National Geographic Abu Dhabi, the free-to-air television channel, has topped the list of UAE’s social networks in the first Social Media Brands Index of Grafdom, a UAE-based digital media agency.

Additionally, the March 2011 Ipsos UAE TV ratings ranked National Geographic Abu Dhabi sixth amongst Arab males aged 15 and over, and 10th on overall parameters for Arab males and females within the same age group.

Grafdom recently released the findings of the study, which comprised a listing of the UAE's 100 most influential corporate brands and individuals on social networks.

The report's methodology of ranking was determined based on brands’ number of followers on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. To qualify, brands needed to maintain a position within the top five of their category and be on at least two social networks.

“National Geographic Abu Dhabi’s high TV ratings indicate our success in building a brand relevant to the Arab audience,” said Rohit Dsilva, general manager, National Geographic Abu Dhabi.

“Presence on social networks is a natural extension to a brand like ours as it offers a platform for our viewers to discuss on-air content, participate in contests and fosters community building at an overall level,” he added.

Karim Sarkis, executive director of Broadcast, Abu Dhabi Media, said: “Technology and social media in particular have expanded the conversations on TV programming from small circles of friends and co-workers to the larger web and mobile-enabled audience.”

“Today we are engaging with our audience across all platforms to bring them the best of National Geographic Abu Dhabi's un-paralleled blue-chip factual entertainment content,” Sarkis added. – TradeArabia News Service