Leen Zayat, A passionate content writer and scriptwriter with a keen eye for storytelling through different platforms. Born and raised in the UAE. I Graduated from the American university in Dubai, with a major in Digital production & Storytelling and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. In 2019, I wrote and directed my first short film “RSVP” as my capstone. The film got selected in film festivals around UAE, Europe, and the US, it also won an Award of Merit as a student women filmmaker, and a special mention as the best leading actress.

With over a decade of experience in the media industry, Rasha has established herself as a media insights expert, working with regional and global publishers and broadcasters.

Specializing in market analysis, media landscape, and audience understanding, Rasha possesses a deep understanding of industry trends. As a senior insights manager, she leverages her extensive experience in diverse research methodologies and data analysis to provide actionable insights that guide the development of content while ensuring alignment with audience interests.

Rasha has worked across diverse sectors, including FMCG, Automotive, and Luxury, but her true expertise lies in media. Before joining Rise Studios, she spent almost 10 years as a Media Consultant at Omnicom Media Group and Regional Research & Insights Lead  at Snap Inc

Rasha holds a BA in Business & Human Resources from Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon, which has enriched her love for both numbers and people. This unique combination of skills helps her bridge the gap between data-driven insights and human-centered storytelling.”

Emrah Turna’s journey in media began during his college years when he showcased his entrepreneurial spirit by establishing the university’s radio station. This early venture laid the foundation for his illustrious career and shaped his innovative outlook in media and communication. In a career spanning decades, he held various key roles at Kanal D International, the global business arm of Turkey’s largest media outlet. In 2021, he resigned from KDI which he was heading at the time, and started his own media rights management venture Mediahub. In less than two years, Mediahub established a robust distribution network and started producing its own originals(Alaca, 2024).

Joe Al Khawand is the accomplished Head of MENA Video Content Production at Yango Play, an all-in-one entertainment superapp with movies, music and mini-games and more. With over a decade of experience and passion for content production, Joe has had a rich career in the media and entertainment industry. His skills extend to concept development, OTT content curation, and project management, making him a versatile and influential figure in the entertainment industry.

At Yango Play, Joe plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing a comprehensive video content strategy that aligns with the organization’s goals and targets the specific taste and preferences of the MENA audience. He is responsible for steering the direction, creation and management of video content to ensure content is culturally relevant to captivate the audience and all content is compliant with local laws and cultural norms, respecting the diverse cultures and values across the MENA region.

Joe has led a multinational development unit to produce a diverse range of groundbreaking dramas across the MENA region. His notable works include “The Visit,” a horror story based on true events, and “Hell’s Gate,” the first sci-fi drama in the region. Joe’s career is marked by several firsts, including “Casastreet,” the first Moroccan drama starring children, and “ANBAR06,” a prison ensemble drama inspired by real stories among many others.

Heba Korayem is a seasoned content market specialist with extensive experience in the MENA region’s entertainment industry. She runs HConsult, one of the very few bilingual consultancies that specialize in the Arabic Content Industry from an investor’s perspective, and she is also the founder of the region’s first collective Co-Production initiative, the Co-Production Salon, a platform dedicated to fostering collaborations and investments in tradable content for and from the MENA region.

Heba Korayem pursued her undergrad and higher education in Business and Finance at the University of Saskatchewan and McGill University in Canada. Fully bilingual in English and Arabic, she also speaks Canadian French. Throughout her career, she has successfully facilitated over 300 deals in content distribution and partnerships, consistently increasing annual revenues by more than 60% in her previous roles.

Under her leadership, the Co-Production Salon has become a premier platform for top production houses, OTT platforms, TV networks, and content investors in the MENA region. The Co-Production Salon is dedicated to facilitating media partnerships that yield measurable returns for Arabic-speaking territories and beyond. By promoting co-investment and co-production across various genres and regions, the initiative aims to enhance the global reach and impact of the MENA content industry and its investments. Notably, the Co-Production Salon took part at MIPCOM 2024, marking the first time ever for the biggest Arabic media entities from across the region to collaborate under one collaborative production umbrella at an international content market.

In collaboration with Parrot Analytics, Heba has worked to enhance support for the MENA production community by integrating deep market-level insights with distribution and market navigation expertise. This partnership aims to empower content producers, networks, and streamers within the MENA entertainment landscape.

Heba’s contributions have significantly impacted the Arabic content market, bridging cultural gaps and promoting the global reach of MENA productions.