Egypt’s Sisi Says Pardon For Al Jazeera Journalists “Being Discussed”

The three journalists have been jailed for nearly a year on charges of aiding a “terrorist organisation”.

Facebook Cashing In On Video Ads As MENA Users Reach 74m

The social networking website is tapping in on its recently introduced video features to attract more advertising revenues.

Soccer-Real Seal Strategic Partnership With Abu Dhabi’s IPIC

The agreement includes setting up Real museums and expanding their soccer schools around the world, as well as creating content for digital media platforms, IPIC said.

Up to 40% Of UAE YouTube Users Come From Mobile

A study by Google found that 80 per cent of smartphone users in the UAE watch online videos on their devices.

Al Jazeera Countersues Al Gore Over $65m

Al Jazeera bought Current TV for an estimated $500 million in 2013 from Al Gore.

UAE’s Cinema Ad Spend Rises 31% In H1 2014

The growing number of moviegoers in the UAE has driven the rise in cinema ad spending.

Al Jazeera Rejects Al Gore’s Allegations On Current TV Deal

The former US vice president and his partner claimed the news channel owed them “tens of millions of dollars.”

Al Gore Sues Al Jazeera For Withholding Money After Current TV Deal

Qatar-based Al Jazeera acquired Current TV for an estimated $500 million in 2013.

Sheikh Mohammed’s Social Media Followers Cross Six Million Mark

Dubai ruler’s Twitter followers crossed three million while his Facebook fans amounted to two million along with a million followers in both Instagram and Google+.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Rejects $3.2bn Offer For Pay-TV Unit OSN

The offer from a US firm comprised $2.4 billion in cash and a further $800 million subject to certain conditions.

Fox Abandons $80bn Time Warner Takeover Bid

Fox’s chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch cited Time Warner’s board’s refusal to come to the table to discuss a takeover as a reason for the turnabout.

Abu Dhabi: A Star In The Making?

Wooing Hollywood and Bollywood producers with generous financial rebates, Abu Dhabi is steadily heading towards its aim of becoming a global film hub.

FIFA World Cup Was Biggest Social Media Event Ever – Facebook

Up to 350 million users generated a record Facebook “conversation” with three billion posts, comments and likes.

UAE Regulator Announces Guidelines For Twitter

Twitter users in the UAE are prohibited from tweeting content that is contrary to public morals and the principles of Islam.

Egypt’s Sisi Says He Wishes Al Jazeera Journalists Were Deported, Not Tried

An Egyptian court handed down prison sentences of seven to 10 years to three journalists last month.

India’s New PM Modi Is Twitter’s 4th Most Followed World Leader

US President Barack Obama remains the most followed world leader on the social networking site, finds new study.

Parents Of Australian Journalist Jailed In Egypt “Shattered”

Peter Greste is one of three Al Jazeera journalists jailed for seven years each by an Egyptian judge.

Egyptian Verdict Due For Three Jailed Al Jazeera Journalists

All three have been held at Egypt’s notorious Tora Prison for six months, in a case that has drawn criticism from Western governments and human rights groups.

Global Advertising To Expand This Year Helped By World Cup

The total amount of media spend is estimated to reach up to $524 billion at year end, driven by an improved global economic outlook and the rapid rise of mobile advertising.

MENA Advertisers Slow To Warm Up To Mobile Ads

Experts say that advertisers are yet to be convinced of users’ receptiveness to mobile ads.

Nearly 400 million Twitter Users Estimated By 2018

The figure is far short of the one billion expected.

Revealed: Seven Key Lessons For Brands

Companies need to learn from brand failures to avoid mistakes, according to brand research firm Millward Brown.

Iranians Arrested For “Happy” Video Freed

The six youngsters were detained for what police called their “obscene” behaviour, one of them said in an online posting.

Abu Dhabi Confirmed As First Location for Star Wars: Episode VII

The seventh installment of the popular movie series is due to premiere in December 2015.

Al Jazeera Warns Life Of Its Journalist Jailed In Egypt Is At Risk

Abdullah Elshamy, one of four reporters being held in Egypt, has been on hunger strike since Jan. 21 to protest against his detention.

Bollywood Film Bang Bang Completes Abu Dhabi Shoot

The Indian movie, starring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif, is scheduled for release on October 2.

Hollywood Movie Fast & Furious 7 Completes Filming In Abu Dhabi

The action thriller was shot at several locations in Abu Dhabi, including Emirates Palace, Al Ain city and Jumeirah Etihad Towers.

Pay-TV Operator OSN Has “No Current Plans” To List Shares – CEO

KIPCO, OSN’s parent company, had indicated that an IPO was expected to happen this year.

As $35bn Omnicom-Publicis Merger Collapses, Ad Firms Start Thinking Small

Experts say last week’s break-up was due in large part to a clash of cultures and egos.

Omnicom, Publicis Call Off Proposed $35bn Merger

The deal, which was announced last July, foundered on issues ranging from its complex tax structure to the firms’ divergent cultures.