Latest news with #digitalstorytelling
Arab News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
TikTok and SRMG join forces to back local talent, drive MENA media innovation
RIYADH: Leading media group SRMG has announced a strategic partnership with TikTok to empower the next generation of content creators in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region, while also driving commercial growth through a series of innovative initiatives. The partnership will leverage TikTok's expertise in amplifying content reach, unlocking monetization opportunities, and fostering deeper connections with the region's digitally native audience. It also aims to expand TikTok's footprint through integration into SRMG's flagship events and diverse media platforms, particularly in the fields of entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. A key initiative under the partnership was the launch of #TikTokAcademy, a local program tailored for Saudi Arabia and developed in conjunction with SRMG Academy. This initiative invites aspiring digital storytellers to submit original content across lifestyle, fashion, film and entertainment, news, and sports. Selected creators will gain exclusive training across SRMG's media brands, gaining firsthand experience alongside editors, journalists, and producers. As part of the partnership, SRMG's cultural and entertainment events such as the Billboard Arabia Music Awards and Hia Hub, will provide a prominent platform to spotlight TikTok creators and raise their profile. SRMG will also activate its extensive media network, including, Hia Magazine, Sayidaty, Arriyadiyah, and Billboard Arabia to amplify content and showcase creators through editorial and digital platforms. This aligns with broader industry momentum, as the media sector added SAR 14.5 billion ($3.86 billion) to the GDP in 2023, with ambitions to more than triple that by 2030 and generate 67,000 jobs by 2024. The entertainment sector is booming as well, bringing in over SAR 1 billion in revenue and engaging more than 75 million people in the past five years. Social media is a major driving force behind this surge, with Saudi Arabia ranked among the top countries for usage, fuelling a new era of content creation, digital storytelling, and influencer-led innovation. Commenting on the partnership, Bassil Al Mouallimi Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at SRMG, said: 'We believe in the power of community and in the influential role the new generation plays in shaping the future of media in our region.' He noted that 'the region's creative economy is witnessing remarkable and rapid growth, particularly across the media, entertainment, and social platform sectors.' Al Mouallimi added: 'Our strategic partnership with TikTok marks a significant step in solidifying our presence at the heart of this creative movement. We are working to connect talented creators with global platforms and foster an environment that empowers them to thrive and make a meaningful impact.' He emphasized that 'this goes beyond simply producing trend-driven content — it's about building sustainable career paths, amplifying authentic voices, and driving growth in the content economy.' Kinda Ibrahim, TikTok's General Manager of Content Operations in MEA, South and Central Asia said 'At TikTok, we are committed to empowering a new generation of storytellers by giving them the tools, platform, and global stage to express themselves and shape culture. Saudi Arabia is home to an incredibly engaged and creative community. Through this partnership with SRMG, we are doubling down on our efforts to nurture local talent, fuel the region's creative economy, and help creators thrive, not just in the Kingdom, but across the world.' This strategic partnership builds on the momentum of earlier joint initiatives, including the launch of the Billboard Arabia TikTok Music Charts, a first-of-its-kind platform spotlighting the most streamed and culturally influential songs in the Arab world. It also follows the rollout of SRMG Academy's first technology journalism course, powered by TikTok, designed to train the next wave of Saudi storytellers in navigating and reporting on the fast-evolving tech landscape.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Free courses challenge stereotypes and bring diversity to storytelling
In the modern world, we are bombarded with stories and videos from all walks of life but even with widespread access to publishing tools it can be hard for people in minority groups to be heard and seen. Now, a course in Southampton is looking to help people learn how to make their stories and experiences travel Version Media was founded five years ago by journalist Veronica Gordon, who said stories involving marginalised communities within mainstream media were sometimes told "through the lens of misunderstanding" with "dominant false narratives about black people".Recent research by the Reuters Institute and the University of Oxford found that black journalists were "under-represented" making up just 1.3% of the share in the UK. This lack of representation could lead to news stories being covered with a "cultural misunderstanding or not enough insight", Ms Gordon this first hand is what inspired the creation of the social enterprise. "My background is in social sciences so I've always been interested in social justice and equity," she digital storytelling workshops, her platform has covered topics ranging from mental health and sickle cell, to classical singing and leadership. Many of its courses on mobile journalism and storytelling techniques are free and have been taken up by a wide range of people - from teenagers to George is one of almost 1,000 people to have shared a personal story through a digital storytelling course run by the group in entrepreneur owns three businesses in the city - a hair salon, a Nigerian grocery shop and a cafe - but her path to becoming a businesswoman has not been straightforward."There's an untrue narrative that Nigerians are cheats," Ms George opened her self-edited video with. Referring to the breakdown of her marriage and divorce, she said: "When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade."The "lemonade" was finding a way to "earn money as a single mum of three, while being present", she also revealed her increasing career success led to suspicion from "neighbours and onlookers", resulting in several visits from HMRC and the police."It turned out people were reporting me to the authorities but there was nothing to report," she explained in a candid voiceover. She said she signed up to the course because she wanted to tell her own story rather than let others make assumptions. "For years no-one knew that I wasn't married," she explained."I wasn't keeping it a secret, I just didn't think it was anyone's business. "But it's about showing people that it can be done."Since taking part, Ms George said she felt much more confident creating video content for her Gordon said Our Version Media was "not a monolith" but about "showing human stories". You can listen to more stories from our African and Caribbean communities on the Kamilah McInnis radio show on BBC Sounds.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nescafé's first-ever global influencer Zach King is bringing magic to the brand
VEVEY, Switzerland, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nescafé announces today a global partnership with renowned digital magician and filmmaker, Zach King, who will serve as the brand's first-ever global influencer. This exciting collaboration marks a significant step in Nescafé's brand-building strategy to reach a broader and younger audience, bringing coffee into the realm of digital storytelling. TV Commercialhttps:// Zach King, the digital wizard Zach King, from California, USA, has an impressive following of over 185 million fans and holds the Guinness World Record for the most viewed video on TikTok with 2.2 billion views. He ranked number four in the top 10 most watched TikTok videos in 2024. His unique ability to entertain and engage resonates perfectly with Nescafé's vision, particularly among younger consumers aged 18 to 24, through authentic storytelling and innovative content, making him an ideal choice for this collaboration. "I've always loved turning everyday things into something unexpected," said Zach King. "This project with Nescafé has been all about having fun, getting creative, and showing how even your afternoon coffee can have a twist of magic." Billboard Hack Hacking Nescafé with Zach King At the heart of this partnership is the new Nescafé Espresso Concentrate, the brand's latest cold coffee range designed for home consumption. This product empowers consumers to craft and personalize their coffee experiences, aligning with the emerging coffee hacking movement. The synergy between Nescafé's expertise and Zach King's creative digital storytelling promises to create a captivating narrative for coffee lovers everywhere. "Zach King's fan base is young and diverse, mirroring the spirit of our newly launched Nescafé Espresso Concentrate cold coffee," said David Rennie, Executive Vice-President and Head of Strategic Business Units and Marketing and Sales at Nestlé. "We are excited to bring Zach into the Nescafé universe, providing a fantastic platform for our cold coffee hacks. Together, we will create magical moments that resonate with our consumers." The partnership includes a series of creative digital assets, including TV advertising, exclusive social media videos, and behind-the-scenes content. The partnership will launch first in the US and the UK and will expand globally throughout this year. Photo - - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Nestlé
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WEBTOON (WBTN) Reports Q1: Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of Earnings
Digital storytelling platform WEBTOON (NASDAQ:WBTN) will be reporting results tomorrow after market close. Here's what to expect. WEBTOON missed analysts' revenue expectations by 1.3% last quarter, reporting revenues of $352.8 million, up 5.6% year on year. It was a slower quarter for the company, with a significant miss of analysts' EPS estimates. It reported 163.3 million monthly active users (mau), down 3.7% year on year. Is WEBTOON a buy or sell going into earnings? Read our full analysis here, it's free. This quarter, analysts are expecting WEBTOON's revenue to be flat year on year at $328.8 million, slowing from the 5.3% increase it recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted loss is expected to come in at -$0.13 per share. Analysts covering the company have generally reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days, suggesting they anticipate the business to stay the course heading into earnings. WEBTOON has missed Wall Street's revenue estimates twice since going public. Looking at WEBTOON's peers in the digital media & content platforms segment, some have already reported their Q1 results, giving us a hint as to what we can expect. Vimeo's revenues decreased 1.8% year on year, beating analysts' expectations by 1.6%, and Stride reported revenues up 17.8%, topping estimates by 3.6%. Vimeo traded down 10.1% following the results while Stride's stock price was unchanged. Read our full analysis of Vimeo's results here and Stride's results here. There has been positive sentiment among investors in the digital media & content platforms segment, with share prices up 9.1% on average over the last month. WEBTOON is up 13.3% during the same time and is heading into earnings with an average analyst price target of $14.07 (compared to the current share price of $9.17). Unless you've been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) semiconductor stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report on our favorite semiconductor growth story. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Brand Me Summit returns for a groundbreaking second edition at Canadian University Dubai
Brand Me Summit 2025 will welcome 5,000+ pioneers for keynotes, workshops, networking, and massive digital exposure Ghazy Yaman (co-founder & managing partner of Brand Me Summit) Ayman Yaman (co-founder, Brand Me Summit), Dr. Adam Fenech (Provost, Canadian University Dubai) Dubai, UAE: After an incredible debut that attracted over 2,000 attendees and amassed more than $50 billion in combined net worth under one roof, Brand Me Summit is officially returning for its second edition – this time even bigger, bolder, and more powerful. The highly anticipated event will take place on 22-23 November 2025, at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), in the heart of Downtown Dubai. At the forefront of this movement is Ayman Yaman, a viral content creator turned entrepreneur, best known for his iconic 'What do you do for a living?' videos, which have garnered over 1 billion views and 3 million followers. Despite still being a university student, Ayman has defied industry norms by co-founding Brand Me Summit, proving that age is no barrier to launching a world-class event. Alongside his brother Ghazy Yaman, Ayman's expertise in digital storytelling and personal branding has shaped the region's entrepreneurial landscape, empowering individuals to turn their presence into powerful platforms. Brand Me Summit is the first global event dedicated entirely to personal branding as a business and career-defining asset. With the rise of digital CEOs, content creators, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs, the summit equips attendees with cutting-edge strategies to build influence, visibility, and monetizable presence across industries. This year, AI takes centre stage, exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping content creation, business scaling, and the evolution of digital authority. 'We are bringing together the minds that redefine influence – those who turn ideas into empires and audiences into movements,' says Ghazy Yaman, co-founder and managing partner of Brand Me Summit. 'Our mission is to transform you from unknown to unforgettable.' Brand Me Summit's collaboration with Canadian University Dubai signifies a bold step in bridging academic excellence with real-world innovation. By hosting the summit, CUD reinforces its commitment to providing practical experiences for students and entrepreneurs, helping them lead meaningful ventures beyond the classroom. Speaking about the importance of this strategic partnership, Dr. Adam Fenech, Provost at Canadian University Dubai, noted: "Partnering with the Brand Me Summit positions the Canadian University Dubai at the forefront of entrepreneurial leadership, leveraging the power of our own incubator to ignite innovation, elevate personal branding, and drive the next wave of business success in Dubai." 'This partnership reflects CUD's dedication to empowering a new era of leaders, creators, and changemakers,' says Ayman Yaman, co-founder of Brand Me Summit. 'Personal branding is no longer optional – it's the foundation for opportunity in the digital age.' Building upon its monumental first edition, Brand Me Summit 2025 is expected to attract over 5,000 attendees and industry pioneers, including entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and media personalities. The event will feature: Groundbreaking keynotes and panels with world-renowned thought leaders Interactive workshops for practical personal and corporate branding strategies Exclusive investor and creator networking opportunities Massive digital exposure, powered by media partners and influencer-driven storytelling About Brand Me Summit Brand Me Summit is a premier global event designed to bring together talents, creators, entrepreneurs, business professionals, and industry leaders to connect, collaborate, and grow. The two-day event provides working professionals and entrepreneurs with tools to develop their businesses and personal brands, featuring inspiring stories and expert insights from successful entrepreneurs and industry pioneers. About Canadian University Dubai Canadian University Dubai (CUD) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs based on a world-leading international curriculum. Located in the city's vibrant business district, CUD gives students the unique opportunity to obtain a first-class Canadian education while experiencing the dynamic lifestyle of Dubai, UAE.
