Rani Raad, the former president of CNN Commercial Worldwide, has been appointed as the CEO of International Media Investments (IMI), the parent company of The National and CNN Business Arabic. This news comes after Nart Bouran, the previous CEO, was appointed to the role in March 2020.
In a statement to Variety magazine, Raad expressed his ambition to build IMI into a forward-thinking global media powerhouse. He believes that with the recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, it is the right time for IMI to play a bigger role in the global media sector.
Raad’s appointment as CEO of IMI follows his role as president of RedBird IMI, a joint venture investment platform focused on global media entertainment, sports, and news content properties. He also joined RedBird Capital Partners as an operating partner at the same time.
Earlier this year, Raad left his position as president of CNN Commercial Worldwide, a global role that he introduced during his tenure. John Defterios, former CNN emerging markets editor and anchor, praised Raad’s contributions to the network, stating that it was his vision that put the rising economies of the MENA region on the global map.
Raad began his career with CNN’s parent company Turner Broadcasting in 1998 and quickly rose through the ranks. He held various leadership positions, including vice president for regional advertising sales in the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Europe. In 2016, he was appointed president of the CNN International Commercial Group in London.
Throughout his career, Raad has been recognized for his contributions to the media industry. He was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011 and was listed as one of the world’s most influential Arabs by Arabian Business in 2013. He was also shortlisted for Media Professional of the Year at the Festival of Media Awards in 2010.
IMI, based in Abu Dhabi, is a prominent media group with a portfolio of digital-focused assets, including The National, Al Ain News, and CNN Business Arabic. The company also has interests in Sky News Arabia and Euronews.
As Raad takes on the role of CEO, he aims to leverage his extensive experience and expertise to further propel IMI’s position in the global media landscape. With his leadership, IMI is poised to make significant strides in the industry.
Original Story at www.arabnews.com – 2023-09-06 23:02:32
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