Amanda Turnbull is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rise Studios, an entertainment company driving investment into content throughout the Middle East and North Africa. She is responsible for the development and growth of Rise Studios, where she executes the overall business plan, implements strategic partnerships, and ensures continued business evolution.

With more than three decades of experience in the media industry, including six years as Managing Director at Warner Bros Discovery Middle East, Africa and Turkey and a diploma from the European Television Management Academy, Amanda holds a wealth of expertise in the Middle Eastern media sector. She is deeply committed to nurturing editorial and operational talent, ensuring the region’s potential is further unlocked and connected with leading regional and global platforms to gain the recognition it rightly deserves.

During her time at Warner Bros Discovery, she launched businesses in Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and South Africa. On moving to Dubai in 2012 she optimized the newly acquired Fatafeat TV business to profitability within three years, doubling its topline revenue, while launching 12 new channels for the Discovery portfolio. Prior to WBD, Amanda spent 17 years in Asia Pacific in media management roles across magazines with Hachette Filipacchi (now Hearst), and in print and digital with The South China Morning Post.

Amanda holds an MBA from HULT Business School and an MA in History from Cambridge University, UK. She is a Founding Committee Member for the TECOM (Dubai Government) Media Incubator Programme and was the first female leader in the Middle East to be recognized at the International Women in Marketing Awards in 2018. She was also honoured for Innovation in the Professional Category at the 2018 Emirates Women Awards, which she used to build a mentoring network supporting businesswomen and fem-tech start-ups across the UAE. In 2019, Amanda was honoured as Broadcast Executive of the Year by her peers at the Digital Studio Middle East Awards.

Ziad was previously the Director of Acquisition and Original Production at OSN from 2016 to 2021, where he managed and strategized OSN Arabic content acquisition and curation for both linear and non-linear platforms. Over the years, he established strong relationships with production houses and leading producers in the region, which allowed him to identify content initiatives such as Awake – the first miniseries to be licenced internationally after its world premiering on OSN. During his time at OSN, Ziad successfully launched the platform’s first two award-winning Original Productions – Anonymous (Limited Series) and Curfew (Feature Film).

Ziad’s career path and experience has given him comprehensive knowledge about the content journey from concept to the final product on the screen, with the ability to assess and analyse content relevance in the MENA region.

Ziad holds a BA in Business Marketing and Minor in Communication Arts from the Lebanese American University, and an MBA in Media Management from Metropolitan College in New York where he was honoured with a Sigma Beta Delta award in 2011.

Mohsin brings almost 20 years of experience to Rise Studios, most recently from Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) in the UAE where he was Head of Financial Planning & Analysis responsible for leading the corporate strategic planning process and long-range forecasts for the various leisure, entertainment & cinemas businesses (including VOX Cinemas). Prior to this, Mohsin has worked in various commercial and finance roles across some of the world’s leading media companies both in the Middle East and Europe; including OSN, BBC Studios and Reach PLC (British newspaper, magazine and digital publisher).

Mohsin specialises in designing, structuring and negotiating regional and global content production, acquisition and distribution deals (with experience in Western Studio and Indie content, Arabic content, Asian, Streaming, Channels, Telco, Distribution and Technology deals). He is also fully responsible for all company Finance matters including Cash Management; Audit and Financial Reporting; Tax compliance; Banking; M&A Transactions Financial Due Diligence; Investment Appraisals; ERP implementation.

Mohsin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance & Accounting from the University of Kent (UK) and is a certified Chartered Global Management Accountant (CIMA Qualified, UK). He is also currently pursuing a professional qualification in Mergers & Acquisitions with Imperial College Business School.

An exceptionally skilled Finance Manager, qualified ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), and awarded a BSc Hons from Oxford Brookes University. Adept at increasing work process efficiency and profitability through functional and technical analysis. Said has over 15 years of experience in successfully managing finances, ensuring profitability and business growth in different industries with top-notch listed companies, including his last role at Rentokil Boecker, where he managed and led the finance team from 2018. Areas of expertise include strategic and financial planning, financial and management reporting, P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow management, process implementation, business performance improvements, staff leadership and development, SOX compliance, and more.

With over a decade of experience in the media industry, Rasha has established herself as a media insights expert, working with regional and global publishers and broadcasters.

Specializing in market analysis, media landscape, and audience understanding, Rasha possesses a deep understanding of industry trends. As a senior insights manager, she leverages her extensive experience in diverse research methodologies and data analysis to provide actionable insights that guide the development of content while ensuring alignment with audience interests.

Rasha has worked across diverse sectors, including FMCG, Automotive, and Luxury, but her true expertise lies in media. Before joining Rise Studios, she spent almost 10 years as a Media Consultant at Omnicom Media Group and Regional Research & Insights Lead at Snap Inc.

Rasha holds a BA in Business & Human Resources from Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon, which has enriched her love for both numbers and people. This unique combination of skills helps her bridge the gap between data-driven insights and human-centered storytelling.

Danielle Koudsieh is the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Project Manager at Rise Studios. With a solid background of 6 years in the industry, she has established herself as a highly competent professional with expertise in project management and providing support to senior executives. Previously, Danielle held positions such as Events Executive at Capital Club Dubai and Production Executive at MBC Studios, where she showcased her proficiency in handling multiple projects and maintaining effective communication.

Danielle’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in International Hospitality Management from the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. During her studies, she acquired valuable skills in leadership, communication, and customer service, which she applies on a daily basis to ensure the highest level of service for her clients. Additionally, she has obtained certification as an international event and planning professional from QC Event School.

Justin Cheatle has over 35 years' experience in investment banking, M&A, equity capital markets, venture building, commercial property investment, edtech / fintech start ups, business broking and capital raising. He has significant global media expertise with particular emphasis on the creation, management and monetisation of intellectual property.

He runs his own MENA business acting as fractional CEO/CFO and ‘thinking partner’ for clients, consulting on accelerating sales growth, the creation of strategic partnerships, business transformation, financial restructuring and technological innovation. To date he has advised on over 20 transactions

Justin has worked across US, Europe and the Middle East with Goldman Sachs, Rise Studios (MENA's leading Arabic language film and TV business), Blenheim Chalcot (UK’s leading digital venture builder with over 40 ventures), Transworld Business Advisors (World’s largest SME business broker), Team Concepts, John Cheatle Group, and his own management consultancies, Entracte Limited / TP Way.

As Head of Investor Relations for Rise Studios, he is responsible for all aspects of financing, investments, acquisitions and investor relations. Rise Studios raised significant initial funding from US investors in 2021/22, which enabled a series of successful / award-winning investments in Arabic language films, TV series, documentaries, and Arabic language production companies.

As Sales & Partnerships Director for Blenheim Chalcot, he drove the development of their award-winning edtech / fintech businesses (Hive Learning, AVADO, Arch, Salary Finance). As Relationship Director for Imperial College London, he was responsible for Blenheim Chalcot’s White City Partnership that led to the 200,000 sq ft Scale Space joint venture, now successfully completed.

Between 1997 and 2013, he transformed his third-generation family business into the UK’s largest independent school-wear provider with 500 staff and 100 branches servicing 1,500 schools nationwide.

Justin holds an MA in Classics and Ancient History from Oxford University, where he also rowed twice in the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race and performed as a jazz pianist with the National Youth Music Theatre on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Reema is an experienced media lawyer with over 25 years of practice in London and the UAE. Her vast experience encompasses the media and entertainment sector including publication content advice for broadcast, print and digital publishers and general commercial, corporate and regulatory expertise. She advises Rise on general commercial and regulatory matters and is Board appointed to be responsible for the corporate governance function. Her deep-rooted industry and regional knowledge ensures that her advice is enabling, and solution led.

Previously, Reema was the General Counsel at Sky News Arabia, the 24-hour Pan Arab news channel advising across all areas of Sky News Arabia's global broadcasting and digital media business. Before returning to working with content creators, Reema was the Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs and Companies Registrar for the Abu Dhabi media free zone – twofour54. She was instrumental in developing the media regulatory policy and legislation for the free zone. Reema also managed the Abu Dhabi Film Commission and was part of the team that introduced the first production incentive rebate in the Middle East; combining her love of film with her professional experience, Reema was involved in a variety of the productions including blockbusters: Mission Impossible, Star Wars - The Force Awakens, Fast and Furious 7 and Tiger Zinda Hai.

In the UK Reema worked for Channel 4 Television for 10 years advising on legal and compliance pre and post broadcast matters across all genres involving some of the most groundbreaking and challenging shows including talents such as Ali G and Graham Norton. Earlier in her career, Reema was a litigator involved in high profile defamation cases.

Reema was requested to judge at the UAE Legal Oath awards and undertakes Board roles in the arts and education sectors. She graduated from San Diego University with a bachelor’s in political science and film and undertook her postgraduate studies at City University London. She is qualified as a lawyer in England & Wales and is also admitted to the Law Society of Ireland.