Mada Media has hosted a ceremony to mark the granting of naming rights for Al Fardan Exchange Station on the Dubai Metro Red Line, formerly known as Al Khail Station, reflecting its commitment to strengthening public–private partnerships and empowering national brands.
Held at the station premises, the event marked the first formal ceremony celebrating the awarding of naming rights for a Dubai Metro station.
It signals the beginning of a new phase in strategic brand partnerships, with more naming rights events set to follow, further strengthening the integration of national brands into Dubai’s vital public infrastructure.
The ceremony was attended by Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Kalbat, CEO of the Rail Agency at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, Mansour Al Sabahi, CEO of Mada Media, Hassan Fardan Al Fardan, CEO of Al Fardan Exchange, and Habib Wehbi, Chairman and Group CEO of W Group Holding, owner of Hypermedia, responsible for securing investors for Dubai Metro Red and Green Line station naming rights.
This initiative underscores Mada Media’s commitment to expanding innovative investment opportunities in the out-of-home advertising sector, offering high-impact platforms that connect brands with broad daily audiences. The result is stronger consumer trust, enhanced community presence, sustained business growth, and convenient access for Metro users to essential services and products.
Image Credits: Mada Media | Cropped by GBN
Under the Metro station naming rights agreements, the station name appears across wayfinding signage, road signs, entrances and exits, escalators, smart systems, RTA public transport apps, onboard announcements, and digital screens. This exposure enabled Al Fardan Exchange to reach 19 million consumers and generate approximately 62 million brand views last year.
Mada Media holds the exclusive concession to manage naming rights for Dubai’s public transport stations, including 14 on the Dubai Metro Blue Line, set to open on 9 September 2029. A highlight is Emaar Properties Station in Dubai Creek Harbor, projected to be the world’s tallest metro station, spanning 10,800 square meters and serving up to 160,000 passengers daily.
Abdul Mohsen Ibrahim Kalbat CEO – Rail Agency – Dubai RTA
“We are always pleased to establish long-term investment partnerships with the private sector in the context of Dubai Metro station naming rights. The agreement represents one of the most prominent of these partnerships, given the distinguished standing of the Al Fardan Group in the financial sector, not only in Dubai but across the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Metro station naming rights initiative has recorded sustained success since its launch in 2009 through a project that was the first of its kind globally. This public-private partnership model supports the exchange and transfer of knowledge and expertise, creates employment opportunities across various fields, and paves the way for the private sector to support the government’s strategic direction .
Mansoor Al Sabahi, Chief Executive Officer of Mada Media, commented that, “We are pleased to welcome Al Fardan Exchange to the distinguished portfolio of investors who have acquired naming rights for Dubai Metro Red Line stations. This project offers brands a unique and innovative promotional platform that connects them with the refined, global stature of Dubai, while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leading supporter of the private sector by offering continuous opportunities for growth and prosperity. The strategic locations of Metro stations play a key role in enhancing brands’ ability to reach diverse audience segments, estimated in the hundreds of thousands daily, while simultaneously facilitating seamless access to a wide range of services.”
Hassan Fardan Al Fardan, CEO of Al Fardan Exchange, expressed pride in joining the Dubai Metro network, describing the naming of a station on Sheikh Zayed Road as a major milestone in the company’s journey and a reflection of its commitment to serving millions of daily commuters.
Image Credits: Mada Media | Cropped by GBN
Habib Wehbi, Chairman and Group CEO of W Group Holding, said that the ceremony underscored the strength of Dubai’s public-private partnerships, noting that the Metro naming rights initiative goes beyond traditional advertising to align brands with the emirate’s vision of a smart, connected and dynamic city.
Mada Media invites investors
Mada Media invites investors and partners to seize this opportunity to elevate their brands and unlock new avenues for growth, enabling seamless and trusted access to their services for millions of residents and visitors across Dubai.
Established in 2024 under Law No. (20) of 2024, Mada Media is a private joint-stock company mandated by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority under a concession agreement to regulate, develop and manage Dubai’s out-of-home advertising sector, while creating innovative advertising platforms and investment opportunities to drive industry growth.
