Connect with us

For inquiry and send press release please email us to : info@ksajournal.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Snapchat Launches Creator Accelerator at 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026

DUBAI, 10th January, 2026 (WAM) — Snapchat has concluded its significant participation in the fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, the world’s largest event dedicated to shaping the content creator economy.

An extensive lineup of 20 sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, hosted at the dedicated Snapchat House within the summit’s venue, was designed to empower content creators by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to grow their audience, build sustainable businesses, and master the art of storytelling on Snapchat.

The fourth edition of the 1 Billion Followers Summit featured 580+ sessions and specialised networks, and hosted 15,000+ content creators and influencers, 500+ expert speakers with a collective following of 3.5+ billion, and 150+ CEOs and global experts. The event attracted over 30,000 attendees from around the globe.

Saeed Al Eter, Saeed Al Eter, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Strategic Projects and Chairman of the UAE Government Media Office, emphasised that the 1 Billion Followers Summit is continuously refining its vision and programmes, with the aim to elevate the content industry and cultivate talent by forging stronger partnerships with major global platforms. Al Eter described the Summit’s fourth edition as a turning point in its history.”

Al Eter highlighted the crucial role social media platforms play in empowering content creators, enabling them to scale their businesses and drive positive change within their communities, noting that this role is fuelled by the vast potential of new technologies and the growing use of artificial intelligence.

Antoine Challita, UAE Country Head for Snap Inc. in MENA, said, “The UAE has positioned itself as a global hub for the creative and digital economy, with creators playing an increasingly important role in shaping culture and storytelling. What we’re seeing across the region is a shift toward more intentional, culturally grounded content, paired with a growing focus on building long-term value. Snapchat’s participation in the 1 Billion Followers Summit reflects our commitment to supporting this direction. Through initiatives like the Snap Accelerator Program, we focused on equipping creators with the skills, tools, and understanding needed to grow responsibly, strengthen their storytelling, and turn creativity into sustainable opportunity on Snapchat.”

Snapchat places a major emphasis on nurturing talent through its flagship initiatives, Snap Accelerator Program, which featured ten dedicated sessions during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, designed to guide emerging creators through every stage of their journey.

The sessions were led by a team of Snap experts including Ali Alshehri, Talent Partnerships Manager for MENA; Aya Kalouti, Talent Partnerships Manager for MENA; Reem Matloub, Snap’s Content Partnerships Manager with over 17 years in digital media; Mashael AlBelaihed, a Junior Talent Partnership Associate focused on fashion and beauty; Naif Alqumaizy, a Junior Talent Partnerships team member managing sports and travel creators; and Ahmad Fares, the Creator Education Senior Specialist leading Snap School across MENA.

Complementing this was Snap School, offered across four sessions and teaching creators best practices for using the platform. Snap School sessions featured insights from Mashael AlBelaihed, Naif Alqumaizy, and Ahmad Fares.

A series of keynote sessions, conversations and panel discussions focused on the business of content creation. A fireside chat titled Breaking Through with Content explored how creators can cut through the noise, featuring Snapchat’s Reem Matloub and Ahmad Fares.

Another fireside chat focused on turning connections into collaborations, guiding creators on how to work with brands authentically. Titled Creators & Brands: Turning Connection Into Collaboration, it featured Samer Lahoud, Snap’s award-winning Head of Creative Strategy for MENA; Heidi Felfella, a Senior Creative Strategist for Creator Marketing with over a decade of experience; and Rami Saad, Co-Founder & CBO of Halo AI and a seasoned digital media ecosystem builder.

In Building Brands, One Snap at a Time, creators learned how to build a real business on the platform. This practical panel discussion featured speakers including Angelo Di Sotto, Client Partner at Snapchat with over 18 years in digital strategy; Mayowa Tola-Voss, Client Partner at Snapchat with a 12-year track record in digital advertising; and Shadi Abdel Malek, Snap’s Business Development Manager with 15 years of experience at top tech companies.

A keynote session titled Building your Public Profile on Snapchat by Majd AbiAli from Snap’s EMEA Sports and Media Partnerships team covered the essentials of bringing a brand’s personality to life on Snapchat.

The Summit also featured unique, creator-led sessions that offered personal insight and inspiration. Comedy Over Coffee marked Snap’s first comedy-led creator session in MENA, delivering an entertaining and humorous take on the creator journey, led by Mohamed Helmy, a rising star in Arabic stand-up comedy and founder of HelmyMan Events.

An intimate fireside chat titled The Female Lens: Where Authenticity Shapes Empowerment explored how female creators are building powerful communities and turning creativity into opportunity. The conversation featured successful content creator Sara Al Wari alongside Snap’s Reem Matloub.

The 1 Billion Followers Summit, organised by the UAE Government Media Office, took place from 9 to 11 January 2026 at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, DIFC and the Museum of the Future, under the theme ‘Content for Good’.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SOCIAL MEDIA

F1 Star Meets Kanye West’s Kids

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian’s growing relationship is back in the spotlight, and this time the focus is not only on the couple’s public displays of affection but also on the Formula One star’s developing bond with Kardashian’s four children.

Lewis Hamilton’s Bond With Kim Kardashian’s Children In The Spotlight After Monaco Grand Prix

The seven-time world champion recently sparked excitement among fans during the Monaco Grand Prix when he blew a kiss toward Kardashian after securing a second-place finish for Ferrari. Kardashian, who was watching from the paddock, was seen smiling and filming the moment on her phone as Hamilton celebrated on the podium.

While the romantic gesture quickly gained traction online, insiders say the relationship has become more serious away from the cameras, particularly because Hamilton has already spent time getting to know Kardashian’s children.

Has Lewis Hamilton Met Kim Kardashian’s Children?

According to reports, Hamilton recently joined Kardashian and her four children – North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm – on a trip to Tokyo, a move that signalled a new stage in the couple’s relationship. Sources close to Kardashian said the reality star is typically cautious about introducing new partners to her children and only does so when she feels a high level of trust and confidence in the relationship.

That trust appears to be growing. People familiar with the situation say Kardashian has been pleased with the way Hamilton interacts with her children, viewing the British racing icon as a positive influence in their lives. The fact that the children have already spent time with him has fueled speculation that the relationship is becoming increasingly serious.

Kim Kardashian’s net worth is approximately $1.9 billion (£1.4 billion), while Lewis Hamilton’s net worth is estimated between $300 million (£225 million) and $450 million (£338 million). 

Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian’s growing relationship is back in the spotlight, and this time the focus is not only on the couple’s public displays of affection but also on the Formula One star’s developing bond with Kardashian’s four children.

Lewis Hamilton’s Bond With Kim Kardashian’s Children In The Spotlight After Monaco Grand Prix

The seven-time world champion recently sparked excitement among fans during the Monaco Grand Prix when he blew a kiss toward Kardashian after securing a second-place finish for Ferrari. Kardashian, who was watching from the paddock, was seen smiling and filming the moment on her phone as Hamilton celebrated on the podium.

Lewis Hamilton blowing a kiss to his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, from the podium in Monaco 🫶🫶 pic.twitter.com/Vvtf62Ip8e

— Abby baby 🦋🇧🇷🇦🇷🇪🇸 (@_babygirlabby) June 8, 2026

While the romantic gesture quickly gained traction online, insiders say the relationship has become more serious away from the cameras, particularly because Hamilton has already spent time getting to know Kardashian’s children.

Has Lewis Hamilton Met Kim Kardashian’s Children?

According to reports, Hamilton recently joined Kardashian and her four children – North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm – on a trip to Tokyo, a move that signalled a new stage in the couple’s relationship. Sources close to Kardashian said the reality star is typically cautious about introducing new partners to her children and only does so when she feels a high level of trust and confidence in the relationship.

That trust appears to be growing. People familiar with the situation say Kardashian has been pleased with the way Hamilton interacts with her children, viewing the British racing icon as a positive influence in their lives. The fact that the children have already spent time with him has fueled speculation that the relationship is becoming increasingly serious.

A post shared by instagram

Hamilton, who has largely kept his personal life private throughout his Formula One career, recently broke his silence about Kardashian while speaking after the Monaco Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver described it as ‘amazing’ to have her support during the race weekend and praised the people around him for helping him stay focused throughout the season.

Monaco Appearance And A New Phase Of Public Attention

The Monaco race marked Kardashian’s first appearance at a Formula One event since romance rumours began circulating earlier this year. The couple first sparked dating speculation in February after being spotted together in Paris before later making their relationship public through social media posts and joint appearances.

Kardashian’s presence at Monaco attracted attention from fans and media alike. She was photographed throughout the weekend in the Ferrari garage and paddock area, supporting Hamilton as he battled for a podium finish. The race ended with Hamilton taking second place, giving Ferrari another strong result during the 2026 season.

However, many observers believe the most notable development is not the couple’s public appearances but Hamilton’s growing connection with Kardashian’s family. For Kardashian, who shares her children with former husband Kanye West, introducing a partner to her children has historically been a significant milestone.

With Hamilton already spending time with the youngsters and earning Kardashian’s trust, fans are increasingly wondering whether the relationship could become one of the more serious romances either star has experienced in recent years.

For now, neither Hamilton nor Kardashian has publicly discussed his relationship with the children. Still, the combination of family trips, public support at races and increasingly frequent appearances together suggests their relationship is continuing to move forward both on and off the track.

IBT

Continue Reading

Retail

Selena Gomez’s $150 white sneakers pair perfectly with summer dresses

You don’t have to travel across the pond to find this star-approved shoe style.

During a recent trip to London, Selena Gomez spent time with music exec Vanessa Tara Angiuli, who posted several sweet snaps on her Instagram.

In one photo in front of Big Ben, Gomez paired the For Love & Lemons All Aboard Minidress with Cole Haan’s GrandPro Tennis 2.0 Sneakers for a stylish yet comfort-first ensemble.

While the leather-upper shoes have a $150 price tag, consider adding some socks or sandals to your cart. On any purchase over $175, you’ll get 20% off with the promo code EXTRA20.

The shoe also comes in several other color options — some of which are even on sale starting at under $110 — in both medium and wide sizing options.

While the FeatherFeel Foam signature comfort is lightweight and easy to stash in suitcases, the midsole is made with support for all-day walking comfort (or tennis, if you prefer)

Despite the comfy design, the style is still appropriately dressy enough to wear with dresses à la Gomez (or any outfit you see fit).

“Most comfortable shoes I own,” reads one review, while some note that, due to the leather, they require a wee bit of breaking in.

“The bottom has a lot of cushioning, and they are comfy straight out of the box. You feel like bouncing on clouds walking in these,” wrote another shopper.

If you’re looking to put a little stylish spring in your step, don’t hesitate to add to cart.

Page six

Continue Reading

SOCIAL MEDIA

Brad Pitt will never marry again after Angelina Jolie 

Brad Pitt tying the knot for a third time is reportedly off the table after his tumultuous divorce from ex-wife Angelina Jolie.

The actor, 62, has been dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon, 33, since 2022, but marriage is not in the cards for them, sources told the Daily Mail in a report published Friday.

According to the report, while the couple is “very happy” and the A-list actor “enjoys the peace and support of his easygoing girlfriend,” they doubt he’s ever getting married again or having any more kids.

“He has a great partner who he appreciates but there is no rush in that direction,” one source said.

Jolie, 50, and Pitt split in 2016, then engaged in a contentious legal battle before settling eight years later in 2024. They’ve also been battling in court over Château Miraval, the posh estate they co-owned in France.

The exes’ six kids — Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 19, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 17 — are also estranged from the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” star.

A source told the Daily Mail, “There has been a campaign of alienation [by Jolie] which has been successful.”

“The antagonism is huge,” the source continued. “He has been alienated from the kids completely. It is devastating to him.”

Pitt was absent from Zahara’s graduation from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, last week. TMZ reported that Pitt did not reach out to Zahara ahead of her college graduation.

A source told the outlet, “Nothing prevented him from showing up for her. Or ever visiting her. The day was about all she accomplished. Not whether he was willing to attend.” 

But a Pitt insider hit back, telling the Daily Mail, “You can’t have it both ways – to promote a complete estrangement and then criticize someone for not going to an event when you’ve made sure that they would not be welcome,” adding, “That’s not a situation which he created.”

Page Six has reached out to reps for Jolie and Pitt, but didn’t immediately receive a response.

Zahara notably dropped her dad’s last name while walking on stage to receive her diploma for her Bachelor of Arts in psychology — instead of Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, she was announced to the crowd as Zahara Marley Jolie.

A source told Page Six of the situation, “It’s a shame people feel the need to cast a shadow over this celebration by taking a dig at a father who has already been separated from his family,”

PAGE SIX

Continue Reading

Trending