H2O Aserts Market Dominance on MEA Social Media Scene

Dubai, UAE - 9^th September 2008:- H2O New Media, a Dubai-based social media company announces that it has secured over 40 new customers for its products and services in just six months since it started its operation. A new breed of company, H2O New Media's core business is building, operating and maintaining customised social media channels for brands, corporate enterprises and event companies.  With the uptake of vertical social communities for small and large businesses across the region H2O New Media is poised to become one of the few innovations led companies that grew out of Dubai. The company that started with its first social community website Dubai Lime, is now going from strength to strength with key corporate customers across the different industries include Al Maya Group, Sian, Strawberry PR & Event, CMPI Chnnels Exchibition, CSM, Zaman, Euro RSG, The American Business Council to name just a few.

"We started our first social media application to support our CSR website, Dubai Lime, a community portal that provides free events to its subscribers. Immediately we were approached to construct an application for a corporate organisation followed by another client. Today, six months later we have secured over 40 large and medium-sized enterprises all using our products and services. H2O New Media focuses on the events, entertainment and media industries although there have been an increase number of customers acquired outside of these verticals" said Mr. Steve Vaile, CEO and Founder, H2O New Media.

 "We are great fans of the Open Source software model. We intend to release our own open source software applications and software as a service (SaaS) offerings into the Enterprise sector.  We view our competitive landscape to be much more aligned with large global players such as MZINGA and Awareness, who are developing enterprise social media applications in the USA.  As the leader in the Middle East we certainly have carved out a niche for branding agencies, publishers and marketing companies that want to benefit from the social media revolution" said Mr. Vaile

Social Media is on the rise globally with majority of publishers in Europe and America reducing their print titles and many switching over to online mediums. In the growing Middle Eastern market, there is an urgent need for companies that can consult and deliver on social media projects.  With media converging at an increasing rate H2O New Media's competitors in the USA and Europe have been attracting valuations of in access of US$ 300million. H2O New Media aims to be the dominant Middle Eastern player in the growing Social Media sector.

"We are constantly being approached by Venture Capital companies in the region looking for opportunities other than real estate.  At the moment we are in talks with a number of firms both inside and outside of the region. We will not make any hasty decisions because our objective is to secure a long-term partnership with like-minded investors. That position certainly narrows the market for us as it goes beyond the financial affiliation" continued Mr. Vaile.

Previously the VP for APAC and EMEA at US Software company, Voyence, before successfully being sold out to EMC in 1997, Mr. Vaile has a reputation for getting software companies over the 100M dollar mark. He previously ran channels and Nordic sales and software vendor Smarts that sold to EMC Smarts for over 260M USD.  His new position at HO New Media confirms its status as the one company to watch out for in the Middle Eastern Market.  www.h2onewmedia.com

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For more information
Strawberry PR & Events
Rahma Himid
P.O.Box 119027, Dubai, UAE
Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa Tower, 1605
Tel: 04 3315173
fax: 04 3315215
mobile: 050 6254251
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www.strawberry.ae

Dubai Lime calls out to the community to help little Hayder

Iraqi Child Suffering from Advanced Sickle Thalassemia Condition

13^th August 2008, Dubai, UAE - Dubai Lime, the online community portal in Dubai, calls out to the community to come together and make a difference to a little boy’s life.

Baby Hayder Amar Salih, a two year old Iraqi was diagnosed with Paediatric Sickle Thalassemia condition when he was just six months. Living in Basra, South of Iraq, Hayder is unable to receive the necessary treatments for his condition and now requires an urgent transplant of bone marrow.  Although the child’s family is available to provide the matching bone marrow for the transplant, they cannot afford the estimated Aed.400,000 fees required for the operation and medical treatment.

Over 80% of Iraqi children suffering from this disease die within the first 5 years of their lives from complications of anaemia. The transplant is currently unavailable in Iraq and children suffering from this disorder must be taken to medical facilities out of the country to receive treatment. In little Hayder’s case, there is now a great need for assistance from hospitals, charitable organisations or benefactors who could assist with the cost of the treatment to save his life.

Dubai Lime, dedicated to playing a major role in the community, is currently running online campaign to find hospital facilities or benefactors to come to the aid of little Hayder. With over 8,000 subscribers, the portal aims to build awareness of the Iraqi boy’s case and hope that the community will come forward to take part in the cause.

“Driven by community involvement, Dubai Lime will do everything it can to raise awareness of little Hayder. The medical expenses are very high and we hope our initiative will be able to catch the attention of hospitals and donors to make a difference. The family has not been able to secure any support from other charity organisation because of Hayders Iraqi nationality, but we hope this drive will unify the society to change a life” said Rosario Oales, Marketing Manager, Dubai Lime. 

Hayder’s parents are very hopeful for him to recover and become a normal boy.  He receives transfusions of red blood cells every twenty days, travelling to Dubai with his parents for the treatment.  He undergoes a course of folic acid tablets (1 mg) a day depending on the consumption of his infused cells. Burdened with travel expenses and medical bills, the parents are now in a situation where they need to find a solution as Hayder’s condition deteriorates.

Dubai Lime calls out to donors to be part of this child’s plight. For more information and contribution, the community is requested to get in touch with Vanessa Palattao on 050-8748718 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
 

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For Press Information

Contact: Rahma Himid

Strawberry PR & Events

Tel: 04 3315173 or 050 6254251

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

www.strawberry.ae

ABOUT DUBAI LIME

Dubai Lime is a website created to provide the city’s multi-national community, a forum for cultural development and exchange. Dubai Lime registrants and users can experience online and offline interaction with other members. Real life community events such as music, art and cultural events are held on regular basis for Dubai Lime’s registrants. Offering more than just an entertainment portal, Dubai Lime is a comprehensive tool for residents and tourists alike. The website broadcasts video clips made in Dubai, an original music podcast and listing of Dubai’s events, classified section, restaurants and food venues as well as Dubai’s tourist attractions. The Dubai Lime receives over 50,000 unique users per month.

www.dubailime.com