MBC Studios’ Zeinab Abu Alsamh on the Next Generation of Saudi Talent

Previous to becoming a member of Saudi Arabia’s MBC Group in 2021, Zeinab Abu Alsamh, one in every of The Hollywood Reporter‘s 2024 Most Highly effective Ladies in Worldwide TV, served as chief business officer of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority, the place she was chargeable for the programming methods of its whole broadcast portfolio.

At MBC Studios, the in-house premium content material manufacturing arm of MBC Group, she oversees the manufacturing and improvement of recent initiatives, whereas additionally serving as CEO of MBC Academy, which discovers and nurtures rising expertise.

“Internally, we spent final yr restructuring to raised serve the market and empower these with the fitting experience,” she says, including that previously yr the Academy’s largest achievement “was having 23,000 beneficiaries graduate from our coaching packages. We’re extremely pleased with them.”

What was your first job within the enterprise?

My first job was in promoting as an account govt, which ultimately developed into a job as a strategic planner. In that place, I used to be chargeable for understanding shoppers and discovering methods to create adverts that resonate emotionally whereas addressing sensible wants. I typically revisit what I realized in that function to raised perceive our viewers and what strikes them. I really liked that first job!

What was the largest skilled problem you confronted this previous yr?

Probably the most thrilling a part of working in a market just like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the speedy change the nation is present process. Nonetheless, continually maintaining with what’s related and understanding the tales our viewers desires to see on display may be thought of difficult, however to be sincere, I discover it extra thrilling than anything. It evokes us to continually push to chop by means of the litter and serve our audiences effectively.

What do you see as your largest achievement of the previous yr?

Internally, we spent final yr restructuring to raised serve the market and empower these with the fitting experience. MBC Acadmey, our largest achievement was having 23,000 beneficiaries graduate from our coaching programmes. We’re extremely pleased with them.

What must be achieved to enhance equality and variety inside the business?

You is perhaps shocked by the excessive proportion of range and ladies in management roles inside our organisation. Greater than 50% of my staff are girls from numerous backgrounds. Nonetheless, the problem for ladies in our line of labor stays reaching a work-life stability. We provide versatile working hours, and I’ve a KPI to make sure my groups keep a wholesome stability, which is all the time a win-win.

What’s or has been the best problem in being a girl on this (nonetheless very male-dominated) business?

As talked about, work-life stability is the best problem. Regardless of the progress we’ve made in gender range within the area, balancing skilled obligations with private life continues to be a wrestle for a lot of girls, I consider. I try to assist my staff by selling versatile working circumstances. And MBC Group could be very supportive of versatile working and championing girls in management roles.

What present business pattern do you hope to quickly see the again of?

I used to be not too long ago appointed as the pinnacle of MBC Expertise, an integral a part of our enterprise. This division is comparatively new in comparison with different departments at MBC Group, and there’s a lot potential to construct an infrastructure that matches the fast-growing tempo of the business. If I needed to decide a pattern to concentrate on, it could be synthetic intelligence and actually moving into how we will all study to profit and improve our work throughout the board.

What recommendation would you give younger girls simply coming into the business?

By no means cease studying and desirous to study. The business is consistently evolving, and the people who find themselves educated and adaptable will all the time have an edge. Being well-rounded in your experience is essential, and steady studying will repay.

What present, at the moment on air, would you like to have made?

That’s a tricky one as a result of there are such a lot of! Nonetheless, the fantasy style all the time intrigues me. I typically take into consideration what it could be wish to create a large-scale fantasy collection in Saudi Arabia.

What do you look ahead to pleasure?

I take pleasure in watching reruns. There’s one thing enjoyable about revisiting classics and studying from them with out worrying in regards to the ending. I am going in already understanding the way it will finish!

What do you do to unwind?

I spend time with my household and go to my mother and father. I don’t get to try this as typically as I would really like, so it’s all the time my go-to “repair” to unwind.