ABU DHABI – International Media Investments (IMI) today announced the relaunch of The National, Abu Dhabi’s first English language newspaper. In its nine-year history, The National has developed a reputation as a leading provider of news about the UAE and the region beyond. IMI’s aim is to strengthen and diversify The National’s journalism and broaden its appeal in the UAE and beyond, and across all digital platforms utilising the latest multimedia tools – while producing an expanded, redesigned print edition. The National will be the place to go to understand the Middle East at a time when the region has never been more important.
IMI announced in November 2016 the acquisition of The National from Abu Dhabi Media (ADM).
Mina Al-Oraibi, who has taken the helm as Editor in Chief, said: “We have completely revamped our approach to news. Every journalist and staff member starts with a digital focus at the core of their role at the new National. We will engage on all platforms and ensure the widest reach possible for our content, whether in written word, video, images or podcasts.”
Dan Gledhill joins The National as Deputy Editor In Chief with 20 years of journalism at The Independent and the Daily Mail behind him. The digital transformation will be led by Dan Owen, who helped spearhead the digitisation of Trinity Mirror’s newsrooms.
The London Bureau, under the direction of Damien McElroy, will expand The National’s reach across the globe and around the clock.
“The National will have three objectives: create influential and intellectually challenging content, bring the UAE and Abu Dhabi perspective to the world, and lead in the region and internationally as a modern and digitally led newsroom,” she added.
Speed and depth of coverage plus an expanded network of correspondents around the world will make The National a trusted source in the UAE, across the region and around the wider world. Twenty-four hour updates online will mean The National is always on top of breaking news stories.
The relaunch will feature:
- A host of influential new commentators from the worlds of diplomacy, politics and finance
- Strengthened business coverage under the National’s new Business Editor, Massoud Derhally
- Expanded sports coverage across all platforms
- A new, 20-page Weekend supplement showcasing The National’s acclaimed coverage of arts and culture in the UAE and beyond
“Our pages will have star power with global names and regional heavyweights contributing. In addition to our weekly writers, we will be reaching out across various disciplines and countries for exclusive pieces,” added Al-Oraibi.
The National will publish its print version 6 days a week with a special weekend edition containing the free supplement.
The enhanced digital platform will include daily video content on everything from news and business to sport and lifestyle, podcasts with unmissable analysis, 360 degree images bringing the reader closer to the story, interactive graphics and animation, live and interactive video interviews and news on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Youtube.
