The Middle East and North Africa are among podcasting’s fastest-growing regions and iHeartMedia is looking to expand its footprint there. It is teaming up with the Qatari government to become the official podcast partner for the 2025 Web Summit Qatar. More than 20,000 tech and business leaders and investors, and a record 1,250 startups, are expected at next month’s event in Doha.
“At iHeart, we believe in the power of bringing brilliant minds together for interesting and vibrant discussions that lead to innovation and change,” iHeart CEO Bob Pittman says in the announcement. Pittman says iHeart’s partnership with the Qatari Government Communications Office “provides a great opportunity to work together to push the boundaries of podcasting today — and what it can become in the future.”
Top iHeartPodcasts talent, show producers and executives will be in attendance to participate in a range of events including educational sessions, live podcast recordings and Centre Stage content like fireside chats, panel discussions and Q&A sessions. That includes sessions that will include Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group, as well as Revisionist History host Malcolm Gladwell, On Purpose host Jay Shetty, Inner Cosmos host David Eagleman, and TechStuff host Jonathan Strickland, and Ridiculous History co-hosts Noel Brown and Ben Bowlin.
As part of the partnership, Web Summit Qatar will also introduce a new conference offering, the iHeart Podcast Creator Studio. It will feature an on-site iHeartPodcasts Recording Studio and attendee lounge for live show taping on the showroom floor. The team of iHeart creators will present multiple podcast courses for attendees at the Creator Studio on the foundations of podcasting. Programming will include discussions and interactive workshops about effective storytelling, technical setup and equipment needs, audio production basics, content strategy and planning, launch and growth marketing, and finding an audience and sponsors.
“There is significant growth potential for the podcast medium across the Middle East and North Africa,” says Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour Al-Thani, Chairman of the Web Summit Qatar Organizing Committee. “Therefore, it is critical that attendees of Web Summit Qatar have direct access to the leading podcast publisher globally. Thanks to this partnership, Web Summit Qatar attendees will be able to learn directly from experts about how to create their own content, incorporate the latest innovations, and grow their platform.”
The 2025 Web Summit Qatar will be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from Feb. 23-26. Get more details HERE.
