Neil linked to Dubai newspaper launch

by Media Week, Media Week 07-Mar-06

Media veteran Andrew Neil is gearing up to launch a daily business freesheet in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai.

The newspaper, to be published in conjunction with the largest publisher
in the region, ITP, would target the affluent business community of the
Middle Eastern city.

A spokesman for ITP, which publishes Campaign Middle East, Time Out and

Grazia on licence in the Middle East, confirmed that Neil had been

visiting the region in recent months.

He added: "There is nothing definite to tell right now, but there was
some talk about it just as there was talk about other projects across
the board."

Currently the city, which has a population of just under one million, is
served by two English-language newspapers - 7days, which launched last
year, and the Government-run Emirates Today.

Shadi Kandil, director of OMD Dubai's research division, was positive
about any prospective launch.

He said: "There is space in the market and the community is eager to
have a good-quality production - but its success will depend on the
content."

ITP is the largest business and consumer magazine publisher in the
Middle East, with a raft of titles covering the business, consumer and
online sectors.