Companies in Dubai Media City: Broadcasters, Agencies, and Event Firms

Some of the region’s best-known companies in Dubai Media City create the TV shows, news services, songs and ad campaigns that reach audiences across the Arab world. The TECOM Group community opened in 2001 in Al Sufouh, next to Dubai Internet City and a short drive from Dubai Marina.

This guide lists the zone’s major industries and the companies behind each one, with a short profile, location and phone numbers. It also explains why businesses choose the zone and how to set up there.

• Overview of Dubai Media City
• Major industries in Dubai Media City
• Top companies in Dubai Media City compared
• Why companies choose Dubai Media City
• Company formation in Dubai Media City
• Key takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

Overview of Dubai Media City

Dubai Media City launched in 2001 and belongs to TECOM Group, which also runs Dubai Internet City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City. Freelancers, start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises share the community, and its main sectors are media and broadcasting, design, technology, film and post-production, and education.

The zone credits its community with helping Dubai earn the title Capital of Arab Media 2020. Its management office sits in Building 2 and can be reached on +971 4 391 4555, Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm.

Major industries in Dubai Media City

Media, marketing and live events make up the core of the zone, with music and digital technology firms alongside them.

Broadcasting and news

Pan-Arab TV networks and global news and information providers run regional operations from the zone.

1. MBC Group

MBC started in London in 1991 as a single satellite channel and moved its headquarters to Dubai Media City in 2002. Its head office moved to Riyadh in 2022, but the group keeps a major base in the zone. It now runs more than 13 free-to-air TV channels, radio stations, a streaming platform and production studios.

• Phone: +971 4 391 9999
• Location: MBC Building 3, Dubai Media City, Dubai

2. Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters describes itself as an AI and technology company that gives professionals trusted content and workflow tools. Its regional arm, Thomson Reuters MENA, serves legal, tax and accounting, global trade, and risk and compliance teams across the Middle East and North Africa.

• Phone: +971 52 659 9123
• Location: Office 101, Building 1, Dubai Media City, Dubai

Event management companies in Dubai Media City

These event companies in Dubai Media City plan, produce and staff everything a live event needs, with clients in government and the private sector.

1. Mosaic Live

Mosaic Live has produced events for more than 20 years, with over 1,000 events and 17 industry awards to its name. It handles corporate and government events, product launches, galas and award ceremonies, and its past work includes the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 opening ceremony.

• Phone: +971 4 445 6717
• Location: Office 3510, Al Shatha Tower, Dubai Media City, Dubai

2. M&M Group

Mohamed Jamal founded M&M Group in 2007. The company covers event management and production, exhibitions, brand activations, creative design and technical production, and it has delivered UAE National Day celebrations for Dubai Airport Freezone and flydubai.

• Phone: +971 4 567 1583
• Location: Building 8, Dubai Media City, Dubai

3. Showforce

Showforce supplies the people who build and run live events, including stage and production crew, site crew, plant operators and event staff. Its Dubai office works alongside branches in London, Liverpool, Doha, Riyadh and Paris.

• Phone: +971 4 431 3007
• Location: Office 1303, Concord Tower, Dubai Media City, Dubai

Properties for sale in Dubai Media City

Advertising companies in Dubai Media City

Global advertising and media networks run much of their Middle East business from the zone, covering creative work, media buying and brand strategy.

1. Cheil UAE

Cheil Middle East and Africa brings advertising, retail, digital, activations and events under one roof. Its services include creative content, integrated campaigns, social and influencer management, e-commerce, media planning and buying, and brand experiences.

• Phone: +97144406400
• Location: Butterfly Building, Tower A, Al Bourooj Street, Dubai Media City, Dubai

2. Omnicom Media Group MENA

Omnicom Media Group runs its Middle East and North Africa headquarters from Dubai Media City, led by CEO Elda Choucair. The group brings together several media agencies and specialist services and focuses on data-led media planning and buying.

• Location: Omnicom Media Group Building, Al Sunbolah Street, Dubai Media City, Dubai

3. Publicis Middle East

Publicis Groupe’s Middle East network includes media agencies such as Starcom, Zenith and Spark Foundry. Its commerce and performance marketing agency, Publicis Commerce, runs a team of specialists from its Dubai Media City office.

• Location: Dubai Media City, Dubai

4. SAS Media

SAS, short for Strategic Advertising Solutions, has more than 40 years of experience in media representation in the Middle East. It sells advertising space for international titles such as Fortune, Travel + Leisure and The Telegraph, and also produces custom magazines and media research.

• Location: Building 5, D Quarters, Dubai Media City, Dubai

PR and communications

PR agencies here manage reputation, media relations and influencer work for regional and global brands.

1. Impact Porter Novelli

Impact Porter Novelli is part of the Porter Novelli global network within Omnicom. The Dubai-headquartered agency focuses on strategic PR, reputation management and influencer marketing, and its work includes a light show on Ain Dubai for the OPPO Reno7 launch.

• Phone: +971 4 412 0860
• Location: Level 2, Omnicom Media Group Building, Al Sunbolah Street, Dubai Media City, Dubai

2. ATC Communications

Around The Clock Communications offers PR, content, web and SEO, podcasting and esports management, and it also ranks among the event management companies in Dubai Media City. Its clients include COP28, Masdar, TECOM Group, and Unilever.

• Phone: +971 4 425 0355
• Location: Office 401, Gateway Building, Block B, Dubai Media City, Dubai

Music and entertainment

Record labels in the zone sign, promote and distribute artists across the Middle East.

Sony Music Entertainment Middle East

Sony Music Entertainment Middle East has worked from Dubai Media City for nearly two decades, covering the GCC, the Levant, Egypt and Pakistan. The label handles artist development, digital distribution, podcasts and live events.

• Location: Office 210 to 212, Building 6, Dubai Media City, Dubai

Software companies in Dubai Media City

Digital and software firms build the websites, platforms and customer journeys that media and marketing clients rely on.

Horizontal Digital

Horizontal Digital is a digital experience consultancy that helps brands with digital transformation and personalised customer journeys. Its Dubai team includes Sitecore-certified developers, strategists and UX designers who build and manage websites and digital platforms.

• Phone: +971 4 566 9301
• Location: Office 201, Block D, Office Park Building, Dubai Media City, Dubai

Properties for rent in Dubai Media City

Top companies in Dubai Media City compared

Why companies choose Dubai Media City

Global networks and regional firms base their Middle East teams here because Dubai Media City offers:

• A community built around media, with broadcasters, agencies, event producers and freelancers side by side
• Flexible space, from coworking desks at D Quarters to offices, boutique studios and sound stages of 11,000 to 50,000 square feet
• Freelance permits through GoFreelance for independent creative and tech professionals
• Links to TECOM Group’s other hubs, including neighbouring Dubai Internet City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City
• Easy access by Nakheel Metro Station, Dubai Tram, RTA buses 8, 84 and F55A, and an internal shuttle
• Homes within a short drive in Dubai Marina and JLT

To work near the top companies in Dubai Media City, browse offices for rent in Dubai Media City on Property Finder. Employees who want a short commute can look at apartments for rent in Dubai Marina or in JLT. For the zone’s technology-focused neighbour, see our guide to companies in Dubai Internet City.

Company formation in Dubai Media City

Dubai Media City is a TECOM Group free zone. New businesses can pick a commercial office, boutique studio, coworking desk, light industrial unit, warehouse or retail unit, while freelancers can apply for a GoFreelance permit that covers TECOM’s communities.

Companies that publish, broadcast or offer advertising and PR services also need approval from the UAE’s federal media regulator on top of their trade licence. Confirm your activity with the Dubai Media City team before you sign a lease.

Key takeaways

Dubai Media City has hosted the region’s media industry since 2001 and still houses MBC Group, Thomson Reuters and Sony Music’s Middle East label. Event producers, PR firms and global advertising networks such as Cheil, Omnicom and Publicis work alongside them. New businesses can choose offices, studios, coworking desks or freelance permits, while media activities also need federal approval. Nakheel Metro, Dubai Tram and nearby Dubai Marina and JLT make the zone easy to reach and live close to.

Frequently Asked Questions

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