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Saudi Research & Media Group Announces Transformation Strategy Focusing on Platform Expansion and International Partnerships Across Five New Verticals

Saudi Research & Media Group Announces Transformation Strategy Focusing on Platform Expansion and International Partnerships Across Five New Verticals
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Saudi Research & Media Group Announces Transformation Strategy Focusing on Platform Expansion and International Partnerships Across Five New Verticals

Saudi Research & Media Group Announces Transformation Strategy Focusing on Platform Expansion and International Partnerships Across Five New Verticals

The Saudi Research & Media Group (SRMG) – which owns more than 30 major media outlets including Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News and Arab News, and has a combined monthly reach of 165 million – announced on Sunday a new transformation strategy focusing on platform expansion, international partnerships and strategic investments across five key business verticals.

SRMG, which is listed on the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh, will further expand its current portfolio, digital offerings and global reach by transforming print publications into digital-first platforms, introducing new platforms that address white spaces in the market, investing in media start-ups with bold ideas and building long-term mutually beneficial partnerships with internationally recognized brands. SRMG already has successful partnerships and collaborations with leading media organizations including Bloomberg and The Independent.

Driven by a newly appointed leadership team, SRMG is focused on delivering original, exclusive and premium content to consumers through new digital and social platforms, as well as strengthening its cable and satellite reach. The Group will continuously look to leverage its data and technology capabilities to develop new products and services, enhance its monetization capabilities and diversify its revenue streams.

Building on its expanding network of outlets, SRMG will work across five business verticals to unlock new regional and international commercial opportunities:

1. SRMG Media: Digital Platforms, Podcasts and Multimedia

Digitizing and expanding content creation and distribution to engage audiences with original, unique and exclusive content

2. SRMG International: International Investments and Partnerships

Building a global network through bespoke partnerships and strategic investments, driven by a team of seasoned media professionals with global experience

3. SRMG Think: Research and Polling

Providing unique insights and expert analysis from the Middle East and around the world

4. SRMG X: Events, Conferences and Exhibitions

Delivering leading events that provide important opportunities for personal connection and engagement in a digital world

5. SRMG Labs: Innovation, Incubation, and Training

Fostering talent and technology, and driving creativity and innovation in the regional media space, while helping to train the next generation of media professionals, journalists and content creators

Abdulrahman Ibrahim Alrowaita, Chairman of SRMG, said: “For almost five decades, our titles like Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, Sayidaty and others have played a significant role in telling authentic and impactful stories from the Middle East and around the world. Now, driven by our new strategy, we will strengthen our unique and established position by expanding our global focus and reach and widening our regional footprint in a growing media sector.

“Through new platforms and international partnerships, we will empower global audiences with relevant and reliable news and information. We will remain committed to diversity and inclusivity in journalism and across our newsrooms, fostering talent and innovation by helping develop the next generation of media professionals, journalists and content creators.”

Jomana Al-Rashid, Chief Executive Officer of SRMG, said: “Our focus on premium content creation, introducing new platforms and expanding our reach through new titles and services ensures SRMG will be the primary driver of the region’s digital future in media. New platforms will allow our journalists to report news and deliver audience-centric content backed by data and driven by the latest technology, to reinforce SRMG’s position as the premier media house in the Middle East.

“Our new strategy is an exciting next chapter for a media house with a long legacy of growth and innovation. We look forward to enhancing our engagement with our audiences by continuing to provide relevant and diverse media content, while widening the services we offer and building on our leading media market position.”

SRMG’s new growth strategy is supported by a refreshed brand and new website that reflect the company’s fresh approach while upholding its rich, unique history. Leveraging its legacy, scale and new capabilities, SRMG is uniquely positioned to access growing media markets worldwide.

Operating since 1972, Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) is a global media house from the Middle East and North Africa with a portfolio of more than 30 major media outlets – including Asharq Al-Awsat, Asharq News and Arab News – delivering information, news and lifestyle content to a monthly audience of more than 165 million.

Listed on the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh, SRMG is focused on delivering original, exclusive and premium content in multiple languages to empower consumers with news and information through digital and social platforms, in addition to its leading cable and satellite reach.

Through its many platforms, content and voices, SRMG is uniquely positioned to capitalize on fast-growing opportunities for digital content distribution, online advertising and commercial partnerships in the media and entertainment market worldwide.

Headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, SRMG has offices in 18 locations around the world, including London and Dubai.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to Establish Secretariat Under Makkah Joint Defense Agreement

Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan to Establish Secretariat Under Makkah Joint Defense Agreement

Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)
Officials are seen at the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defense Committee established under the Makkah agreement in Istanbul on Monday. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan agreed to establish a secretariat in Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, which will initially be headed ‌by a Pakistani ‌secretary-general for ‌three ⁠years, the three countries ⁠said in a joint statement on Monday. 

The Strategic Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement held its first meeting in Istanbul bringing together the foreign ministers, defense ministers, commanders of the defense forces, and chiefs of the general staffs of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan. 

"In keeping with their commitment to fulfilling their regional responsibilities, the three states reaffirm their determination to work together within the framework of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region," said a joint statement after the meeting.  

"To this end, they will continue to support efforts aimed at de-escalation and restraint, thereby encouraging the peaceful resolution of crises." 

"The three states agreed today to take further steps to institutionalize their cooperation under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement in a manner that strengthens their solidarity, ensures the credibility and effectiveness of collective deterrence and defense, and contributes to regional efforts and cooperative security aimed at achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace," it continued. 

"A secretariat, headed by a secretary-general, will be established in Saudi Arabia to support the work of the three states under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement. During its initial phase, the secretariat will be led by a secretary-general from Pakistan for a three-year term," it added. 

"Through joint activities, the three states will work to boost their defense capabilities and the cohesion of their armed forces by fostering robust cooperation in defense industries and the development of joint production and technologies." 

"Through the institutional and substantive implementation of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement, the three states will make essential contributions to regional peace and stability," it stressed. 

Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the Makkah agreement will lead to greater stability and prosperity, and reduce uncertainty in the region, adding that "the process of testing a new architecture for security and cooperation in our region has begun with this agreement." 

He described the Makkah agreement as a "historic step," emphasizing that the countries of the region need to move together to establish peace.  

The alliance reinforces the concept of working to solve the region's problems through its own nations, rather than through foreign interventions that have deepened and intensified these problems, he remarked.  

"With the implementation of the agreement, we will witness greater stability in the region, ambiguity will decrease, and the positions of active players will become clear."  

"This alliance is founded on international principles such as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in their internal affairs," he stated.  

"The alliance is not against any state and is open to all states in our region that adhere to these fundamental principles," he said.  

Asked if other countries could join the pact, Fidan said it was "indeed possible", but stressed consultations were ongoing to determine conditions, procedures and standards for membership.  

"We are also working on a roadmap regarding the processes of joining the alliance," he added.  

Fidan added: "The Makkah Joint Defense Agreement has been signed, and its objective is indeed to expand, but initially, the foundations must be solidly laid and it must be fully institutionalized."  

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, just like Türkiye, attach utmost importance to this matter, he noted.  

The scope of the agreement will be expanded to include other countries, with the approval of the three nations and through a gradual process. "We are currently seeking to complete the most difficult stage of the process, which is the foundational stage, together."  

Present at the meeting were Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Chief of General Staff General Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Turkish FM Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and Chief of General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu. 

Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces

The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA
The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Meets with Pakistan's Chief of Defense Forces

The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA
The meeting came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. - SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met in Istanbul on Monday with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

 

This came on the sidelines of the first meeting of the Strategic Political and Defence Committee established under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

During the meeting, they reviewed the opportunities for military and defense cooperation between the two brotherly countries, SPA reported.

 

They also addressed regional developments and the ongoing efforts to tackle these issues.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attack on UAE

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attack on UAE

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi condemned the Iranian attack on the United Arab Emirates using a UAV, affirming that the aggression constitutes a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of the UAE’s sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as a direct threat to the safety of its citizens and residents.

He emphasized that the GCC countries stand united with the UAE in confronting all threats, SPA reported.

He also stressed the need for Iran to immediately cease these hostile acts and assume full responsibility for their repercussions, which undermine the security and stability of the region.