Maroun Bedran is a media and digital transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience in media, digital products, marketing, and content across the MENA region. He currently serves as Head of Digital at Al Mashhad TV, where he has helped transform the brand into one of the fastest growing Arabic digital platforms, achieving more than 2 billion organic video views monthly in 2025 and over 500 percent year on year growth.
At Al Mashhad, Maroun has built and led high performing teams of content creators, developers, designers, producers, and growth specialists, combining creativity with data driven performance. He spearheaded the launch of an OTT platform with AI powered recommendations, developed a next generation content management system, and oversaw the rollout of a news website that now exceeds 30 million monthly sessions through advanced organic growth strategies. His earlier roles include founding Sukar Media, serving as a Senior Communications Consultant at the World Bank Group, leading marketing and communications at Algorythma Group, and developing the business department at Sky News Arabia as Editor in Chief. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Communications and in French Literature from the Lebanese University.
At BRIDGE Summit, Maroun will share how integrated digital strategy, product thinking, and content innovation can turn media brands into high growth platforms with loyal, engaged audiences.
As AI reshapes how content is created and consumed, the strength of media’s future depends on a workforce equipped to work with intelligent tools while preserving cultural relevancy. This session explores how educators, media hubs, and AI innovators can build a talent pipeline that is both technologically fluent and culturally grounded, ensuring a new generation of creators can thrive in an AI-first landscape and shape tools that reflect the diversity of global audiences.
Social media platforms shape public discourse through curation and moderation. During COVID-19, content moderation, inclusive of removals and downranking, raised concerns about silencing marginalized voices. A 2020 Anti-Defamation League survey found that 36% of U.S. adults faced online harassment, with 20% of those cases linked to political views, underscoring the difficulty of managing polarizing content. As algorithms dictate what’s seen or suppressed, how can we build digital spaces that protect expression and integrity?
Founding Partner & Chairman, Counder & Africa Collective, Founder, Pulse & Founding Team Jumia
Editor, TN Magazine, The National
CEO, Viewture
Chief Reporter & Podcaster, Arabian Business
Founder, The Family Hub
“One BRIDGE to unite them all. BRIDGE Summit looks to become the largest cross-sector media event in the world.”
“A gateway for knowledge exchange.”
“A summit to BRIDGE the gaps in the global media ecosystem.”
“We are proud to take part in the inaugural edition of BRIDGE Summit.”
“Un pont pour tous les réunir.”
