Abu Dhabi – UAE | September 5, 2023: Today, International Media Investments (IMI) announced the appointment of Rani R. Raad as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a new era for the company. Raad succeeds Nart Bouran who took the position in March 2020.
The media company emphasized its ambition to be “the smartest and most respected media company in the MENA region,” and stated that “Raad has been brought in to steer IMI and its operating assets to their next stage of development. With over 25 years in the sector, he brings a rich blend of international media expertise, leadership acumen and a profound grasp of the developing media landscape.”
On his part, Rani R. Raad said: “I am excited to lead IMI into its next chapter. Our ambition is crystal clear: to build IMI into a forward-thinking global media powerhouse. We already own and operate some of the strongest media properties in the region encompassing both international and local brands. We now have the opportunity to grow these assets, expand our audiences and operate at more of a global level. With the way the MENA region has developed over the last few years, it is now the right time to play a bigger role in the global media sector.”
In addition to his new role, Raad will continue to act as President and Operating Partner at RedBird IMI, the joint venture with RedBird Capital. Before joining RedBird IMI, Raad was the President of CNN Worldwide Commercial and a member of its executive management team. During his tenure at Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), Raad held several executive roles, ranging from running the company’s Entertainment operations in MENA, through to advising AT&T’s Middle Eastern operations.
In closing, Raad stated: “I want to thank Nart and everyone who has worked so hard to build IMI to where it is today. As we move forward, our commitment is to propel our content, media products and user experiences to new heights, while engaging audiences, partners, and key stakeholders.”