Joanna Coles is the Chief Creative and Content Officer of The Daily Beast, named by The New York Times as “one of the most powerful people in media,” and a board member of Snap Inc. (Snapchat), Sonos, and the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation.
Previously, Joanna served as the Chief Content Officer of Hearst Magazines, where she oversaw more than 300 magazine titles worldwide.
As a leading voice in journalism, Joanna has earned numerous awards for journalism and media leadership. She is also the Executive Producer of the acclaimed series The Bold Type (Hulu/Netflix), inspired by her career.
At BRIDGE Summit, Joanna Coles will share her insights on creativity, leadership, and the evolving power of storytelling, exploring how bold voices and visionary media can shape culture in the digital age.
In a comprehensive, 30-minute panel discussion, MBZUAE’s best and brightest reflect on their work in misinformation, generative media, and human-AI interaction, outlining practical frameworks for integrating AI into reporting while safeguarding accuracy, ethics, and trust. Positioned against the disruptive forces reshaping the world’s information order, this session draws inspiration from the UAE’s successes in innovation to deliver best practices and chart a credible model for information integrity in the age of intelligent machines.
Digital social media has become primary arenas for information exchange and cultural dialogue, yet the systems that govern visibility and participation remain largely opaque. As business models, ownership structures, and moderation philosophies evolve, societies are grappling with how to ensure these spaces remain trustworthy, inclusive, and resilient. A 2023 Reuters Institute study found that nearly one-third of global users now access multiple news sources through social platforms each week, underscoring their growing influence on public understanding. This conversation explores how different approaches like community governance can strengthen digital environments that balance openness with responsibility, support constructive engagement, and reflect the diversity of the global audiences they serve.
Host & Producer, UNBLOCK Podcast, Blinx
Minister of Information, Kingdom of Bahrain
Founder & CEO, OBS Culture Technology & OBS Investment
Founding Partner, Female Founders Fund
Producer, Podcaster, Actor & Content Creator, ABN Media Production
“One BRIDGE to unite them all. BRIDGE Summit looks to become the largest cross-sector media event in the world.”
“A gateway for knowledge exchange.”
“A summit to BRIDGE the gaps in the global media ecosystem.”
“We are proud to take part in the inaugural edition of BRIDGE Summit.”
“Un pont pour tous les réunir.”
