BRIDGE unveils guest lineup with new wave of global leaders

BRIDGE Summit 2025, the inaugural edition of the world’s largest debut event for media, content, and entertainment, has unveiled its guest lineup with a second wave of global leaders in thought, creativity, and influence.This announcement adds major figures from government, philanthropy, and media to its already stellar roster, including HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies; Rt. Hon. Lucy Frazer KC, former UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport; Michael Piwowar, PhD, former Acting Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission; and Moira Forbes, Executive Vice President of Forbes.

They are joined by the CEOs and founders of some of the world’s most influential media brands, including Justin Smith of Semafor, Shekhar Gupta of ThePrint, Uche Pedro of BellaNaija, and Andrew Sollinger of Foreign Policy, further establishing the summit’s position as a definitive global destination for thought leaders.

With the unprecedented convergence of 400 icons of industry who will define the future of the content economy, this second-wave announcement deepens the summit’s expertise across its seven core tracks of: Media, Creator Economy, Music, Gaming, Tech, Marketing, and Picture; bringing unparalleled perspectives on philanthropic investment, and the business of media and journalism.

Organized by BRIDGE, the summit will transform over 1.65 million square feet of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) into a dynamic hub connecting leaders, creators, and innovators across the global content economy. From December 8–10, the three-day event will host more than 60,000 participants, 300 exhibitors, and 300 activations, including 200 talks and panels and 50 interactive workshops. Designed as a global platform for collaboration, discovery, and innovation, BRIDGE Summit 2025 will explore how creativity, technology, and commerce converge to define the next era of communication and culture.

The Media Track is powerfully amplified with a cohort of speakers representing a truly global cross-section of the industry, from strategy and philanthropy to pioneering news brands.

From the Middle East and Africa, the track welcomes HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, a global philanthropic leader from Saudi Arabia; Uche Pedro, Founder of Nigeria’s leading digital media company, BellaNaija; Dr. Julie Gichuru, Founder and CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute in Kenya; and Ahmed Hussain, a senior executive at the BBC and Head of its BBC Asian Network, who is a key figure in the UK’s South Asian community. They are joined by Abdul Karim Abdullah, Founder and CEO of Culture Management Group and the visionary behind the AfroFuture Festival in Ghana; and Ken Ansah, Chief Operating Officer of Multimedia Group Limited, both representing Africa’s expanding creative and broadcast industries.

The North American perspective is delivered by Andrew Sollinger, CEO and Publisher of Foreign Policy; Moira Forbes, Executive Vice President of Forbes; Justin Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Semafor; and Earl Wilkinson, Executive Director and CEO of the International News Media Association (INMA). Attendees can also look forward to appearances by Keith Bonnici, President and COO of The Daily Beast; Eric Schurenberg, founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media and former CEO of Inc. and Fast Company; and Gregory Galant, Co-Founder and CEO of Muck Rack, a leading AI-powered platform transforming global PR and journalism workflows.

Rounding out the global view from Europe and South Asia are Rt. Hon. Lucy Frazer KC, who brings her experience from the UK Cabinet overseeing national cultural and media strategy; Sir Liam Fox, former UK Secretary of State for International Trade and Defence; and Shekhar Gupta, award-winning journalist and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of India’s ThePrint. Adding further European depth, Horst Bente, private investor and third-generation member of the Adi Dassler family who famously founded Adidas; and Christoph Sonnen, Co-Founder of LEAD Sports & Health Tech Partners, will explore the intersection of sport, legacy, and innovation in media and entertainment.

Together, this group represents a formidable force in shaping media proficiency, business models, and trustworthy journalism worldwide.