#News

<
Apr 17, 2011
Prince Alwaleed one of "Saudi Arabia's Most Influential Figures in Media & Entertainment for 2010" by Al Riyadh Newspaper

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, Chairman of Rotana Holding, was ranked as one of "Saudi Arabia's most influential figures in the media and entertainment for 2010" by Al Riyadh newspaper.In only a short period of time since its launch, Rotana owns the largest Arabic film library and Arabic music archive. Rotana distributes, produces, and manages many of the most popular Arab artists in the region. Rotana also owns a bouquet of leading channels and employs over 1,300 employees located across the Middle East.In 2010, Rotana Group won the third FM radio license in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for SR67 million. In the same year, Rotana Group also announced that Newscorp has reached an agreement to buy a 9.09 percent stake in Rotana Group, to further develop its postion in the media sector in the Middle East and expand it horizon. Under the terms of the agreement, News Corporation will acquire newly-issued shares in Rotana for $70 million. News Corp. has an option to increase its stake to 18.18 percent in the 18 months following completion. The announcement was made during a press conference held at Rotana offices at Kingdom Tower. During the conference, Prince Alwaleed said that Rotana’s deal with News Corp. was not only a great achievement for Rotana but to the Arab media sector as a whole as News Corp. is the largest media company globally and reaches all continents. HRH added that Rotana was selcted for its strength in the Arab world and will further be enhanced by News Corp.’s expertise in this field, that includes television and film production.Prince Alwaleed has a strong presence and influence in media through his investments in media and entertainment in the Arab world, and beyond like the Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), in which Kingdom Holding chaired by Prince Alwaleed holds a 29.9% stake. The publications that fall under SRMG include Asharq Al Awsat, Al Eqtisadiah, Arab News, Hia magazine, Al Majalla magazine, Arrajol magazine and Sayidati magazine. Furthermore, other entities that fall under SRMG are Al Khaleejiya for Publicity Advertising and Public Relations and Al Madina Printing and Publishing Company. Furthermore, KHC is owner of approximately 7 percent of News Corporation’s Class B Common Stock. In addition, the Prince recently annouced his plans to launch a new news channel owned by him, and the news channel is managed by Mr. Jamal Khashoggi.Prince Alwaleed’s recognitions in media span over a decade and the most recent included “Ambassador of the Arab Media Leaders for 2010 to 2015" Award from the Arab Youth Media Forum, the CEO of the Year in Media Sector 2010 Award during CEO Middle East KSA Awards held by ITP, in 2009 Rotana Holding won the Licensee of the Year - EMEA and Best Catalogue Performance-EMNA at the Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Licensee Conference - Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). In addition, HRH received the “Knight of the Arab Media 2009” award by the Arab Producer’s Union based in Egypt, and is part of the Arab League and received the “Most Prominent Leading Personality in the Television Media for 2009," Award from the Arab Youth Media Forum, was awarded “Innovation of The Year Award 2009” by CEO Middle East magazine, part of ITP, awarded “Best Media Company” by Arabian Business (ITP) during the Arabian Business Saudi Achievement Awards 2008, in 2007 the Prince was named “Media Personality of the Year” by Zahrat AlKhaleej Magazine, HRH was also was ranked in a list of “Top 20 Media Personalities of the Year 2005” according to Al Riyadh Newspaper, in 2006, The International Media & Press Center and Obour Magazine selected Prince Alwaleed as “Business, Media, and Philanthropic Personality of the Year” and in 1996 Prince Alwaleed received Honorary Medal for supporting Arab singers, awarded by United Arab Emirates MOI and Culture Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed during the first Art Festival.