Latest news with #KarimBenkirane


Broadcast Pro
26-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Yango Play and du partner to deliver exclusive premium content across UAE
As part of the rollout, du is offering a complimentary 12-month Yango Play subscription to eligible customers on select home plans. Yango Play, the all-in-one entertainment super-app, has partnered with UAE telecom giant du to offer a new level of digital entertainment to customers nationwide. The collaboration brings Yango Play to du's select Home Plans via the 'My Favourites' platform, giving subscribers access to a wide range of premium content. This strategic partnership enhances the entertainment experience for du users by combining streaming, music, and interactive gaming into a single, seamless application. Yango Play's exclusive video lineup features seven Arabic-language productions, including four titles available only on the platform. The series spans genres from drama and comedy to family-friendly fare, offering culturally relevant stories that resonate with regional audiences. In addition to exclusive series and films, the app provides users with a vast music library, tailored playlists, and an array of casual and interactive games, catering to a variety of entertainment preferences. Speaking about the collaboration, Roman Shimansky, Chief Executive Officer of Yango Play, said: 'We are thrilled to join forces with du to offer a truly comprehensive entertainment experience that extends beyond streaming. With an unmatched mix of movies, series, music, and gaming, Yango Play is redefining digital entertainment in the region. This partnership with du allows us to make premium content more accessible to users across the UAE.' Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, added: 'At du, we believe in going beyond traditional boundaries to elevate the experiences we offer our valued customers. Our collaboration and year-long journey with Yango Play manifests this vision by bringing families together and enriching lives across the UAE.' As part of its commitment to delivering added value to its customers, du is offering a 12-months complimentary subscription to Yango Play on select home plans. Eligible subscribers can activate their complimentary Yango Play subscription easily through the du app.


Campaign ME
14-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
du campaign: 12 creators. 1 phone. 48-hour non-stop livestream. 1 world record.
Telecom and digital services provider du has set a Guinness World Record™ for the 'Longest Promotional Livestream', accomplished in collaboration with TikTok Live MENA, as part of its Unstoppable Network campaign. The campaign was brought to life by creative agency TBWA\Raad, production house Digital Tree, and media and influencer agencies Mindshare and GOAT in partnership with TikTok Live. Given the mandate to highlight du's 'Unstoppable Network' reception, prove its seamless 5G coverage across all seven Emirates, and boost brand sentiment, brand love and affinity, TWBA\Raad ideated and executed a campaign that witnessed a single smartphone passed from one individual to another whilst maintaining an uninterrupted 48-hour livestream, free from drops, lag, or any disruptions, showcasing the reliability of du's network in the UAE. While the hero activation included a continuous TikTok Live across each of the seven Emirates in the UAE – an on-the-move broadcast, which ultimately set a Guinness World Record™, the larger campaign included full-funnel support content, including: Teaser, live, and recap phases on Meta, TikTok and LinkedIn on Meta, TikTok and LinkedIn In‑store promotion s at du Flagship stores s at du Flagship stores On‑ground 'spot' appearances by the content‑creator convoy by the content‑creator convoy Earned PR across regional tech and marketing press Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer, du, said, 'This record is much more than a milestone for du; it symbolises the culmination of years of relentless investment by du since the launch of 5G technology. This sustained commitment has enabled us to achieve the best 5G and 4G coverage across the UAE. With our top-tier connectivity, we are opening up new possibilities for people to experience the richness of UAE's cultural and adventurous offerings, directly from their screens.' The brand confirmed that it has deployed the latest infrastructure, with the du 5G network achieving 99 per cent coverage across the UAE. The telecom and digital services provider is now expanding and enhancing this infrastructure beyond 5G as it now looks to deliver 5G-Advanced capabilities across the nation. In conversation with Campaign Middle East, Joe Lahham, Managing Director of TBWA\Raad, said, 'Driving uninterrupted TikTok Live footage for more than 30 hours was the clearest, most transparent stress‑test of the network. Promoting the stunt on adjacent social channels made the hand‑off to TikTok frictionless, maximising live traffic and engagement.' Twelve UAE‑based creators – ranging from tech reviewers to lifestyle vloggers – took turns hosting the Live, injecting their own POV and keeping the broadcast entertaining and interactive. Their roles involved real‑time chats, questions and answer sessions and ensuring follower growth. Hosts included in the campaign were: Sasha Afsh, Coral Bridget Stevens, Ahmed Al Kass, Hasan Ismail, Saqer Al Qassem, Abdulla Gheyath, Big Hass, Mohamed Omer, Amar Al Bawab, Chioma Juliette, Alex Augusti, Ayesha Aljneibi The record-breaking initiative took place from April 11-13, featuring a seamless handoff between these UAE-based content creators. The phone served as the portal through which viewers globally could engage with a host of exhilarating experiences, ranging from kayaking in Abu Dhabi to ziplining in Ras Al Khaimah. The thrilling journey also included serene moments such as hot air balloon rides, showcasing the versatility of experiences the UAE has to offer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by du (@du) Reda Raad, Group Chief Executive Officer, TBWA\RAAD, said, 'This brand experience is the disruptive creative demo we needed, shifting du from telling people how great the network is to showing them instead. Storydoing at full throttle – no scripts, no safety nets – just a brave, public test of speed and reach. Disruption® is about actions that rewrite the rules, and nothing rewrites them like a live, nation-wide stress test that ends in a Guinness title.' This livestream aligned with du's commitment to providing high-speed, reliable and world-class coverage, enabling its customers to add seamless digital experiences to their everyday lifestyle. The campaign was measured against three primary KPIs – engagement, shareability and the Guinness World Record itself – and met or exceeded every target. Boxia Liu, Regional Director of TikTok LIVE MENA, said, 'We are proud to partner with du on this groundbreaking initiative that not only set a new world record but also redefined how digital platforms can connect cultures and communities. Liu concluded, 'This achievement reflects the power of TikTok LIVE in creating authentic, real-time experiences that inspire and engage audiences across the region. Together with du's exceptional connectivity, we showcased the UAE's vibrant spirit in an entirely new and unforgettable way.' CREDITS: Client: du Simon Ornelis, Director Brand Development & Corporate Identity Hawra Dawood, Manager Brand Development & Corporate Identity Layal Hassi, Media Planning & Buying Manager Aisha Abbasi, Manager, Social Media, Events & Sponsorship Ibrahim Al Mayahi, VP Brand & Marketing Communication Creative Agency: TBWA\RAAD Joe Lahham, Managing Director Catherine Bannister, Chief Strategy Officer Santiago Cuesta, Executive Creative Director Noor Akar, Creative Director Daniela Aguirre, Senior Copywriter Denise Gregory, Junior Designer Preetam Kotian, Senior Motion Designer Carl Ghosn, Account Director Layla Gaussin, Senior Account Manager Reem Sabbagh, Senior Account Executive Romy Abdelnour, Head of Communications Lea Moufarej, Corporate Communications Executive Platform partner: Tiktok/ Tiktok LIVE / ByteDance Sara Gentile, TikTok LIVE METAP Lead for Branding, Content and Social Media Rea Jabara, Creative Consultant at TikTok Media Agency: Mindshare Naya Ghorayeb, Media Planner Karim Daba, Media Manager Joseph El Bcherrawi, Client Leadership Director Production: Digital Tree Mehr Hussain, Business Developer Manager Laith Al Ramahi, Creative Director PR: MSL Group, Publicis Groupe Middle East


Arabian Business
09-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
du, DIFC's Ignyte partner to accelerate AI innovation and SME growth across UAE
UAE telecom major du announced a strategic partnership with Ignyte, a dynamic digital platform curated by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), to accelerate AI innovation, support startups, and expand digital inclusion across the UAE. The initiative is in line with du's commitment to fostering the growth of SMEs through advanced digital transformation solutions for entrepreneurs, the company said. The partnership will benefit from the du business ecosystem, offering bundled value and exclusive telecom integrations through a strategic platform collaboration designed to empower the business community. UAE named best country for entrepreneurs in 2025 Startups are expected to gain from mentorship in business, technology, and telecom, which boosts their market preparedness and stability. Simultaneously, Ignyte 's network will promote connections with investors and corporations, speeding up growth and increasing the likelihood of success. In alignment with du Business' SME strategy, this initiative will enable SMEs by offering robust digital solutions that navigate the complexities of today's business world, propel digital transformation, and champion business excellence, the company said. Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du said the collaboration will enable the company to support startups directly by fostering access to funding, mentoring, and problem-solving opportunities, all while equipping them with our state-of-the-art digital solutions. 'It's about creating a sustainable, innovative ecosystem where every entrepreneur can thrive,' he said. Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, said the strategic alliance represents a pivotal step forward in its commitment to cultivating a vibrant and future-ready digital economy in Dubai. 'Through our partnership with du, we are unlocking transformative opportunities for visionary founders to innovate, scale ambitiously, and thrive globally,' he said. In addition, the initiative also marks a continuation and evolution of the existing collaboration with DIFC. platform, enhancing visibility and alignment with DIFC's extensive ecosystem and customer base.


Broadcast Pro
05-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Du partners with FreeMove Alliance to boost global connectivity
Du and FreeMove partnership aims to boost to facilitate seamless connectivity solutions for multinational customers across the UAE and the wider world. Du, the telecom and digital services provider, has announced a partnership with FreeMove Alliance, the global mobile telecommunications alliance between Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telia and TIM. Du is the first in the region to partner with FreeMove, marking a significant enhancement in its service offerings to multinational corporations (MNCs). The collaboration aims to expand accessibility to premier telecommunication services worldwide, ensuring MNCs have the best possible support as they navigate global markets. Speaking about the collaboration, Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: 'We are thrilled to join forces with the FreeMove Alliance, marking a milestone in our journey to provide comprehensive global connectivity solutions. This partnership will help us enhance our service portfolio and strengthen our mission to serve the international business community with unparalleled telecommunications support.' The partnership heralds an expansion of FreeMove Alliance's reach into the Middle Eastern market, offering substantial benefits to both the alliance's operators and their international clientele engaging in business activities within the region. Furthermore, it propels du into the global arena, enabling the company to grant its multinational customers unparalleled access to some of the foremost mobile networks and services across Europe and globally, all while maintaining a robust relationship with their trusted telecommunications partner. Selma Avdagic Tisljar, General Manager of FreeMove Alliance, added: 'We are very excited to welcome du as part of our alliance, a trusted partner that will help us strengthen our presence in the Middle East and ensure that our multinational customers enjoy seamless, top-notch mobile connectivity.' Through this partnership, du extends FreeMove Alliance's influence in the Middle East, creating a gateway for enhanced global connectivity. Dus multinational customers can tap into the elite tier-one operators in Europe and the USA, benefitting from FreeMove Alliances expansive global network. In addition, customers will gain from the alliances advanced enterprise mobility solutions, offering centralised management benefits and comprehensive global business support.


Mid East Info
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
du claims Guinness World Record for longest livestream in partnership with TikTok LIVE MENA - Middle East Business News and Information
Achievement highlights du's superior 5G Network, using a single smartphone travelling across seven Emirates whil e maintaining an uninterrupted, record-breaking 48-hour livestream Dubai, UAE, May, 2025: du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the 'longest promotional livestream.' This was accomplished in collaboration with TikTok Live MENA as part of du's innovative campaign to rigorously test and showcase the strength of its unbreakable network. du hosted a special event where a representative from Guinness World Records presented the official certification. The campaign centered around a single smartphone passed from one individual to another whilst maintaining an uninterrupted 48-hour livestream, free from drops, lag, or any disruptions, showcasing the unmatched reliability of du's network. The achievement is a result of continuous investment by du since the launch of 5G technology, deploying the latest infrastructure with du 5G network achieving 99% coverage of the UAE population, expanding and enhancing this infrastructure beyond 5G as du now advancing to deliver 5G-Advanced capabilities across the UAE Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du, said: 'This record is much more than a milestone for du, symbolizes the culmination of years of relentless investment by du since the launch of 5G technology, where we were pioneers. This sustained commitment has enabled us to achieve the best 5G and 4G coverage across the UAE. With our top-tier connectivity, we are opening up new possibilities for people to experience the richness of UAE's cultural and adventurous offerings, directly from their screens.' The record-breaking initiative took place from April 11-13, featuring a seamless handoff between UAE-based content creators. The phone served as the portal through which viewers globally could engage with a host of exhilarating experiences, ranging from kayaking in Abu Dhabi to ziplining in Ras Al Khaimah. The thrilling journey also included serene moments such as hot air balloon rides, showcasing the versatility of experiences the UAE has to offer. Boxia Liu, Regional Director of TikTok LIVE MENA , said: 'We are proud to partner with du on this groundbreaking initiative that not only set a new world record but also redefined how digital platforms can connect cultures and communities. This achievement reflects the power of TikTok LIVE in creating authentic, real-time experiences that inspire and engage audiences across the region. Together with du's exceptional connectivity, we showcased the UAE's vibrant spirit in an entirely new and unforgettable way.' This livestream aligned with du's commitment to providing high-speed, reliable and world-class coverage, enabling its customers to add seamless digital experiences to their everyday lifestyle.