WAN-IFRA’s 11th Middle East Conference to be held on February 24–25, 2016, in Dubai aims to provide publishing executives with opportunities to discover the latest regional and international top trends and best-practice ideas. Attendees will get to hear about the Internet of things, virtual reality, ad blocking, wearables, 3D printing, and emerging business models for newspaper printing companies among other global media trends.
The conference programme will include topics such as content creation and digital distribution for newspapers; leveraging social media and attracting millennials; virtual reality in storytelling; innovations in newspaper printing; inkjet printing for newspapers; outsourcing of print and value added printing; best digital media practices in the Middle East; smart advertising to increase revenue; brands and content marketing; transformation of the print revenue model; and diversifying revenue streams. In addition, case studies will be presented on successful media companies such as The New York Times Company, Expressen, Toronto Star, and Times of India.
WAN-IFRA will also present the first Middle East Digital Media Awards to recognise publishers who have adopted digital media and mobile strategies as part of their total product offering to meet the major changes in how people consume news and information today.
The award categories include Best News Website; Best Entertainment & Lifestyle Website; Best use of online video; Best Data Visualisation Project; Best News Mobile Service; Best Entertainment & Lifestyle Mobile Service; Best in Tablet Publishing; Best Reader Engagement; Best Digital Advertising Campaign; and Best New Product.
The winners will be officially announced at the WAN-IFRA Middle East conference 2016 in Dubai. Furthermore, the winners will be part of the World Digital Media Awards competition.
