The ‘New Media Academy’ and ‘1 Billion Followers Summit’ stand as the latest dynamic duo spearheading Dubai’s developmental journey. Dive into this article to uncover the deeper impact and significance of these groundbreaking projects.
This glamorous city, with its dynamic lifestyle, state-of-the-art roads, and pulsating fashion scene, along with famed landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, and popular attractions like the Global Village, has been extensively highlighted in numerous videos by content creators around the world.
This exposure has significantly boosted the global appeal of both Dubai and the UAE. Recognizing this reality, the visionary, Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership has initiated far-sighted projects such as the ‘New Media Academy’ and the ‘1 Billion Followers Summit’ to create new opportunities.
Dubai Beckons Influencers
As the digital landscape transforms every individual into a potential media channel, Dubai emerges as a magnet for social media influencers and content creators, offering unprecedented opportunities.
The city recently became the epicenter of digital creativity by hosting the prestigious One Billion Followers Summit. This event attracted a global audience with over 7,000 influencers, including more than 3,000 content creators who boast billions of followers combined. The summit’s discussions transcended typical social media chatter, delving into the broader impacts of the digital era.
The Digital Global Hub
In a strategic move to establish itself as a global nexus for digital influencers, Dubai is set to inaugurate a dedicated headquarters for social media and digital marketing. This venture, a collaborative effort between the UAE Government’s Media Office and The New Media Academy, aims to elevate the caliber of digital content.
It serves as a platform to navigate and harness the latest trends in new media, extending its influence across various sectors including tourism, business, and marketing. This initiative is anticipated to bolster the role of influencers in spreading innovative ideas, significantly enhancing the scope of digital marketing.
UAE’s Stringent Laws
Content creators looking to capitalize on Dubai’s burgeoning digital scene must understand the UAE’s strong social media laws. As a melting pot of over 190 nationalities, the UAE enforces strict regulations to ensure respectful and responsible use of social media. Laws prohibit any content that is insulting, slanderous or infringes on individual freedoms and religious sentiments.
The country’s commitment to respecting all faiths and religions means any derogatory content against any religion is particularly frowned upon. Violations of these laws can result in severe penalties, including fines, underscoring the need for careful adherence to legal standards in digital content creation.
What is ‘New Media Academy’?
Launched in June 2020 under the leadership of his highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime minister of the UAE, and ruler of Dubai, the New Media Academy is an educational institution based in Dubai. It offers educational programs led by experienced digital practitioners, both online and offline.
The educational programs at the New Media Academy are designed to provide influencers and content creators in the digital world with all the necessary skills. These programs, which include social media advertising, influencer marketing, analytics, storytelling, photography, videography, broadcasting, and platform management, are supported by Google and Facebook.
What is the ‘1 Billion Followers Summit’?
The ‘1 billion followers summit’ is a two-day annual event led by the ‘New Media Academy’. This summit, first held at Atlantis the Palm in Dubai on December 3 & 4, 2022, brings together some of the world’s best digital content creators and industry experts for entertainment and professional development.
The second edition of this summit was held at the Emirates Tower in Dubai on January 10-11, 2024, with 7,000 participants from 95 countries. By 2030, it is expected to evolve into a premium annual event with over 50,000 participants from more than 150 countries. Official representatives of Facebook Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snapchat also participated in this edition. In the coming years, these developments will positively transform and improve the employment and economic sectors of Dubai.
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