CFI.co Meets the Chairman & CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi: Mohamed Al Mubarak & Michael Garin

Mohamed Al Mubarak and Michael Garin were appointed chairman and CEO of Image Nation Abu Dhabi in 2011, three years after the company was established. Over the past six years, Messrs Al Mubarak and Garin have mapped the company’s business plan and strategic vision which has led to the development and growth of Image Nation, creating one of the leading media and entertainment companies in the Middle East today.

As Mr Al Mubarak likes to say: “There are two sides to show business – the show part, and the business part.” The CEO’s and the chairman’s combined experience have produced a winning combination.

Mohammed Al Mubarak – Chairman

As well as heading Image Nation, Mr Al Mubarak holds the title of chief executive of Al Dar properties. He was integral to the development of Aldar’s operational businesses as well as that of the fast-growing Sales & Leasing, Property & Asset Management, and Facilities Management units within the organisation.

Prior to joining Aldar, Mr Al Mubarak worked with the corporate and investment bank Barclays Capital in London, focusing on investment and finance in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Region. Mohamed Al Mubarak also played an integral role in the development of Yas Island, making it one of the premier destinations in the UAE.

In 2015, Mr Al Mubarak was named chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority which oversees the conservation and promotion of Abu Dhabi’s heritage and culture, leveraging them to develop distinctive Abu Dhabi experiences designed to enrich the lives of visitors and residents.

Mr Al Mubarak is a graduate of Northeastern University (USA), with a double Major in Economics and Political Science.

Michael Garin – CEO

With over forty years as a highly-respected industry executive, Mr Garin oversees Image Nation’s strategy and operations and has played a vital role in managing and forging key international partnerships.

Mr Garin’s media career began at Time Inc. where he worked for TIME, Fortune, and Time-Life Television for over a decade. From there, he helped to found what would eventually become Lorimar-Telepictures – a leading independent television company which became the largest TV company in the US and produced such iconic shows as Dallas, The Waltons, and Full House.

His previous roles included CEO of Central European Media Enterprises (NASDAQ:CETV) and global head of Telecommunications and Media Investment for Dutch bank ING.