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WAN-IFRA Middle East Conference begins today

Dubai - The two-day event - organised by Dubai Production City (DPC) - marks the first time WAN-IFRA partners with an external organisation to co-host the conference

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, will open the 12^th World Association of Newspaper and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) Middle East Conference today.
The two-day event - organised by Dubai Production City (DPC) - marks the first time WAN-IFRA partners with an external organisation to co-host the conference, reaffirming DPC's role as a global player in the media production industry, embracing global industry trends that serve the needs of the region.
"Driven by an increasing youth population of nearly 50 per cent in the region and an ever-changing digital user behaviour that makes this demographic no longer passive users but rather active producers of content, Dubai has envisioned the evolution of the media production industry for the years to come," said Majed Al Suwaidi, managing director of Dubai Production City. "Dubai Production City recognises the importance of leveraging emerging opportunities and aims to transform its diverse business communities into a vibrant hub that seamlessly integrates the digitalisation of the sector. In fact, cutting-edge innovation and digital transformations lie at the heart of our growth strategy across the board.
"Emphasising on the evolution of the printing industry, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced last year that 25 per cent of all buildings in Dubai would be 3D-printed by 2030," he added. "This mandate further highlights the incredible speed of development in the printing and publishing sector, particularly in Dubai. Our partnership with WAN-IFRA Middle East Conference reiterates our commitment to adopting global industry best practices and leading the change in this dynamic sector."
The 12^th WAN-IFRA Middle East Conference aims to provide publishing executives with an exceptional opportunity to discover the latest in regional and international industry trends and best-practice ideas. A key objective of the conference is to attract, foster and empower young innovative talent in the region and highlight the industry's readiness to embrace and implement Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to drive a new kind of media that responds to the needs of changing consumer patterns.
Over the course of two days, the event seeks to facilitate engaging and thought-provoking sessions that provide attendees with valuable insights into the industry's key trends as well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Opening with a welcome address by Majed Al Suwaidi, the sessions will include, but not be limited to, 'Transforming Media Companies' by Kevin Beatly, CEO, DMG Media, UK; 'Media Trends and Outlook' by Thomas Jacob, COO, WAN-IFRA, Germany; and 'Driving Revenue Growth' by Alexander Kratzer, CEO, MHS Digital, Germany. The line-up of speakers will include industry leaders from Dubai Media Incorporated, Times of Oman, Welad Elbalad Media Services LTD, BILD Digital and Telegraph Media Group, among others.
The agenda of the conference was developed based on the main findings of the 5^th Arab Media Outlook, a report jointly launched by Dubai Media City and Dubai Press Club. Offering a comprehensive overview of the consumer media industry in the Middle East, the report maps the future of the media landscape in the region until 2018. The findings identify youth and digitalisation as the driving force behind the sector's paradigm shifts.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com