Facebook has been taken on board as a strategic partner for VIDXB annual event. The debut event is a gathering celebrating the world of online content creation.
Facebook will play an integral role in the two day event that is set to take place from 8th to 9th December 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. VIDXB will offer a curated program for fans, creators, and industry professionals alike.
Facebook’s role as strategic partner will support VIDXB by facilitating the attendance and participation of regional and international creators with strong regional engagement and fan base. Over and above, fans can expect interactive and impactful on-the-ground experiences and meet and greets with regional and international online celebrities, while creators can network, relax and learn about both Facebook and Instagram’s newest features and programs.
“With the staggering growth of online content creation and consumption, we know there is a huge appetite for an online video and technology-focused event like VIDXB to bring a face-to-face component to the region’s creator communities. With the support of industry powerhouse Facebook, we are highly committed to shaping and driving the progression of online video content creation by trailblazing, regional storytellers,” said Jamal Al Sharif, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Film and TV Commission.
“The MENA region is ripe with talent. People are quick to adopt new trends and formats. With 164 million people on Facebook and 63 million on Instagram in MENA, we’d like to support regional talent and content creators to keep telling their stories through video and other visual formats. VIDXB will be a celebration of this vibrant, growing, active influencer and creator community, both in person and online,” said Jonathan Labin, Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan, Facebook.
According to the Arab Media Outlook 2016-2018, the MENA region’s traditional media landscape is progressively shifting towards digital media, the fastest growing media segment at 17 percent annually. This shift has been attributed to youth aged 15 to 24 in the region accounting for half the total population, resulting in an impressive increase in digital media engagement, not only as consumers but as producers of content as well. For example, a total of 79 percent of people in the UAE watched more videos online in 2016 compared to the previous year, according to a survey by Facebook IQ, which was done by research company Kantar Media.
Furthermore, online activity in MENA is at an all-time high, with the region’s youth spending nearly two hours a day on social networks and mobile video.
VIDXB will cover a range of verticals, from lifestyle and beauty, to gaming, to technology and sports, and will promote knowledge-sharing through hands-on, experiential activations, workshops and training sessions.
VIDXB will also kick off a year-round program to promote local content, showcase emerging technologies, and facilitate skills development for Dubai’s growing digital media talent pool.
Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC) will produce VIDXB in partnership with The Alliance LLC, the organizers of the Middle East Film and Comic Con. DFTC is a member of Dubai Creative Clusters Authority.
