iHeartMedia, the world’s leading podcast publisher, has been named the official podcast partner for the second edition of Web Summit Qatar, set to take place from February 23 to 26, 2025, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).
The highly anticipated event is expected to gather over 20,000 global technology and business leaders, founders, world-leading investors, media, and a record 1,250 startups, marking a major milestone for the Middle East’s burgeoning tech scene.
As part of the partnership, iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcasts will bring its top talent, producers, and executives to participate in educational sessions, live podcast recordings, and high-profile Centre Stage events, including fireside chats, panel discussions, and Q&A sessions.
Key Highlights:
- iHeartPodcasts Talent Lineup:
The Centre Stage sessions will feature leading iHeartPodcasts personalities, including:- Malcolm Gladwell, best-selling author and host of Revisionist History
- Jay Shetty, award-winning host of On Purpose
- David Eagleman, neuroscientist and host of Inner Cosmos
- Jonathan Strickland, host of TechStuff
- iHeart Podcast Creator Studio:
A new addition to Web Summit Qatar, the iHeart Podcast Creator Studio will include:- An on-site Recording Studio and attendee lounge
- Live show tapings on the showroom floor
- Multiple podcast courses and workshops, including topics such as storytelling, audio production basics, content strategy, and growth marketing
- Educational Programming:
Sessions will offer actionable insights for attendees on how to create, launch, and grow their own podcasts, featuring iHeartPodcasts experts like Noel Brown and Ben Bowlin, co-hosts of Ridiculous History.
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour Al-Thani, Chairman of the Web Summit Qatar Organising Committee, said:
“It is wonderful to welcome iHeartMedia and its globally recognized podcast talent to Web Summit Qatar. There is significant growth potential for the podcast medium across the Middle East and North Africa. Thanks to this partnership, Web Summit Qatar attendees will be able to learn directly from experts about how to create their own content, incorporate the latest innovations, and grow their platform.”
Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, added: “At iHeart, we believe in the power of bringing brilliant minds together for vibrant discussions that lead to innovation and change. Our partnership with the GCO provides a great opportunity to work together to push the boundaries of podcasting today — and what it can become in the future.”
The Web Summit Qatar 2025 lineup will also include tech and venture capital heavyweights like Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder; Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Facebook; Laura Chambers, CEO of Mozilla Corporation; and Brian Robbins, CEO of Paramount Pictures.
