Fund to support personal and professional development of creative talents Sheikh Mohammed announces plans for the establishment of a permanent headquarters designed for influencers LONDON: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the UAE’s vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, has unveiled a fund of Dh150 million ($40.8 million) dedicated to supporting content creators and influencers. In addition to this financial backing, Sheikh Mohammed announced plans for the establishment of a permanent headquarters designed specifically for influencers. In a statement reported by the state news agency WAM, Sheikh Mohammed outlined the initiative: “Today we issued directives to allocate a fund valued at Dh150 million to support content creators and transform the digital media sector. “We also instructed the establishment of a permanent influencers’ headquarters that provides year-round support.” The move appears to align with Dubai’s commitment to investing in creative talents and nurturing the digital industry, both of which play pivotal roles in enhancing the UAE’s influential global media footprint. Emphasizing the importance of novel communication channels, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Impactful media reflects the past and provides inspiration for the future.” The announcements were made in conjunction with Dubai hosting the 1 Billion Followers Summit, a gathering of leading global social media influencers and content creators. The two-day summit, held at Emirates Towers and Dubai’s Museum of the Future, brought together more than 3,000 attendees, 100 speakers, and more than 300 companies from the technology and social media landscape. The initiative will provide support to content creators, assisting them in making creative and impactful content while also attracting investments in new media. The fund will also offer training courses aimed at nurturing local and regional talents. In addition, the influencers’ headquarters, a joint venture between the UAE Government Media Office and the New Media Academy, aims to serve as a hub for top influencers and content creators. Mohammad Al-Gergawi, minister of cabinet affairs, said that the fund was dedicated to “supporting content creators, talents and innovators to help transform the digital media sector (and) presents exceptional opportunities for them to fulfil their potential, grow their business and showcase the accomplishments and ambitions of the Emirati people to the world.”