The third version sheds light on a selection of audio content creators

Podcast Dubai kicks off with inspiring Arab experiences

• During the "Inspiring Stories" session within the "Dubai Budvest" organized by the Dubai Press Club. From the source

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The third edition of Podfast Dubai attracted elite digital audio content creators from within the UAE and across the Arab world, in sessions full of ideas and visions stemming from distinguished experiences in this field, where the discussions dealt with the most important factors affecting the spread of podcasts in the Arab world and the extent of demand for this new media form, which depends on the possession of capabilities and strong digital infrastructure, and the foundations through which the Arab podcast can have a large base of followers, as one of the The most important elements that ensure that podcasts maintain its sustainability.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, and organised by the Dubai Press Club, the event is the first digital event of its kind in the region, and the largest gathering of podcasters and Arab digital audio content creators, to discuss the future of Arab podcasting and how to advance this media form and enhance its presence on the Arab media map, highlight inspiring experiences and discover and encourage talents and creative energies in this field.

Arab Media Development

The President of the Dubai Press Club, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, stressed that embracing and facilitating professional dialogues with a great deal of specialization comes from Dubai's keenness to contribute effectively to advancing the development of Arab media, to complement its leading role in this field, and based on a history of long experience through which it established its position at the forefront of development for one of the most important sectors, which is the media sector, with Dubai's initiatives, projects, ideas and visions aimed at finding a development path. Tomouh enhances the competitiveness of the Arab media and increases its positive impact in serving Arab societies and keeping pace with their aspirations for the future.

Al Marri said: "His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, wanted Dubai to be a major hub for the launch of all creative ideas, distinguished competencies and creativity in all fields. We are working to implement this vision in the field of media and in cooperation with those in charge of its various sectors. In light of this vision, Dubai has spared no effort in advancing the process of media development and preparing the way for a professional dialogue with the participation of Arab media makers, from which we can start to enhance the competitiveness of Arab media and increase its balance of credibility, trust and loyalty to the recipient."

Overview

The third edition of Podcast Dubai began with a speech delivered by Dr. Maitha Buhumaid, Director of the Dubai Press Club, in which she welcomed attendees from across the Arab world, stressing the great value of the meeting of this elite of the most prominent audio content creators in Dubai, which paves the way for a comprehensive dialogue on what can be done to enhance the future of this media industry, which she pointed to its growth in the Arab world similar to the growth it is witnessing globally.

During her speech, Dr. Buhumaid touched on the statistics included in a recent report issued by Northwestern University on the number of podcast listeners in the Arab world, where the report showed that about three out of 10 Arab people listen to podcasts, while Arab youth from the younger group represent the most followed segment of podcasts, ranging from 23% to 33% among the various categories following podcasts in the region.

Global Growth

The keynote address of the event was presented through an audio recording of a speech by Michelle Cobb, Executive Director of The Podcast Academy, in which she shed light on the evolution of the global podcast industry over the past two decades, and the growth that this relatively new media industry has witnessed compared to other traditional media formats.

Cobb cited figures from Demand Sage, which indicated that the number of listeners to digital audio content (podcasts) reached about 465 million people around the world, while the number of podcasts around the world is estimated at about five million, comprising more than 70 million episodes.

Creative content

Arab audio content creators participating in the third edition of Dubai Podfast, which kicked off yesterday, stressed that the Arab world is full of talents capable of creating distinctive creative content that attracts followers, noting that this sector is waiting for a lot of development.

A group of Arabic audio content creators shared their experiences during a session entitled "Inspiring Stories", and the session, which was moderated by Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, hosted Nayla Tueni, editor-in-chief of the Lebanese newspaper Al-Nahar and presenter of the podcast "With Nayla", Mohammed Islam, author of the first Saudi English-language podcast, Ali Najm, presenter of the podcast "We Speak Music" from Kuwait, in addition to Anas Bukhash, presenter of the podcast "AB Talks" from the UAE.

Bukhash stressed that he does not recognize the classification of creative work as audio or visualized, because the only criterion from his point of view is the quality and value of the work itself, regardless of the platform on which it is published, whether visual or audible.

He added that "the Arab world is full of talents capable of creating distinctive creative content, which is respected by followers of different interests and categories, but some content creators still need sufficient confidence to express themselves, their ideas and visions, not to imitate some of those whose programs have high follow-up rates."

Spontaneity

Ali Najm reviewed his experience in the world of podcasts, which was characterized by spontaneity and spontaneous narration of ideas, and his choice of music to be his window to create audio and visual content across various platforms, noting that the analysis of songs and musical works was well received by the public, similar to the analytical studios for football, which are followed by millions in the Arab world.

Najm added that although sound is his first means to reach the audience, and that his program takes the listener on a journey to enjoy music and melodies, his combination of sound and image in the broadcast of his musical episodes gave his episodes «We speak music» a new dimension that earned his program wide spread.

While Mohammed Islam explained that his program «The Mo Show» is similar in its episodes to the session of friends far from expensive, to become after a short time a form that distinguishes his program sound and image, and begins to host many inspiring figures in the fields of entrepreneurship, startups, and technology, to talk to them about their experiences and success stories.

A new digital environment

Nayla Tueni stressed the importance of Arab youth finding their place in this industry, which will undoubtedly contribute to developing the capabilities of Arab media and enhancing its presence in the new digital environment, stressing that the world of podcasts is full of successful models and inspiring experiences that many young people can emulate, pointing out that the audio content sector is waiting for a lot of development with the use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Climate Leaders

The third edition of Podfast Dubai saw the launch of Jombok, a leading UAE-based social enterprise, with the support of the Dubai Press Club.

The episodes, which were launched as part of the Forward Talk program, include inspiring talks and discussions that host some of the most prominent names in the field of climate change and positive change-makers in relation to the environment and the preservation of the sustainability of its natural resources, coinciding with the UAE's declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, and its preparations to host the Conference of the Parties on Climate Change (COP28) next November.

Dr. Maitha Buhumaid, Director of Dubai Press Club, said: "We are delighted to support the launch of the 'Climate Leaders – Rising to COP28' series as part of our commitment not only to promote the development of a promising digital audio content community, but also as part of our efforts to encourage initiatives that contribute to promoting dialogue on topics of global importance that also touch our local reality, most notably sustainability."

She added: "We are keen to expand the circle of partnerships with stakeholders in various fields, and to promote initiatives to develop digital audio content in a way that contributes to enhancing awareness and knowledge and leading to meaningful discussions on efforts to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and combat climate change."

Leadership in Digital Media

Participants in an open discussion session held within the activities of «Podcast Dubai», expressed their appreciation for the prominent role played by Dubai, represented by the Dubai Press Club, to promote Arab media in general and the digital audio content sector in particular, reflecting Dubai's leadership in the field of digital media, and its continuous efforts to contribute to exploring promising prospects for its growth and shaping its future.

In the session titled "The Arab Podcast Industry", they stressed that the media industry in the Arab world is moving significantly towards digital transformation, in light of the promising growth indicators of this new digital industry globally.

Mona Al Marri:

• "Mohammed bin Rashid wanted Dubai to be a major hub for the launch of all creative ideas."

• "We will work with our partners to support the growth of podcasts and improve their positive impact in society."

Anas Bukhash:

"The Arab world is full of talents capable of creating distinctive creative content that is respected by followers."

Nayla Tueni:

"The audio content sector has a lot of development ahead of it with the use of artificial intelligence technologies."

Muhammad Islam:

"My choice of English to present my content came to highlight the true image of my community to the world."

Ali Najm:

"My analysis of songs and music has been well received by the audience similar to the analytical studios of football."