- Third week of programme offers participants insights on key elements of successful audio and video storytelling
- Initiative reflects Dubai’s vision to build a future-focused media environment driven by innovation, creativity and talent development
The Dubai Press Club ended the third week of the second edition of the Arab Podcast Programme with a series of interactive workshops and forums that discussed the most important aspects of podcast production.
The forums were conducted by top Arab podcasters and industry experts and provided participants with in-depth information on the creative and technical aspects of the profession.
The Arab Podcast Programme reflects Dubai’s broader vision to build a future-focused media environment driven by innovation, creativity and talent development.
Through practical, hands-on training, the initiative provides a platform to support emerging Arab audio content creators and strengthen the presence of Arabic voices in the rapidly growing podcasting space.
During the week, delegates participated in hands-on training that addressed key elements of podcast creation such as scriptwriting, sound identity, interviewing techniques, production pipelines, and cross-platform release.
The sessions also looked at the increasing power of video podcasting and the strategies of exploiting platforms like TikTok in order to hit larger audiences.
Maryam Al Mulla, Acting Director of the Dubai Press Club, said the programme is aligned with the Club’s ongoing efforts to enhance media capabilities across the region.
It also reflects Dubai’s commitment to shaping the future of Arab media by investing in talent and fostering a culture of innovation.
“Within the Dubai Press Club, we are dedicated to keeping abreast of the changing face of media around the world. The Arab Podcast Programme offers a complete integrated experience for audio content creators – from training and mentorship, through applied learning – to enable them to produce their ideas into quality audio content that has the potential to resonate globally,” she stated.
“Our focus is to enable the growth of a new generation of audio storytellers that reflect the creative energy, creativity and cultural richness of the Arab region,” she further stated.
Mahfoudha Abdullah, Media Talent Development Lead at the Dubai Press Club, indicated the increased popularity of podcasting in the Arab world as an indication of its pertinence and potential for influence.
“Podcasting has emerged as a forceful medium for storytelling, conversation and cross-cultural exchange. With this Programme, we concentrate on the essential ingredients for success: quality content, good production values and an overall audio identity. The aim is to provide participants with the vision and skills to produce differentiated content.”
As part of week three, participants also started working on individual podcasting projects where they could implement the learned skills from the preceding sessions.
These projects were subjected to evaluation by a special panel to give feedback and determine eligibility for the second stage of the programme.
Critical sessions throughout the week addressed themes ranging from podcast ideation and content strategy to voice branding and audio identity, producing great interviews, and developing a podcast’s presence on platforms including YouTube and TikTok.
Attendees delved into methods to increase discoverability, capitalize on trends, and apply analytics to maximize their content to reach more and engage deeper with their audience.
The Arab Podcast Programme underscores Dubai Press Club’s efforts to reinforce Dubai’s role as a leading regional and global hub for media innovation.
By empowering emerging talent and advancing the development of Arabic digital content, the initiative supports broader objectives to foster a sustainable, future-ready media ecosystem across the region.
