DFTC hosts its first digital media summit

The Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) hosted its first Digital Media Summit at the W Dubai Al Habtoor City, bringing together international and regional digital media industry experts to discuss business changes brought on by social media, and successful strategies for creating engaging, shareable content.

DFTC’s “Dealmaking in the Digital World” Media Summit boasted a lineup of  representatives from all areas of the digital media ecosystem, including content creators, influencers, Government officials and talent agents: Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of DFTC, Maitha Buhumaid, Executive Director of Marketing of Dubai Creative Clusters Authority, Kaswara Al Khatib, CEO of UTurn Entertainment, Sam Wick, Head of Ventures of United Talent Agency, Philip Alberstat, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Contend and Anne K. Sim, Principal of Port Partners.

Opening the Summit today, Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of DFTC said: “Digital media has become more prominent in the media landscape internationally and in this region, where online short-form content has a huge audience- 50% of the MENA population watches online videos on a daily basis. Forward-looking brands and media companies have embraced digital space, using a range of digital platforms to tell stories in new ways.

Jamal added: “We at DFTC are here to support the growth of the digital media industry, and to establish Dubai as a digital media capital where all industry stakeholders can flourish.”

A panel of digital entertainment leaders today explored how social media has changed the way entertainment and media companies do business, amid the rapidly evolving digital media industry, and the shift from traditional to online content in the region.

Kaswara Al Khatib, CEO of UTurn Entertainment talking about Generation C at the Summit today, said: “Gen C is a generation not defined by their age group, they are defined by the way they live their life. They are constantly connected with friends, their interests and the world around them and they want to be the first to know about everything. They have their own sense of community outside the borders. These communities today are not defined by physical boundaries, they are people who have the same common interest with no boundaries.”

Kaswara added: “Dubai is a hub for creativity in the region, hence we want to benefit from the boom that is happening among this generation to create talent hub for the region connecting advertisers to content creators, with interchangeable opportunities, and we in UTurn will be launching a new space in collaboration with In5 media, who will be able fund talents while we supply them with our technical expertise.”

The group of experts DFTC hosted from the US and the region discussed successful strategies for creating engaging, shareable content that connects with audiences and can be monetized.

Sam Wick, Head of Ventures of United Talent Agency (UTA) said today: “UTA is an entrepreneurial company, the first agency globally to start a in the digital sector, as we work with almost 150 digital stars. Agencies are changing nowadays, investors and brands as well, we work with brands and we show them how to engage with the entertainment ecosystem.

Sam also said that content consumption is moving to smartphones and tablets, that doesn’t mean that it is outdoors, rather indoors in the house, as Smart TVs, connected devices on demand and Streaming services are growing dramatically. He said that this rise of the ability to access content through different channels is easily driving people to move to get access on services that provides that experience that was made for these devices.

The Panel also discussed transforming today’s digital youth and millennials consumption of short-form content to a driving force behind the advertising, marketing and entertainment industries.

An influencer Q&As session was one of the key highlights of DFTC’s Digital Summit today hosted by the famous Saudi Comedian and Influencer, Hatoon Kadi and Presenter and Influencer Bader Saleh, who talked about the impact of the social media influencers on audiences.

DFTC’s Digital Media Summit is part of DFTC’s inclusive approach to promoting Dubai as a premier destination for digital media production, and empowering young content creators in the region. DFTC is committed to supporting the growth of the digital media ecosystem in the Emirate.