Media Pioneer Speaks to the AUS Community on Changing Media Landscape

One of the Arab world's most distinguished media pioneer, Abdul Latif Al Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer of Al Sayegh Media, delivered an inspiring lecture entitled "Media is Evolving: New Opportunities on the Horizon," at AUS.

Addressing the packed hall, Al Sayegh said that "in media we have two choices: evolve, or become a fossil in history. Al Sayegh Media has evolved from a one-man dream into a media hub of over 50 ambitious talents. Our main thrust is always towards attracting inspirational candidates who can shake up the industry. That is why we have been synergizing with AUS for the Career Fair and internships of various students."

Al Sayegh briefed the audience on the history of his own organization, Al Sayegh Media, which he founded in early 2010, as he entered the even more exhilarating world of digital and social media. Al Sayegh Media serves the entire region with unique world-class services like website development, mobile application development, social media management, SEM services, event management, videography and photography, branding and marketing, media planning/buying, as well as media consultancy.

"Our partnership with AUS has yielded several success stories, one of whom is our Head of Social Media: Rosette Younis. She is an AUS alumna who heads a team of five professionals - four of whom are AUS alumni. She embodies what we seek in a new employee: passion, drive, attitude, creativity and speed. We don't believe in just filling an opening - if you are talented enough, you will create new openings," added Al Sayegh.

He encouraged his audience, to look at new opportunities in the media sector as media embarks on a thrilling ride. "It is no longer survival of the biggest, but those with the greatest hunger and thirst for innovation. If this matches your character, then Al Sayegh Media matches your ambitions," emphasized Al Sayegh.

Vice Chancellor of Development and Alumni Affairs, Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah noted the University's dedication to increasingly prepare the manpower necessary to direct the future development of the UAE by refining the expertise of students and graduates in both theoretical and scientific fields, and practical and applied theory, as they continue to interact with the most prominent specialists in their respective majors, including media pioneers in the UAE and the Gulf region.

Al Sayegh had been selected to manage an enormous portfolio of media assets for the Government of Dubai. The UAE's largest media corporations and the most diverse in the region he headed, included three daily newspapers, eight radio stations, the region's largest printing press, the region's biggest distribution company, an outdoor advertising company, the UAE's most active event management company, and three major television stations (including MTV and Nickelodeon), among many other ground-breaking projects.

Moreover, in 2007, Al Sayegh was recognized as "CEO of the Year" by the CEO World Forum. In 2008, he was awarded the accolade of being one of the "Top 25 Most Influential Personalities in the Arab World", by The Times newspaper.

The lecture, which was held by the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs as part of its "AUS Career Advancement Executive Lecture Series" in collaboration with AUS academic units and, was followed by a lively question and answer session. The event was attended by Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, AUS Provost; Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs; Dr. Mark Rush, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Mahboub Hashem, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, faculty members, staff, students, and alumni.