Ep 1: Dubai Does Business

Mar 18

Welcome to the first episode of Digital Media & Tech in Dubai, (DMT/d), the brand new podcast focused on bringing listeners topical segments and informative conversations with local experts exploring the latest news and developments in the digital media and tech scene in the burgeoning international capital that is Dubai, as well as the greater ME area. Hosted by Spencer Striker, PhD, Digital Media professor at the American University in Dubai--the episodes are recorded on location at AUD in the heart of Dubai’s Media City.

Special guests for the first episode, “Dubai Does Business,” are Andrew Staples, Chief Business Reporter for Gulf News, the leading newspaper in the region, and Maha Abouelenein, Managing Director of OC (“Organizational Consultants”), and former Head of Communications, Google MENA. Both Andrew and Maha are true insiders, brimming with expert knowledge of the Dubai tech scene, making for a rich, in-depth conversation.

Topics discussed in episode 1 include:

The startup climate in Dubai, and whether Dubai could be the next Silicon Valley, and whether or not that’s even the right question to be asking. More importantly, what makes Dubai Dubai?

We explore the social media scene in Dubai and some of the top social media influencers in the city and the region. We discuss some of the key startup successes in Dubai’s recent history, such as Careem, as well as unique barriers to entry to building a business in the city.

Other relevant, interesting topics include:

500 Startups $30m initiative in the region, 500 Falcons http://500.co/500-falcons-hasan-haider-mena/

The debut of the World Drone Grand Prix in Dubai http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/world-drone-grand-prix-debuts-in-dubai-1.1688616

The startup behind the fascinating ‘Save Steve’s Job’ campaign http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/media/the-start-up-behind-save-steve-s-job-1.1656274