Abu dhabi: John Darsie, CEO of SALT and a Partner at SkyBridge, highlighted the impressive scale of the BRIDGE Summit in its inaugural year, emphasizing the UAE’s ambition to accelerate the growth of the media and creator economy ecosystem.
According to Emirates News Agency, Darsie remarked on the sidelines of the summit that the creator economy is expanding rapidly, fueled by investments from entities like SkyBridge, UAE sovereign-related entities, and private investment companies. He noted that the traditional centralized control over news and media is diminishing, paving the way for a more democratized system for information, news, and entertainment.
Darsie acknowledged the ongoing challenge of arbitrating truth in this evolving landscape but stressed that finding a balance between the old and new systems could result in a stronger, more democratized media environment. He identified the biggest change in media as the democratization of news, media, and entertainment, allowing creators and individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in the global conversation.
He predicted continued growth in creator-based media enterprises and increased collaboration among creators, citing existing trends among YouTube streamers and independent journalists who collaborate to host events and share audiences. As media decentralizes further, such partnerships are expected to rise.
Regarding investment trends, Darsie noted that capital is increasingly concentrated at both ends of the market, with significant funds going to mature companies and early-stage creators, podcasters, and creator-led ventures. The primary challenge, he noted, is bridging the gap in the middle market.
Finally, Darsie described the enthusiasm among creators and young people for the digital economy as a defining impression from the BRIDGE Summit, indicating the direction of global media and business models.