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Dubai PodFest

Dubai PodFest 2022 promotes podcasting

The Dubai Press Club (DPC) held Dubai PodFest 2022, the region’s leading event dedicated to podcasting.

The second annual event, which is the largest annual gathering of podcasters in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, brought together stakeholders from across the sector to exchange knowledge, strategies and ideas to accelerate the development of the podcasting sector in the region.

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Media Council and President of Dubai Press Club, said that Dubai has prioritised the development of the media industry. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop the media two decades ago, Dubai has created an infrastructure for this industry that rivals the best in the world. By providing a fertile environment for the growth of local, regional and international media, Dubai has become a regional and global media hub, she added.

“Dubai is the future. As a city at the forefront of the region’s information technology and media sector growth, Dubai plays an important role in leveraging synergies between these two sectors to shape a new digital future for media in the region,” said Al Marri.

“The Dubai Press Club has created an extensive network of content creators in the Arab world, which encourages collaboration and cooperation across the industry. We will continue to expand this network to promote the regional industry. We believe Arab media is on the cusp of a new era of growth and Dubai is at the forefront of its development,” said Al Marri.

“Looking ahead, we will be partnering with renowned regional and international podcasters and leading stakeholders in the sector to develop talent and improve the quality of Arabic podcasting content. We will also introduce a number of programmes and initiatives to support content creators in the region and create the ecosystem needed for them to thrive,” she added.

The second edition of Dubai PodFest began with an address by Dubai Press Club Director Dr Maitha Buhumaid, in which she highlighted the event’s aim to establish a dialogue on catalysing the growth of podcasting in the region. The DPC director also announced the launch of a new category in the Arab Social Media Influencers Awards called ‘Best Podcast’. In line with its status as the city of the future and capital of Arab media, the introduction of this new category will be a catalyst for creativity and excellence in regional podcasting, Dr Buhumaid said.

“Dubai PodFest 2022 continues the dialogue we started at the inaugural edition to explore new ways to positively transform the podcasting landscape in the region. Inspired by the leadership vision, the event is one of a series of projects and initiatives presented by the Dubai Press Club aimed at developing media in the region. We focus on empowering established and aspiring podcasters alike, providing them with the tools and skills needed to create high-quality content that has a positive impact on society.”

“Dubai PodFest aims to paint a clear picture of the podcasting sector in the Arab world and identify vital factors for its growth and development. Our meeting is a new starting point to bring together various stakeholders to form a vibrant new podcasting industry,” added Dr Buhumaid.

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