4th Dubai PodFest discusses the region's podcasting industry

The Dubai Press Club (DPC) today unveiled the agenda for the fourth edition of the Dubai PodFest, being 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. The largest annual gathering of podcasters in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will take place on 30 September, 2024 at DPC.

Dubai PodFest 2024 will bring together prominent podcasters, audio content creators, experts and leading regional and global organisations in the industry to discuss the future of podcasting in the Arab world. The event is the first of its kind in the region that aims to generate insights that can propel the podcast industry forward, harnessing its vast global growth potential.

The event which coincides with International Podcast Day will also highlight podcasting success stories and explore key factors behind the popularity of some well-known Arabic shows.

Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, President of the Dubai Press Club, highlighted DPC’s commitment to driving discussions on the future trends shaping the media landscape, noting that this aligns with Dubai’s forward-looking vision and its initiatives to reshape the media industry so that it meets the aspirations of the region’s people.

"Over 100 leading podcasters and podcast producers from the region and around the world will gather in Dubai for the Arab world’s largest assembly of audio content creators,” she said. “The event will provide a platform to discuss the future of podcasting, explore strategies to enhance its impact on media development, and highlight inspiring success stories. Dubai PodFest reflects the city’s keenness to advance the quality of audio content in the region while discovering and fostering new creative talent,” Al Marri said.

Al Marri added that studies show a significant rise in podcasting in the Arab world. A report by the Dubai Press Club titled ‘Generating Insights into the Podcasting Industry in the Arab World’ revealed a 65% increase in podcast listenership in the region, with 80% of listeners considering podcasts delivered in Arabic as being more influential in terms of reach in the Arab world than those delivered in English. The report also predicts further growth in podcast audiences, especially in the Gulf, with the UAE leading in podcast listening hours.

Maryam Al Mulla, Acting Director of the Dubai Press Club, said that the fourth edition of the Dubai PodFest seeks to delve into the key drivers of the sector’s growth and inspire creativity among professionals. The event serves as a crucial platform for podcasters and audio content creators to exchange ideas and insights, fostering innovation and pushing the boundaries of industry excellence.

Al Mulla added: “Dubai Press Club’s commitment to advancing the sector is central to its broader vision of shaping the future of the region’s media. As evidenced by the rapid growth of podcasting in the Arab world, the media is constantly evolving to keep pace with technological advancements and changing audience preferences.”

Supporting Podcasters

Mahfoudha Abdullah, Dubai PodFest Project Manager, said: “We are excited to welcome leading podcasters and audio content creators from across region and the world to explore ways to enhance podcasts and broaden their reach. DPC’s strategy is centred on supporting the growth of new media industries, including digital content. Hosting the Dubai PodFest reflects DPC’s commitment to developing the media landscape and enhancing digital audio content and podcasts, which are witnessing remarkable growth both regionally and globally.”

She noted that while Arab audio content creators, startups, and producers are achieving significant growth, there is a vital need to enhance talent development and creativity. She highlighted the need to analyse key market trends and explore effective marketing strategies. “We are working towards establishing a unified mechanism to support the growth of this promising industry,” she said.

Global Participation

James Cridland, Editor at Podnews and a Radio Futurologist, will deliver the keynote speech at the event, where he will share insights on the future of the podcast industry and the emerging opportunities that lie ahead. Cridland will discuss key trends shaping the global podcasting landscape, including the significant impact of YouTube as it introduces innovative tools that encourage podcasters to upload their episodes to the platform. His session will also highlight the growth of the podcast industry worldwide and its competitive position in the media landscape.

Diverse Agenda

A panel discussion titled ‘AI in Podcasting’ will examine the influence of AI techniques on the industry. The session, moderated by Lama Osman, host of Unicorn in Arabic podcast, will delve into the application of algorithms in natural language processing for creating audio, as well as their role in analysing and generating Arabic content. Panelists participating in the session include Stefano Fallaha, Founder and CEO of Podeo, the Arab world’s largest podcasting platform; Claudius Boller, Chief Business Officer of Next Broadcast Media, a global podcast and digital audio advertising network; Luca Allam, Co-Founder of Mawdoo3 Group, the region’s Arabic content publisher and AI developer; Ibrahim Jabri, Host of Below the Fold podcast, and Tamara Zubatiy, Founder and CEO of Barometer, an AI-powered platform specialised in building AI measurement solutions.

In a joint discussion session titled ‘Audio Content Creators in Conversation’, renowned podcasters Abdulrahman Abumalih, CEO and editor-in-chief of the production company Thmanyah and host of the podcast Fnjan, alongside Anas Bukhash, host of ABTalks, will share their experiences in the podcasting sector and discuss their future outlook for the industry both regionally and globally.

Another session titled ‘Podcast Trends and Audience Insights: MENA and Beyond’ will delve into audience preferences and expectations, exploring the evolving podcasting landscape and how creators can better align with listener interests. Key industry figures participating in the session include Ruthie Qadan, Head of Strategy and Operations at Spotify, MENA & South Asia; Ramsey Tesdell, CEO of Sowt; Chirag Desai, Founder and CEO of the Amaeya; and Hiba Hassan, Head of Visual Communication at School of Audio Engineering. The session will be moderated by Nouhaila Moqaddem, host of NouTalks podcast.

Other sessions at Dubai PodFest 2024 include ‘Success Stories in Arab Podcasting’, where regional podcasters will share insights on the Arab podcasting sector with a focus on the Gulf and North African regions; ‘Behind the Scenes: From Script to Sound’, which will address challenges in producing podcasts, from topic selection to building impactful narratives; ‘Women in Podcasting: Opportunities and Challenges’, which will explore the role of podcasts as storytelling tools that drive creativity and positive change among women; and ‘The Art of Podcast Production’, which will discuss the techniques used in podcast production.

Interactive Workshops

Dubai PodFest 2024 will feature seven interactive workshops aimed at enhancing the podcasting skills of content creators and media professionals across the region. Highlights include a workshop by Sennheiser, the renowned German audio manufacturer, focusing on improving podcast audio quality. TikTok will present ‘PodTok,’ a session on leveraging the platform’s tools to boost audience engagement, while Dolby, a leader in immersive sound technology, will offer a workshop titled ‘The New Era of Immersive Podcasts,’ showcasing the latest audio innovations.

Additionally, Mais Mohamed, host of the podcast Lahza Ma Mais, will share key insights on talent development and practical tips for new podcasters, while Aamer Shehab, CEO of Focus Academy, will conduct a session on camera skills for podcast production. Alaa El Sheikh, host of Kefaya Ba2a, will present a workshop on creative content creation, while Lovin Dubai will lead a session on AI-powered sound tools.

The fourth edition of Dubai PodFest will also include a series of live podcasting sessions, bringing creators and audiences together in real time.

During the event, several international companies, including Shure, Poddster, Sennheiser, and MediaCast, will showcase their technologies used in photography, audio, podcasting, and broadcasting, providing insights into the latest innovations shaping the industry.

The organisation of Dubai PodFest forms part of DPC’s efforts to showcase the latest trends in the region’s podcast market and equip both established and aspiring podcasters with the tools and skills needed to create high-quality content.