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The Green Brigade has criticized Celtic for their response regarding the demonstration of solidarity with Palestine within Parkhead.

This development follows the demonstration of solidarity by the fan group during their weekend match against Kilmarnock. Throughout the game, Palestinian flags were prominently displayed, accompanied by banners bearing the message: “Free Palestine. Victory To The Resistance!”

This action took place during the same weekend when Hamas “the Palestine resistance”, initiated an attack on Israel from the occupied Gaza Strip.

The club has strongly disapproved of those individuals who seek to ‘utilize Celtic Park as a platform for conveying such messages.’

In response, the Green Brigade has issued a counterstatement, urging Celtic supporters to ‘display the Palestinian flag’ during the upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

Their statement emphasizes the group’s unwavering conviction that they, along with fellow football fans, possess the right to express their political viewpoints within the stadium, much like ordinary citizens exercise their right to do so in other facets of society. They assert that football represents one of the few domains in public life where working-class individuals maintain authentic political influence, and they refuse to be subjected to the directives of a governing board they perceive as elitist and consistently disdainful of Celtic Football Club’s history and traditions.

“Celtic was born out of famine and oppression, a product of colonial rule, death, and the mass displacement of people. It is because of this history that Celtic fans are renowned for their empathy and solidarity; consistently siding with the oppressed and destitute. This fact is not lost on the PLC as it regularly flirts with the idea, particularly where it can be commodified, yet the board is quick to condemn when the views expressed challenge their worldview, disingenuously then proclaiming to be apolitical.

“The current hypocrisy of the PLC is sadly in step with much of the political and media class, epitomised through the example of Ukraine. Political messaging was welcome at Celtic Park then; yet it is being condemned now. The question on any reasonable mind should be why? Why are Ukrainian lives more sacred than Palestinian lives?

“The Green Brigade remains unequivocal in our support for the Palestinian people, as we have been consistent. We have supported various Palestinian projects throughout our history and for over a decade have developed a close relationship with Aida Refugee Camp culminating in the formation of the Aida Celtic football academy in Bethlehem. We send our sincere solidarity and prayers to our friends across all of Palestine at this traumatic time when yet again much of the international community turns its back in cowardice while war crimes are inflicted on a largely defenseless, imprisoned population.

“We call on the Celtic support – the true custodians of Celtic Football Club – to stand on the right side of history. In 2016, we defiantly raised the flag and matched the fine for Palestine. Now, more than ever, the Palestinian people need our solidarity.

“On 25th October, v Atletico Madrid, we ask all Celtic fans to raise the Palestine flag on the European stage and show the world that Celtic Football Club stands with the oppressed, not the oppressor. We must apply learning from apartheid South Africa to dismantle apartheid Israel – if we are neutral in situations of injustice, we have chosen the side of the oppressor.

“In the meantime, we encourage fans to donate to the MAP Gaza Emergency Fund.”

Celtic’s statement last night read: “Banners displayed in a section of Celtic Park prior to Saturday’s game do not represent the views of Celtic Football Club and we disassociate ourselves from them. We condemn the display of such messages at Celtic Park.

“Celtic is a football club and not a political organization. One of our core values from inception is to be open to all regardless of race, color, politics, or creed. That is why the Club has always made clear that political messages and banners are not welcome at Celtic Park, or any match involving Celtic. At a time of loss and suffering for many, it is entirely inappropriate for any group of individuals to use Celtic Park as a vehicle for such messages.

“We call on all supporters, regardless of their personal views, to unite in backing our players and the club while respecting the rights and beliefs of others; particularly those whose lives are affected by violence and hatred.”

Critics call for action on humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Residents of the Gaza Strip are caught in the aggressive bombing by Israeli forces. 

Gaza-based reporter Nedal Samir Hamdouna says conditions in the besieged enclave were worsening every day.

“I don’t have the words to describe how terrible it is here,” Hamdouna told Al Jazeera, speaking from northern Gaza. “It’s like a ball of hell,” he said.

“The streets are empty. People are afraid to seek their basic needs, including water.”

Moreover, Hamdouna added that hospitals in Gaza were full as thousands were turning up to take shelter.

“There is no safe place to go to except for hospitals. This creates a problem for doctors and emergency workers when dealing with those who have been injured,” he noted.

Source: Al Jazeera

As traditional advertising revenues plummet globally and broadcasting budgets are slashed, The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and South East Asia (SEA) regions have reported tremendous growth in digital adoption and a rise in digital advertising revenue as a result. 

This growth is driven by an increase in internet users, smartphone penetration, and the rise of social media platforms. AI Copywriter tools are now being widely adopted by brands, organisations, and companies in these regions to enhance their digital advertising campaigns.

 Let’s delve deeper into the trends and statistics of advertising revenue and digital adoption in MENA and SEA.

Digital Advertising in MENA

MENA has emerged as one of the fastest-growing digital advertising markets, driven by a young population and increasing smartphone penetration. According to a report by McKinsey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the highest degree of digitisation, while Egypt represents the largest untapped opportunity. The report also highlights a growth in the adoption of digital channels and spending in the coming years, coinciding with the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) across all sectors.

The Market Size

The digital advertising market in the MENA region is estimated to be worth over 1.2 billion U.S dollars in 2021. The market is expected to continue growing, with a projected growth rate of 20% by 2024. The region’s e-commerce market is also expected to grow and reach 69 billion U.S dollars by 2020. The GCC and Egypt account for 80% of the regional e-commerce market.

Media Channels in the MENA

The advertising market in the MENA region is witnessing a major shift toward digital advertising. Traditional channels such as newspapers are declining, while the internet is taking over with 44.2% of the total ad expenditure in 2020, according to Statista. Social channels account for more than half of the total digital ad spend, surpassing global benchmarks. The region is also moving towards a “mobile-first” strategy, with a majority of internet traffic generated through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Performance Marketing in the MENA

Performance-based campaigns are gaining traction in the MENA region, with 59% of advertising agencies significantly shifting into performance-based campaigns, according to a survey conducted by the Interactive Agency Bureau (IAB). Brands are demanding payment by results (ROI & Return on ad spend ROAS) as well as enhanced consumer insights and analytics.

Digital Advertising Agencies in the MENA

The MENA region has over 500 advertising agencies that have a large number of employees, with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE fuelling the region with small and medium-sized agencies. The UAE is home to big advertising firms, while Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan represent the majority of digital marketing talents and creative resources. However, the highly qualified talents in digital advertising and performance are always moving outside the region to join companies in the European market.

Programmatic Advertising in the MENA

The slow transition from traditional to digital media is one of the key reasons programmatic advertising is struggling to dominate the region. Collectively, the MENA trails other regions in innovation and adoption of ad tech and marketing technologies. The top ad networks in the MENA region include Facebook, Google Ads, IronSource, Applovin, Adcolony, AdFalcon, InTarget, AdZouk, and Ambush. The United Arab Emirates is leading the growth in programmatic advertising due to technology partners and pressure from clients and brands to automate the process and use AI.

Digital Advertising by Sector

According to Ipsos research, the top ten sectors in the region are dominated by beauty care, food, telecommunications, and entertainment. Telecommunications companies, followed by real estate and banking, are the top categories.

Digital Advertising in SEA

SEA is a rapidly growing digital advertising market, driven by a young and tech-savvy population. According to a report by eMarketer, digital ad spending in SEA is expected to reach 15.3 billion U.S dollars in 2021, with Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam leading the growth.

The Market Size

The digital advertising market in SEA is expected to grow at a rate of 13.7% in 2021, with a projected market size of 22.45 billion U.S dollars by 2025. The region’s e-commerce market is also booming, with a projected market size of 153 billion U.S dollars by 2025.

Media Channels in SEA

SEA is also witnessing a major shift toward digital advertising, with traditional channels such as newspapers and TV declining. Social channels are the most popular, accounting for 63% of total digital ad spend, according to a report by Hootsuite. Mobile advertising is also on the rise, with a majority of internet traffic generated through mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Performance Marketing in SEA

Performance-based campaigns are becoming popular in SEA, with advertisers demanding more accountability and transparency. Brands are looking for more measurement and optimisation to ensure their campaigns are reaching the right audience and delivering the desired results.

Digital Advertising Agencies in SEA

SEA has a large number of digital advertising agencies, with many emerging startups and creative agencies. The region is home to a highly skilled workforce, with many professionals trained in digital marketing and advertising.

Programmatic Advertising in SEA

Programmatic advertising is becoming more popular in SEA, with many brands and agencies adopting the technology to automate their advertising campaigns. The region is also seeing an increase in the use of AI-powered tools and platforms to help advertisers optimise their campaigns.

Digital Advertising by Sector

The digital advertising market in SEA is dominated by the retail and e-commerce sector, followed by the travel and hospitality sector. The region is also seeing growth in the financial services, healthcare, and automotive sectors.

AI Copywriter Tools in Advertising

AI copywriter tools are becoming increasingly popular in the MENA and SEA regions, with many brands and agencies adopting the technology to enhance their digital advertising campaigns. These tools use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to generate high-quality, engaging content that resonates with the target audience.

AI copywriter tools can help brands and agencies save time and money by automating the content creation process. They can generate a large volume of content quickly and efficiently, allowing advertisers to test multiple variations of their ads and optimise their campaigns for better performance. AI copywriter tools can also help advertisers improve the quality of their content by ensuring that it is grammatically correct, engaging, and relevant to the target audience. They can analyse data from social media and other sources to identify trends and insights that can inform the content creation process.

Conclusion

The MENA and SEA regions are witnessing tremendous growth in digital advertising and digital adoption, driven by a young and tech-savvy population, increasing smartphone penetration, and the rise of social media platforms. AI copywriter tools are becoming increasingly popular in these regions, providing brands and agencies with a cost-effective and efficient way to enhance their digital advertising campaigns. The future of digital advertising in these regions looks bright, with continued growth and innovation in the years to come whilst broadcast and traditional advertising feels the pinch. The time has come for the more conservative amongst us to take the plunge and fully embrace digital and all it entails. 

An unnamed BBC presenter is currently under scrutiny following new allegations brought forth by the Sun newspaper. The publication claims that the presenter paid a teenager for sexually explicit photos.

According to the Sun, the star was depicted in underwear, with the teenager’s mother stating, “ready for my child to perform for him.” The exact age of the teenager at the time remains unclear; however, the newspaper asserts that the payments from the presenter commenced when the individual was 17 years old.

The BBC has emphasized its commitment to treating any allegations seriously. The Sun initially reported the allegations on Friday, asserting that the BBC presenter had paid £35,000 over a three-year period for explicit photos.

The teenager’s mother informed the newspaper that her child, now 20 years old, had used the money received from the presenter to support a crack cocaine habit. The mother expressed concerns for her child’s well-being, stating that continued alleged payments would result in dire consequences.

The Sun indicated that the teenager’s family filed a complaint with the BBC on May 19. Frustrated by the presenter’s ongoing presence on air, the family approached the newspaper. However, they stated that they did not seek payment for their story.

In response to the allegations, a BBC spokesperson commented on Friday, “We take any allegations very seriously and have processes in place to proactively address them. If we receive information necessitating further investigation or examination, we will take appropriate steps to do so. This includes actively attempting to communicate with those who have contacted us, seeking additional details and understanding of the situation. While lack of response or further contact may limit our ability to proceed, it does not imply the cessation of our inquiries. If new information emerges or is provided, including through newspapers, we will act accordingly within our internal procedures.”

Since the statement issued on Friday, the BBC has refrained from making additional remarks regarding the allegations. However, questions linger about the investigations conducted by the corporation following the family’s initial report.

Caroline Dinenage, senior Conservative MP and chair of the Culture, Media and Sport committee, stressed the importance of TV companies establishing robust systems and processes to prevent the abuse of power and influence by their stars, who possess significant control over the lives and careers of others.

Pressure mounts on the BBC’s HR department to conduct a swift investigation and shed light on the developments since the story was first brought to their attention in May. Priti Patel, former home secretary, labeled the BBC’s response as “derisory” and demanded a “full and transparent investigation.” She accused the corporation of transforming into a “faceless and unaccountable organization.”

While the presenter is not scheduled to appear on air in the immediate future, it remains uncertain whether a formal suspension has been implemented, as BBC News has not received confirmation on the matter. The BBC must address whether such action should have been taken earlier, the thoroughness of the investigation, and the impact of baseless rumors on unconnected presenters.

The Sun reports that a head of corporate investigations will conduct a probe, having already engaged in discussions with the family. However, the BBC has not verified this information.

In response to the initial Sun report, several BBC presenters took to social media to deny their involvement in the allegations, including Rylan Clark, Jeremy Vine, Nicky Campbell, and Gary Lineker. This disconcerting period has affected them despite their lack of association with the allegations.

There’s been a disturbance in the force. In a world of constantly evolving social media platforms, a new contender has burst onto the scene, capturing the attention of millions and leaving a trail of excitement in its wake.

Threads, Meta’s Twitter rival, has taken the digital realm by storm, offering a refreshing and dynamic experience for users growing weary of Muskian meddling and looking for a unique social media adventure.

Let’s delve into the exhilarating launch of Threads, explore the number of users who have flocked to the platform, and discover the types of individuals we think it might attract.

A Diverse User Base Flocks to Threads

Threads has become the talk of the town. Since its much-anticipated launch, the platform has amassed 30+ million registered users worldwide, 5m reportedly arriving in the first 4 hours of operation. Industry experts predict his rapid growth will position Threads as a significant player in the digital realm, rivaling established giants such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Threads: A Haven for Digital Mavericks and Creatives

One of the most intriguing aspects of Threads is its potential to attract a diverse range of users. The platform’s unique features and captivating interface appeal to people of all ages, interests, and backgrounds. From Gen Z trendsetters to seasoned professionals seeking a fresh networking platform, Threads offers something for everyone.

Threads will quickly become a haven for digital mavericks who yearn for a distinct online experience. These early adopters thrive on innovation, eagerly embracing new technologies and platforms. Their active presence on Threads will result in a vibrant and cutting-edge community that in turn will attract more thrill seekers.

The platform will also be a magnet for creatives, drawing in artists, designers, photographers, and writers. The platform’s visually immersive nature allows users to showcase their talents and connect with like-minded individuals. We guess. Threads will become a hub of inspiration and collaboration for global artists.

Threads: The Go-To Platform for Networking Professionals

For professionals searching for fresh networking and career growth avenues, Threads will emerge as the go-to platform. Its interactive and intuitive interface enables users to build meaningful connections, exchange ideas, and explore job opportunities. The platform’s focus on fostering professional relationships differentiates it from traditional social media networks.

Amplifying Voices and Effecting Positive Change on Threads

Threads is not just about self-expression; it will also attract passionate individuals who want to make a difference. Users dedicated to social causes and activism can find a home on the platform, utilizing its extensive reach to raise awareness and mobilize communities. Threads will prove a powerful platform for amplifying voices and effecting positive change.

Setting Threads Apart: Seamlessness, User Experience, and Privacy Measures

What sets Threads apart from its competitors? Its appeal lies in combining seamless functionality with a seductive user experience. The platform’s innovative features, including dynamic threads, immersive multimedia integration, and intelligent algorithms that tailor content to individual interests, have proved a real draw. Moreover, Threads’ commitment to user privacy and data security has provided a real draw. Threads app offers fresh air in an era of data breaches and privacy concerns by prioritizing transparency and implementing robust privacy measures.

The Impact of Threads: A Force to be Reckoned With

Threads has unquestionably ignited the social media landscape. With its explosive launch, staggering user numbers, and diverse user base, the platform has proven it will be a force to be reckoned with. Whether you’re a digital maverick, creative connoisseur, networking ninja, or cause champion, Threads promises to be the reactive social media platform of choice, and its impact on the digital landscape is only set to grow. Stand by for a new world order, one connected by threads.