Experts discuss region’s growth potential for internet marketing strategies

The latest advances in measuring and optimizing online marketing and the advantages of implementing such strategies in a competitive marketplace were discussed at a seminar on Search Engine Marketing hosted by Dubai Media City, a member of TECOM Investments.

The two-hour interactive workshop was organised in association with WSI Internet Consulting, a leading provider of internet solutions to businesses worldwide.

The event witnessed the participation of 95 regional marketing professionals, representing advertising and PR agencies, media buyers and other professional organizations, keen to optimize the online presence of their companies and clients.

Mohamed Almulla, Executive Director, Dubai Media City, said: ‘The seminar is in line with our objective to offer a suitable platform for corporate leaders based in the UAE and the wider GCC market to benefit from latest technological trends. We are confident this event will further reinforce Dubai Media City’s mission of launching initiatives that are geared towards nurturing the region’s knowledge economy.’

Husam Jandal, Internet Business Consultant, WSI Internet Consulting, said: ‘With the highest growth rate of Internet users in the world, the Middle East represents a vast opportunity for the business community to promote their products and services online.

‘With more than 90% of all traffic generated on the Internet coming from search engines, it is important for the local business community to identify various ways of utilizing these Internet tools to achieve the desired visibility for their businesses.’

He added a majority of the regional companies are yet to realize the immense benefits that could accrue through the use of the Internet, which can be tapped for generating fruitful business leads and for building brand recognition.

He added: ‘There is a huge gap between demand for information and the supply of relevant content in the business arena. There are people who are desperately looking for certain products and services but unable to find relevant links because business offerings are not available online, or at least not visible on search engines. As an essential marketing tool for businesses, search engine marketing has become one of the world’s most preferred marketing strategies due to its flexibility, accessibility, accuracy, and cost effectiveness.’

Focusing on the details of regional internet usage, experts who led the seminar found Yahoo, Google and MSN as the most preferred search engines, a trend akin to the Western world. However, recently launched language specific search engines such as ‘Araby’ have become increasingly popular among Internet users in the Arab world, the seminar highlighted.

The workshop also underlined the findings of market studies that the Internet is the best vehicle for addressing the youth segment as a key target audience with more than 65 per cent preferring the Internet as their main source of information, according to a recent study by Maktoob Research, another regional internet market research company.

Tags: Dubai Media City, Husam Jandal, Maktoob Research, Mohamed Almulla, TECOM Investments, WSI Internet Consulting

Fitness First ‘Platinum’ opens at Dubai Media City

Fitness First Middle East announced the ‘Grand Opening’ of its brand new ‘Platinum’ concept facility in the Business Center Towers at Dubai Media City on Wednesday 25th of June 2008.

The state-of-the-art 20,000 square ft facility marks the next step in the rapid expansion and growth of Fitness First Middle East and launches it’s latest concept in the premium ‘Platinum’ brand, the first in the region.

Fitness First Middle East is a franchise owned and operated under license by Leisure Unlimited LLC Company and increases the total number of clubs operating in the region to thirteen.

The facility at Dubai Media City joins the impressive list of Fitness First locations in the region consisting of clubs at Ibn Battuta Mall - Dubai, UPTOWN Mirdiff - Dubai, Dubai International Financial Center, Dubai Festival City, Al Hana Center - Dubai, Al Mussalla Towers - Dubai, Bahrain World trade Center, Taj Tower Hamra - Lebanon, Down Town Beirut - Lebanon, Mecca Mall - Jordan, Abdoun - Jordan and of course Burjuman - Dubai, currently the largest Fitness First in the world.

‘The massive opportunity to serve the community in terms of increasing the awareness of wellness in the Middle East market prevalent today can only be aptly addressed by building the right facilities in the right locations. The last few years has witnessed a major shift in the mindset of not only nationals but also expatriates and tourists, in their attitude towards fitness and well-being, thereby having a major impact in the fight against issues such as obesity, diabetes and heart complications’ explains Leisure Unlimited CEO, Gary Knill.

The Fitness First ‘Platinum’ facility at Dubai Media City will feature over 100 exercise machines by Technogym, an Apple Mac computer lounge, a fresh juice bar, free weights area, 1:1 personal training by world class personal trainers, a women’s only gym as well as weekly group exercise in Body Pump, RPM, Body Attack, Body Combat, Body Balance, Body Jam, Body Step and more.

Members can also make use of the members lounge with complimentary drinks, a DVD library with over 500 new titles, luxury changing rooms with Sauna & Steam as well as a stunning swimming pool and deck with a view including the iconic Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeriah. Membership includes reciprocal access to over 500 clubs worldwide.

The ‘Platinum’ club, first of its kind to be present in the UAE, incorporates a stylish, sophisticated décor with subtle changes from the regular Fitness First clubs.

Fitness First will host a grand opening celebration on the 25th of June 2008 from 6pm to showcase its new fitness facility to VIPs and current members.

Tags: Business Center Towers, Dubai Media City, Fitness First Middle East, Leisure Unlimited