Agenda

PANEL DISCUSSION
The Content Owners: Content – a mixed bag for new-generation viewers?

• Movies, drama series, cooking, reality shows. Where are you placing your bets and on what factors do your choices depend?
• Trends in regional buyer preferences
• Original productions vs. acquisition: How has the balance shifted?
• What is needed to elevate script development and production capabilities in the region?
• How are OTT services and the shift to digital impacting your business?
• How are you using audience data and analytics?
• How do you expect the opening of cinemas in KSA to impact the film sector?
• Where will the next generation of content creators come from?
• What kind of innovation will separate the winners from the rest?

Moderator: Rony Mitri, Head of Non-Theatrical Distribution – MENA, Empire Entertainment

Confirmed Panellists:

• Asim Altokhais, Co-Founder & General Manager, 3rd action, Inc
• Ben Ross, Chief Content Officer, Image Nation Abu Dhabi
• Serge Zabbal, Business Director, Empire Entertainment
• Wesam Kattan, Vice President – Content at Vuclip Inc.

PANEL DISCUSSION
The IP Roadmap for MENA Broadcasters

• What is your vision for production and broadcasting at your company?
• Would you consider the IP route and what would be the operational benefits?
• What are the challenges to IP implementation in the MENA region?
• In which areas do you see MENA broadcasters beginning their IP transition?

Moderator: Suhail Ahmed, CEO of One Diversified FZ LLC

Confirmed Panellists:

• Andrew Davies, Director, Media & Entertainment EMEA, Diversified
• Afzal Lakdawala, Head of Technology Planning and Projects, Dubai Media Incorporated
• David Clark, CTO, Sky News Arabia
• Yusuf Al-Butti, Head of Technology & Engineering, Twofour54

PANEL DISCUSSION
Migrating Broadcast Operations to the Cloud

• Streaming services as a major driver for cloud
• Examining the various components of cloud-based broadcasting, from content creation to delivery
• The immediate benefits of moving to the cloud.
• Is anyone doing the above yet and what cost reductions have they seen and what complexities has it introduced into the workflow?
• Where can these ideas take us, what can we see in the future for encoding at creation rather than distribution?
• What’s a better approach – single cloud solution or a hybrid one with just AWS, Google and Azure individually or a combo?
• Which is a better cloud solution to go with in MENA? Are our choices limited by country boundaries and the need to keep data in country?
• Removing boundaries to our thinking, what could we do with the limitless compute power, elasticity and commodity AI/ML cloud enables?

Moderator: Saleem Bhatti, CTO, Starz Play

Confirmed Panellists:

• Adriaan Bloem, Head of Digital Infrastructure, MBC Group
• Evan Manolis, Director TV & Media Entertainment, Etisalat
• Faraz Arshad, Director of Infrastructure & Platforms, Starz Play
• Salloum El Dahdaah, CTO, IT Works ME

PANEL DISCUSSION
The ESports Players – Keeping their eye on the game

• A global perspective on esports tournaments and international success stories
• The gamers – the most essential part of this business.
• The commercial aspects of esports and what is the business model? Essentially, how is the money generated?
• Where does the Middle East stand in terms of e-gaming?
• What technologies are enabling the broadcast of esports?
• Where is esports headed in terms of broadcast?
• Will telcos or broadcasters or publishers reap the benefits of esports?

Moderator: Serge Zabbal, Business Director, Empire Entertainment

Confirmed Panellists:

• Can Akmenek, Channel Manager, Gametoon
• Edouard Griveaud, VP Gaming Esports at Webedia
• Karim Mousa, Cofounder & Director of Cyber Sports League (CSL)
• Luciano Rahal, PR & Communications Manager, Riot Games
• Michiel Bakker, CEO, GINX
• Scott Barber, Business Development Manager, XPression and VS Solutions, Ross Video

PANEL DISCUSSION
The Women Executives – Breaking the mould

• Your current role and your job trajectory
• Is media a more or less challenging industry for women?
• Do you see regional differences in attitudes and opportunities?
• What is holding women from taking Board and senior management positions in media companies in the region?
• How are you filling a space that has traditionally been occupied by a male counterpart and what differentiates women leaders from male leaders?
• Ensuring equal pay and privileges for women in the media industry
• How can we ensure a more inclusive conversation?

Moderator: Tracey Grant, VP Content and Channels, VIACOM International Media Networks ME

Confirmed Panellists:

• Amanda Turnbull, Vice President, Country Manager Middle East & Africa at Discovery Communications
• Maysoun Odeh Gangat, Co-Founder – Managing Director, Nisaa Broadcasting Radio Company
• Noha Jadallah, Content and Editorial Manager, OTT, OSN
• Zahra Zayat – Vice President MENA – YuppTV Inc
• Zoe Griffiths, Director, Nomad

PANEL DISCUSSION
The CEOs: Envisioning a new Media Landscape

• Do you see any significant shift in the downward advertising trend? If not, how will you adapt: Cost reductions or diversifying revenue streams? What’s your 2020 strategy?
• Do you foresee any consolidation or collaboration in the media business in 2020?
• How is the Saudi Vision 2030 programme impacting your business, in particular with regards to the opening of the cinema sector, focus on the film industry, and the push on entertainment?
• Transforming the TV business: Is this the year traditional media takes on the transition in a meaningful way? What would it take? Original Content? Multiple platforms? Partnerships? Better engagement?
• What is having a bigger impact on your business: general economic instability or the shifting business and distribution models?
• A better understanding of how technology can help you cut costs?
• Government regulation, licensing and policy – what can help and what can hinder?

Moderator: Karim Sarkis, Senior Executive Advisor – Entertainment and Media, Strategy&

Confirmed Panellists:

• Carlo Nohra, VP & GM, WWE Middle East
• Danny Bates, CCO & Co-Founder, STARZPLAY
• Hamoud Al Rumayan, CEO, Intigral
• Manoj Mathew, Territory Head, MENAPT, Zee Entertainment Enterprises
• Raffaele Annecchino, President and MD, Viacom International Media Networks, Southern & Western Europe, MEA