News

Saudi Arabia To Require Individuals To Procure Social Media Ad Licenses

To avoid financial penalties, individuals publishing ads on social media platforms are required to obtain a license before October 1, 2022.

Published

1 week ago

August 5, 2022

David Morelo

saudi arabia to require individuals to procure social media licenses

Soon, it will be more difficult for individuals in Saudi Arabia to advertise on social media because the Saudi Arabian government has decided to make it mandatory for those publishing ads on social media platforms to obtain social media ad licenses.

“This move would contribute to regulate the advertising sector and digital content in the Kingdom,” said acting Minister of Media Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi.

One license will cost SR15,000 ($4,000), and it will be valid for three years. Applications will be accepted through the I’lam platform, and they will be available to all Saudi citizens living in the Kingdom or abroad as well as to the citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates).

One Saudi influencer, Abdullah Al-Sabaa, has already applied for his license, and he said that the entire process took only a few minutes. Sabaa believes that the move will help regulate the advertising market on social media — something he sees as a positive development.

With each license come certain conditions and obligations that must be fulfilled. For example, license holders will be required to provide any data requested by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, and they must stop advertising any content prohibited by a directive issued by the commission.

Also Read: Dubai’s Finance Strategy For 2026 Hopes To Achieve Financial Sustainability

To avoid financial penalties, individuals publishing ads on social media platforms are required to obtain a license before October 1, 2022.

The United Arab Emirates already requires individuals to obtain a similar license. The UAE license also costs $4,000, but it’s valid only for one year instead of three.

The global social media advertising market was valued at a little over $180 billion in 2021, and it’s estimated that it will reach $330 billion by 2025. What are your thoughts on social media ad licenses?

News

Emirates Airline To Invest $2 Billion On Major Upgrades

Emirates plans a huge retrofit on its fleet and an upgrade to the inflight experience.

Published

3 days ago

August 12, 2022

Nour Nasir

Emirates

Emirates Airline has just announced plans to improve its inflight experience for passengers. The carrier has budgeted $2 billion to refit the interiors of over 120 of its aircraft, aiming for a more modern aesthetic for cabins, along with better food choices, modern inflight entertainment options, and a significant service overhaul.

Emirates is well known for its premium service, so this overhaul is an ambitious decision, as many other airlines are trying their hardest to increase revenues and reduce costs.

emirates airline refurbished fleet 1

“Emirates is flying against the grain and investing to deliver ever better experiences to our customers. Through the pandemic we’ve continued to launch new services and initiatives to ensure our customers travel with the assurance and ease, including digital initiatives to improve customer experiences on the ground. Now we’re rolling out a series of intensive programmes to take Emirates’ signature inflight experiences to the next level,” says Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline.

emirates airline refurbished fleet 2

The investment aims to ensure Emirates stays on top form, with many of the upgrades scheduled to materialize quickly. For the physical refit, aircraft are scheduled to enter the Emirates Engineering Center in November. So what can passengers expect once work is complete? The most significant change will be to aircraft interiors, where flyers of all classes will immediately spot new flooring, paneling, and reupholstered seats.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Reveals Plans To Build The City Of The Future

As well as a physical overhaul, the airline plans to upgrade entertainment systems, adding a “Cinema in the Sky” experience, complete with a bespoke app. In addition, better meal choices will reflect changing dietary preferences, including a new vegan menu and a nod to sustainability — though there will remain a strong luxury vibe to the proceedings, as the company has entered an exclusive agreement to offer Dom Perignon vintage champagne on board, as well as delicacies such as Persian caviar.

Though many of the improvements may seem trivial, Emirates is hoping that along with a huge cabin overhaul, their overall flight experience will continue to make travel a pleasurable experience, elevating their service above the competition.