Dubai, UAE – Rani R Raad has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of International Media Investments (IMI), a prominent UAE media company.
IMI owns and operates a portfolio of media outlets, including The National, CNN Business Arabic, Al Ain News, and has interests in Sky News Arabia and Euronews.
The company said 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”.
Raad said, he was “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 international and local brands,” he added.
Prior to joining RedBird IMI, Raad served as the President of CNN Worldwide Commercial and was a key member of its executive management team. He also held various roles at Warner Bros Discovery, including overseeing the company’s entertainment operations in the MENA region and advising AT&T’s Middle Eastern operations. Raad will continue to serve as President and Operating Partner at RedBird IMI, a joint venture with RedBird Capital.
Raad succeeds Nart Bouran, who held the position of CEO since March 2020.
He acknowledged the significant development in the region’s media sector over the past few years and thanked his predecessor for his contributions.
“I want to thank Nart and everyone who has worked so hard to build IMI to where it is today,’ Raad said. “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.”