Augustus Media Explained

Augustus Media
Type:Private
Foundation:November 2015
Founder:Richard Fitzgerald
Location City:Dubai
Location Country:United Arab Emirates
Brands:Lovin
Smashi
ODEUM

Augustus is a digital media company based in Dubai, Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.[1] In 2017, Lovin Dubai, operated by Augustus Media, acquired UAE-based tabloid 7days, which announced it would cease operations by the end of December 2016 due to significant reductions in advertising revenue.[2] It also owns several other brands, including local news platform Lovin Saudi and the streaming service Smashi.[3] [4]

History

Augustus was registered in November 2015 in the DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) Freezone.[5] [6] Augustus had signed a 10-year franchise agreement with Lovin Media Group for the Lovin Dubai Franchise, launching Lovin Dubai on the 1st of September 2015.[7] [8] In 2016, Augustus launched to the public as a ‘new media' company.[9]

In January 2017 Lovin Dubai purchased the social media profiles of 7Days newspaper.[10] [11] The parent company, 7Days Media, confirmed that the newspaper and its digital operations would cease on December 31, with the final print edition released on December 22. This closure affected approximately 120 employees.[12] [13]

Lovin Saudi launched in September 2017, with offices in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[14] In February 2019, the Smashi content platform was launched, followed by the introduction of the in-house content studio, Odeum Content Studio.[15]

In January 2022, Augustus Media moved to a new studio worth 1 mln USD in Dubai Production City.[16] In May 2022, the company completed the acquisition of CAM Plus Sports and launched Lovin in 6 new cities, including Lovin Doha, Lovin Cairo, and Lovin Bahrain.[17] [6] [18] In July 2022, Augustus Media company secured exclusive digital streaming broadcast rights with the UAE Futsal Federation, and subsequently obtained digital streaming broadcast rights with the UAE Volleyball Federation.[19]

In 2023, Augustus Media cooperated with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's Ignite program.[20]

Lovin

Lovin' is a local news and lifestyle brand.[21] Lovin is a digital publishing platform, which presents a positive view of the city, town, country or community. The mantra to the brand is: Lovin' Your Life.[22] The Lovin Saudi Show was commissioned up by Snapchat in January 2021.[23] In August 2021, Augustus Media launched Lovin Isloo in Pakistan. It also raised $400,000.[24] [25] [4]

Smashi

Smashi is a streaming platform that focuses on business news, innovative technology and culture.[26] Since 2019, Smashi have launched a series of shows on Snap Inc.[27]

Recognition

Augustus won the SME of the year at the MENA Effies 2018.[28] [29] [30] [31]

Controversies

On July 15, 2017, Lovin Dubai released an article with the title "Notorious Irish Gangster Is Getting Married Today In The Burj Al Arab," which referred to Daniel Kinahan and claimed his involvement in an international drug syndicate. Subsequently, Lovin Dubai issued an apology.[32] [33] [34] [35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Richard Fitzgerald Launches 'New Media' Co. Augustus. Arabian Marketer.
  2. Web site: Allison . Austyn . 2017-02-06 . Lovin Dubai buys 7Days’ social media handles . 2024-04-19 . Campaign Middle East . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2023 - 16:19 . 2023-08-29 . Waterford entrepreneur and Lovin Dubai founder to address Arab-Irish Business conference . 2024-04-19 . Irish Examiner . en.
  4. Web site: 2021-08-10 . Augustus Media raises $400k, expands Lovin brand . 2024-04-19 . Arab News . en.
  5. Web site: Ammar . Zaheen . 2022-05-31 . Augustus Media acquires Complex Sports in the UAE . 2024-04-19 . Minufiyah.com . ar.
  6. Web site: 2022-07-01 . Lovin Dubai launches in 6 new cities . 2024-04-19 . Campaign Middle East . en-US.
  7. Web site: Lovin Dubai Launches in Dubai. The Irish Times.
  8. Web site: Lovin Dublin operator Niall Harbison eyes Middle East expansion . 2024-04-19 . www.businesspost.ie . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2016-08-16 . Richard Fitzgerald Launches 'New Media' Co. Augustus . 2024-04-19 . AM Marketing, Media, Advertising News in MENA . en-US.
  10. Web site: Dubai firm acquires social media audience of defunct tabloid 7DAYS . Arabian Business.
  11. Web site: Media Sector in Saudi Arabia Setup in Saudi . 2024-04-19 . www.setupinsaudi.com . en.
  12. News: 2016-11-23 . Dubai tabloid 7Days set to cease operations in December - Arabian Business . 2024-04-19 . Arabian Business . en-US.
  13. News: 2023-09-28 . Lovin Dubai sales talks collapse as founder admits ‘challenges and hurdles’ - Arabian Business . 2024-04-19 . Arabian Business . en-US.
  14. Web site: Augustus Expands In Middle East With Launch Of Lovin Saudi . 2024-04-19 . arabadonline . en-US.
  15. Web site: Augustus Media raises $400,000 in debt financing - ومضة . 2024-04-19 . Wamda . ar.
  16. Web site: Cherian . Vijaya . 2022-04-14 . The big move . 2024-04-19 . BroadcastPro ME . en-US.
  17. Web site: Khirfan . Dalia . 2022-05-31 . Dubai-based Augustus Media Acquires CAM Plus Sports . 2024-04-19 . Digital Boom . en-US.
  18. Web site: 2022-05-31 . جديد ريادة الأعمال "سويفل" تعتزم تسريح 32% من موظفيها . 2024-04-19 . fortunearabia.com . ar.
  19. Web site: 2022-06-07 . Augustus Media acquires CamPlus Sports . 2024-04-19 . Campaign Middle East . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2023-11-03 . Saudi's Media Powerhouse . 2024-04-19 . AstroLabs . en-GB.
  21. Web site: About Us . 2024-04-19 . Augustus Media . en-US.
  22. Web site: Serrano . Sofia . 2021-08-09 . Augustus Media Has Raised $400,000 In Debt Financing Through Beehive . 2024-04-19 . Campaign Middle East . en-US.
  23. Web site: 2018-11-22 . Snapchat Bolsters Local Content; Forms New Collaborations . 2024-04-19 . AM Marketing, Media, Advertising News in MENA . en-US.
  24. Web site: Serrano . Sofia . 2021-08-01 . Augustus Media launches Lovin Isloo in Pakistan with additional cities in UAE And KSA . 2024-04-19 . Campaign Middle East . en-US.
  25. Web site: 2021-08-09 . Augustus Media raises $400,000 and launches ‘Lovin Isloo’ in Pakistan . 2024-04-19 . BroadcastPro ME . en-US.
  26. Web site: 2018-09-23. A New Online TV Channel Is Launching In Dubai Soon And It Is Hiring. 2021-01-25. Lovin Dubai. en-US.
  27. Web site: Snap expands discover in the Middle East with 18 new Shows. 2021-01-25. www.zawya.com. en.
  28. Web site: 2018-11-08 . The winners of the MENA Effie Awards are here! . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020061313/https://www.communicateonline.me/events-awards/mena-effie-awards/the-winners-of-the-mena-effie-awards-are-here/ . 2020-10-20 . 2024-04-19 . web.archive.org.
  29. Web site: Business Real Estate News Technology Travel Guide. 2021-01-25. www.ameinfo.com.
  30. Web site: 8 November 2018 . MENA Effie Awards Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Announces Winners . Effie.
  31. Web site: 2023-09-27 . Campaign Middle East - October 2023 by Motivate Media Group - Issuu . 2024-04-19 . issuu.com . en.
  32. Web site: Dunne . William . 2018-11-05 . Lovin Dubai apologises to Daniel Kinahan for calling him 'notorious gangster' . 2024-04-19 . Dublin Live . en.
  33. Reynolds . Paul . 2020-05-17 . Daniel Kinahan 'reinventing' himself as boxing promoter . RTE . en . 2024-04-19.
  34. Web site: Dunne . William . 2018-11-05 . Dubai website apologises to 'Notorious Irish Gangster' Daniel Kinahan . 2024-04-19 . Irish Mirror . en.
  35. Web site: 2024-04-19 . Daniel Kinahan named publicly for first time in Dubai newspaper to answer racketeering charges . 2024-04-19 . SundayWorld.com . en.

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