflect more modern and vibrant communities, and International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) announced its new identity, Dubai Production City (DPC).

The communities' new dynamic brands symbolise a sharper focus on promoting innovation as the driving force behind the growth of the media industry. The event was well attended by a large audience of high profile professionals from different Government entities and key players in the industry, including Dubai Holding Vice Chairman and Managing Director Ahmad Bin Byat, TECOM Group CEO Dr Amina Al Rustamani, TECOM Business Parks CEO Malek Al Malek, as well as the Group's Board Members and senior management team, who together celebrated the development of Dubai's media industry over the past 15 years.

Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, and Dubai Production City, reflects on the illustrious history of these media communities:

"We are very proud of the great success we have enjoyed over the past 15 years," he says. "There have been many outstanding achievements, which have contributed towards the realisation of our vision to become the region's leading hub for the media industry. Our reputation as a community supporting the creation and delivery of high quality content for all parts of the media industry has gathered strength and we are now ready to build on this platform through the next phase of our development."

Mr. Al Suwaidi's words highlight the vital ongoing role of DMC, DSC and DPC in driving the growth of the media industry in Dubai through innovation. Since its inauguration in January 2001, DMC has grown to become a thriving business community, hosting both global and regional media companies. DSC, which is home to world class production companies, talent, facilities and infrastructure for the production, broadcast and content creation industries, has successfully attracted a number of large scale productions, such as "Star Trek Beyond" and "MasterChef Arabia", which have set DSC and Dubai apart as the region's leading production hub.

IMPZ, which is now known as Dubai Production City (DPC), has over the years developed a business environment that is uniquely geared towards the needs of printing, publishing, packaging and advanced production, and has pioneered growth and stimulated innovation across these sectors.  

Commenting on how TECOM Group intends to redefine innovation in the media, Mr Al Suwaidi continued: "We will always welcome international businesses and fully recognise the contribution they make to the building of vibrant communities. However, our focus will increasingly be on nurturing local talent and entrepreneurs, who are the future of the media industry. Our new platform for media start-ups and entrepreneurs, in5 Media, is an integral part of our incubation platform which aims at enabling the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem in Dubai and the region as a whole. As a platform, in5 plays a fundamental role in achieving our community's innovative potential by allowing a fluid interaction between start-ups and entrepreneurs working across different sectors. The in5 model reflects the ever-increasing interconnectedness of sectors and strives to encourage founders and entrepreneurs to innovate at the boundaries and intersections of various industries."

"In my new role as Managing Director of these media communities, I am very excited to have the responsibility for such an important task.  As has been said by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE has the capacity to become one of the most innovative countries in the world, and Dubai's media industry will play a fundamental part in the delivery of that vision."

-Ends- 

About TECOM Group
TECOM Group, a member of Dubai Holding, is a strategic business enabler that contributes to the realisation of Dubai's economic aspirations, through the creation of sector-focused business communities and work environments that provide innovative business solutions.

TECOM Group's 10 business communities reinforce Dubai's position as a global hub for business and commerce, and have attracted companies and talent from around the world including industry leaders such as Google, CNN, DELL and Unilever. Covering six vibrant industry sectors, TECOM's business communities offer a home in the region to over 5,100 companies ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations with a total workforce of 80,000.

TECOM Group is a committed partner in the government's efforts to transform Dubai into a global business hub, the smartest city in the world, the capital of the Islamic Economy, and is in full alignment with the Dubai Plan 2021. The company has been a major catalyst for Dubai's development into a knowledge-economy, and is now a frontrunner in delivering the government's Innovation Strategy, championing the growth of start- ups and small firms as well as the Emirate's service sector.

TECOM Group's free zone business communities feature purpose-built facilities and industry-specific infrastructure. These include Dubai Internet City, Dubai Outsource City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, International Media Production Zone, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Science Park and Dubai Design District (d3).

Dubai Industrial City is TECOM's non-free zone business park dedicated to the manufacturing and logistics industry.

TECOM Group also features a number of pure play companies such as Arab Media Group, a leading UAE media and entertainment organisation which manages Global Village, Arabian Radio Network (ARN) and Done Events.

For more information please visit: www.tecomgroup.ae

For media enquiries, please contact:
Khaled Ramadan - Khaled.Ramadan@tecomgroup.ae  
Alexa Hooft Graafland - AHooftGraafland@bellpottinger.com

© Press Release 2016