Saad Mohseni: Difference between revisions
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==Early years and background == |
==Early years and background == |
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Saad Mohseni was born in [[London]], UK, where his father, Yassin Mohseni, was serving as an [[List of diplomatic missions of Afghanistan|Afghan diplomat]]. Yassin Mohseni served in Kabul, Washington, DC, London, Islamabad, and Tokyo during his 25-year career.{{ |
Saad Mohseni was born in [[London]], UK, where his father, Yassin Mohseni, was serving as an [[List of diplomatic missions of Afghanistan|Afghan diplomat]]. Yassin Mohseni served in Kabul, Washington, DC, London, Islamabad, and Tokyo during his 25-year career.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
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After the Soviet invasion of [[Afghanistan]], Yassin Mohseni, then serving in Tokyo, resigned from the diplomatic corps and sought asylum. The family relocated to Australia in 1982.<ref name=new_yorker4>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/07/05/100705fa_fact_auletta?currentPage=3 |title=Profile: Saad Mohseni, Afghanistan's first media mogul |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=29 June 2010}}</ref> Mohseni has two younger brothers, [[Zaid Mohseni|Zaid]] and [[Jahid Mohseni]], and younger sister Wajma.{{ |
After the Soviet invasion of [[Afghanistan]], Yassin Mohseni, then serving in Tokyo, resigned from the diplomatic corps and sought asylum. The family relocated to Australia in 1982.<ref name=new_yorker4>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/07/05/100705fa_fact_auletta?currentPage=3 |title=Profile: Saad Mohseni, Afghanistan's first media mogul |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=29 June 2010}}</ref> Mohseni has two younger brothers, [[Zaid Mohseni|Zaid]] and [[Jahid Mohseni]], and younger sister Wajma.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
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Mohseni began his banking career as an apprentice at an Australian funds management entity, and later became a commodities and derivatives trader in Melbourne, Sydney, and London, culminating in the management of a trading desk of an Australian investment bank.{{ |
Mohseni began his banking career as an apprentice at an Australian funds management entity, and later became a commodities and derivatives trader in Melbourne, Sydney, and London, culminating in the management of a trading desk of an Australian investment bank.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
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==Return to Afghanistan and launch of media company == |
==Return to Afghanistan and launch of media company == |
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After the removal of the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Taliban government]] in late 2001, Mohseni and his brothers returned to [[Afghanistan]] to participate in the country's reconstruction and launch MOBY Group, with funding support from the United States government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saad Mohseni Is Afghanistan's First Media Mogul |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/06/28/128175646/with-u-s-help-saad-mohseni-became-afghanistan-s-first-media-mogul |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=NPR.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-03-24 |title=Lunch with the FT: Saad Mohseni |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f6de7b0a-737b-11e1-94ba-00144feab49a |access-date=2022-03-08}}</ref> They entered the media arena in 2003 by establishing [[Arman FM]], the country's first privately-owned radio station. Arman played Western and Afghan pop music, which was groundbreaking after years of Taliban rule, in which all music, television, and independent news had been banned.<ref name="new_yorker4"/> In 2004, MOBY Group launched [[TOLO (TV channel)|TOLO TV]], which airs international soap operas, The Voice Afghanistan, Afghan Star, and locally produced dramas. In addition to TOLO TV, MOBY also owns [[TOLOnews]] and Lemar TV, a Pashto-language channel. In 2014, MOBY channels were viewed by over 60 per cent of Afghans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1165-moby-group-tv-channels-continue-to-lead-the-afghan-market-with-a-combined-audience-share-of-62 |title=MOBY GROUP TV CHANNELS CONTINUE TO LEAD THE AFGHAN MARKET WITH A COMBINED AUDIENCE SHARE OF 62% |website=www.mobygroup.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012182429/http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1165-moby-group-tv-channels-continue-to-lead-the-afghan-market-with-a-combined-audience-share-of-62 |archive-date=2014-10-12}} |
After the removal of the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|Taliban government]] in late 2001, Mohseni and his brothers returned to [[Afghanistan]] to participate in the country's reconstruction and launch MOBY Group, with funding support from the United States government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saad Mohseni Is Afghanistan's First Media Mogul |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/06/28/128175646/with-u-s-help-saad-mohseni-became-afghanistan-s-first-media-mogul |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=NPR.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-03-24 |title=Lunch with the FT: Saad Mohseni |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/f6de7b0a-737b-11e1-94ba-00144feab49a |access-date=2022-03-08}}</ref> They entered the media arena in 2003 by establishing [[Arman FM]], the country's first privately-owned radio station. Arman played Western and Afghan pop music, which was groundbreaking after years of Taliban rule, in which all music, television, and independent news had been banned.<ref name="new_yorker4"/> In 2004, MOBY Group launched [[TOLO (TV channel)|TOLO TV]], which airs international soap operas, The Voice Afghanistan, Afghan Star, and locally produced dramas. In addition to TOLO TV, MOBY also owns [[TOLOnews]] and Lemar TV, a Pashto-language channel. In 2014, MOBY channels were viewed by over 60 per cent of Afghans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1165-moby-group-tv-channels-continue-to-lead-the-afghan-market-with-a-combined-audience-share-of-62 |title=MOBY GROUP TV CHANNELS CONTINUE TO LEAD THE AFGHAN MARKET WITH A COMBINED AUDIENCE SHARE OF 62% |website=www.mobygroup.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012182429/http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1165-moby-group-tv-channels-continue-to-lead-the-afghan-market-with-a-combined-audience-share-of-62 |archive-date=2014-10-12}}</ref> The Taliban have accused Mohseni of being "an American agent."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2010-06-28 |title=The Networker |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/07/05/the-networker-2 |access-date=2022-03-08 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==MOBY Group's regional expansion == |
==MOBY Group's regional expansion == |
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In 2009, MOBY launched Farsi1, a general-entertainment satellite channel targeting Persian speakers in the Middle East and West Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygroup.com/buisnesses/media/broadcast/farsi1 |title=Farsi 1 |website=www.mobygroup.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116113727/http://www.mobygroup.com/buisnesses/media/broadcast/farsi1 |archive-date=2012-01-16}} |
In 2009, MOBY launched Farsi1, a general-entertainment satellite channel targeting Persian speakers in the Middle East and West Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygroup.com/buisnesses/media/broadcast/farsi1 |title=Farsi 1 |website=www.mobygroup.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116113727/http://www.mobygroup.com/buisnesses/media/broadcast/farsi1 |archive-date=2012-01-16}}</ref> In 2012, [[21st Century Fox]] funded further expansion by temporarily becoming a minority shareholder.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-29 |title=Explained: Who is Saad Mohseni, owner of Afghanistan's leading TV news channel TOLO News? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-is-saad-mohseni-owner-of-afghanistans-leading-tv-news-channel-tolo-news-7472432/ |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The Mohseni family assumed full control of MOBY Group following [[The Walt Disney Company]]'s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saad Mohseni – M100 SANSSOUCI COLLOQUIUM |url=https://www.m100potsdam.org/en/participants/colloquium/saad-mohseni/ |website=www.m100potsdam.org |access-date=10 March 2022}}</ref> |
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In 2014, MOBY launched LANA TV in [[Iraq]], the first satellite channel to dub shows into the local Iraqi dialect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1198-nothing-like-it-the-launch-of-lana-tv |title="Nothing like it" – The Launch of LANA TV |website=www.mobygroup.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917101624/http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1198-nothing-like-it-the-launch-of-lana-tv |archive-date=2014-09-17}} |
In 2014, MOBY launched LANA TV in [[Iraq]], the first satellite channel to dub shows into the local Iraqi dialect.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1198-nothing-like-it-the-launch-of-lana-tv |title="Nothing like it" – The Launch of LANA TV |website=www.mobygroup.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917101624/http://www.mobygroup.com/news/97-news-2014/1198-nothing-like-it-the-launch-of-lana-tv |archive-date=2014-09-17}}</ref> |
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In 2019, MOBY Group launched Darya, Afghanistan's first streaming service offering live and on-demand TV and movies. The platform is available on the web, [[Roku]], [[Amazon Fire TV]], LG Smart TVs, [[Apple App Store]] and [[Google Play Store]].{{ |
In 2019, MOBY Group launched Darya, Afghanistan's first streaming service offering live and on-demand TV and movies. The platform is available on the web, [[Roku]], [[Amazon Fire TV]], LG Smart TVs, [[Apple App Store]] and [[Google Play Store]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
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MOBY Group now{{when|date=February 2023}} owns 17 businesses operating in seven markets across South and Central Asia and the Middle East, spanning television, radio, production, strategic communications, and digital platforms.{{ |
MOBY Group now{{when|date=February 2023}} owns 17 businesses operating in seven markets across South and Central Asia and the Middle East, spanning television, radio, production, strategic communications, and digital platforms.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} |
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==Reputation== |
==Reputation== |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Australian bankers]] |
[[Category:Australian bankers]] |
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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] |
Revision as of 01:56, 21 February 2023
Saad Mohseni | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | Afghan |
Occupation | Entrepreneur |
Known for | Founder of MOBY Group and Tolo TV |
Website | mobygroup |
Saad Mohseni (Persian: سعد محسنی) is an Afghan Australian businessman and entrepreneur. He is the chairman and chief executive officer of MOBY Group, launched in Afghanistan in 2002 and now active across South and Central Asia and the Middle East. He has brought top tier news and media content to emerging and frontier markets over the past two decades. Prior to establishing MOBY Group, he headed the equities and corporate finance division of an Australian investment banking firm.
Early years and background
Saad Mohseni was born in London, UK, where his father, Yassin Mohseni, was serving as an Afghan diplomat. Yassin Mohseni served in Kabul, Washington, DC, London, Islamabad, and Tokyo during his 25-year career.[citation needed]
After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Yassin Mohseni, then serving in Tokyo, resigned from the diplomatic corps and sought asylum. The family relocated to Australia in 1982.[1] Mohseni has two younger brothers, Zaid and Jahid Mohseni, and younger sister Wajma.[citation needed]
Mohseni began his banking career as an apprentice at an Australian funds management entity, and later became a commodities and derivatives trader in Melbourne, Sydney, and London, culminating in the management of a trading desk of an Australian investment bank.[citation needed]
Return to Afghanistan and launch of media company
After the removal of the Taliban government in late 2001, Mohseni and his brothers returned to Afghanistan to participate in the country's reconstruction and launch MOBY Group, with funding support from the United States government.[2][3] They entered the media arena in 2003 by establishing Arman FM, the country's first privately-owned radio station. Arman played Western and Afghan pop music, which was groundbreaking after years of Taliban rule, in which all music, television, and independent news had been banned.[1] In 2004, MOBY Group launched TOLO TV, which airs international soap operas, The Voice Afghanistan, Afghan Star, and locally produced dramas. In addition to TOLO TV, MOBY also owns TOLOnews and Lemar TV, a Pashto-language channel. In 2014, MOBY channels were viewed by over 60 per cent of Afghans.[4] The Taliban have accused Mohseni of being "an American agent."[5]
MOBY Group's regional expansion
In 2009, MOBY launched Farsi1, a general-entertainment satellite channel targeting Persian speakers in the Middle East and West Asia.[6] In 2012, 21st Century Fox funded further expansion by temporarily becoming a minority shareholder.[7] The Mohseni family assumed full control of MOBY Group following The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox.[8]
In 2014, MOBY launched LANA TV in Iraq, the first satellite channel to dub shows into the local Iraqi dialect.[9]
In 2019, MOBY Group launched Darya, Afghanistan's first streaming service offering live and on-demand TV and movies. The platform is available on the web, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, LG Smart TVs, Apple App Store and Google Play Store.[citation needed]
MOBY Group now[when?] owns 17 businesses operating in seven markets across South and Central Asia and the Middle East, spanning television, radio, production, strategic communications, and digital platforms.[citation needed]
Reputation
Mohseni has been called the "Rupert Murdoch of Afghanistan";[by whom?] he is also considered a friend of Murdoch.[10][11][12]
References
- ^ a b "Profile: Saad Mohseni, Afghanistan's first media mogul". The New Yorker. 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Saad Mohseni Is Afghanistan's First Media Mogul". NPR.org. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Lunch with the FT: Saad Mohseni". Financial Times. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "MOBY GROUP TV CHANNELS CONTINUE TO LEAD THE AFGHAN MARKET WITH A COMBINED AUDIENCE SHARE OF 62%". www.mobygroup.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014.
- ^ "The Networker". The New Yorker. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Farsi 1". www.mobygroup.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2012.
- ^ "Explained: Who is Saad Mohseni, owner of Afghanistan's leading TV news channel TOLO News?". The Indian Express. 29 August 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Saad Mohseni – M100 SANSSOUCI COLLOQUIUM". www.m100potsdam.org. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ ""Nothing like it" – The Launch of LANA TV". www.mobygroup.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2014.
- ^ Gartrell, Adam (2 April 2016). "Former refugee paid to promote Dutton's anti-refugee telemovie". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ Bowley, Graham (27 July 2013). "An Afghan Media Mogul, Pushing Boundaries". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ Bearup, Greg. "Eyes wide open". The Australian.