World's First Arabic Domain Name to Egypt

Egypt has taken a leap forward in the world of the Internets this week by applying to register the first all-Arabic domain name. Egypt’s information technology minister, Tarek Kamel says the measure will make the Internet accessible to the millions in the region who are unable to access an Internet dominated by Latin characters, so this is indeed a huge advancement.

The application was sent in on the very first day that the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an Internet oversight agency, opened the door for registering non-Latin script domains. So far six countries have submitted applications for domains in three languages.

The Egyptian government has filed an application to register the domain “.masr”, written entirely in Arabic. This name means “.Egypt”.

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El-Sheik, S. (2009). Egypt Applies for First Arabic Domain Name. In The Times of India, 16 Nov 2009.

2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Football is a really popular sports all over the world and 2010 FIFA World Cup is going to take place in South Africa! The logo of the World Cup (right) comes from here. The boss of 2010 Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan has said that 345 894 tickets have been sold to South Africans and 304 633 to overseas fans (data as of 28 September 2009). The Government Communication and Information System reports that they play a pivotal role in intensifying the government's communication strategy for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The department's CEO, Themba Maseko said at the 2010 National Communication Partnership 4th Conference in Johannesburg on Monday, 17 August 2009, that government had set up a number of structures to enhance its marketing and communication plan, to ensure that it speaks in one voice. "Communication is the key tool in delivering a successful World Cup. In this regard, we need to develop an appropriate and resounding communication strategy to host the best world cup ever."  So, hopes are really up, and news from South Africa report that country is getting ready for this big event -  players safety will be assured, local businesses are ready with the help from government, the roads in and around the city will be of a world class standard ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, etc.  The official webpage of FIFA and  International Marketing Council of South Africa also provide us with good news only.
Searching for international news, like BBC and CNN, gave me a wider view on the issue. I could also sense some worries as it is going to be the first time when football's treasured prize will be played in Africa. For example, one BBC reporter is concerned about the spread of HIV infections and claims that calls are growing for South Africa to legalize prostitution at least during the month long event. I also found a long article that expresses worries on several issues: whether the football stadiums will be ready on time, crime rate, overall poverty of the country, etc. The other journalists worry about frequent power cuts, growing market for child-trafficking, traffic problems, fake tickets, World Cup venues workers strike, shortage of accommodation, etc.
All in all, I cannot say that all news coming from South Africa is positive and international news is negative, but one can trace certain trends. Will positive news from South African government feeding the communication flow contribute to the success of  2010 FIFA World Cup?
The photo below is taken from the webpage of The Guardian, the whole gallery is here. Take a look, and think for a while ... What is reality? How is it created?

   

International marketing logo

On November 6, 2009 (a bit more than ten days ago) the government of South Africa approved the new international marketing logo for South Africa that replaces about 70 logos that were primarily used by the International Marketing Council (IMC) and SA Tourism to market South Africa abroad. Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said, "This decision takes the country's marketing to new heights, as we get ready to welcome the world to our shores as hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals.". It is said in the press release issued by the Government Communication and Information System that the logo was a culmination of a comprehensive process of consultation between provinces, cities and national departments to align around one brand positioning and a single identity on the international stage. The new logo will not replace the Government Coat of Arms but is purely for the purpose of nation marketing initiatives. The new logo is the result of an 18-month South Africa Alignment project, led by South African Tourism and the International Marketing Council, to align Brand South Africa and ensure that national, provincial and local government co-operate to ensure that the “look and feel” of SA is the same overseas.

Taking into account the diversity of different languages and cultures present in South Africa, having this new logo seems to be a good idea. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it will help make 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals even better! And I'll be discussing this great event in my next posting :)

Sources:
BuaNews
Daily Media, Marketing & Advertising News from Africa

Media and sponsor attractiveness of Ethiopian athletes

Ethiopia has some of the world’s best middle-distance and long-distance runners. You may have heard of Abebe Bikila, Mamo Wolde, Miruts Yifter, Haile Gebrselassie, Derartu Tulu, Kenenisa Bekele, Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba.

Tirunesh Dibaba for example is the double Olympic 5000m and 10000m champion; four-time world champion over the 5000m and 10000m; and a world record holder over the indoor and outdoor 5000m. In 2003, she was the youngest ever individual gold medallist at a world championship and also a three-time world cross country champion (source).

Wow! You would think that sponsors are competing hard to be able to benefit from this fast AND beautiful lady. BUT according to her own official web site (-> Sponsors) she has ONLY two sponsors!!!(Mizuno and Global athletics and Marketing Inc.)

I found an interesting analysis of this issue by Elshadai Negash published by Ethiopian weekly business newspaper Fortune in September 2008. Negash reveals that Tribunesh didn’t receive a much of media’s attention in Beijing Olympics after winning the 5,000m and 10,000m double.

Kenyan athletics journalist, Omulo Okoth tells in Negash’s article that it is an African athletes problem that they do not project themselves well for the media. A lack of real personalities creates frustration, followed by hardly any interest among journalists. And when the international media is no longer interested, the sponsors and big money meeting organizers also refrain from associating themselves with the athletes or the sport to promote their products and services.

According to Negash the public relations crisis is a problem that the IAAF, International Association of Athletics Federations is trying to address. The world governing body conducts media training for its world class athletes, including Ethiopians, and encourages them to learn English in order to communicate better with the international media.

Maria Kuula made an interesting post about Timothy Bell. Maybe Ethiopian athletes would need someone like him? Even if I understand that media and sponsors want to have interesting personalities with excellent communication skills, it feels somehow harsh and unfair that the talented, but demure ones are tossed aside. What are the ethics of media and sponsors in choosing the "best" athletes?

Picture taken from here