More stories

  • in

    How Meta is empowering a new wave of MENA content creators

    Joana Jamil, Strategic Partner Manager of Global Partnerships at Meta, shares the newest content creators in the region and what they look for in the next big thing.
    Who are some of the most exciting emerging content creators in the region right now?
    I’m really inspired by the wave of creativity we’re seeing from emerging content creators in the region right now. There are lots of incredible emerging regional talents such as Raghad Zamell, Osama Chabbi, Taliaa Fawaz, and Jana Al Hafar, just to name a few. What’s so exciting is how diverse and innovative this new generation is – there’s a vibrant mix of storytellers, artists, and voices who are using our Meta platforms to share authentic perspectives and connect with audiences in fresh ways. From Reels that capture cultural moments to Threads diving deep into local issues, they’re not just creating content but building communities and sparking meaningful conversations. It’s less about names for me and more about the collective energy and passion driving this movement forward – it’s a dynamic time for creativity in our region.

    How is Meta supporting Arabic-first or culturally rooted content?
    Over the course of the last three years we have collaborated with dozens of Arabic-speaking creators from the region – both emerging voices and well-established talent – including the likes of Amina Hussein, Amro Maskoun, Yara Bou Monsef, Omar Farooq, Dolly Dib, Mina AlSheikhly, Eisa Al Habib, and many others. What we’ve seen time and again is that when creators are empowered to express themselves in ways that are authentic to this region’s culture and audience, the content resonates more deeply. We recently launched Meta AI in Arabic, a major step toward more inclusive and personalised digital experiences empowering our region’s Arabic-first creators with a tool that feels natural and relevant to their daily lives.
    What sets the new generation of MENA creators apart from global counterparts?
    What sets MENA’s new creators apart is their authentic celebration of our rich culture, history, traditions, and diversity, which resonates globally and allows them to seamlessly weave these elements into their content. For instance, just last month, the spirit of Ramadan’s unity was beautifully woven into creators’ content, as seen in the work of Chef Leyla, YusurAlKhaildi, and Cybele Haddad, among others who specialise in diverse content areas such as food, fitness, lifestyle, and fashion. Moreover, domestic tourism is experiencing an unprecedented surge across MENA countries, enabling travel and lifestyle creators like Dolly Dib to uncover hidden gems in their own countries and neighbouring ones. By leveraging Meta platforms, including Meta AI for creative storytelling, these creators skillfully blend Arabic heritage with a universal vibe, rendering their content both distinctly regional and globally relatable.
    What advice would you give to aspiring creators trying to stand out to the Meta team?
    Aspiring creators should show up with intent. Have a clear vision for the stories you want to tell. Be consistent, posting regularly to build your presence across Reels or Threads. Educate yourself about Meta’s tools – explore features like Meta AI to boost your creativity. Above all, find your unique voice, stay authentic, and bring original ideas. That dedication and know-how will make you shine.

    How important is authenticity versus aesthetics in today’s creator economy?
    Authenticity and aesthetics both play meaningful roles – and finding the right balance really depends on the audience, the creator’s niche, and what they’re trying to achieve. For some communities, especially in areas like design, photography, fashion or film, aesthetics aren’t just about how content looks – it’s part of the creator’s craft, talent and self-expression. In those cases, a well-curated feed can be a powerful storytelling tool. At the same time, we’re seeing a clear shift on Instagram toward more authenticity. People are increasingly drawn to content that feels real and relatable rather than overly polished. This is reflected in the rise of trends like “photo dumps” and “Add Yours,” as well as features like Stories, Close Friends, and Remix, which make it easier for users to share everyday moments and connect on a more personal level. Ultimately, the beauty of today’s creator economy is that there’s room for both. Whether you’re a visual artist with a carefully curated aesthetic or someone sharing spontaneous, behind-the-scenes candid moments, Instagram is a platform where all types of creativity can thrive.
    How is Meta helping shape the future of content creation in the region?
    At Meta, we’re seeing incredible momentum in the creator economy across the Middle East, and we’re committed to supporting that growth. Content creation today is being shaped by a multitude of new tools, interactive formats, and ways to connect with the audience – and we are right at the center of that transformation. One of the biggest shifts is the rise of AI tools in the creative process which not only helps to massively accelerate the production and take care of the time consuming tasks but also takes creativity to the next level. With our recent launch of Meta AI in the MENA region, we’ve made it easier than ever for creators to brainstorm ideas, generate visuals, write scripts, and edit content – all directly within the platforms they already use, like Instagram and Facebook. With upcoming features like Imagine Me, Imagine Edit and Voice Translation right within Reels we hope to unlock new levels of creative freedom, allowing creators to be more expressive and productive, while reaching a global audience. We’re also constantly rolling out updates that give creators more ways to tell stories – with new fonts, stickers, editing tools, and experimental formats like Trial Reels which lets creators test their content’s performance before going fully live. These continuous updates are designed to help creators test content, engage their audience more deeply, and refine their voice. Beyond the tools, we’re focused on empowering creators as entrepreneurs – whether through monetisation features, branded content tools, or community-building campaigns like Trendships, which celebrate how creators foster meaningful cultural moments and connections through relatable content.
    Are there initiatives, grants, or programmes Meta offers to help boost emerging voices?
    We always say that creators are central to our platforms – their creativity powers connection over content. We are regularly collaborating with both emerging and well-established creators to help them amplify their voices, grow their influence and spark new ideas within the Instagram community. For instance, we annually spotlight a number of resonant creators who are making a significant impact on Instagram through our global Creators of Tomorrow programme. We also support creators with programmes such as Creators for Purpose, which we’ve announced recently in partnerships with CreatorsHQ in Dubai with the goal to support and elevate 5 creators with their philanthropic missions. We also partner with global and regional brands to give regional creators exposure and opportunities tocollaborate on a global scale. We understand that creators are entrepreneurs and want to turn their passions into a steady income, so building tools to help them make money on our platforms is a key priority for us. Advertisers are drawn to creators for their ability to authentically tell stories and engage audiences and we ensure that both creators and businesses know how to take full advantage of brand opportunities on our platforms. We’ve developed Instagram’s branded content tools and Creator Marketplace, where creators and brands can more easily connect and collaborate on a regular, sustainable basis. We are also constantly updating our learning resources like the Creator Lab, @creators, creators.instagram.com or Instagram For Business pages with best practices, product news and tips and tricks.
    This is The Discovery Issue – what has been the most surprising discovery in your career?
    My biggest discovery is how a win-win mindset transforms everything. I thought career success meant outworking everyone. But I’ve found that serving others – giving my all, never halfway – ignites real magic. When I pour my heart into empowering creators, I win too. It’s not just work; it’s my fire. That ‘serve first’ spark has opened doors and changed me forever.

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

  • in

    Connect deeper with this new Instagram trend: Trendships

    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    43 seconds ago

    Instagram has unveiled a new term, “Trendships,” to describe the unique social connections formed through Direct Messages (DMs). This emerging trend highlights how sharing memes, light-hearted content, and meaningful Reels has become a powerful tool for building and maintaining relationships.

    A New Era of Social Connection

    The rise of Instagram Reels has accelerated the growth of Trendships. People are increasingly using the platform to share relatable content with friends, family, and acquaintances. This simple act of sharing has the potential to foster deeper connections, express complex emotions, and bridge cultural divides.

    Nada Enan, Head of Communications, Middle East & North Africa, Meta, explained, “Trendships is not just about sharing popular content; it’s about creating a sense of community. People are using Instagram to exchange content that resonates with them, from humorous memes to motivational Reels. This redefines how we nurture intimate connections and exchange values in the digital age.”

    The Power of Sharing

    The sheer volume of Reels reshared daily underscores the significance of Trendships. With over 3.5 billion Reels reshared every day, it’s clear that people are actively using the platform to communicate and engage with their social circles.

    Instagram Creators Embrace the Trend

    To celebrate Trendships, Instagram is collaborating with content creators across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. Creators like Anas El Hajj, Azam Alawaidhi, and Amina Hussein are sharing their unique perspectives on the phenomenon, using anime, comics, sketches, and memes to explore the various facets of Trendships.

    The Future of Social Media

    Trendships represent a significant shift in how people use social media. By focusing on genuine connections and shared experiences, Instagram is redefining the role of social platforms in our daily lives. As the trend continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative ways to connect and communicate through Instagram DMs.

    Join the Trendship Movement

    To participate in the #whatsyourtrendship campaign, share your own Trendship stories on Instagram.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied & @veneti.a More

  • in

    Meta insider Joana Jamil on navigating Instagram the right way

    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    2 hours ago

    Joana Jamil, the Strategic Partner Manager, Global Partnerships at Meta, offers a unique perspective on the dynamic social media landscape of Instagram.

    How do you envision Instagram’s role in shaping the future of fashion in the Middle East?
    Instagram has already proven itself to be a transformative platform for the fashion industry, and its role in the Middle East will only continue to grow. The region is home to dynamic creators, designers, and influencers who use Instagram to express themselves, break barriers, and connect with global audiences. Instagram serves as a critical enabler and connector within the fashion industry in the region, empowering creators to not only showcase their work but also reach new markets and collaborate with brands through tools like Reels, Stories, and Shopping. But we don’t just enable onplatform; we actively connect the industry off-platform through initiatives like the industry roundtable dinner we hosted during Dubai Fashion Week and our participation in events such as the IG x Elie Saab collaboration, where we connected a global brand with regional creators. We also prioritise nurturing talents by providing creators with workshops and educational sessions that focus on how to best utilise our tools and features, ensuring they maximise the full potential of the platform.
    How can the platform be leveraged for authentic growth?
    Instagram empowers emerging talents by giving them direct access to a global audience through Reels, Stories, and Instagram Broadcast channels. We also host a series of workshops, roundtables, and 1:1 meeting with creators and creatives in various industries to hear from them and understand their needs and challenges throughout the year. We’re also constantly working on finding opportunities to bridge regional fashion creators with global moments in fashion, such as the Met Gala and Paris Fashion Week. For example, we had creators from the region fly to New York to represent us at the IG Met Watch Party.

    What bold strategies do you think Instagram has recently implemented for better user experience?
    Instagram has introduced several new features within Reels to provide a more bespoke experience for creators while creating content such as remixes and templates, which allow creators to easily create engaging and visually appealing content using pre-designed templates. These templates can be customised with text, images, and other creative elements, making it easier for creators to produce high-quality content on the go as well as be inspired by trending content in their niche. We also introduced our latest messaging tool, Instagram broadcast channel, which allows creators to create a more personal experience and engage directly with their community utilising multiple formats within their channels such as voice notes, pictures, videos and text.
    How do you see AI, AR, VR technology impacting the future of fashion shopping?
    At Meta, we see AI is a catalyst or accelerator for things we’re trying to do – whether it’s unleashing more creativity or working more efficiently. It’s not an end product in and of itself. When it comes to AR/VR technology, these tools are poised to revolutionise fashion shopping by making the experience more immersive and interactive. Imagine trying on clothes virtually using AR or walking through a virtual store using VR – these technologies can bridge the gap between physical and online shopping. In addition to AR/VR, AI plays a significant role in making fashion shopping more personalised. On Instagram, for instance, we’ve integrated AI-driven content recommendations that help fashion brands connect with their audience more effectively. AI analyses user preferences and suggests fashion related posts, stories, and reels tailored to users’ styles. Some AI-powered features that fashion brands can leverage on the platform include content recommendation, image and video recognition, generative AI tools, ad targeting and AI-powered captions and hashtags. With these tools, both AR/VR and AI will continue to shape the future of fashion shopping, offering brands and consumers more interactive, personalised, and efficient experiences.

    How can Instagram’s advertising platform be used more efficiently?
    Instagram’s advertising platform offers various targeting options to reach specific fashion demographics and preferences in the region. A number of vital ways include demographic targeting (age, gender, location, language), interest targeting (fashion, beauty, lifestyle), behavioural targeting (purchasing fashion items online, engaging with fashion content), lookalike audiences (based on existing customers or website visitors), location targeting, and many more options which allow fashion brands to create a targeted campaign that increases their engagement and conversion.
    Will the recent change in algorithm impact organic growth?
    The algorithm now prioritises content from accounts that users interact with most, which means that accounts may need to adapt their content strategy to increase engagement and reach. This could include creating more interactive content, using relatable topics and hashtags, and posting at optimal times. Additionally, accounts may need to focus on building a loyal community of followers who will consistently engage with their content.
    How can Meta effectively adapt Instagram’s strategies to capitalise on the growing popularity of Reels?
    Reels has a world of opportunities. In fact, it is our fastest growing feature on the platform! There are multiple ways to capitalise on the growing popularity of reels – to name a few best practices: Focus on creating original, engaging, and entertaining content; collaborate with other creators or users on the platform; utilise Instagram’s features (polls, quizzes, questions) for further engagement with your communities; post consistently – have a schedule that best suits you and your community. Monitor analytics to track learnings — fluctuations in reach are common, but if you’re using a Business or Creator Account, you can check your Instagram Insights to monitor trends and content performance. Watch out for patterns= and keep tabs on which pieces of content are getting more reach to help inform your content strategy. Within Insights, you can break down Accounts Reached by followers and non-followers so you can see how much of your reach is coming from people who don’t already follow you – and track that over time by changing the time frame selected. Experiment with different formats until you find your perfect fit. Get inspired! Make sure to keep an eye on rising trends and music through browsing other Reels and checking @Creators weekly Reels of roundup.
    Are the ‘save’ and ‘share’ features more pivotal for your content’s reach?
    Yes, the ‘save’ and ‘share’ features are important for a user’s content’s reach on Instagram. When users save or share your content, it increases its visibility and can lead to more engagement and followers.
    What bold approach do you think can help brands or individuals to stand out on Instagram?
    Be original. Focus on creating unique, high-quality content that tells a story and showcases your brand’s personality. This can include using creative visuals, experimenting with different formats, and leveraging user-generated content. Additionally, engaging with your audience through comments and DMs can help build a loyal community and increase brand awareness.
    This is The Bold Issue, what does being bold mean to you?
    For me, the formula is simple:being bold means taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone to achieve something remarkable. It means being fearless, confident, and unapologetic in your approach, even if it means going against the grain. Being bold is about embracing uncertainty and pushing boundaries to create something truly innovative and impactful.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More

  • in

    Vision and Voice: Meta unlocks social media evolution and innovation potential

    What drives the future of social media?Emirates Woman taps Meta’s Group Director FMCG, Luxury, Retail & E-Commerce (MENA), Anna Germanos, to unlock social media’s evolution and innovation potential.What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?My day begins with a glance at my phone, catching up on messages from friends and family sent overnight, and reading the latest headlines. The morn- ing hustle then begins – waking the kids up and preparing them for school, a daily marathon of its own. I drop them at the bus and hit the gym at 7am at least three times a week. The 7-8am hour is my only time for fitness.Tell us how you got your start in the industry.My journey in Consumer & Retail began with an internship at Booz & Company during my MBA year. I found myself captivated by industries closely connected to consumers, leading me to focus the rest of my consulting career on consumer and retail projects across the MEA region. In 2017, an opportunity presented itself in Google’s consumer team. Leveraging both my industry expertise and engineering background, I made the transition into the tech sector. Since then, I’ve been advising global and regional clients in Consumer, Retail, E- commerce, and Luxury on their digital marketing transformation journeys.Anna Germanos, Group Director FMCG, Luxury, Retail & E-Commerce (MENA) at MetaHow does your role impact innovation and tech at Meta?In my role at Meta, I directly engage with consumers and advertisers, translating their needs into actionable insights which helps bridge the gap between user requirements and our product teams. These insights also play a pivotal role in shaping Meta’s innovation roadmap, ensuring our products resonate with a diverse regional audience. I also oversee the adaptation of innovations to specific markets, leveraging local nuances for maximum impact. Naturally, any innovation undergoes rigorous testing before its global launch, and in our region, advertisers frequently participate in testing alphas and betas, which help shape the end-product development.“Innovation is also about making our technologies accessible to users of all backgrounds and abilities.”What are the key goals to lead the change in terms of innovation in the tech industry?Ultimately, innovation has to be centered around people. Everything we do at Meta is about breaking down barriers and connecting people, empowering them to create. The concept of the metaverse, for example, underscores the ability to facilitate profound connections through social presence and natural interactions using voice, facial expressions and gestures. Innovation is also about making our technologies accessible to users of all backgrounds and abilities. Whether through advancements in virtual and augmented reality or improved accessibility features, our goal is to ensure that everyone can participate in the digital revolution.How has the Middle East region changed in terms of interacting on Meta platforms – has there been a shift in the way content is consumed?There has been a noticeable shift in content consumption globally and our region is not an exception. It would come as no surprise that there has been a steady rise in the consumption of short-form video content, such as Reels, across all platforms. For instance, people spend more than half their time on Facebook and Instagram watching videos. As we have moved almost entirely to mobile first, when it comes to social media, brevity and shareability has become key. We are also seeing creators explore new frontiers through the use of AR and VR, experiment with new formats and tools, and find new ways to monetise their work. Another big shift is the growth of e-commerce on social media. While people have been using our apps to buy and sell things for years, the integration of e-commerce tools such as shoppable posts and branded content tools on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, live shopping, product stickers and integrated chatbots for customer support has made the experience more natural and seamless. E-commerce in MENA is projected to reach $50 billion by 2025, 1.7x from 2021 with KSA and UAE leading.How do you aim to positively drive the platforms forward in the region?The Middle East is a hub of immense potential, both creatively and in the business realm, and we are enthusiastic about deepening our collaborations with regional partners to expedite the development of the local ecosystem. We are deeply invested in amplifying the influence of the vibrant local creator community in the region – a community rich in talent and diversity. Initiatives like Creators of Tomorrow, Creator Lab, and locally flavoured campaigns are a launchpad that celebrate these talents and we aim to continue this momentum. We’re also constantly expanding on ways creators can monetise their content on our platforms. As our creator community thrives, so do the opportunities for brands and advertisers on our platforms. The regional success stories are compelling; brands leveraging our platforms have witnessed a substantial boost in ad effectiveness and sales. For instance, with AI-driven ad solutions, Home Center, a prominent home furnishings retailer in the GCC, experienced a 40% lift in return on ad spend using our tools. Similarly, Level Shoes, a luxury multi-brand footwear retailer in the UAE and KSA, reported a remarkable 92% higher return on ad spend in KSA. In addition to growth, we are dedicated to making our platforms a safer space, especially for minors. We’ve recently announced a new bundle of protections to give teens more age-appropriate experience, and overall, we’ve developed over 30 different tools and resources to support teens and their parents.UX/UI is at the core of Meta. How does the company approach digital innovation to ensure the content is fresh and engaging?We want to make the most of people’s time, and we believe personalisation is the way to go about it. We prioritise content that generates authentic interactions and that people seek out and return to on a regular basis. We use a wide variety of AI algorithms to ensure users get a good mix of staying connected to their close friends, while being engaged with new content relevant to their interests. We do that by analysing different factors including history of interaction, location and the user’s activity to try and predict what they will enjoy the most. Another aspect is giving creators better tools and helpful guides to empower them to engage with their communities and produce trendy, entertaining content. Features like Reel templates, Remix, Collabs and many more are all there to ensure we keep the bar high for quality content on our platforms. We also provide global guides via @creators on Instagram and creators.instagram.com to help creators get inspiration, learn how to best monetise their content, and stay ahead of the curve. Meta is also experimenting with incorporating generative AI post creation elements.Do you believe AI will be the defining technology of our generation or is this a passing trend?While it’s still early days for generative AI, the visible impact it is making leaves us anticipating positive changes across various domains, from business and healthcare to the delivery of public services. Far from being a passing trend, I firmly believe that AI is a transformative force here to stay. For over a decade, Meta has been a trailblazer in AI innovation, utilizing it to curate personalised content and ads for our users while ensuring safer experiences on our platforms. We’ve actively collaborated on over 1,000 open-source AI projects, contributing to the broader AI community. The transformative potential of AI is evident in its application by researchers, accelerating anti-biotic discovery and enabling the creation of detailed MRIs with significantly less raw data. Now, Meta is extending its AI endeavors with the development of new generative AI experiences. These innovations aim to make our platforms more social, more useful, and more immersive, further solidifying AI as a driving force in shaping the technological landscape of our generation.With social media use at an all-time high, what type of content stands out to you?The content that truly resonates with me is usually unique and genuine. I gravitate towards creators and influencers who can either in- spire or entertain me with their authentic passion. I prefer to engage with content that is specialised in a specific genre, rather than spans multiple areas. More broadly, content such as sports, fashion and beauty typically dominate in terms of popularity, followed by music and comedy. However, in our region, cultural events often bring other genres to the forefront, such as food and entertainment shows during Ramadan. I am also very intrigued by the emerging new technology and AI generated content that truly boosts engagement, similar to what Tom Jauncey (@tomjauncey) and Murad Osmann (@muradosmann) are creating on Instagram. Ultimately, content that is crafted with sincerity and passion is the most impactful.This is The Tech Issue – what technology has been a game changer in your life and how so?To me, WhatsApp is a revolutionary tool. Its user-friendly interface allows even the least tech-savvy individuals to connect effortlessly; case in point: my 93-year-old grandma is on WhatsApp! It really simplified my personal life management as a working mother. Professionally too, WhatsApp’s prevalence has expedited tasks, making communication more efficient than other channels. The benefits I’ve reaped in terms of connectivity, time-efficiency, and effectiveness through WhatsApp are immense.February’s – The Tech Issue with Christiana Maxion  – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More