The Global Media Congress (GMC) brings together media professionals, innovators, and thought leaders to discuss the future of the media industry. eMedia Monitor (eMM) participated in this year’s event, showcasing our advanced broadcast monitoring solutions. This article highlights our experience at GMC, explores the media ecosystem of the MENA region, and examines how our services are here to help you navigate this changing market.
The Global Media Congress took place from November 26-28 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. This is the third edition of the GMC and it shines as a pivotal event in the global media and entertainment industry.
This year’s program featured panel discussions, skill-enhancing and talent development workshops, and sessions focusing on the sector’s challenges. Industry leaders shared insights on emerging technologies, methodologies, and strategies to advance media performance.
Ultimately, GMC serves as a great platform for global thought leaders, media professionals, and tech innovators to drive conversations about the future of media and foster international business connections.
We were thrilled to exhibit at the GMC and showcase our eMM Dart platform. We connected with many attendees and demonstrated the practical applications of our cutting-edge technology, including all of Dart’s advanced features like Automated Summaries, Duplicate Detection, Query Visualization, and more.
“Regionally, this was an excellent opportunity to strengthen our presence in the UAE, with the broader Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) region as a secondary focus. Our aim is to target public projects in the UAE, particularly in areas where local media providers currently lack the capability to deliver real-time Arabic speech-to-text solutions,” said Youssef Hamad, Director Sales & Business Development MENA.
“On the international level, the UAE serves as a hub for decision-makers from around the world, including representatives from the UK, Europe, PR agencies, universities, and government institutions. Their presence provides us with valuable opportunities to gain international visibility and recognition,” continued Hamad.
MENA’s media landscape is evolving quickly, driven by technological advancements and shifting consumer habits. By the end of 2024, the region’s media market is projected to reach $40.16 billion, with digital media expected to dominate by 2029, accounting for over 37% of total revenues (Statista).
The rise of digital transformation reflects a demand for real-time content and interactive engagement. Digital advertising is another area of growth in the region, with ad spending expected to grow 6.9% by 2027, outpacing the global growth rate of 6.5% (Strategy & PwC).
Overall, the MENA media landscape is characterized by high internet penetration, a growing demand for local content, and widespread social media usage. eMM plays a vital role in this ecosystem by providing extensive media monitoring services that cater to the unique needs of the region.
eMM covers over 120 broadcast channels in the MENA region alone, including top TV channels such as Al Ekhbariya, MBC4, and Al Jazeera, as well as radio, web-TV, online news, podcasts, and social TV platforms like YouTube. We also have the flexibility to include additional channels, ensuring comprehensive coverage tailored to client’s needs.
Additionally, eMM employs advanced technologies, such as speech-to-text-recognition in almost 50 languages including Arabic, English, Farsi, Turkish, and French — all of the major languages in the region.
“Recognizing the strategic importance of the MENA region, we have focused extensively on enhancing broadcasting coverage and improving the accuracy of our transcription services. This commitment has enabled us to exceed the expectations of our valued clients by providing exceptional coverage at local, regional, and global levels,” said Hamad.
Key services tailored for the MENA region include:
AI is revolutionizing media monitoring in the MENA region, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and real-time capabilities. At GMC, discussions emphasized how AI tools can automate data collection, analysis, and reporting. This automation allows organizations to track media coverage 24/7, identify trends, and respond swiftly to potential crises.
AI-powered media monitoring platforms utilize natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data from broadcast channels, online news, and social media. These tools provide sentiment analysis, real-time alerts, and comprehensive coverage, allowing organizations to make informed decisions quickly.
The adoption of AI in media monitoring is ultimately shaping the future of media consumption in several ways, including:
GMC 2024 provided great insights into the evolving media ecosystem in MENA and beyond. As the media market in the region continues to grow and digital transformation accelerates, eMM remains committed to leading in broadcast monitoring and continuing to engage in regional events to stay at the forefront of industry developments.
If you’re interested in learning more about our broadcast monitoring solutions across the MENA region, reach out and schedule a demo today.
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