White Mark And Langdale Technical Build Studios For Nile Radio Productions

Continuing the expansion into new territories that has become a feature of its business development over the last few years, UK studio acoustic and design consultancy White Mark has successfully completed two radio studios and two music recording studios for Nile Radio Productions in Cairo.
This prestigious project involved rebuilding the existing Nile Radio Productions facilities, which are housed in buildings within the Media City complex on the outskirts of Cairo. State of the art radio on-air and pre-production studios were created for Nagoom FM, which positions itself as the Middle East's No.1 Arabic Current Hit Radio Station, and its English language sister station Nile FM. These stations enjoy enormous audiences in this region of the world and can be heard www.nilefmonline.com/video
The brief also required White Mark to design two recording studios that will be used by NRP to create original music content for the stations and develop local talent by making world class facilities accessible to both artists and producers in Egypt. The company plans to set up a production, management and publishing arm to further facilitate this creative development and these studios form the basis of its production hub.
David Bell, Managing Director of White Mark, said: "As NRP was redeveloping their premises, this was a major undertaking that required detailed coordination, design, build supervision and technical infrastructure from the outset. Careful consideration had to be given to the detailed supervision of the Egyptian building company which was unfamiliar with the techniques required for this specialist project work.
"Scheduling also became a central issue as the two on-air stations had to continue broadcasting throughout the construction and have access to their commercials pre-production facilities. The new buildings are a significant improvement on the previous complex and detailed discussions were held as to the form the new rooms should take."
Mrs Hala Hegazi, Managing Director and Group COO of NRP, said: "Nile Radio Production and Music Studios have been a long awaited dream for all of us to realize. We are all extremely excited about finally having the studios completed, and to have had the whole operation built by the expertise of White Mark and Langdale Technical is really where the value of the studios is magnified. We are optimistic that the studios will become a milestone in our business legacy and will deliver our expectations and beyond in Egypt and the entire region."
Mr. Rami Mohsen, NRP’s Production Director, added: "Needless to say, the team of producers on board feel that this is a huge breakthrough in their working track record and career portfolios. To be able to work and train and manage such world class studios and the technology that comes with them is a massive addition to all of us. This could not have come at a better time in our industry’s business path as our main direction is to focus on Radio production and music label releases in 2012 and beyond. We are all truly excited and feel privileged to be part of this world class launch."
The project was undertaken against the backdrop of the political changes in Egypt but this had little effect on progress with site visits and coordination meetings taking place as planned on all but one occasion, which was postponed because of the elections.
The two radio studios share common facilities with the on-air rooms both facing a shared Talks studio. Also shared are the machine room and office and reception spaces. White Mark also designed a pre-production suite, which both stations use.
Much of the equipment was migrated from NRP’s former facilities and was re-installed by UK company Langdale Technical, which handled the technical installation for all four studios. Set up of the facilities was handled by Jeff Marcedo, White Mark’s newly appointed agent for India and the Middle East.
(GK)