TECOM Group says it has decisively moved beyond real estate into intellectual and digital value creation to support the new generation of media and content creators.
“Our Media Cluster is actively enabling intellectual, creative, and digital value creation through a multifaceted and synergistic approach,” said Majed Al Suwaidi, the Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City, Dubai Production City, and Dubai Studio City at TECOM Group PJSC, highlighting in5 Media’s role in equipping emerging creators with production resources and mentorship.
What is the next evolution of Dubai’s knowledge and creative hubs as the city accelerates toward a fully knowledge-based economy?
Dubai Media City, Dubai Production City, and Dubai Studio City, which comprise TECOM Group PJSC’s Media Cluster, are a global epicenter for cutting-edge content creation, propelled by artificial intelligence (AI) and disruptive technologies.
Our vision, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ and Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, aims to attract premier talent and investment worldwide.
Our interconnected ecosystem cultivated within the Media Cluster nurtures innovation and drives economic growth. This aligns with the projected growth of the MENA media market. According to the Arab Media Outlook report, for which Dubai Media City is Knowledge Partner, the sector is forecast to reach $20.6 billion (AED 75.6 billion) by 2028, driven largely by digital-first segments.
By prioritizing advanced technologies and fostering a dynamic environment for creative professionals, our Media Cluster—home to customers including global leaders like Discovery Networks, CNN, Blinx, Epson, and over 40,000 creative professionals—will cement Dubai’s position as a leading knowledge-based economy.
TECOM has moved far beyond providing physical infrastructure. In this line of thought, how are you now enabling intellectual, creative, and digital value creation for the next generation of media, tech, and content talent?
TECOM Group’s Media Cluster is actively enabling intellectual, creative, and digital value creation through a multifaceted and synergistic approach. in5 Media—part of in5, Dubai’s leading startup incubator by TECOM Group—empowers emerging creators with resources, fostering media innovation.
With a dedicated center at Dubai Production City, in5 Media offers access to recording rooms and production equipment, while Dubai Media City is home to Grade A offices as well as the premises of D/Quarters, which offers access to flexible coworking spaces. This integrated ecosystem offers an empowering base for creative talent.
We are also at the forefront of protecting intellectual property rights, a fundamental aspect of value creation. As the address of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s InstaBlock Lab at Dubai Media City, we demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding creators’ works by leveraging advanced AI.
Providing robust IP frameworks alongside supportive infrastructure for skill development and technology adoption is crucial for cultivating the next generation of talent and ensuring their digital output flourishes.
How is TECOM shaping its ecosystem to equally serve early-stage creators/startups and scale-ups with regional or global ambitions?
Our Media Cluster’s ecosystem caters comprehensively to early-stage creators and ambitious scale-ups.
For startups and emerging talent, our in5 Media incubator provides essential resources such as coworking spaces, studios, and production facilities, coupled with programs like Produire au Sud (PAS) and Business Angels of Slovenia, offering workshops and mentorship.
For enterprises with global ambitions, the Media Cluster offers Grade A offices, recording and green rooms, and even world-class backlots and sound stages at Dubai Studio City. We provide a dynamic environment where startups can find the infrastructure and knowledgeable community necessary for sustained growth and success.
Creators today operate as micro-SMEs, and their needs are rapidly changing. How is TECOM adapting its regulations, services, and community platforms to support this new creator-driven economy?
We’re adapting to the evolving needs of the creator-driven economy by focusing on ease of doing business and robust support systems.
Our pro-innovation ecosystem, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ and Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, cultivates an attractive environment for creators. By ensuring a supportive regulatory environment, accessible services, and platforms for collaboration through our integrated Media Cluster, we empower creators to thrive—transforming their innovative ideas into sustainable, long-term businesses within a protected framework.
With global competition from Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh intensifying, how will Dubai Media City and TECOM’s creative zones maintain their regional leadership, and where do you see opportunities for collaboration?
Our established world-class infrastructure and ecosystem provide an unparalleled foundation for growth as we integrate cutting-edge technologies including AI and uphold robust IP protections.
Opportunities for collaboration lie in fostering joint training programs and knowledge-sharing initiatives, particularly through platforms such as the Creative Brunch hosted by Dubai Media City.
Our Media Cluster is championing the digital transformation highlighted in the Arab Media Outlook to contribute toward Dubai’s unparalleled position as a global media hub.
Dubai has set clear 2030 goals around innovation and digital transformation. What are the three biggest shifts the city must fast-track to reinforce its position as the region’s premier knowledge and innovation hub?
Customers within the Media Cluster’s ecosystem are already adapting to rapidly changing media consumption habits and new technologies, which is paramount to achieving future growth.
Secondly, ensuring a highly skilled workforce through ongoing talent development is crucial to meet the demands of an evolving digital landscape.
In addition to Dubai’s established Golden Visa framework for exceptional talent, our Media Cluster enables talent development by providing access to globally renowned institutions at Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group.
As Dubai’s media landscape embraces digital transformation and cultivates a future-ready workforce, TECOM Group’s Media Cluster will continue to solidify the city’s status as a global hub for media and creativity.
