- Khaleej Times engaged directly with Gen Z trends at the global BRIDGE Summit in Abu Dhabi.
- The brand connected its local KT+150 youth initiative to the global future of storytelling.
- KT+150 recently awarded Dhana Abdul Fathah for her innovative self-charging power bank.
- The youth list recognizes 150 changemakers across 15 industries like AI, esports, and food.
The media world is officially being rewritten by Gen Z, and Khaleej Times is at the forefront of the conversation. The brand recently participated in the global BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi, a three-day event focused on how younger generations are radically reshaping media, culture, and digital influence. Khaleej Times’ participation wasn’t just about observation; it was about connecting global trends to the momentum of its own KT+150 youth initiative.
Held at ADNEC, the Summit provided a powerful backdrop for these crucial discussions. Khaleej Times’ Chief Content Officer, Ted Kemp, moderated key sessions, including one titled, Winning Back Gen Z One Swipe at a Time. This discussion focused on a core industry pain point: how news organizations can evolve their storytelling to earn relevance and trust among younger, digitally native audiences who prioritize authenticity.
The concepts discussed at BRIDGE are precisely what drives the KT+150 platform, launched earlier this year to spotlight the UAE’s boldest young changemakers. Just before the summit, the inaugural KT+150 Summit brought together 150 innovators for a day of networking and building ideas. As Kemp noted, the conversations at BRIDGE echoed everything seen locally: “Young audiences are rewriting the rules on how they consume information, who they trust, and how they want to participate.”
The KT+150 Summit proved that innovation is thriving among the youth. A major highlight was the Elevator Pitch competition, which offered Dh250,000 in media coverage. The winner, Dhana Abdul Fathah, an 18-year-old environmental science student, was awarded for her innovative self-charging power bank. She also received 250,000 Emirates Skywards Miles, providing real, tangible support to a young entrepreneur.
By actively engaging in global forums like BRIDGE and continually expanding the KT+150 program, Khaleej Times reinforces its commitment to innovation. It’s creating spaces for young thinkers and creators to experiment, be heard, and actively shape the next chapter of the UAE’s media and business landscape, proving that local talent can indeed drive global change.
Khaleej Times is actively working to ensure the voice of the next generation has the room and support it needs to grow.
Learn more about the changemakers recognized in the KT+150 list on the Khaleej Times website.
