BRIDGE Summit 2025 to host Jeff Zucker, Emily Maitlis, Jane Ferguson, Chuck Todd and other media leaders on trust and the future of storytelling

Senior editors, global broadcasters, and creators — including Jeff Zucker, Emily Maitlis, Jane Ferguson, and Chuck Todd will lead major discussions on trust, influence, and the future of information at BRIDGE Summit 2025, taking place December 8–10 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi. The world’s largest debut media event will feature 430+ speakers, 300 exhibitors, and more than 60,000 participants, convening to examine how information is created, shared, and governed in an era of rapid technological and cultural change.

Rebuilding trust, accountability, and editorial leadership
Jeff Zucker, CEO and operating partner at RedBird IMI and RedBird Capital Partners, will lead a session titled ‘The Comfort Crisis in Media’, examining how consolidation, shifting business models, and the rise of independent creators are reshaping editorial leadership — and how media companies can rebuild cultures that support risk-taking and creative resilience.

Broadcaster Emily Maitlis will lead ‘Stories with an Agenda’, exploring how narrative framing influences public understanding amid widespread concern about misinformation — and what restoring clarity and trust now requires.

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In ‘Building a New Backbone for Journalism’, Noosphere’s Jane Ferguson and Chuck Todd will discuss how political reporting is being redefined by algorithms, polarisation, and rising scrutiny — and what credibility demands in an environment driven by speed and fragmented attention.

Narratives that move markets, politics, and public imagination
Political economist Dr Vuk Vuković will lead ‘How Stories Are a Force of Change’, highlighting how viral beliefs influence economic behavior and political outcomes — and why leaders must understand how narratives form and spread.

Identity, community, and the rise of grassroots media
In ‘Purpose Over Production: How Independent Media Wins Hearts’, Faisal Al Agel and Munera Al Shiraifi will outline how a grassroots podcast evolved into a cultural movement — illustrating how authenticity and value-driven content are reshaping how Arab audiences build trust with media.

‘Memes as a Media Business’, led by Justyna Gawlik of Overheard and Brian Hanly of VideoNest, will explore how meme culture has evolved into a defining language of digital communication, influencing identity, politics, brand behavior, and new forms of intellectual property.

New formats, new futures: Global storytelling in transition
In ‘The Future of Storytelling at Scale’, Grigory Lavrov, vice president of Marketing for CEE and MENAT at Warner Bros. Discovery, will discuss how global entertainment companies reinterpret established IP for diverse audiences through data-driven creative strategy.

Moira Forbes and Stephanie Mehta will lead ‘Longform’s Next Act’, examining how longform journalism is finding renewed relevance on platforms such as YouTube, podcasting, and subscription publishing.

Platform governance, safety, and the changing information environment

‘Blueprints for Governing Digital Speech’, led by Carole House and Kristin Wood, will address the gaps in platform governance revealed in recent years, and the challenge of balancing safety, accuracy, and free expression as platforms evolve.

In ‘Who Reports On The Reporters?’, author and journalist Plestia Alaqad will examine how encrypted messaging, mobile documentation, and citizen reporting are reshaping conflict coverage in high-risk environments.

Najat Abdelhadi, Head of Communications for LinkedIn’s EMEAL Emerging Markets, will lead ‘The Disappearing Job Map of Media’, outlining how automation will reshape media roles by 2035 and the skills professionals need to remain relevant.

In ‘LinkedIn Leadership: Why Every Company Is a Media Company’, Katie Carroll will discuss how corporate communication is becoming central to brand identity and executive visibility as organisations build internal editorial capabilities.

These talks form part of a 300+ session programme that underscores BRIDGE Summit’s scale and ambition.

BRIDGE Summit is developed under the mandate of BRIDGE Alliance - an independent, non-profit global organisation that brings together leaders, policymakers, CEOs, investors, creators, thinkers, and media professionals on a unified platform for collaboration. The Alliance works to strengthen the foundations of a more interconnected global media ecosystem by facilitating the exchange of expertise, aligning shared priorities, and supporting meaningful, constructive cooperation across borders and sectors. Its vision is rooted in advancing credibility, trust, and transparency across the industry, while elevating global media standards in ways that support responsible innovation and reinforce the role of media as a trusted driver of economic, social, and cultural development. Established in line with the UAE’s vision to enhance global cooperation and innovation, the Alliance affirms the nation’s position as a hub for global dialogue. Its mission further contributes to strengthening the media sector’s contribution to national strategies and the global knowledge economy.

Registration is now open via the official BRIDGE Summit website www.bridgesummit.com/en/ and through the BRIDGE App, the event’s unified digital companion connecting participants to schedules, speakers, and real-time updates.