Co-Production Salon and Saudi Media Forum forge three-year deal
The upcoming Riyadh edition of the Co-Production Salon will be a key feature of the Forum's events, with a sharper focus on supporting the content economy in the Kingdom and the region.
The Co-Production Salon, the region's premier platform for high-level B2B collaboration in the content industry, has announced a strategic three-year partnership with the Saudi Media Forum to launch an enhanced and expanded edition of the Salon in Riyadh. This new edition will be a major feature of the Future of Media Exhibition, further strengthening the Kingdom's growing position as a hub for the regional and global media sector.
The collaboration follows the success of the previous edition of the Co-Production Salon, which brought together major production houses, influential media investors, leading writers, producers and emerging Saudi talents. The upcoming Riyadh edition aims to build on that momentum with a sharper focus on accelerating the content economy in Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab region.
As part of its upgraded format, the Riyadh Salon will introduce three strategic tools designed to facilitate concrete business outcomes: advanced data and analytics, targeted B2B marketing and PR for producers and their projects, and structured project-to-financing matchmaking. These mechanisms are designed to move beyond simple networking and enable real investment and deal-making.
Commenting on the announcement, Heba Korayem, Founder of the Co-Production Salon, said: 'Our goal is to continue building relationships, but more importantly, to help our community close real deals. That's why we're coming to Riyadh with a more advanced format built on actionable insights, smart content marketing, and precisely coordinated one-on-one meetings that lead to tangible outcomes.'
To preserve its exclusive and results-driven nature, the Salon will continue its selective admissions process, accepting only 30% of applicants. This curation ensures that participating content creators—from production companies, digital platforms, and broadcasters across the Arab world—represent the highest tier of talent. The model has already proven highly effective, with one deal closing for every six meetings, one of the strongest conversion rates in the industry.
The Saudi Media Forum, held under the oversight of the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, is the largest annual media dialogue platform in the Arab world. It brings together media executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to discuss the evolving media landscape, share global experiences, and explore challenges and opportunities in the digital age.
The Forum also hosts the Future of Media Exhibition, an interactive showcase of the latest advancements in media technology and innovation. It aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting local content creation and supporting the digital transformation of the Kingdom's media sector.
The Riyadh edition of the Co-Production Salon is expected to serve as a strategic entry point for regional and international media companies looking to invest in Saudi creative talent, engage in Arabic-language co-productions, or establish new partnerships across the Arab media landscape.
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