AI makes media industry more efficient and drives growth, expert says
Martin Sorrell: ‘AI speeds up writing processes, increasing efficiency’
New tech allows for increasingly personalized content
Updated 05 November 2024
Tamara Aboalsaud
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence is being used more effectively and efficiently to drive higher economic development in the media industry, said Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital.
At a panel session at the Athar Festival of Creativity Sorrell described how media agencies, such as S4 Capital and its subsidiary, Media.Monks, are using AI in a number of ways.
One application of AI in media, he said, is in “speeding the execution of copywriting and visualization.”
Time to market is drastically decreasing: “What took us literally days is now taking us three hours,” he said. Yet this produces another problem because reducing the time of procurement cuts costs, but this also means it is necessary to move to a model that increases gains in outputs,” he said.
Another application is in personalizing content for consumers. Sorrell told Arab News: “Individualization, hyper personalization, are going to become more important. Knowing the consumer in excruciating detail, using data, using the signals from the platforms, using first-party data, it becomes even more important.”
Using Netflix audience feedback algorithms as an example, Sorrell pointed out that AI enables these algorithms to produce larger and more accurate quantities of output, for example, recommendations based on user profile readings.
“We charge on a per asset used basis. Price of the asset may come down, but total revenue grows because we’re using multiple assets,” he said.
A growing area is in “media planning and buying.” Sophisticated algorithms can far more efficiently choose the distribution of planning and buying than individual media planners.
Technological capital and human capital, however, go hand in hand.
“We as agencies have to validate the algorithm’s analysis. We have to make sure that the client’s money is spent in the right way.”
Another benefit of AI is its ability to improve organizational efficiency. Where organizational silos once kept departments and specializations separate, AI opens up information to the majority of users.
To maintain the emotional connection and trust of the brand-consumer relationship in a technologically driven world, according to Sorrell, understanding individual motivation is increasingly crucial.
“Insights into culture, insights into language, into custom, into belief, into family, into country, that knowledge becomes critically important, far more so in a globalized world,” he said.
The diversity and knowledge of global and local organizations are essential for the success of any company, but the value of personalization means that local knowledge may take the lead, he added.
Quoting Harvard Business School professor Ted Levitt, Sorrell continued: “because remember, consumers will consume everything in the same way everywhere.”
Advising young professionals in tech, media and other industries operating in an AI-powered future, Sorrell said that rather than stripping away opportunities from creatives, avoiding the risk of “bombarding” consumers with much of the same, AI means “creativity becomes even more important.”
Additionally, creatives need to familiarize themselves with the skills and roles that are complementary to the new world: “I think every creative should learn Chinese. I think every creative should learn Spanish, probably Arabic too … and they should learn code.”
“The skills of the ‘Mad Men’, that Don Draper had or his colleagues … are very different to what you need now.”
Saudi defense minister meets with Chinese envoy to Kingdom
Session attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides
Updated 17 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Chinese ambassador to the Kingdom Chang Hua on Sunday.
The meeting focused on reviewing the strong relations between the two nations and discussing various issues of mutual interest, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The session was attended by several high-ranking officials from both sides, SPA added.
King Salman approves hosting of 1,000 Umrah pilgrims from 66 countries
Pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025
Minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that Saudi leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims
Updated 17 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has approved the hosting of 1,000 pilgrims from 66 countries to perform Umrah as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Programme for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit.
The pilgrims will be hosted in four groups during the current Islamic year which ends in the final week of June 2025.
The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call, and Guidance and general supervisor of the Hajj and Umrah program Sheikh Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh thanked the Saudi leadership for enabling Muslims from different countries of the world to perform the minor pilgrimage with ease and peace of mind.
The minister said the hosting of the pilgrims is an extension of the great care that the leadership takes to serve Islam and Muslims.
He added it would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims in various parts of the world and develop fruitful communication between scholars and influential figures who are hosted by the program.
The program has benefitted people from more than 140 countries since it was launched, the minister said.
Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia
Community bound by love of old gadgets that help enrich the present
Updated 17 November 2024
Waad Hussain
RIYADH: In an era marked by digital convenience, analog technology is steadily making a comeback, with everything from vinyl records to film cameras experiencing a renaissance around the Kingdom.
Driven by a blend of nostalgia, artistry, and an appreciation for the tactile, this resurgence reflects a deeper cultural shift toward mindfulness and intentionality.
Arab News spoke to enthusiasts and entrepreneurs about the beauty, challenges, and personal connections that analog offers over its digital counterparts.
The resurgence of analog formats is a reminder that technology can be more than just a tool. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)
For music lovers, vinyl offers an experience that is impossible to replicate digitally. Fawaz Al-Sulaim, owner of Bohemia Records, said: “Experiencing music through vinyl or cassette brings you closer to it, like you’re there with the artists in the studio. You go through every song on the album as intended.”
Vinyl’s allure lies not just in its sound but also in its tangible presence. Holding a vinyl record offers a sense of ownership often missing in digital music, where ownership is more of a fleeting license.
Al-Sulaim said: “Analog represents physical media coming back — not just in a technical sense but as something people can hold on to.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• As Saudi Arabia invests in art, culture, and heritage, there is hope that analog’s value will continue to be recognized and supported.
• With the rise in interest, local communities and businesses are emerging to cater to this renewed passion for analog.
This revival is not limited to vinyl. Bohemia Records has seen an increase in CD sales, suggesting that physical formats resonate with people’s desire to own and cherish music collections.
The appeal of analog does not stop at music. In photography, the return to film presents a refreshing contrast to digital’s immediacy.
Film rolls ready for development at Haitham Studio Film Lab, where each roll holds captured memories and stories from Saudi photographers. (Photo by Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi)
Haitham Al-Sharif, founder of Haitham Studio Film Lab in Riyadh, spoke to Arab News about film photography’s unique character, saying: “Film requires patience, thought, and a connection with the moment. You’re fully present, considering every exposure.”
Al-Sharif, who began his film processing journey at home, has seen a surge in Saudi interest, with his studio now serving thousands across the Gulf region.
Haitham Studio’s clients include people from seasoned photographers to students experimenting with their parents’ vintage cameras.
An eclectic display of analog nostalgia and rock memorabilia, featuring classic vinyl records, retro audio equipment, and books on music icons—capturing the spirit of vintage and punk culture. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)
He said: “People come in for graduations, weddings, and even casual shots with disposable film cameras. Each frame has meaning, and the photographer remembers every shot.”
Running a film lab, however, is not without challenges. “We rely on older machines, specialized chemicals, and skilled technicians, which aren’t always easy to source locally,” Al-Sharif explained, adding that the support of Saudi Arabia’s growing art and tourism sectors could enhance this particular industry’s growth.
For retro tech enthusiasts like Zain Al-Mansour, the appeal goes beyond functionality. He said: “Listening to music on vinyl or snapping pictures with a vintage camera offers a joy that’s similar to making espresso — you savor the process as much as the end result.”
Film negatives hang to dry at Haitham Studio, reflecting the lab’s dedication to preserving the authenticity and art of analog photography. (Photo by Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi)
With an affinity for devices that evoke memories, Al-Mansour recently acquired a first-generation Tamagotchi, to help rediscover the simplicity and wonder of childhood technology.
Analog devices engage users on a personal level, prompting a more deliberate interaction than today’s instant gratification.
Al-Mansour said: “Retro tech is fascinating because it takes you back to a simpler time. The aesthetics of these devices, the physicality, and even the sounds they make add to their charm.”
A film negative passes through the scanning machine at Haitham Studio, bridging the analog and digital worlds to bring treasured moments to life. (Photo by Abdulrahman Al-Osaimi)
For others, analog represents a form of self-expression. Bashayer Al-Bloushi sees a unique beauty in analog’s imperfections, which bring out details often missed in digital formats.
“Film photography forces you to capture moments with intention. There’s no instant review, so you’re careful about each frame,” she said.
For Al-Bloushi, analog provides a richer experience that digital cannot offer, allowing for a deeper connection to each captured moment.
A retro cassette collection at Bohemia Records, showcasing a variety of genres and rare finds that capture the essence of analog music. (Photo by Fawaz Al-Sulaim)
Saja Al-Zahrani spoke about how analog media lets people embrace a slower, more mindful approach.
Al-Zahrani said: “There’s a warmth in vinyl’s crackle or film’s grain that digital can’t match.
“With analog, people reconnect with something real, something authentic.”
This tactile experience of using film or vinyl requires more focus, turning each interaction into a rewarding moment.
The value of analog media extends beyond nostalgia for Ebtsam Al-Dossary. Having grown up with film cameras, she sees them as reliable memory-keepers.
She said: “A camera doesn’t just store images; it keeps your memories safe. Digital files can vanish, but a physical photo endures.”
For Al-Dossary, the resurgence of analog formats is not just a trend; it’s a meaningful way to capture and remember moments more authentically.
As digital convenience reigns, this analog revival may underscore a collective yearning for experiences that slow us down, engage our senses, and encourage a mindful appreciation of art, music, and memories.
Whether it is the crackle of a vinyl record, the anticipation of developing a roll of film, or the tactile joy of a retro gadget, analog’s comeback offers a refreshing alternative to the fast-paced digital world.
In today’s digital landscape, the resurgence of analog offers a bridge between past and present, inviting us to reconnect with timeless traditions and meaningful experiences.
For enthusiasts across Saudi Arabia, this revival is about more than simply reverting to older technology — it is about rediscovering a different kind of connection, one in which every sound, image, and moment is fully appreciated.
Analog’s revival is redefining how Saudi society interacts with technology, pushing back against the trend of disposability and transient media. Each record played, photo developed, or gadget cherished represents a conscious choice to engage deeply with the experience.
Analog enthusiasts find joy in the imperfections, the weight of physical media, and the permanence these formats offer — qualities that digital often lacks.
With the rise in interest, local communities and businesses are emerging to cater to this renewed passion for analog. Haitham Studio and Bohemia Records are not just stores but spaces for Saudi artists, photographers, and music lovers to connect and share their passions. These communities thrive on a shared understanding of the value in slowing down and appreciating the process, rather than just the result.
In Riyadh, Al-Sharif has seen the effect firsthand. “We see customers coming back weekly, sometimes with friends, eager to develop their latest film rolls or browse the latest records,” he said. This sense of community is not just about shared interests; it is about shared values.
While the digital world offers unprecedented convenience and accessibility, analog serves a different purpose. Al-Sharif believes that both can coexist harmoniously. “Digital is essential for instant documentation, but analog is about timeless experiences,” he said.
Al-Zahrani, too, emphasizes that analog does not negate the value of digital but rather offers an alternative that complements it. “Both formats have their place, but analog asks something of you: it asks you to be present, to commit to the moment,” she said.
As Saudi Arabia invests in art, culture, and heritage, there is hope that analog’s value will continue to be recognized and supported. Whether through dedicated spaces like Haitham Studio or local events celebrating vintage tech, these efforts help sustain a trend that is not only about looking back but also about enriching the present.
The resurgence of analog formats is a reminder that technology can be more than just a tool. It can be an experience, a memory, and a form of art.
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s counter-narcotics authorities on Sunday foiled attempts to smuggle $2 million worth of Captagon drugs and nearly half a million unlicensed Pregabalin and Tramadol pills.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said in a statement that it had seized the illegal drugs and unlicensed pills at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah; the inland Dry Port in Riyadh; and Al-Batha Port.
Authorities at the airport in Jeddah found 200,000 Captagon pills hidden in mail parcels containing household utensils. The drugs have a street value ranging from $2 million to $5 million.
Captagon, a type of amphetamine, is used by young men and teenage boys across the Middle East and has a street value of between $10 and $25 a pill, according to research by the International Journal of Addiction Research.
The attempt to smuggle Captagon into the Kingdom was the second in less than a week. Counter-narcotics authorities uncovered a shipment of 12 million amphetamine pills on Wednesday at the Red Sea port of Jeddah which had been hidden inside a container of building materials.
The authorities also thwarted the smuggling of 403,124 unlicensed Pregabalin pills at the inland Dry Port near Riyadh. Pregabalin is a prescription-only drug for anxiety, epilepsy, and nerve pain treatment, but its abuse has led to several deaths in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. In countries such as the UK it is illegal to buy or possess Pregabalin without a medical prescription.
An attempt to smuggle 1,990 unlicensed Tramadol pills — a prescription-only painkiller — and 500 grams of Shabu was thwarted at Al-Batha Port. The Customs Authority said the Shabu was found hidden in a shipment of washing machines.
The Customs Authority and the General Directorate of Narcotics Control have announced the arrest of 10 people in connection with the drug smuggling cases.
GCC secretary general receives Austria’s ambassador in Riyadh
The parties reviewed bilateral relations and ways to further develop and strengthen them, as well as discussing various topics of common interest
Updated 17 November 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Al-Budaiwi received the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom Omar Lebbe Ameer Ajwad, and the Ambassador of Austria to the Kingdom Oskar Wustinger in separate meetings at the Secretariat General of the GCC in Riyadh on Sunday.
The parties reviewed bilateral relations and ways to further develop and strengthen them, as well as discussing various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The discussions also included an exchange of views on recent regional and international developments.
