Unveiled! First five speakers for the FIPP World Media Congress
For the past several months, as we outwardly focused on other activities, I have plugged away quietly behind the “screens” developing the agenda for the FIPP World Media Congress – the job involves in-depth desktop research, keeping an eye on media and tech developments, many conversations, and even more emails, WhatsApp and other exchanges. It’s a complete immersion into the world of media and a great way to satisfy industry curiosity!
Working with Yulia Boyle, Alastair Lewis, Nikki Simpson and the team at FIPP, and industry colleagues such as John Cabell and Mike Greehan, to name two, we now have 31 speakers confirmed and 2 tentatively confirmed. I have another 20 or so continued conversations bubbling away, which should soon move to fruition.
Today, we are delighted to announce our first five speakers. Their details are below, after the “About Congress” block. They include:
- A trailblazer who was IBM’s first-ever Global Chief AI Officer.
- A media changemaker from Dotdash Meredith.
- Two pioneers building media businesses in Morocco and the Middle East.
- A consultant who operates at the intersection of media and tech in Nigeria.
Congress is on 4-6 June in the coastal village of Cascais, about half an hour from Lisbon, Portugal. You can learn more at fippcongress.com, and sign up here to join us there.
INDUSTRY PULSE
Back to the programme development aspect, what’s valuable about all these conversations with potential speakers is that they give you a true feel of industry sentiment: the positives, the negatives, the concerns, and the joys.
It also demonstrates the willingness of the industry to engage, share and collaborate. Even if it is done informally, it is perhaps something that is needed now more than ever before. FIPP Congress is such an opportunity.
CONNECTIONS WORLDWIDE
Gathering a global audience has always been one of the unique characteristics of the FIPP Congress, as a true once-in-a-year nexus for media and related tech. They include individuals, SMEs, multi-national publishers and related tech. In 2023, for example, we gathered participants from 43 countries!
While it is good to look to other industry sectors for learning and inspiration, there are very good reasons for meeting same-industry, worldwide colleagues. They include perspectives, validation and support, alignment of vision and action, collective problem-solving and idea generation, synchronised learning and growth, and so on. Read more about it here.
ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST FIVE SPEAKERS
OUR FUTURE WORLD WITH AI
Dr Seth Dobrin, the CEO of Qantm AI and former Global Chief AI Officer at IBM, is a visionary in AI and data science. Throughout his career, he has strongly advocated for diversity in technology and against technological colonialism, supporting organisations like WLDA and Wonder Women Tech. As AI continues to evolve, his insights, leadership, and commitment to ethical practices remain vital, shaping AI’s future in a responsible, ethical, and inclusive direction. From pioneering agritech innovations at Monsanto to steering IBM’s AI transformation, Seth’s career is marked by transformative contributions. At Qantm AI, his leadership is instrumental in guiding Fortune 500 companies and Private Equity firms towards responsible and effective AI strategies.
THE RETURN TO PREMIUM FOR PUBLISHERS
Dr Jon Roberts is the Chief Innovation Officer at Dotdash Meredith. Jon has been with Dotdash Meredith since 2013. He previously held roles as President, Health & Finance, where he oversaw strategy for Verywell, Health, Parents, Investopedia and The Balance. He also held various senior leadership roles, including Head of Data Science, where he derived insights from more than 20 years of Internet data across thousands of topics. His career spans 10 years as a theoretical physicist focused on making dark matter predictions for the hadron collider at CERN, and cosmic ray predictions for the AMS detector on the International Space Station. He also worked on the Pierre Auger telescope in Argentina. He received his Ph.D. at the University of Southampton and his M.A. from the University of Oxford.
BUILDING MAGAZINE MEDIA BRANDS IN MOROCCO
Ichrak Moubsit is General Director at Femme du Maroc. A seasoned Moroccan journalist, communications advisor, and publisher, her career in media started as a journalist-analyst at “L’Economiste,” a prominent daily newspaper in Morocco, and later at “Le Soir Echos.” She also served as Communications and PR Advisor to the Chief of Government of Morocco and President of the RNI party. In 2022, she returned to her media roots, leading a group of magazines including “Femmes du Maroc,” “Nissaa Mina Lmaghrib,” and “Maisons du Maroc.” She is also a member of the executive board of the National Association of Media and Publishers (ANME), the largest professional press sector body.
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL MEDIA BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
A tech-media enthusiast, Anas (Andy) Abbar is the CEO and Co-Founder of a leading, profitable, independent digital media platform. Anas founded 7awi (pronounced “Hawi”) in late 2012 with a vision to inform, entertain and inspire the youth. A key to 7awi’s success is his ability to adapt to ongoing market changes continuously. Today, 7awi owns and operates 18 verticals, with millions of monthly visitors and a social media reach of over 100 million monthly followers. Prior to 7awi, Andy spent 20 years at Microsoft in the US, France and Thailand and 3 years at Yahoo!, where he fell in love with media.
INNOVATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY IN NIGERIA
Adenike Aloba is a Media Consultant and champions synergy between media and technology. former Program Director and Managing Editor at Dataphyte, where she steered the strategic direction, team culture and impactful product development, also aligning editorial operations with strategic business objectives. Throughout her career, she made impactful contributions at the crossroads of media, technology and development, including areas such as data/tech for development, press freedom, gender equality, and more. Before joining Dataphyte, she was a Program Manager with the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (now the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development).
Join them at Congress in Cascais. Sign up today to save with our limited pre-agenda discounted rate.
ABOUT CONGRESS 2024 and THE ATTENDEES
We, Media Makers Meet (Mx3), organise and host Congress on license from FIPP, the global media industry body, as we did in 2022 and 2023.
In 2024, the 46th FIPP World Media Congress will take place in the Cidadela of Cascais, Portugal, a wonderful location that colleagues who attended in 2022 and 2023 can tell you all about! Tickets sold out on both occasions. We are on track to repeat the feat this year.
Already for 2024, we have confirmed attendees from Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Japan, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, The Philippines, The United Arab Emirates, The United Kingdom, The United States and Turkey. As is the norm, the Congress audience profile includes senior executives, mid-to-senior operational managers, technologists, advisors and consultants.
If you haven’t done so yet, join them!
Visit fippcongress.com and sign up here.
We hope to see you in Cascais from June 4th to 6th!
INTERESTED in SPEAKING at CONGRESS?
While very few (honestly!) speaking slots remain truly available, feel free to email me if you would like to send a suggestion for the programme. I’m especially interested in pioneering magazine media, creator-led media and AI in media case studies. My email address is cobus@mediamakersmeet.com.
INTERESTED in PARTNERING at CONGRESS?
We have several custom packages available, including digital-only, expo and meeting options, segment sponsorship, and experiential activities such as our walking and running club (already sold, but we’d be happy to consider other healthy body and mind activities if you want to suggest something!). Contact John Schlaefli at john@mediamakersmeet.com for more.
