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Augustus Media

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Augustus Media
Company typePrivate
FoundedNovember 2015
FounderRichard Fitzgerald
Headquarters
Dubai
,
United Arab Emirates
BrandsLovin
Smashi
ODEUM
Websitewww.weareaugustus.com

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

[edit]

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

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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

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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

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

Controversies

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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]

References

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