Weil Gotshal’s Dubai Office Advises Showtime/Orbit on Pay-TV Mega-Merger

DUBAI, UAE, July 15/PRNewswire/ — The Dubai office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges has advised KIPCO and Showtime Arabia in one of the largest cross-border mergers in the UAE region. The KIPCO Group is one of the largest diversified holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with consolidated assets of US$ 19 billion.

Satellite broadcast company, Showtime Arabia, and Orbit Group, a member of the Riyadh-based Mawarid Group, have merged to create the leading pay-TV platform in the MENA region. "When such a consolidation takes place, it is a kind of defining moment in terms of TV entertainment," said Marc-Antoined’Halluin, the chief executive of the new business.

Partner Mark Soundy, assisted by associate Natalie Gray, led the Weil Gotshal Dubai office team, with support from partner Peter King and associates Alicia Speake and Elizabeth Todd.

Mark Soundy said, "We are delighted to have been involved in one of this year’s landmark MENA transactions. This deal demonstrates the region’s growing appetite for ever more sophisticated M&A skills."

Joe Tortorici, Managing Partner of the Dubai office and Middle East operations said, "Our Middle East initiative has got off to a very nice start this year, with a handful of major transactions in the region now under our belt and a few more in the pipeline".

DLA Piper assisted KIPCO with local due diligence. Linklaters advised Mawarid Group. Credit Suisse acted as exclusive financial advisor on the merger.

Excitement Mounts As Lazio And Sampdoria Line Up For The Upcoming Copa Italia Title

The 2009 Copa Italia Title is poised at an interesting stage as the live final match hits the screens of football enthusiasts on 13th May 2009. Live coverage of the matches will be broadcast on ART SPORT 4 available to Firstnet Premium and Pehla Gold & Silver subscribers in Dubai and the entire Middle East and North African (MENA) region.

With the final match underway football enthusiasts can gear up to watch the two major teams Lazio and Sampdoria square off for the 2009 Copa Italia title. The match will be telecast live on May 13 2009 at 5.00 GMT (9 AM UAE time), according to an announcement today by Arab Digital Distribution (ADD), the region’s largest pay TV platform Management Company.

This year’s game saw strong teams like Juventus, Inter Milan & AC Milan’s exit quiet unexpectedly. Lazio reached the final of the Copa Italia after beating Juventus 2-1 in Turin for a 4-2 aggregate win in the semi-finals. Sampdoria saw a strong comeback to the finals despite losing the second leg 1-0. Intermilan, stung by a 3-0 defeat in the first leg, gave themselves hope when Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck midway through the first half but Sampdoria held on to clinch a 3-1 aggregate win and a place in the final against Lazio. Lazio are still in the 10th place with 47 points from 35 games played and with Europa League qualification six points away whereas Samprodia have climbed up to 12th place with 44 points from 35 games played.

The sixty-first season of the tournament started on 9 August 2008 and will end on 13 May 2009. The winners earn a spot in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League 2009–2010.

The 2007–08 Copa Italia final was played, like the three previous editions, between Internationale and Roma. The match was held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 24, 2008 and ended with a 2-1 win for Roma. This time around the two teams Lazio and Sampdoria are extremely enthusiastic to go out onto the field and play their final round as Lazio has been winless in 5 years (last winning the Copa Italia in 2004), while Sampdoria haven’t lifted a trophy in 15 years (last winning the Copa Italia in 1994).
 

Back By Popular Demand Stand-Up Comedy Sensation Sugar Sammy Is Live In Dubai!

Showtime Arabia and Delwood present “Sugar Sammy Live in Dubai” on stage with African
comedian Daliso Chaponda and the Arabic speaking stand-up comedian Wonho Chung, at the Dubai
Community Theatre & Arts Centre, Mall of the Emirates on Friday 29th May 2009.

Showtime Arabia, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East & North Africa and Delwood Consultancy
Services FZ-LLC continue to support talented rising comedians by offering gifted comedians further exposure
in the region and bringing back, Sugar Sammy due to the positive response from the Dubai audience.
Sugar Sammy, Montreal’s number one Indian born star, was in Dubai in December 2008 for Showtime
Arabias’ Friday Night Live – New World Order show. Popular for his hilarious scenarios and comments on our
global society’s inherent contradictions.

“Dubai is one of my favorite destinations on my world tour. It’s beginning to feel like a second home to me.
The excitement and anticipation every single time I land there seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Not only
on my part, but the fans as well who constantly send me emails and Facebook posts anticipating my next
performance! Well here it is: 2 shows May 29 in one of my favorite theaters in the world! Get
ready because I can’t wait” – Sugar Sammy

Daliso, the comedian from Malawi, has been touring with Sugar Sammy in Canada and is making his first
appearance in the United Arab Emirates.

“I can’t wait to get on stage in Dubai. There is no greater feeling than performing in a country you’ve never
been before. Every place has a slightly different sense of humour. Also, I doubt there’ve been many African
comedians in Dubai so I feel like a pioneer. One small step for an African…” – Daliso Chaponda
Showtimes’ Wonho, the Korean joins the line up, renowned for his fluent Arabic, broadening the world of
comedy for the Arabic speaking audiences.

"Sugar Sammy is a good friend of mine and an excellent comedian, it’s an honor being a part of his
performance in Dubai. I’m excited about performing and I can’t wait to be in that zone again. For those who
don’t speak Arabic, remember it’s all in the name of a cause "developing Arabic stand-up". So I thank you in
advance and I look forward to seeing you all there. Don’t forget to wear your funny hat " – Wonho Chung
Showtime Arabia and Delwood present “Sugar Sammy Live in Dubai!” are proud to be supported by Official
Hotel Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City and Official Newspaper Khaleej Times.

Sugar Sammy Live in Dubai! will take place on Friday 29th May 2009 at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts
Centre, Mall of the Emirates, the first show starts at 7pm and the second show at 9.30pm. Tickets are 275
Dhs for the stalls and 195 Dhs for the balcony.

Tickets are available now online from www.timeouttickets.com. Tickets are restricted to viewers of 13 years
and above. For further information please call 04- 3681548 or email info@delwood.com.