Top Leaders from IBM, PepsiCo and Global Media Groups to Headline the ABLF Talks on February 8, 2022

Press release

Published February 7th, 2022 - 08:03 GMT

Top Leaders from IBM, PepsiCo and Global Media Groups to Headline the ABLF Talks on February 8, 2022

The ABLF Talks, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence

Highlights

The increasing digitisation of media and the opportunities and challenges it presents will be at the core of the discussions at the fourth hybrid edition of the ABLF Talks

The increasing digitisation of media and the opportunities and challenges it presents will be at the core of the discussions at the fourth hybrid edition of the ABLF Talks, the powerful monthly leadership series organised by the Asian Business Leadership Forum (ABLF). Held at the Dubai Cares Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, on February 8, 2022, this month’s edition will also feature insights and opinions from prominent business leaders on technology and the economy.

The ABLF Talks, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Co-existence, UAE and in association with the UAE Ministry of Economy and Dubai Cares, a UAE-based global philanthropic organisation, has been bringing together top Asian leaders in discussions around crucial socio-economic issues for the last 17 months which will continue till the end of the Expo 2020 Dubai in March.

At the conclave on February 8, the first session will feature Saad Toma, General Manager - Middle East & Africa, IBM who will shed light on the company’s strategies to aid organisations in their digital journey through the pandemic. His observations and experiences, especially over the past couple of years, will provide some valuable insights into the cutting-edge technology deployed by IBM and others in the industry to adapt to an ever-changing environment.

The long road to economic recovery in a pandemic-ravaged world will be at the core of Aamer Sheikh, CEO - Middle East Business Unit, PepsiCo’s session. Mr Sheikh will not only share his thoughts on the way ahead for the industry but also spotlight the role of the Expo 2020 Dubai in bolstering investments in the UAE.

A key highlight of this edition of the ABLF Talks will be a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the wake of the digitisation of media. With the pandemic accelerating digitisation, there has been a huge impact on traditional as well as new media and this session of the conclave, featuring some of the top leaders from media and finance in the region, will explore the new trends in depth. The panel will have Mohammed Y. Burhan, CEO, CNBC Arabia, Alan Griffin, CEO, Khaleej Times, Manoj Mathew, Executive VP, Territory Head (MENA, Turkey and Pakistan), Zee Network and Olivier Crespin, CEO and Co-founder, Zand.

As always, the event will be streamed virtually to an audience of 30,000 through the ABLF City, the cutting-edge virtual platform, while the in-person sessions will have a well-curated audience comprising top industry leaders from the GCC and beyond.

The ABLF is brought to you by a powerful line-up of partners including the $45 billion Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, leading digital bank Zand, Etisalat along with CNBC Arabia (Broadcast Partner) and Hindustan Times, Khaleej Times, Muscat Daily, Al Bayan, Zee TV, WION (Media Partners) and UNICEF.

To attend the ABLF Talks Conclaves virtually, register for free at www.ablf.com

Background Information

IBM

For more than six decades, IBM Middle East & Pakistan has played a vital role in shaping the information technology landscape of the region. Today, IBM is part of the region’s technological fabric, solving real-world business and societal challenges, through its offices in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Pakistan, and also a diversity of centers across the region.

Company Profile

Pepsi Cola International

In 1965, Donald Kendall, the CEO of Pepsi-Cola, and Herman Lay, the CEO of Frito-Lay, recognized what they called “a marriage made in heaven,” a single company delivering perfectly-salty snacks served alongside the best cola on earth. Their vision led to what quickly became one of the world's leading food and beverage companies: PepsiCo.

For more than 50 years, as tastes, trends and lifestyles have changed, PepsiCo has evolved with them. Our willingness to adapt and grow has transformed our snack and soda company into a collection of global brands including Pepsi and Quaker, Gatorade and Tropicana, Frito-Lay and beyond. Today, PepsiCo is one of the world’s most-respected companies with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories and 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.