More related content on the BRIDGE
- Picture Panel 10 December 1:50 - 2:20PM
Arab Cinema’s Interactive Future
From auteur to audience co-creation: how AR/VR stages, immersive premieres, and regional studio growth can move Arab stories from local gems to global hits.
Forum StageSpeakers
- Technology Presentation 10 December 12:25 - 12:45PM
Positioning Media Brands for LLM Visibility
Discover how companies can succeed in a world where AI helps people find information. Join Saurabh Doshi, Co-Founder of OptimizeGEO.ai, as he explains how tools like ChatGPT, Google AI, and Perplexity are changing the way brands get noticed online. Learn how businesses can track and improve what AI says about them, so they show up more often and turn AI conversations into real growth.
Academy Stage - Media Panel 8 December 2:25 - 2:45PM
How the Gulf and Africa Are Rewriting the Media Map
Africa and the Gulf are fast becoming two of the world’s most influential media hubs, building newsrooms, creator ecosystems, and digital platforms that reach hundreds of millions and increasingly shape global narratives. This session explores how broadcasters and digital-first operators across both regions scale coverage, expand cross-border bureaus, build culturally resonant formats, and grow loyal audiences in markets often misunderstood by global capital. We examine where international partners fit, how geopolitical context shapes storytelling, and how these rising hubs are redefining the media operating system of the Global South.
Impact StageSpeakers
- Creator Economy Fireside 8 December 2:05 - 2:25PM
Performing for a Cause or Standing for One?
Celebrities have long sparked social change, from Elizabeth Taylor’s AIDS activism to Billie Eilish’s climate advocacy and Emma Watson’s fight for gender equality. A 2024 Journal of Consumer Culture study found that 51% of Gen Z are more likely to support a cause endorsed by a celebrity they follow, valuing authenticity and relatability. How can public figures stay visible, credible, and accountable, while authentically driving lasting impact?
Impact StageModerator
- Marketing Panel 10 December 10:50 - 11:20AM
A Playbook for Persuasive Media
This session breaks down the essential mechanics of persuasive media today, from message design and audience targeting to verification, accountability, and the technology used. Audience members leave with a clear, practical framework for shaping stories that move people, inform public life, and reinforce trust in an increasingly fragmented information environment.
Academy StageSpeakers
- Technology Panel 8 December 2:15 - 2:30PM
The Invisible Rules of the Internet
Social media platforms shape public discourse through curation and moderation. During COVID-19, content moderation, inclusive of removals and downranking, raised concerns about silencing marginalized voices. A 2020 Anti-Defamation League survey found that 36% of U.S. adults faced online harassment, with 20% of those cases linked to political views, underscoring the difficulty of managing polarizing content. As algorithms dictate what’s seen or suppressed, how can we build digital spaces that protect expression and integrity?
Forum StageSpeakers