More related content on the BRIDGE
- Creator Economy Panel 9 December 12:00 - 12:15PM
Breaking Down the Creator Monetization Stack
The creator economy is set to exceed $500 billion by 2027, driven by over 50 million individuals building businesses on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Patreon, according to Goldman Sachs. While brand deals remain dominant, creators are increasingly monetizing through subscriptions, affiliate marketing, merchandise, and direct-to-fan models. The UAE is at the forefront of this shift, with initiatives like the New Media Academy, 1 Billion Followers Summit, and regulatory exemptions contributing AED 2.5 billion to GDP in 2024. As monetization channels multiply and governments invest in creator-friendly infrastructures and supports, how can creators further grow revenue stacks to reflect their values, engage their communities, and support long-term growth?
Academy StageModerator
- Marketing Presentation 9 December 11:10 - 11:20AM
Creating a Magnetic Brand
After shaping Duolingo’s global voice and redefining how brands connect with audiences, Zaria Parvez now brings her storytelling approach to DoorDash, applying lessons from one success story to a new frontier. In this 10-minute talk, she shares insights on the media and communication trends to expect for 2026, what it means to start over after success, and how creativity, adaptability, and team cultures sustain brand growth when the old playbook no longer applies.
Academy Stage - Media Panel 8 December 1:35 - 2:05PM
Building for Trust, Engagement, and Impact
As algorithms optimize for engagement at all costs, trust becomes collateral damage and meaningful storytelling gets crowded out. Yet new models, from subscription-driven communities to integrity-based brand partnerships and mission-aligned monetization, are challenging the old trade-offs between influence and authenticity. This session asks a fundamental question: can media build sustainable businesses that monetize integrity without compromising impact?
Impact StageSpeakers
Moderator
- Creator Economy Panel 8 December 3:40 - 4:10PM
Blueprints for Belonging and Resonance
Stories live beyond the screen, they take shape in the environments where they are made, encountered, and felt. From intimate, character-driven sketches to raw, on-the-ground journeys and cross-regional media, the spaces around storytelling influence how people find meaning and belonging. This conversation explores how creative contexts, from digital platforms to real-world settings, create resonance, and how craft and distribution can turn storytelling into a shared space where people feel seen and connected across cultures.
Central StageSpeakers
- Creator Economy Panel 9 December 2:40 - 3:05PM
The Weight of Being Seen
Fame brings followers, but it also brings hate. In a world where creators are constantly exposed to public judgment, managing online hate has become an essential part of the creative journey. This session dives into how creators can protect their mental well-being, set boundaries, and maintain authenticity while facing criticism and negativity. Through honest stories and practical reflections, it explores what resilience looks like in the digital age, and how to stay grounded when the noise gets loud.
Explore by InstagramSpeakers
- Media Fireside 8 December 11:20 - 11:35AM
The Comfort Crisis in Media
Once defined by bold bets on new ideas and voices, media today has grown cautious amid consolidation, short-term metrics, and technological disruption. In this discussion, we ask how the industry can rediscover its edge, reinvigorate risk-taking, experimentation, and creative ambition. As leaders navigate shifting funding models, technological disruption, and the rise of independent creators and citizen journalists, this discussion explores what it takes to build companies, and cultures, that lead rather than follow in media.
Forum Stage
