Tuesday 29 January 2013

Abu Dhabi Media Announces Key Structural Changes and the Recruitment of New Executives



Ayman Safadi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Media (ADM), one of the largest media companies in the UAE and the region, owning and operating TV and Radio stations, as well as newspapers, magazines, and digital brands, announced today a number of key structural changes aimed towards further streamlining operations to ensure that ADM remains a leading company across all media verticals.

ADM also announced the recruitment of seasoned executives, equipped with the qualifications and expertise required to assist the company in improving its output via the development of world class operations.

The company announced the creation of the Digital Media Services Division to focus on extending the organization’s offerings in the digital space and pursue the creation of dynamic digital content. Digital Media Services will position ADM as a regional leader in digital media, as well as focus on supporting Arabic content creation and distribution in the region.

Abdul Hadi Al Sheikh has been appointed Executive Director of Digital Media Services. Al Sheikh has enjoyed a successful career in the media sector over the past 15 years. Previous posts at Emirates Media (now ADM) include Head of Digital Media, Director of Technology, and Chief Technology Officer. In 2008, he was appointed CEO of LIVE, ADM’s outdoors production and broadcasting company, which he built into a world-class profitable business. Al Sheikh will continue to serve as CEO of LIVE. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde (Scotland).

In line with necessary transformations on the digital front, ADM announced the appointment of Mohamed bin Taliah as Chief Information Security Officer. Bin Taliah will strive to establish and implement a robust security program for the company, as it actively seeks to protect and safeguard its assets. Prior to joining ADM, Bin Taliah served as Manager of IT Governance for the Program Management Office of Emirates Aluminum Company (EMAL), specializing in IT Governance and Security. Previously, Bin Taliah worked at Thuraya Telecommunications Company as a Manager of Information Security.

To further drive inter-departmental collaboration, ADM announced the appointment of Waleed Saeed Al Awadhi as the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. Al Awadhi brings extensive local and international experience to his new role.  Prior to joining Abu Dhabi Media, Al Awadhi worked as Head of Priority Banking at Emirates Islamic Bank, and was also Deputy Head of Retail Banking Group and Deputy Chief Marketing Officer at Dubai Bank.  Al Awadhi also served as Director of Marketing and Sales at Sama Dubai - Dubai Holding, where he led the company’s sales and marketing efforts across 20 international markets spanning Asia, Australia, Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Levant.

Abdulwahed Almuwalekh has been appointed as Deputy Chief Commercial Officer. Almuwalekh is a seasoned sales professional with a wealth of experience and knowledge within the marketplace, and will support the delivery of the company’s commercial objectives. Prior to joining ADM, Almuwalekh was the Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing at First Gulf Bank, where he played an active role in developing the company’s corporate brand and managing its public relations. Earlier in his career, Almuwalekh held the position of Chief Commercial Officer at Arab Media. He earned an MBAfrom The American University in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi Media also confirmed Mohamed Dobay as Chief Financial Officer as a result of his stellar performance at Abu Dhabi Media, over the past 12 years, in the fields of financial management, strategic financial planning, governance, and financial applications. Dobay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, with a concentration in Accounting, and is a CMA (Certified Management Accountant).

To focus on the execution of strategic initiatives at the company, Roy Hintze has also been appointed as the Director of The Office of Strategy Management. Prior to joining Abu Dhabi Media, Hintze worked in the private sector, and has invested in and founded a number of companies in the Middle East. He was also the Executive Director of Corporate Development for Musanada, the Abu Dhabi Government's shared services organization, and has also worked as an engagement manager for Booz & Company in the Middle East. He holds an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management and a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, with honors.
“We need to ensure that Abu Dhabi Media’s operating model, and its senior team, equips the company with the agility it requires to meet the demands of a continuously-evolving media sector. These changes are in line with best practice, and will better help ADM enjoy continued success,” commented CEO, Ayman Safadi.  

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