The Digital Media Forum (DMF) and the MENA Digital Awards (MDA) have jointly announced the start of their 2025 cycle, unveiling the theme ‘Digital Media Evolution: Creativity, Technology & Impact’. The focus this year is on how creativity and emerging technologies are reshaping brand communication, performance measurement, audience engagement, and operational models across the digital ecosystem.
DMF, a long-established regional platform for digital and marketing professionals, has hosted more than 500 speakers, 1,200 global brands, over 12,500 campaign submissions, and presented more than 650 awards since its launch. The 2025 edition will take place on 15 December 2025 at the Ritz-Carlton DIFC, bringing together agency leaders, marketers, creators, technologists, and government officials.
“Digital media today offers a more adaptive, data-aware landscape—one that rewards clarity of thought, craft mastery and creativity that drives tangible outcomes,” said Najla Semaan Mazboudi, Founder and Managing Director of SpotOn Media Services, MENA Digital Awards, and Digital Media Forum. She noted that the 2025 programme will examine shifts influencing real-time decision-making, including new measurement approaches, evolving content models, and the growing impact of emerging tools. She urged early registration to allow participants to plan effectively and engage deeply with the forum’s discussions.
The MENA Digital Awards, now in its 11th year, continues to recognise digital excellence across the region, backed by a judging system aligned with international standards and independently audited. The awards emphasise work that demonstrates measurable, real-world impact.
Mazboudi said the 2025 cycle reflects the maturity of digital practice in West Asia and North Africa, where teams are expected to produce idea-driven, technically strong, collaborative, and outcome-focused work. “It’s an important moment to recognise how the practice is evolving and to highlight those driving that change,” she added.
MDA 2025 will feature a revised category structure encompassing media, craft, digital assets, AI excellence, social and influencer marketing, integrated campaigns, and other special categories. This edition also introduces two youth-focused initiatives: a Student Hackathon that will challenge university teams with real industry briefs, and a Debate Competition aimed at strengthening analytical and creative skills among young professionals.
