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Media summit to begin today with Gates’ speech

Under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Abu Dhabi Media Summit 2012 will open here today.

Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates will deliver the opening keynote address of the three-day summit, which is expected to be attended by 400 leaders from across the global media industry.

The theme for the 2012 summit is ‘Redefining the digital frontier’. The focus will be on digital media in emerging markets and on the technology disruption that is creating new distribution channels, marketing opportunities and audiences.

Summit sessions will focus on the nurturing of digital skills and talent; emphasize cross-industry perspectives and East-West dialogue; uncover the forces that are shaping the media landscape; and identify new sources of innovation outside traditional western media centres.

The Abu Dhabi Media Summit features a unique combination of high-profile public sessions, off-record forums and private conversations. It brings together top-tier global media, technology, venture capital and creative industry players and their emerging-market counterparts. Selected entrepreneurs and start-up companies are also featured, bridging the gap between established industry leaders and disruptive entrants.