| Hydra Properties LLC, one of the world's largest | | | | multibillion-dollar real estate industry. "It's really about |
| commercial developers has launched Hydra | | | | attracting tourists and people who want to do business |
| Executives (Nov. 28, 2007) at the Beverly Hilton, | | | | here." |
| Beverly Hills, CA. Casting for the first International | | | | Casting Director Beverly Pomerantz has a long list of |
| reality TV series | | | | hit reality shows including "Are You Smarter Than a |
| "The Hydra Executives" begins on December 15, 2007 | | | | Fifth Grader." The Director is JC Caliciano, LA |
| also at the Hilton. | | | | Producers. Eligible candidates are required to have a |
| Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad welcomed the | | | | background in real estate and/or architecture, |
| Hydra Properties team at the media brunch and | | | | engineering, sales, marketing and finance. They should |
| launch. "We may be the rich city in Beverly Hills, CA, | | | | also reflect qualities of success: passion, risk taking, |
| but Abu Dhabi has the most millionaires, we salute | | | | dynamic people skills, multidisciplinary perspectives, |
| you," he said during the reality TV show launch | | | | innovation and change. The show is set to air in March |
| ceremony. | | | | 2008. |
| The show will feature a cast of budding American and | | | | "This all English reality show will be amongst the first of |
| British entrepreneurs to be filmed in Abu Dhabi, but | | | | its kind for the Middle East audience and also the first |
| broadcast entirely in English. The reality TV series was | | | | involving the region's real estate sector," said CEO |
| created by CEO Sulaiman Al-Fahim, Hydra Properties | | | | Marc-Antoine d'Halluin, Showtime Arabia. "We are |
| LLC, a leading Abu Dhabi-based international real | | | | delighted to be part of this great endeavor that Hydra |
| estate company and the key backer of the show. | | | | has chosen and feel that this is one of the most |
| Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Chamber of | | | | creative shows that we've seen to date." |
| Commerce and Industry are also sponsoring the show. | | | | Showtime has already pledged to broadcast Hydra |
| According to Fahim around $5 million would be spent | | | | Executives in Asia and the Middle East, according to |
| on the first season. | | | | Batal, and negotiations are ongoing with the major US |
| "We are inviting 16 entrepreneurs, eight Americans and | | | | and European production houses for distribution in their |
| eight Brits, to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to | | | | broadcast areas. |
| compete against each other for 15 weeks," said | | | | "Foreigners don't watch Arabic, but Arabs watch |
| Al-Fahim. "Contestants will fly to the capital city of Abu | | | | English programming. Now they'll be getting a taste of |
| Dhabi where they will spend their first 2 weeks in boot | | | | both worlds," said Batal. Batal is no stranger to hit TV |
| camp to learn the art of the real estate deal and how | | | | shows. He is also the creator of Street Smarts, a |
| to identify various playing fields. Following this they will | | | | reality TV show entering its third season on Infinity TV, |
| be split into two mixed teams to compete in real | | | | and he produces Showtime's Shake the Stadium, |
| estate business assignments for a three month period." | | | | which aired this year. |
| At the end of the competition one winner will walk | | | | Al-Fahim is known more for his successful global real |
| away with the grand prize worth $1 million to set up his | | | | estate projects than the TV industry. Hydra Properties' |
| or her own style real estate venture. | | | | latest real estate ventures include half a dozen |
| The executive boardroom-style program is currently | | | | high-rise properties in the UAE and a $500 million |
| being shopped for global distribution in March 2008. It is | | | | mixed residential complex in Mazatlan, Mexico. |
| being produced in association with Showtime Arabia, | | | | "Al-Fahim doesn't do the Donald Trump 'you're fired' |
| which is partly owned by Viacom, and Dubai's Infinity | | | | kind of thing," explained Batal. "It's more like a tourist |
| TV. | | | | greeting, 'Welcome to my country, I am your host and |
| "It's little like the Olympics of reality TV," explained | | | | let's get you connected to business in Abu Dhabi.'" |
| co-host and Executive Producer Ziad Batal. "The | | | | Additionally, the 16 contestants will be exposed to the |
| show brings 16 contestants into United States and | | | | crème de la crème of the UAE's business |
| United Kingdom in international teams to compete in | | | | society, allowing each to set up needed networks. The |
| business challenges spread over the UAE's thriving | | | | entrepreneurs, hand-picked by Al-Fahim, will benefit |
| capital of Abu Dhabi. The winner receives a $1 million | | | | from his tips and advice as they go through their |
| funding prize to start his or her business there. Other | | | | various business dealings. |
| proposed reality TV programs in the works include an | | | | "It's entertainment, but of a different kind," said |
| India vs. Pakistan edition." | | | | Al-Fahim, "It's about the world of adventure, about |
| Batal also said the UAE government is rolling out the | | | | doing something that hasn't been done before, or doing |
| red carpet for the show. The TV show is expected to | | | | something differently. |
| provide global exposure to the country and its | | | | |