With an estimated 45 million audience and growing, Al Jazeera is growing in brand value and by far the most identifiable Arabic brand in the world. Al Jazeera Network announced the opening of a Commercial Sales office in Kuala Lumpur to be launched in the first quarter of 2009 to focus on serving the Asia Pacific market. The office and existing commercial division will help advertisers and business partners in the region capitalise on Al Jazeera’s global reach and international brand.
Al Jazeera English is balancing the information flow from South to North, providing independent and impartial news for a global audience from a grass roots level, giving voice to different perspectives from under-reported regions around the world. Starting early in 2009, the network’s current Manager for Global Sales & Commercial Production, Commercial Affairs Division, Hedi Smirani, is all geared up for the vast opportunities available in this part of the world. Hedi will soon be promoted to Commercial Director Asia Pacific starting early in 2009.
“This is an important stepping stone for our commercial efforts in the region as we begin to extend our global brand. While we remain focused on bringing ground-breaking news to the world, we are venturing and expanding into new commercial areas. The Al Jazeera family of channels which now includes Al Jazeera Satellite Channel, Al Jazeera English, six Sports Channels and Al Jazeera Documentary gives extensive market reach and advertising value for our partners” said Dr. Al-Horr. “The aim of the Commercial Office in Kuala Lumpur will be to get closer to our Asia Pacific partners beginning with introductory offers for new sponsors and potential partners for 2009 onwards.” Born out of the failure of the BBC TV’s Arabic service. It started off in 1996, based out of Doha with a grant of $150 million, broadcasting six hours every day.
The network extended its times and by 1999 had become the first Arab news network to broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are also reports that over 160,000 U.S. households have subscribed to its service although a clear and accurate profile of those households has yet to be determined.