Top Leaders from IBM, PepsiCo and Global Media Groups to Headline the ABLF Talks on February 8, 2022

The increasing digitisation of media and the opportunities and challenges it presents will be at the core of the discussions at the fourth hybrid edition of the ABLF Talks, the powerful monthly leadership series organised by the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF). Held at the Dubai Cares Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, on February 8, 2022, this month’s edition will also feature insights and opinions from prominent business leaders on technology and the economy.

The ABLF Talks, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, UAE and in association with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation, has been bringing together top Asian leaders in discussions around crucial socio-economic issues for the last 17 months which will continue till the end of the Expo 2020 Dubai in March.

At the conclave on February 8, the first session will feature Saad Toma, General Manager – Middle East & Africa, IBM who will shed light on the company’s strategies to aid organisations in their digital journey through the pandemic. His observations and experiences, especially over the past couple of years, will provide some valuable insights into the cutting-edge technology deployed by IBM and others in the industry to adapt to an ever-changing environment.

The long road to economic recovery in a pandemic-ravaged world will be at the core of Aamer Sheikh, CEO – Middle East Business Unit, PepsiCo’s session. Mr Sheikh will not only share his thoughts on the way ahead for the industry but also spotlight the role of the Expo 2020 Dubai in bolstering investments in the UAE.

A key highlight of this edition of the ABLF Talks will be a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the wake of the digitisation of media. With the pandemic accelerating digitisation, there has been a huge impact on traditional as well as new media and this session of the conclave, featuring some of the top leaders from media and finance in the region, will explore the new trends in depth. The panel will have Mohammed Y. Burhan, CEO, CNBC Arabia, Alan Griffin, CEO, Khaleej Times, Manoj Mathew, Executive VP,  Territory Head (MENA, Turkey and Pakistan), Zee Network and Olivier Crespin, CEO and Co-founder, Zand.

As always, the event will be streamed virtually to an audience of 30,000 through the ABLF City, the cutting-edge virtual platform, while the in-person sessions will have a well-curated audience comprising top industry leaders from the GCC and beyond.

The ABLF is brought to you by a powerful line-up of partners including the $45 billion Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, leading digital bank Zand, Etisalat along with CNBC Arabia (Broadcast Partner) and Hindustan Times, Khaleej Times, Muscat Daily, Al Bayan, Zee TV, WION (Media Partners) and UNICEF.

To attend the ABLF Talks Conclaves virtually, register for free at www.ablf.com