The National Relaunches With Enhanced Print & Digital Platforms

International Media Investments (IMI) is relaunching The National, Abu Dhabi’s first English language newspaper. The new ‘The National’ has attempted to enhance both its print and digital platforms with a focus on digital. The English daily has added video content podcasts with analysis, 360-degree images and interactive graphics. The paper is also adding animation and live and interactive video interviews and news on social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube.

IMI acquired The National from Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) in November 2016. This development marks the completion of The National’s transition to IMI. To ensure round-the-clock news, The National will now also include a London Bureau led by Damien McElroy along with correspondents in Washington DC, Beirut and other cities.

“We have completely revamped our approach to news. Every journalist and staff member starts with a digital focus at the core of their role at the new National. We will engage on all platforms and ensure the widest reach possible for our content, whether in written word, video, images or podcasts,” said Mina Al-Oraibi, who has taken the helm as Editor in Chief the paper.

The relaunch will feature a host of new commentators from diplomacy, politics and finance, business coverage under the National’s new Business Editor, Massoud Derhally, expanded sports coverage and a new, 20-page weekend supplement showcasing The National’s coverage of arts and culture in the UAE and beyond.

“The National will have three objectives – create influential and intellectually challenging content, bring the UAE and Abu Dhabi perspective to the world, and lead in the region and internationally as a modern and digitally led newsroom. In short, The National will be your window to and from the Middle East,” added Ms Al-Oraibi.

The National will publish its print version six days a week with a special weekend edition.

Dan Gledhill has joined The National as Deputy Editor In Chief with 20 years of journalism at The Independent and the Daily Mail behind him. Meanwhile, the digital transformation is led by Dan Owen, who helped spearhead the digitization of Trinity Mirror’s newsrooms.

“Our pages will have star power with global names and regional heavyweights contributing. In addition to our weekly writers, we will be reaching out across various disciplines and countries for exclusive pieces,” added Ms Al-Oraibi.

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