Personal branding has been growing in places like the USA/Canada and Europe, and the MENA region is slowly seeing a shift in embracing it. South Asians and Arabs believe their social standing is completely tethered to a fancy job title and/or prominent business brand.
We've invited Sabine Kuhn - founder of Talent and Truth, a boutique personal branding consultancy dedicated to building high-impact executive brands on LinkedIn and beyond - to expand and dive into the shift and trends of personal branding by professionals in the region.
If you're looking to elevate and enhance your personal brand, we've got some actionable insights and even simple tricks to kick-start the process.
You can use "50SIGNUPS" to avail her first course to kick-start your personal brand journey based on years of work with their pool of clients.
Don't forget to follow Sabine Kuhn and Talent and Truth on LinkedIn.
Watch the video version on YouTube.
-- Chapters --
00:00 Opening
00:33 Today's episode: Personal branding in MENA region
02:02 Introducing our guest
04:19 The Birth of Talent and Truth
08:11 Common Myths of Personal Branding
09:19 Cultural Perceptions in the MENA Region
13:05 Trends in Personal Branding
18:07 The Role of Content Creators for CEOs
20:18 Navigating LinkedIn and Instagram for Branding
27:17 Language and Quality Control
30:08 Common Pitfalls in Personal Branding
33:46 Balancing Authenticity and Professionalism
36:40 Understanding ROI in Personal Branding
40:29 Those who want LinkedIn Top Voice status
42:53 Challenge of Virality vs. Thought Leadership
47:21 Future of Recruitment and Likeability
52:04 Random: Yasser and Khan's presence on LinkedIn
54:58 Importance of Direct Communication
57:24 Building Connections on LinkedIn
58:49 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile for success
01:02:47 Crafting an Engaging LinkedIn Biography
01:06:32 Establishing a Posting Routine
01:08:28 Future Directions for Talent and Truth
01:10:47 Learning from Experience
01:15:17 Overcoming Personal Branding Fears
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Fellow tech enthusiasts! We're bringing you along on our journey to the first-ever Web Summit in Vancouver (previously known as Collision held in Toronto, Canada). We're diving into the heart of the tech world, sharing our personal experiences and the incredible energy of this event. From AI to machine learning, and the unique vibe of Vancouver, we're excited to share what we've discovered.
- Chapters -
00:00 Introduction to Web Summit Vancouver
02:39 Comparing Web Summit Locations
05:05 Key Highlights from Web Summit Vancouver
08:23 Insights on BlueSky and Decentralized Social Networks
11:16 Startup Ecosystem and Investment Opportunities
14:13 Vancouver's Tech Landscape and Industry Drivers
17:08 Reflections on Event Organization and Experience
20:43 AI and Machine Learning Discussions
22:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Prospects
26:41 AI's Understanding of Identity
28:31 Governance and AI Accessibility
30:31 The Future of AI Investments
33:14 Media Presence and Community Engagement
39:55 The Evolution of Content Creation
49:05 Reflections on Web Summit Vancouver
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We're back with another episode up in the air at 36,000ft and going even higher with a guest joining us on the move while on-ground. Shashank Nigam (CEO of aviation consultancy Simpliflying) joins us to talk about the evolving landscape of the aviation industry, focusing on sustainability, connectivity innovations, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experience.
We even explore the challenges and opportunities presented by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and the importance of airports in shaping the future of air travel. All while being focused on the Middle East region and the aviation players that have disrupted the status quo.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast
(01:30) Let's introduce our guest
(04:30) Recent Boeing Aircraft Orders
(05:35) The Impact of Technology on Air Travel
(08:05) Riyadh Air's product strategy
(09:04) In-flight Wi-Fi connectivity
(11:37) The early path for in-flight connectivity
(14:05) Enhancing Customer Experience with Connectivity
(16:37) Personalized AI interactions for travellers
(18:17) AI resolving a major issue
(21:05) Airline apps that made inconveniences better
(23:34) Airports as Key Differentiators
(24:32) A Long-Term Vision for Smart Airports
(26:14) The Role of Pre-Clearance Facilities
(30:44) Innovative Funding for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
(33:03) Corporate Responsibility in Aviation Sustainability
(36:44) Evolving Technologies and Government Policies in Aviation
(39:59) Balancing Growth and Sustainability in Aviation
(46:54) Navigating Connectivity Challenges
(49:33) Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East
(52:16) Innovative Airport Designs for Sustainability
(54:49) Leadership in Aviation Sustainability
(56:03) Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
(56:19) Navigating Connectivity Challenges
(57:28) Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East
(01:00:12) Leadership in Aviation Sustainability
(01:03:22) The Future of Airports and Airlines
(01:06:26) Closing Thoughts and Future Insights
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It's a new milestone for our podcast - we've brought our first guest, ready to unravel more of a big news piece we discussed a few episodes ago (hint: iHeartMedia).
Andy Kelly, the Senior Vice President of Ruby (iHeartMedia's branded content studio), joins us to discuss the vision behind their international expansion in partnership with the GCO of Qatar, the role of podcasting in the region, and the importance of creating localised content. The conversation also highlights the significance of human connection in audio, the challenges and opportunities in the MENA market, and the future of audio advertising with international expansion.
As of the moment the episode was published, Andy Kelly has been promoted to EVP of Global Brand Partnerships at iHeartMedia.
- Chapters -
(00:00) Introduction to iHeartMedia and Podcasting in MENA
(02:57) The Journey of iHeartMedia's International Expansion
(06:21) The Vision for Podcasting in the MENA Region
(09:07) Insights from Web Summit Qatar 2025
(12:00) The Role of Audio in Advertising
(15:19) Building a Podcasting Ecosystem in Qatar
(18:08) Creating Localised Content for Diverse Audiences
(21:11) Navigating Cultural Sensitivities in Content Creation
(24:08) Live Events and Community Engagement
(27:01) Future Plans for iHeartMedia in the MENA region
(38:59) Building a Creative Hub in Doha, Qatar
(42:03) The Future of Podcasting in MENA
(45:04) Understanding the Podcast Audience
(47:28) Collaborating with Regional Creators
(52:16) Branded Content and Market Demand
(53:52) Analytics and Support for Creators
(56:00) The Importance of Storytelling in Podcasting
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This episode takes us to new heights — literally in every possible sense — as we decided to try something new. Gazanfarulla Khan was travelling to Montreal, and we recorded our episode live while Yasser was at home.
The venue and occasion made it quite an ideal scenario to discuss something relevant to the Middle East region - airlines/aviation/airports with the intersection of technology and AI, particularly focused on the advancements in the Middle East.
Tapping into Starlink technology for the in-flight Wi-Fi to record the episode, we cover everything related to: the digitization of airlines and airports, innovations in air traffic control, and the importance of sustainability in aviation.
On a future note: the possible return of hypersonic travel and growth in space tourism, Middle East's role as a hub for aviation innovation, and the significance of personalization in enhancing customer experience to remove pain points in the journey.
Note: These are our individual opinions, as I used to work for an airline and Khan is still currently employed at an airline.
-- Chapters --
(00:00) Introduction and Unique Recording Setup
(03:50) Technology in Aviation: A New Era
(09:57) Innovations in Airport Experience
(17:32) Sustainability in Aviation
(23:19) Future Trends and Technologies in Aviation
(32:15) The Rise of Hyper-Personalization in Aviation
(33:42) Sustainability in Air Travel
(35:41) The Future of Autonomous Technology in Aviation
(38:03) Innovations in Space Travel and Hypersonic Flight
(42:15) The Evolution of Airport Infrastructure in the Middle East
(48:07) The Role of Innovation Hubs in Aviation
(52:54) The Impact of Technology on the Travel Experience
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We recap the highlights and insights from the Web Summit Qatar 2025, focusing on the growth compared to 2024, the dominance of AI in discussions, keynotes from notable figures, iHeartMedia's official international foray in partnership with the Government Communications Office of Qatar, and the evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar.
Gazanfarulla Khan joined in on-site to share first-hand details starting from the opening night. Coming full circle as we mark one year since our podcast kick-off at the inaugural Web Summit Qatar 2024. Don't forget to participate in the episode poll on Spotify.
-- Chapters --
"(00:00) Opening and live from Web Summit Qatar 2025"
"(01:20) Web Summit Qatar 2025 Growth and Diversity"
"(05:17) AI: The Dominant Theme"
"(07:04) Opening Night"
"(09:00) Keynote Highlights and Innovations"
"(12:01) Networking and Community Engagement"
"(15:02) Podcasting Trends in Qatar"
"(15:59) iHeartMedia partnership with GCO Qatar"
"(18:07) Augmented Reality and Tech Partnerships"
"(20:58) The Future of Startups and Investments"
"(22:44) Startup deep dives"
"(26:31) Side Thoughts"
"(29:08) Web Summit Qatar 2026"
"(34:26) Final Thoughts on Web Summit Qatar 2025"
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China just pulled the rug and surprised everyone with DeepSeek, made with less-powerful NVIDIA AI chips even with export restrictions. Web Summit Qatar is just few weeks away, with a surprise announcement by iHeartMedia looking to go international. Lenovo is building a manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, and some new features on Threads along with a major change to the Instagram profile grid. Plus, we decided to tease our plans for the next episode that is very LinkedIn-centric and requires input from our listeners. Please do check out the following form for details: LinkedIn etiqiuette across MENA region.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(00:30) AI's Global Landscape: China's DeepSeek R1
(11:55) Instagram's New Grid: A User's Dilemma
(21:56) The Rise of Video Editing Apps: CapCut vs Edits
(27:55) The Evolution of Video Editing Apps
(30:39) Tech Manufacturing in the Middle East
(34:43) Web Summit Qatar: Anticipations and Insights
(37:45) iHeartMedia partnership
(45:12) LinkedIn Etiquette in the MENA Region
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It's a new year and already it's been filled with some tech and social challenges. Starting off with the TikTok ban in the US also impacting people outside the country.
Is Dubai now looking to be the Creator Economy hub in the MENA region? Influencers in Qatar should prepare for new legislation that will impact them.
At CES 2025, Delta is bringing YouTube Premium to its in-flight entertainment. What about the possibilities of Netflix, Disney+, and other SVOD joining in? All this and more are covered in our latest episode.
Additional reference links during the episode
- TikTok STEM feed launches in Saudi Arabia
Chapters
"(00:00) Introduction and New Beginnings"
"(01:54) The TikTok Ban and Its Implications"
"(10:04) The Evolution of TikTok and Its Impact"
"(16:07) Educational Content and TikTok's STEM Feed"
"(21:02) Influencer Licensing in Qatar"
"(27:02) Regulating Influencers and Future Prospects"
"(27:14) Emerging Trends in the Digital Market"
"(30:15) The Rise of Creator Economies"
"(34:28) Monetization Strategies Across Platforms"
"(39:08) Innovations in In-Flight Entertainment"
"(45:28) The Future of Streaming Services"
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After many months since our previous episode, Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan return for the next episode exploring some highlights of the year: recent developments in Qatar, including tech events focused on Web Summit Qatar 2025 and WSJ Tech Live, AI initiatives across the GCC region, Apple's expansion plans in Saudi Arabia, and Talabat's IPO.
Additional reference links during the episode:
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Picking up from our previous episode, Khan and I continue to recap our experience at the inaugural Web Summit Qatar 2024.
The last tech event I attended was CES 2019 (before everyone was locked in). The next best opportunity came with the inaugural Web Summit Qatar in February 2024. We managed to cover as much with a divide-and-conquer approach. With many interesting panels/sessions covering multiple conference tracks, there was plenty to cover and the onsite podcast booth setup was our way to crunch it all. Read all about Web Summit Qatar 2024 on the blog.
Prefer to watch as a video? Watch the video version. Related videos to some of the discussions during the episode
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After quite a long time, I got to attend a tech event since the last one was in 2019 (yes, before everyone was locked in). The opportunity came with the inaugural Web Summit Qatar in February 2024.
Hosted by Yasser Masood and Gazanfarulla Khan, we managed to cover as much with a divide-and-conquer approach given the scheduling of many interesting panels/sessions covering multiple conference tracks. The best thing was the onsite podcast booth setup, which allowed us to record onsite. This is Part 1 of our overview of the Web Summit Qatar, with Part 2 to follow. Read all about Web Summit Qatar 2024 on the blog.
Prefer to watch as a video? Watch the video version. ---
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Let’s introduce ourselves! We’re two ‘Khans’ who want to make this podcast different. How? Our focus is on the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) spanning tech, social media, digital and other related topics; sometimes, we'll even include the Indian Subcontinent (South Asia) region given the large diaspora present.
