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National Geographic to go Arabic from October
An Arabic-language edition of The National Geographic magazine, which dates back to 1888, is to be published from October and distributed across the GCC as well as in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.
National Geographic Al Arabiyawill be published by the Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), which also owns and publishes The National.
ADMC broadcasts the National Geographic Channel in Arabic across the Middle East and the company’s film subsidiary Imagenation also has a production partnership with National Geographic. Eleven editions of the title will be published a year, with a double edition in July and August. It will be printed by United Printing & Publishing in Abu Dhabi, with an initial print run of 40,000 copies and a cover price of Dh20 (US$5.45).
The Arabic magazine will feature a mix of features on geography, archaeology and natural science, with more than 20 per cent of each issue generated locally.
“The international edition has been covering this region since 1888. But it’s about time these stories were told in the local tongue,” said Gavin Dickinson, ADMC’s executive director of publishing.
The new edition of the magazine will bring the number of local-language editions of National Geographic to 33. “We’re the only people in the world to have the channel and the magazine, so we have the opportunity to cross market,” said Mr Dickinson.
An Arabic internet version of National Geographic is also being considered, he added.
“The response from the advertising market has been excellent, with brands really wanting to be associated with an upmarket title. There are many brands that want the pan-Arab reach in print,” said Mr Dickinson.
National Geographic Al Arabiya is the latest of a host of international magazines to be published in partnership with local companies. Late last year, ITP Consumer Publishing launched Esquire Middle East, and Forbes Middle East is set to relaunch in October through a partnership with Arab Publisher House, based in Dubai.
Ben Flanagan
The National