TECOM exec urges content creators to join firm's Media Cluster

More than 200 companies joined TECOM Investments' Media Cluster last year, Media Cluster said last week. The cluster includes Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and International Media Production Zone.

Deloitte’s recently released TMT Predictions for 2015 forecast major growth opportunities for content creators across the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. Mohammad Abdullah, managing director for TECOM’s Media Cluster, has encouraged content creators to join business communities like the ones in the cluster.

“The environment for content creators has never been as competitive as it is today, with consumers able to access almost unlimited amounts of content on their smartphones, and it is important that creators of content are given the right support and market for their output and to fill a niche," Abdullah said. “With large industry players adopting the short-form video format, whose new ventures we continue to support, it is more important now than ever that creators of online content are given the right support and environment to operate. We continue to encourage creators of content from around the world to join our business communities, and ensure that creativity and competition are nurtured across the industry.”

The MENA region is expected to have its first billion-unit year in 2015 for the global smartphone sector. This likely will cause growth in the popularity of short-form videos, which are expected to net $5 million in global revenues.

Meanwhile, long-form content is expected to generate $400 million in advertising and subscription revenues.

The MENA region is YouTube’s second-largest market worldwide, second only to the United States.