TNPS is generally focused on the book publishing market rather than magazines, but reports today on the launch of GQ Middle East as an example of how the outside world is gravitating to the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region as the Arab Renaissance unfolds.
We were expecting the launch last month, per the announcement from Condé Nast International in July that Adam Baidawi had been appointed editor-in-chief of an imminent Middle East edition.
In fact GQ Middle East debuts online and on newsstands today, in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Lebanon. The online version is in English and Arabic. It’s not clear at this stage if there is a print version in Arabic.
Baidawi said in a launch press release,
Our vision for this GQ is to bring the world to the Middle East and the Middle East to the world. We’re exploring this region with fresh eyes to both inspire and reflect our reader: the modern, accomplished man.
The multimedia content created for GQ Middle East reflects the region itself: smart, stylish, challenging, familiar and always, always evolving.
For Condé Nast International, executive director editorial development Karina Dobrotvorskaya said,
Condé Nast International is thrilled about the launch of a new GQ. As one of our leading brands, GQ helps define the role of a modern man in a fast-changing world. The Middle East is an incredibly dynamic and vibrant region, full of passion, curiosity and an appetite for fashion and luxury, but also full of different lifestyle standards. GQ Middle East will combine international fashion and publishing expertise with the local tastes and aspirations.
While this is a magazine, the target reading audience is clear. Educated, world-aware and outward looking. The same target audience publishers will be tapping into in the region. The Arab Renaissance continues.
Read more about GQ’s 21st international edition at FIPP.
