MAKTOOB.COM CLINCHES DEAL WITH TWO TOP NEWSPAPERS
‘Asharq Al Awsat’, ‘An-Nahar’ among the first to join Maktoob’s
media programme
Dubai: Maktoob.com, the largest online Arab community,
confirmed yesterday that it has entered into strategic agreements
with two prominent Arabic newspapers, Asharq Al Awsat and An-Nahar,
to help develop the online presence of the leading publications.
In a statement, Shadi Saadeh, Project Manager of Maktoob-Media,
explained that the new development would broaden the profile of
the publications among their dedicated readership based all over
the world. He also revealed that the company was close to
finalising more such deals with other English and Arab publication
houses.
“Media organizations worldwide have realized that an online
presence is extremely imperative if they have to enhance
interactivity with their readers,” he said. “Asharq Al
Awsat and An-Nahar are among the top pan-Arab publications
enjoying a high circulation in this region and we are confident
that their new e-community feature will help establishing presence
of the publications in countries where the print versions are not
easily available and therefore increase their reach.”
Valued at several thousand dollars, the alliance with Maktoob.com
(www.maktoob.com) will introduce the two publications to a world
of web-based privileges, including online communications,
marketing, branding and e-consultancy. Using these new tools,
media organizations can effectively build their own e-communities,
allowing groups of people to interact and share information online
through cutting-edge interactivity tools.
The e-community members can include readers, customers, employees,
distributors, resellers, suppliers, vendors or service providers,
who can interact on a one-to-one basis or in groups.
Saadeh pointed out that the Maktoob Media Programme was conceived
in view of the global trend where readers increasingly prefer to
access their favorites publication online. “The online presence
allows the media organization to impart vital information to its
readers and interact with them at the same time,” he pointed
out. “The feedback from the readers is important to a media
organization in order to satisfy readership needs and solidify
loyalty.”
The email facility allows complete English / Arabic functionality
regardless of the user’s operating system. At the same time, all
email communications are automatically scanned for viruses, with
both sender and receiver being notified should a virus be
detected.
“The incorporation of the new feature in our readership service
is considerably expected to increase interaction between our
readers and staff and it is encouraging to receive their feedback
on various issues from wherever they are based,” explained
Mohammed Al-Agha, Head of Internet Department for Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Since we are an organization that receives too many emails
every day, it is necessary that our computers be protected from
all harmful viruses that are transmitted through email.”
According to the programme, Maktoob.com will also provide the
publications with regular e-consultancy services, including
marketing the website to its target audience. “We have already
proved our expertise in building the most popular Arab online
destination in less than two years and now, we are taking that
enviable stature to support the business community worldwide,”
explained Saadeh.
Maktoob.com has become a landmark development for the Arab world,
emphasizing the region’s growing importance as a key international
IT player. Since its launch more than two years ago, Maktoob.com
has played a crucial role in uniting Arabs worldwide by providing
sophisticated and reliable web-based communications and community
tools, including the Arab world’s first free bilingual Web-based
email service.
Maktoob.com is the first Arabic / English web-based email
solutions provider and leading virtual community for Arabs around
the world. Launched in October 1998, Maktoob.com gained instant
success among Arabs around the world. It currently boasts of a
membership base of more than 1.5 million registered members
worldwide.
Besides the free email service, the company offers a range of
interactive web-based facilities including Voice Mail, WAP, a
comprehensive business directory, Arabic music, chat, online
auction, electronic greeting cards and information services.
For more details, please contact,
Edward D’Mello
Headline Public Relations
Tel: 009714 – 3475006; Fax: 009714 – 3475013
e-mail:
edward@headlinepr.com
|
