Kaswara Al-Khatib
Chairman, Webedia Arabia
Dubbed the “New Media God Father” in Saudi Arabia, Kaswara Al-Khatib is the founder and CEO of UTURN, an online entertainment network which breaks free from conventional media and provides Saudis, particularly young people, with relevant content that speaks directly to their social needs and aspirations.
In 2011, with a mission to bring creative, edgy, relevant and high-quality content to Arab audiences, Kaswara joined UTURN and was an integral part of growing the company to become the largest Arabic MCN (Multi Channel Network), with more than 6 billion lifetime views and 31 million followers and subscribers. UTURN is now part of pop culture in the region and is also seen as a key media player competing against satellite channels in the Kingdom. It is widely recognised for pioneering an entirely new Saudi industry where the influence of this ‘new media’ will be integral to unlocking the voice and skills of the country’s next generation of emerging talent. Under the leadership of Kaswara, UTURN has achieved unprecedented market penetration through YOY investment in new programming and channel development.
The world took notice of UTURN’s success and in 2018, Kaswara was approached by Webedia Group to merge the business with digital media company, Diwanee, to form Webedia Arabia, where Kaswara was appointed as Chairman. Since its official launch in 2018, Webedia Arabia has proven to be a leading media & technology company effectively and efficiently connecting businesses with Middle East consumers through strategic, culturally-driven and creative solutions.
Kaswara is a top performing and award-winning serial entrepreneur within the KSA media sector. He is widely heralded as representing a new caliber of business leader on whose shoulders rests the responsibility for unlocking and implementing the vision of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Plan. He is able to successfully combine deep insights into the impact of new technology for creating a ‘new voice’ for young Saudi men and women to engage in the transformational journey of their country with the commercial drive and ability to create high-value brands and new channels to market. With his strong business leadership and exceptional influencing skills, Kaswara has been successful in forging sustainable partnerships at the highest levels of government. As such, Kaswara assumed the role of Consultant of Marketing and Communications for Jeddah Season in June 2019, and Riyadh Season in August 2019.
He began his career in 1993 in the marketing and advertising division of Procter & Gamble in Saudi, yet as a risk taker and stronger believer in the Saudi culture, youth, and their creative abilities, he was inspired to start his own boutique agency – FullStop – in 2002. FullStop was named ‘Creative Agency of the Year’ for three years running. In 2009, Kaswara launched ‘Made in Saudi Films’, a fully-fledged production and post-production house.
In 2014, Kaswara was named KSA’s first ‘EY Entrepreneur of the Year’ and was also nominated for ‘EY World Entrepreneur of the Year’. In the same year, Arabian Business Achievement Awards awarded him ‘SME Business of the Year’. Kaswara was also awarded ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of Dubai, with UTURN earning the title of ‘Entertainment Company of the Year’ during the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit 2015. Another accolade was given to him by Forbes Middle East when he was dubbed ‘No. 1 Entrepreneur’ in the 100 Entrepreneurs Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Future 2016 list.
Kaswara is a holder of a Bachelor of Technology degree in computer engineering from Jamiat Al-Malik Abdulaziz.
In 2011, with a mission to bring creative, edgy, relevant and high-quality content to Arab audiences, Kaswara joined UTURN and was an integral part of growing the company to become the largest Arabic MCN (Multi Channel Network), with more than 6 billion lifetime views and 31 million followers and subscribers. UTURN is now part of pop culture in the region and is also seen as a key media player competing against satellite channels in the Kingdom. It is widely recognised for pioneering an entirely new Saudi industry where the influence of this ‘new media’ will be integral to unlocking the voice and skills of the country’s next generation of emerging talent. Under the leadership of Kaswara, UTURN has achieved unprecedented market penetration through YOY investment in new programming and channel development.
The world took notice of UTURN’s success and in 2018, Kaswara was approached by Webedia Group to merge the business with digital media company, Diwanee, to form Webedia Arabia, where Kaswara was appointed as Chairman. Since its official launch in 2018, Webedia Arabia has proven to be a leading media & technology company effectively and efficiently connecting businesses with Middle East consumers through strategic, culturally-driven and creative solutions.
Kaswara is a top performing and award-winning serial entrepreneur within the KSA media sector. He is widely heralded as representing a new caliber of business leader on whose shoulders rests the responsibility for unlocking and implementing the vision of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Plan. He is able to successfully combine deep insights into the impact of new technology for creating a ‘new voice’ for young Saudi men and women to engage in the transformational journey of their country with the commercial drive and ability to create high-value brands and new channels to market. With his strong business leadership and exceptional influencing skills, Kaswara has been successful in forging sustainable partnerships at the highest levels of government. As such, Kaswara assumed the role of Consultant of Marketing and Communications for Jeddah Season in June 2019, and Riyadh Season in August 2019.
He began his career in 1993 in the marketing and advertising division of Procter & Gamble in Saudi, yet as a risk taker and stronger believer in the Saudi culture, youth, and their creative abilities, he was inspired to start his own boutique agency – FullStop – in 2002. FullStop was named ‘Creative Agency of the Year’ for three years running. In 2009, Kaswara launched ‘Made in Saudi Films’, a fully-fledged production and post-production house.
In 2014, Kaswara was named KSA’s first ‘EY Entrepreneur of the Year’ and was also nominated for ‘EY World Entrepreneur of the Year’. In the same year, Arabian Business Achievement Awards awarded him ‘SME Business of the Year’. Kaswara was also awarded ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of Dubai, with UTURN earning the title of ‘Entertainment Company of the Year’ during the Arab Social Media Influencers Summit 2015. Another accolade was given to him by Forbes Middle East when he was dubbed ‘No. 1 Entrepreneur’ in the 100 Entrepreneurs Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Future 2016 list.
Kaswara is a holder of a Bachelor of Technology degree in computer engineering from Jamiat Al-Malik Abdulaziz.