In This Month's Issue

The producers: The days of regional production expertise revolving around Egyptian melodrama are long gone. The twin axes of the industry today are Beirut and Dubai
Hot shots: Regional film production is ramping up – which is an excuse to take a look at some of the motion pictures that go places we know. Let there be spoilers!
Production pragmatism: It’s an unlikely deviation from the usual plot, but Dubai Studio City is trying to give the industry what it requires, rather than telling it what it wants
Commercial venture: Lebanese ad producers are getting less work from Europe, but commissions from the Arab world are giving them the TVC TLC they need to survive
Projected growth: Lebanese cinema might not be the next Bollywood, but it is tempting investors to at least consider backing local talent
Cash landing: For the region’s independent film directors, accolades from officials and the community rarely translate into funding
Shows promise: Pan-Arab broadcasters are increasingly looking to independent producers for local content, finally rejecting their bargain-basement in-house shows
Faking it: Despite the occasional stellar offering from Dubai-based CGI specialists, regional clients are still reluctant to splash out on a special-effects extravaganza

Saudi marketing myths unveiled: Want to advertise effectively to Saudi women? Try breaking the rules

Fighting Fulla: Syria’s New Boy Toys has spent millions of marketing dollars to ensure that Fulla dominates the Islamic dolls sector. Communicate sees how two very different marketers are taking on the market leader with a fraction of the budget

Pierre into the future: Pierre Choueiri, the managing director of the Choueiri Group, tells Communicate about family, transparency and people meters

Cock fighting: Leo Burnett’s lovable loser, Fred the Chicken, looks set to become a regional Internet icon in the agency’s low-budget campaign for Nando’s in Kuwait

Communicate