Leading music journalism group Rolling Stone have just announced they will soon make their way (back) into the Arab World. Alongside American investment fund Global Venture Partners, the collaboration will seek to expand the celebrated magazine’s reach into the region by bringing its in-depth coverage of all things music, pop culture, and entertainment to the forefront of the Middle East and North Africa.
With the aim of opening itself up to an entirely new market and readership, the MENA branch of Rolling Stone — initially launched in 2010 — will be making its much-anticipated comeback, only this time with more tailored content, news, and articles than ever before.
After a first spell spent extensively covering the region’s sonic offerings, the Middle Eastern section of the cult magazine unfortunately fell off the radar, but now, with this strategic partnership, it aims to reclaim its position as the leading cultural influencer in the region.
“This partnership will bring Rolling Stone’s iconic brand and unparalleled coverage of music, entertainment, and culture to a new audience, while also providing valuable insights and perspectives on the region’s vibrant creative, cultural, and political scene,” Aliaune Thiam, chairman of Global Venture Partners said.
“We’ve long held ambitions to grow our brand into the MENA region. We’re thrilled to partner with GVP and celebrate the region’s rich cultural vibrancy and legacy,” Gus Wenner, CEO of Rolling Stone, added.
As of now, the dedicated website is rather sparse, presenting a minimalist layout dominated solely by their latest logo amalgamating the iconic Rolling Stones insignia with the bold inclusion of “MENA” right beneath it. Claiming to be ‘coming soon’, this design choice seems to indicate a deliberate departure from past undertakings and strongly hints at a fresh start with a new vision and editorial line.
Coming at a time of unprecedented growth and opportunity in the region’s music industry, with an ever-expanding roster of festivals, concerts, and cultural events, the Middle East has become a dynamic and thriving space for entertainment that attracts substantial global attention and investment. Given the recent developments taking place across the Arab World, it comes as no real surprise that Rolling Stone’s Middle East edition is set to re-launch.
