Mena edition of Variety Magazine launched

Global show business news powerhouse Variety magazine announced the launch of its Middle East and North Africa edition. The first edition of Variety Arabia is planned for distribution in January 2011 and will be initially published in Arabic and English. Variety’s foray into the region is intended to help champion the growth of the entertainment industry in the Mena region.

Variety’s Headquarters in London, supported by staff in Dubai and Cairo, will manage operations in conjunction with licensing partner Middle East Media & Publishing.

Editor in Chief of Variety Arabia, Tim Gray said, “It’s an exciting time for the MENA region’s entertainment industry, particularly in Film and Television, and with regard to culturally themed projects. There are a lot of initiatives supported by public and private interests presently working towards developing a world class entertainment industry that build upon the region’s established hubs of production. Our objective at Variety Arabia is to support everyone involved in this process. We want to position ourselves as a neutral entity providing required reading for key showbiz players and entertainment professionals, delivering breaking news, exclusive scoops and must-read features in an objective manner.”

Variety Arabia magazine aims to highlight and punctuate activities related to the worldwide entertainment industry and cultural interests in general, fused with views and information focused on industry relevant activities from the MENA region. The Magazine’s vision is to be the region’s premier source of entertainment and culturally relevant news. It will strive to ensure the most influential leaders in the entertainment industry throughout the region turn to the magazine for timely, credible and independent news and analysis – impartial information vital to their professions.

From Los Angeles, Variety President and Publisher, Neil Stiles said, “We are delighted to see a MENA edition of Variety being launched. This is a great opportunity for our future growth while we share in the sensation of this young and electrifying emerging entertainment market. Having a local voice uniquely deliver global entertainment news with expanded national coverage of the MENA region’s entertainment market will be a helpful tool for realizing the success of this region’s entertainment industry.”

Recognized and respected throughout the world of show business, Variety has been the premier source of entertainment news since 1905. Variety brings its readers the week in show business with in-depth news, exclusive reports, industry trend stories, essential box office information and comprehensive production charts, delivered with global perspective to a readership in 84 countries.

From Dubai, Middle East Media & Publishing Operations Director, Charles Rodgers said, “Our affiliation with Variety magazine, the foremost trade publication in entertainment is good news for industry players in this region. We are proud to say that it is a sign of acknowledgement for the potential of this burgeoning market. Variety Arabia will be initially distributed to all senior executives of major media companies throughout the Arab speaking region for free. It will also be made available at all Middle Eastern film festivals, Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Rome, Toronto, London, and Spain, and to key studios, agents and events in L.A, New York and London. We want to establish a window through which the Arab world’s vibrant and media savvy professionals can project their work upon the global entertainment industry.”