Mtv Networks: the Arabian Challenge
ICMR Case Collection
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Icfai Center for Management Research
MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge
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BSTR294 - Teaching Note
2009, Icfai Center for Management Research. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic or mechanical, without permission.
To order copies, call +91-40-2343-0462/63 or write to Icfai Center for Management Research, Plot # 49,
Nagarjuna Hills, Hyderabad 500 082, India or email Info@icmrindia.org. Website: www.icmrindia.org
BSTR/294
MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge
TEACHING NOTE
ABSTRACT
Co p y
MTV Networks (MTVN) had over the years developed a reputation for its ability to provide localized content without diluting what MTV stood for. However, the company faced the most challenging test in late 2007 with its launch of MTV Arabia in the Middle East, which some experts considered as the biggest launch in the channel’s history. While the market in the Middle
East offered MTVN with huge opportunities due to its huge youth populace, MTV’s controversial content that was known for angering religious, political, and conservative communities could easily backfire in the conservative environment prevalent in the region. On the other hand, too much localization to suit the tastes of the region could dilute MTV’s global brand.
The case discusses in detail the strategy adopted by MTVN to enter and expand in the Middle East and also the challenges faced by the channel.
The case will help the students to:
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TEACHING OBJECTIVES & TARGET AUDIENCE
Understand the issues and challenges in entering and expanding operations in new markets which were culturally different from the organizations home/traditional/existing markets.
•
Understand the pros and cons of entering a new market with a standardized/adapted product to suit local
Co p y
Icfai Center for Management Research
MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge
o
D
.
N
ot
BSTR294 - Teaching Note
2009, Icfai Center for Management Research. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic or mechanical, without permission.
To order copies, call +91-40-2343-0462/63 or write to Icfai Center for Management Research, Plot # 49,
Nagarjuna Hills, Hyderabad 500 082, India or email Info@icmrindia.org. Website: www.icmrindia.org
BSTR/294
MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge
TEACHING NOTE
ABSTRACT
Co p y
MTV Networks (MTVN) had over the years developed a reputation for its ability to provide localized content without diluting what MTV stood for. However, the company faced the most challenging test in late 2007 with its launch of MTV Arabia in the Middle East, which some experts considered as the biggest launch in the channel’s history. While the market in the Middle
East offered MTVN with huge opportunities due to its huge youth populace, MTV’s controversial content that was known for angering religious, political, and conservative communities could easily backfire in the conservative environment prevalent in the region. On the other hand, too much localization to suit the tastes of the region could dilute MTV’s global brand.
The case discusses in detail the strategy adopted by MTVN to enter and expand in the Middle East and also the challenges faced by the channel.
The case will help the students to:
ot
TEACHING OBJECTIVES & TARGET AUDIENCE
Understand the issues and challenges in entering and expanding operations in new markets which were culturally different from the organizations home/traditional/existing markets.
•
Understand the pros and cons of entering a new market with a standardized/adapted product to suit local
References: June 4, 1997. 2. Kerry Capell, Catherine Belton, Tom Lowry, Manjeet Kripalani, Brian Bremner, and Dexter Roberts, “MTV’s World,” BusinessWeek, February 18, 2002. 3. “MTV to Launch Music TV Channels in Three Baltic States,” www.eubusiness.com, March 6, 2006. 4. Faisal Abbas, “Q&A with Showtime Arabia 's CEO Peter Einstein,” www.asharqe.com, June 29, 2006. 5. Faisal Abbas, “MTV Eyes Middle East Market,” www.asharq-e.com, August 8, 2006. 6. Brad Nemer, “How MTV Channels Innovation,” BusinessWeek, November 6, 2006. 7. “Arabian Television Network Partners with MTV to Launch MTV Arabiya,” www.mediame.com, December 27, 2006. 9. Iain Akerman, “MTV Hires Two Agencies for Launch of MTV Arabiya,” www.brandrepublic.com, May 23, 2007. 10. Salman Dossari, “A Talk With MTV Vice Chairman Bill Roedy,” www.asharq-e.com, July 23, 2007. 11. Ali Jaafar, “MTV Arabia Ready to Rock Middle East,” www.variety.com, September 25, 2007. 13. Kerry Capell, “The Arab World Wants Its MTV,” www.businessweek.com, October 11, 2007. 17, 2007. 15. Stuart Kemp, “MTV, Arab Media to www.hollywoodreporter.com, October 17, 2007. Audiences,” www.theaustralian.news.com, October 18, 2007. 17. “Arab Media Group and MTV Networks International to Launch Nickelodeon Arabia in 2008,” www.ameinfo.com, October 20, 2007. 18. Von Andrew Edgecliffe Johnson, “MTV Tunes in to a Local Audience,” www.ftd.de, October 26, 2007, 19. “MTV Arabia to Launch November 17,” www.middleeastevents.com, October 27, 2007. 20. Ali Jaafar, “MTV Arabia Announces Lineup,” www.variety.com, October 28, 2007. 21. “MTV Arabia to Launch November 17,” www.mediame.com, October 28, 2007. 22. Irene Lew, “MTV Arabia to Launch in November,” www.worldscreen.com, October 29, 2007. 23. Sarah Raper Larenaudie, “MTV’s Arab Prizefight,” www.time.com, November 2, 2007. 24. Jolanta Chudy, “MTV’s Arab Net Thinking Locally,” www.hollywoodreporter.com, November 6, 2007. 25. Matt Pomroy, “The Revolution Will be Televised,” www.arabianbusiness.com, November 15, 2007. 26. “Akon and Ludacris Dazzle The Desert in their Middle East Debuts to Celebrate the Launch of MTV Arabia,” www.dubaicityguide.com, November 16, 2007. 27. Adam Sherwin, “MTV Arabia to Feature Regional Talent and Tone Down Network’s Risque Content,” www.timesonline.co.uk, November 16, 2007. 28. Simeon Kerr and Peter Aspden, “MTV Arabia Beams ‘Bling’ to Gulf,” www.ft.com, November 17, 2007. 29. “MTV Launches New Arabic Service,” www.news.bbc.co.uk, November 18, 2007. 30. “MTV Looks to Conquer Middle East Market,” www.aol.in, November 18, 2007. 31. ““MTV Arabia”: Will It Work?” www.scopical.com, November 19, 2007. 32. “MTV Aims to Win over Middle East,” www.cnn.com, November 19, 2007. “Muslim Hip-hop Turban Wrote, That’s Good,” www.reuters.donga.com, November 19, 2007. November 21, 2007. 35. Barbara Surk, “MTV Launches Arab Music Video Channel,” www.theeagle.com, November 22, 2007. 36. Tamara Walid, “Finally Got My MTV,” www.arabianbusiness.com, November 22, 2007.