Latest news with #AnasBukhash
Campaign ME
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Mic check, market shift: why podcasting isn't just a trend
Podcasting has become the new media darling. What started in bedrooms and basements is now reshaping boardrooms and broadcast strategy. What started as a fringe audio format exploded into a full-fledged industry post-2014, with shows like Serial putting the genre on the map and platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts turning creators into household names. Then came COVID-19, the great accelerator of everything digital. People were stuck at home, desperate for connection, education, and distraction – and podcasting delivered all three in stereo. In the Gulf, podcasting took a little longer to catch fire, but once it did, it roared. Arabic-language podcasts began carving a niche that spoke directly to a digitally savvy, culturally rooted audience. And it's only getting louder. The power of podcasts in the Arab World According to data from the Reuters Institute and Statista, Saudi Arabia has the highest podcast listenership per capita in the world, outpacing even the U.S. and the UK. With a young, mobile-first population and aggressive investment in digital media, Saudi has created a perfect storm for podcast growth. The Mo Show, hosted by Mo Islam, stands out as a local success story – featuring high-profile guests, compelling narratives, and a unique Saudi perspective. Lebanon isn't far behind. Sarde After Dinner is one of the most celebrated Lebanese podcasts – smart, bold, and irreverent, it's built a loyal following across the Arab world by offering deep dives into culture, politics, and identity, often over a glass of wine. In Egypt, shows like Podcast Masr are tapping into a rich vein of content around entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and personal development, reflecting a massive appetite for accessible, on-demand audio content. The UAE is also making waves. Abtalks, hosted by Anas Bukhash, is a UAE-based podcast that blends emotional storytelling with high-profile interviews – one of the most-viewed and discussed shows in the region, thanks to its raw and human approach to dialogue. The platforms are paying attention Apple has doubled down on podcasting, launching premium subscriptions and editorially curating regional picks. Last month hosted a session with podcast creators in Apple Stores, Dubai Mall. Spotify continues to expand its Arabic podcast catalogue, with exclusive deals and algorithmic support. Anghami, the MENA region's homegrown streaming giant, recently updated its podcast within its playlists, positioning itself as a serious player in podcasting. So, why does podcasting matter? Because in an age of 6-second attention spans, a 45-minute podcast means someone chose to stay with you. That's gold. Podcasts are intimate, sticky, and powerful. You're not just scrolling past a brand – you're inviting it into your morning run, your school pickup line, your kitchen. For brands, the opportunity is criminally underrated: Embedded ads feel native: They sound like recommendations from a friend—not a pushy banner ad. They sound like recommendations from a friend—not a pushy banner ad. Niche audience targeting is not only possible; it's expected. You can speak directly to startup founders, single moms, real estate investors, or teenage gamers. is not only possible; it's expected. You can speak directly to startup founders, single moms, real estate investors, or teenage gamers. Direct response marketing? Yes, it works. Listeners are more likely to act on podcast ads than almost any other format. According to Edison Research, 64 per cent of podcast listeners say they've bought something they heard about on a podcast. Podcasting isn't just reshaping media – it's shifting influence What's next? The rise of podcast communities. PodClub by Poddster is one to watch – it's already pulled together over 600 members, offering real-time feedback loops, networking, and content co-creation. Even globally, figures like Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, and Brené Brown have transcended the 'podcaster' label. They're modern-day media empires with more influence than traditional broadcasters in some circles. The mic is no longer secondary to the camera. It might just be the smarter choice. If you're a brand still on the fence, ask yourself this: when was the last time your audience spent 40 uninterrupted minutes with you? Podcasting isn't a trend. It's a storytelling renaissance – and you've still got time to grab a mic. By Rasha Hamzeh, Executive Producer, Luca's Insight Track and Podcast Consultant & Media Strategist.
Business of Fashion
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business of Fashion
Anas Bukhash on Harnessing the Dubai's Potential as a Global Crossroads
The author has shared a Podcast. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. Subscribe to the BoF Podcast here. Background: Over the last few decades, Dubai has rapidly transformed from a humble trading port into a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation. With favourable economic policies, strategic location, and an ambitious young workforce, Dubai has become a vibrant destination at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Entrepreneur Anas Bukhash has experienced and capitalised on this transformation firsthand. As the host of one of the Middle East's most-watched talk shows and founder of influencer marketing agency Bukhash Brothers, Anas embodies the entrepreneurial spirit of Dubai. 'It's a 50-something-year-old country. It's younger than our fathers and our mothers,' says Bukhash. 'So imagine if you come up with an idea and you just moved to Dubai – you could be the first one and then you have that edge of being the pioneer in that field.' This week on The BoF Podcast, Bukhash joins BoF Founder and CEO Imran Amed at BoF CROSSROADS in Dubai to discuss how the city's openness and youthfulness have shaped a thriving, innovation-driven culture. The author has shared a YouTube video. You will need to accept and consent to the use of cookies and similar technologies by our third-party partners (including: YouTube, Instagram or Twitter), in order to view embedded content in this article and others you may visit in future. Key Insights: Dubai's youthfulness provides a significant advantage for entrepreneurs. 'It's a 50-something-year-old country,' says Bukhash. 'It's younger than our fathers and our mothers. So imagine if you come up with an idea and you just moved to Dubai – you could be the first one.' Dubai offers entrepreneurs the unique possibility of becoming a pioneer. 'If you're fast and you actually have a dream, I think Dubai is one of the few places in the world where you could be the first,' says Bukhash. 'You have that edge of being the pioneer in that field. If you do that in London or you do it in New York, you're probably number 500.' The rise of Dubai as a content capital is both a blessing and a curse. 'Everybody has a smartphone, everybody can claim they are a life coach, or a media personality,' says Bukhash. 'But the beauty is the direct journalism and reviews from creators with integrity.' Still, Bukhash stresses that social media and content creation should be approached with balance. 'Let's not also get too hooked on it because then we don't live and experience things properly. In order to get better content as well, you need to travel and see and interview people and have dinners and just feel creative,' he says. Additional Resources: BoF CROSSROADS 2025: Unpacking Fashion's Future Markets
Arab News
12-02-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Traditional and digital media should not be at ‘war,' says social media star Anas Bukhash
DUBAI: Traditional and digital media should not be at war, social media star, podcast host and entrepreneur Anas Bukhash has told the World Governments Summit in Dubai. During a session called 'How to build a social media empire in Dubai' he explained: 'I think it (traditional and digital media) should be a marriage and a good marriage, not a miserable marriage. If you have a good marriage … and they talk to each other nicely, it's the most powerful combination rather than having either-or.' He added he established his social media success by being consistent. 'I think a lot of things have to align, considering your consistency, your effort, your skill. All of it has to come together for you to be successful. And we've been doing it for ... we haven't missed a Tuesday I think in like five years or six,' he said. With more than 2 million subscribers, Bukhash's show, AB Talks, is one of the most popular channels in the Arab world. 'When I presented my concept to some social media platforms, when I wanted to start back in 2014, everybody told me not to do it. Every platform told me nobody would watch it. It's too long. Because at the time no Arabic interviews were long form,' he explained. Bukhash said he valued longevity over virality in all his projects. 'Every startup I've done, I just do it well and I do it consistently and then suddenly it blows up. And I think people respect that more than somebody who just got viral because of one interview or one clip,' he added. After studying mechanical engineering, Bukhash decided he wanted to branch out into other areas. He says he enjoys wearing many different hats rather than being stuck on one path. 'I've always looked at things and thought, how can I make it better or solve a problem for people? It's funny how a mechanical engineer has an interview show, a hair salon, a cafe, a social media agency. But that's the beauty of us as people. I always say, how can you sell something if you don't believe it? You have to believe it,' he said. 'God made you so multi-dimensional. You just made yourself one dimension, but you were never born in one dimension. I love the fact that I can be one example of someone who can do a few things although I study something irrelevant.' Bukhash said social media could be a powerful tool to help with storytelling and show people what was happening around the world — especially in recent times. 'In the US, young people have seen the tragedy and the conflict in Gaza in a way they were never able to see several years ago … You don't have to be from a certain country to see what happens in Gaza, what happens in Lebanon, what happens in so many countries. You just have to be human to know that something is off,' he said.
