Maaz Sheikh

The investment strategy of Saavy Gaming Group, which can be described as enlightened, shows how the video game industry is changing its capitalistic pole of attraction and how the rich players in the Middle East see their role in the post-oil era.  Whatever the medium-long term impact of this change of prism, everything leads to the concentration of the video game industry, as it was the case in other media sectors such as music, cinema and TV. In the end, there will remain a few majors including Saavy and a myriad of studios.

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🌟 Embracing the Future: AI & ML's Role in MENA's OTT Evolution 🌐 The OTT industry in the MENA region stands at a crossroads of opportunity, with Generative AI and Machine Learning (ML) paving the way for a new era of digital entertainment. Global examples have shown the tremendous impact of these technologies, and it's time for MENA's OTT players to harness this potential. Here's why: 🔍 Enhanced Personalization: Netflix's ML-driven recommendations suggest that embracing AI can lead to 80% of content streamed being driven by personalized suggestions. For the diverse and unique tastes of MENA audiences, such personalization can significantly boost viewer engagement and retention. 🎬 Streamlined Production: Tools like Runway ML demonstrate how AI can revolutionize video editing, making content production faster and more cost-effective. This is crucial for MENA OTT platforms looking to scale up local content offerings without compromising on quality. 📈 Market Growth Potential: With one of the youngest populations globally, the MENA region presents a rapidly growing digital audience hungry for content. AI and ML can help OTT platforms analyze and predict viewing trends, ensuring they meet market demands and stay ahead of the competition. 🗣️ Multilingual Support: AI's ability to provide real-time localization, as seen with iQIYI's subtitling and dubbing capabilities, can help MENA platforms break language barriers within the region, offering content in a plethora of languages and dialects, from Arabic to French and beyond. 🛡️ Anti-Piracy Measures: Disney's ML approach to content protection is especially pertinent in MENA, where piracy is a pressing issue. AI can help safeguard intellectual property and ensure fair revenue for content creators. 🌐 Global Reach: As MENA OTT platforms look to expand beyond regional boundaries, AI can help tailor content for global audiences, making regional productions internationally accessible and amplifying the reach of MENA's rich storytelling heritage. The evidence is clear: AI and ML are not just reshaping the global OTT landscape; they are key to unlocking the full potential of the MENA entertainment market. By adopting these technologies, MENA's OTT players can enhance user experience, optimize operations, and secure their content, all while driving growth in a diverse and dynamic region. Are you part of MENA's OTT transformation? Let's collaborate and propel the industry into a future where technology meets tradition, and where content knows no boundaries. #MENA #OTT #Streaming #AI #MachineLearning #ContentPersonalization #MediaTech #DigitalTransformation #Localization #AntiPiracy #TechInMedia #FutureOfEntertainment

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Saudi Arabia is making significant investments to secure a spot on the gaming map. 🎮💰 This strategic move reflects the country's growing interest and commitment to the gaming industry. Looking forward to witnessing the impact of these developments! #GamingIndustry #SaudiArabia #Investments #GamingMap 🌟

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Public Service Broadcasters: From a cost mindset to an ecosystem growth mindset Public Service Broadcasters in the GCC have a bad rap. Their government owners tend to be concerned about their costs and the number of employees. Their viewers and listeners have a broad array of private and big tech media options vying for their attention. Their management teams are often either too frustrated with or begrudgingly accepting of regulatory constraints such as annual funding horizons and rigid hiring/firing protocols. Their strategies tend to come and go in cycles. Periods of great support lead to ambitious plans, accelerated momentum, and motivated teams. Invariably, these cycles end as financial priorities shift elsewhere. Budgets are cut, content is reduced, and people move on. Any gains made are lost. Too often they still follow an outdated vertically integrated model where much of their activity, from infrastructure provision to content creation, distribution, and monetization, is done in-house. This distracts management’s focus, swells operating costs, and reduces responsiveness to audience needs. Yet, these institutions have a vital role to play—if only their purpose is reframed. Rather than trying to be the end-to-end be-all solution for public media, they should become an engine of media sector development. How to achieve this transformation? Try this: Produce the vast majority (or all) of content through independent production companies based in their home market. Take chances on emerging talent, new formats, and public-private partnerships. Differentiate through content that brings local stories and local topics to life. Work with tech and production companies to be the test bed for new technologies and distribution formats. Spin off production and distribution infrastructure and operations to private sector players. Partner with other national broadcasters to create a critical mass of offerings. Become a lean organization, focused exclusively on maintaining and growing audiences. This transformation will change governments’ mindset from counting the cost of public service media, to measuring its impact in terms of jobs created in the ecosystem, talent developed across the sector, stories told to larger audiences, and contributions made to the national economy. #publicservicemedia #strategy #mediasector

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At Capital Block, while we're closely aligned with the global buzz around sports in Saudi Arabia, we recognize that the Kingdom's commitment to sports is deeply rooted in its history. 🏆 The establishment of the Public Investment Fund in 1971 marked the beginning of a strategic focus on sports, underscored by groundbreaking collaborations such as Saudia's partnership with the Williams Formula One team in 1977. Today, the spotlight is on something even more transformative: the rise of WEB3 technology. 🚀 With industry giants like Animoca Brands, Golden Gate Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz expanding their operations in Saudi Arabia, it's clear that the region is becoming a hotbed for blockchain and WEB3 innovations. Having been present in the region for over three years, Capital Block is at the forefront of this evolution. As a leading sports media company, we are dedicated to bridging WEB3 and WEB2 brands with the dynamic sporting community across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region. We're excited to help navigate this new digital frontier, fostering connections that push the boundaries of technology and sports marketing. 🌐⚽ https://lnkd.in/dH7Duh8n #WEB3 #Blockchain #SportsMarketing #SaudiArabia #MENA #CapitalBlock

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Saudi Arabia is taking another step towards modernizing its sports industry by announcing the privatization of 14 sports clubs. This transformative initiative is set to not only enhance the overall performance and management of these clubs but also to drive significant economic growth and investment opportunities within the Kingdom. The privatization push aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues. By opening up the sports sector to private investment, the Kingdom hopes to foster a more competitive and professional environment, ultimately elevating the standard of sports across the nation. As we look forward to seeing these clubs thrive under new management and ownership, there's an air of optimism and anticipation for the positive changes this move will bring. From enhanced training facilities to better player development programs, the future of Saudi sports looks brighter than ever. #SaudiArabia #SportsIndustry #Privatization #Vision2030 #EconomicGrowth #SportsManagement

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Pleasure to participate the panel Sportstech-X: Who's Scoring Big at #FII8 at Riyadh. Accurate data, meaningful analysis and AI potential. Three top tips of the day!

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The gaming landscape in the MENA region is rapidly evolving, with the UAE and KSA leading the charge. Their strategic investments in infrastructure and talent development, combined with a young and engaged demographic, create a fertile environment for innovation. However, the true game-changer may be the promotion of cross-border collaborations within the region to enhance cultural exchange and diversify gaming narratives. By incorporating local storytelling and traditional themes into game design, these nations can attract global players and cultivate a unique gaming identity that resonates worldwide. This positioning could elevate MENA as a powerhouse in the global gaming ecosystem.

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Amazing watch! An interview with Omar Sultan AlOlama and Gallup CEO Jon Clifton filled with information that will benefit any listener and gives insight into crucial topics and challenges! Sidenote: Happy Birthday Omar Sultan AlOlama! 🎂 🎉 #innovation #ai #artificialintelligence #future #business #leadership #growth

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This latest analysis by Invest Qatar and Media City Qatar explores Qatar's rapid evolution into a leading media and entertainment hub, driven by advanced digital infrastructure, exceptional talent, and robust support programs, revealing key investment opportunities in this dynamic sector.

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An interesting read on the statistics - questions to think over: Why are the rates high? And what can we do to shift that? Saudi Arabia is tracking a strong shift to lower rates compared to 2019. Is there something we can learn there? Good to share knowledge, learn, and collaborate!

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#Billion dollars #Film Industry; Vision 2030 targets $24bn #film industry for Saudi #economy Saudi boosting the #film industry The Saudi Cultural Fund signed a preliminary agreement with the MEFIC/ Middle East Financial Investment Company and Roaa Media Ventures to establish the first investment fund in the film sector, worth $100 million. ,,The new fund aims to invest in film sector companies and projects or provide the necessary financing, build a network of entrepreneurs and distribution experts to support companies, while managing investment portfolio risks in the sector, according to the CEO of the الصندوق الثقافي | Cultural Development Fund Fund, Mohammed Bindayel and Board Member Alinma Bank The country hopes to exceed annual box office revenues of one billion dollars, increase local production to 70 films per year, and reach 350 cinemas with 2,500 screens by 2030, with an expected contribution of the industry of about $24 billion to the economy and the addition of more than 30,000 permanent jobs. #economy #film #investment #government #production #bank

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💡 Supporting Early-Stage Startups in the UAE: A Growing Opportunity 💡 As the UAE startup ecosystem continues to evolve, there’s incredible potential for venture capital to play a key role in nurturing early-stage innovation. While some VCs advertise a focus on pre-seed and seed investments, it can sometimes be challenging for founders to find the right partners truly committed to these stages. But with the growing interest in AI, sustainability, and tech across the region, I believe the opportunities for early-stage funding are only increasing. 💭 What’s your experience? > Have you connected with VCs who support early-stage companies in the UAE? > How do you think we can create stronger connections between founders and investors to foster more local innovation? Let’s come together to build a thriving early-stage ecosystem in the UAE! #startups #venturecapital #UAE #earlystage #investment #ecosystem #founders

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The broadcasting landscape in Saudi Arabia is one of the most regulated and strategically managed in the Middle East, find out how you can navigate the regulations in this market. https://lnkd.in/dB47jwB6

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In the latest episode of The Winning Edge, we explore how the UAE is leading the gaming industry in the Middle East. We talk about the impact of one of the biggest investments $3.9 billion on the Wynn Al Marjan Island project, the Dubai Programme for Gaming, and the rapid industry’s growth. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gPQ-tbaB To stay ahead, subscribe now, and take your investment strategy to the next level! #uae #dubai #middleeast #gamingindustry #gambling #regulations #gaminghub #gaming #TheWinningEdge #globalgaming #investments

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Dubai Unveils Long-Term Gaming Visa Dubai has launched the Dubai Gaming Visa program to bolster Dubai's digital economy and establish itself as a global gaming hub. This long-term visa initiative targets talented individuals, including content creators and esports pioneers, within the gaming sector. Dubai aims to cultivate a thriving gaming environment by granting these individuals residency. The Dubai Gaming Visa program fosters the growth of these creative minds by providing opportunities to hone their skills and transform innovative concepts into successful ventures. This program is anticipated to contribute significantly to Dubai's GDP, with an estimated increase of $1 billion by 2033. #Dubai #Visa #UAE #Gaming #ComputerGames #GamingVisa #DubaiGamingVisa #DubaiResidency #DubaiVisa #DubaiRelocation #dubaibusiness #DubaiBusinessGrowth #Dubai Culture #Dubai2033 #GlobalHub #DubaiLeadership #CreativeMindset #TalentAcquisition #GameDevelopers #DigitalContent #DubaiEconomy #TechIndustry #GameDesigners #StartupScene #Entrepreneurship #DubaiGameExpo #DubaiGamingHub #KnowledgeExchange #Networking #VisaProcessing #bespokestrategysolutions

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Kingdom of Saudia Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, PIF’s, subsidiaries, including new airline Riyadh Air, gaming entity Savvy and mining company Ma’aden, are now doing much of the investing themselves as they seek to meet their own targets, according to an FT review https://lnkd.in/ezF28KUj This was a similar evolution to Singapore's SWF's, GIC and Temasek, which also pushed down much of the corporate venture capital strategy to top class local companies, such as ST Engineering, etc. The challenge is family office-style VC investment is hard to always align with the business interests of the corporation. Fortunately, the GCV Executive Leadership Forum, Institute and Keystone annual survey are here to help: www.globalventuring.com

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The UAE's Future of Innovation: Powered by Strategic Investments When it comes to technology, whether it's cybersecurity, big data, or AI, I’m always thinking about the business and economic side of things. And this latest $1 billion partnership between AWS and e& is a textbook example of what happens when big businesses invest in not just technology, but also in people. We all know the future is going to be driven by technology and data, but what really gets me excited is the reach this kind of investment provides. Big or small, companies now have access to the same AI-powered tools, data analysis, and cutting-edge infrastructure that will enable them to level up. That’s where innovation sparks, when you give everyone, from startups to established giants, the tools to thrive. For me, this cements the UAE’s position as a global tech leader. But the real kicker? It’s about the next big thing. What small company, developed right here in the UAE, is going to take the world by storm like Google, Amazon, Airbnb, or Facebook? This investment lays the foundation for that to happen. I’m excited to see where this takes us because the future of innovation is happening right here in the UAE. #AI #CloudSecurity #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #UAE #BusinessGrowth Amazon Web Services (AWS) e& UAE https://lnkd.in/d9U7Unbw

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The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), ranked as the 6th largest globally with $925 billion in assets under management, has been strategically investing and acquiring assets across sectors and geographies for the past decade. Despite challenges like fluctuating oil prices and regional conflicts, PIF is pivoting its investment approach towards the ambitious Mega Cities project. This initiative, highlighted by the NEOM development, is set to revolutionize urban landscapes with an estimated cost of $1.5 trillion. #PIF #Investment #GlobalEconomy

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