Vice Media is to launch a digital newsroom in Dubai as part of its rapid worldwide expansion.
The youth-focussed media company, which consists of the Viceland TV channel, Vice News and lifestyle, culture and entertainment programming, has partnered with Dubai-headquartered company Moby Group to open a new hub.
Vice Media will operate independently from Moby Group and will be served by a team of up to 40 people.
A chief executive of the operation has yet to be appointed and an office location in Dubai will be chosen following the appointment. The office is expected to open by the end of this year.
The move comes as part of the Canadian company’s rapid expansion, which will see digital services launched in 50 new countries across the Middle East, Africa, South-East Asia and also India.
Moby Group has traditionally focussed on Farsi-speaking countries, with the company launching the first private radio station, Arman FM, in post-conflict Afghanistan in 2003. Its broadcast channels include Farsi1 and Tolo TV. The company’s chairman and chief executive is Saad Mohseni.
Vice chief executive and co-founder Shane Smith said: “Saad Mohseni is a true media hero and one of the most unique visionaries in the global media landscape. He’s not only a respected colleague, but a dear friend. Over the years Vice has worked with Moby in Afghanistan, Iran and beyond. His penetration into the complex and sometimes opaque political strata of the Middle East is second to none. This partnership will strengthen Vice’s news offerings around the world and allows unique insight into a hyper dynamic region.”