Adam Torres and Joey Laham discuss FII PRIORITY.
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify
Apply to be a guest on our podcast here
Show Notes:
Listen to FII PRIORITY coverage. In this episode, Adam Torres and Joey Laham, Founder at Good Morning Saudi Arabia, explore Good Morning Saudi Arabia and FII PRIORITY.
About Joey Laham
Joey is the Chief Executive Officer of Arabian Broadcast, an award-winning media company located in New York City, founder and executive producer of Good Morning Middle East, an upcoming morning show in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
About Good Morning Saudi Arabia
An English-speaking morning talk-show in Saudi Arabia, featuring lifestyle, cultural, business, travel and wellness news and interviews. Striving to bring viewers and listeners real and relatable guests and stories that never fail to inspire and promote everything a dynamic Saudi Arabia has to offer.
Full Unedited Transcript
Hey, I’d like to welcome you to another episode of Mission Matters. My name is Adam Torres, and if you’d like to apply to be a guest in the show, just head on over to mission matters.com and click on Be Our Guest to Apply. All right, so today my guest is Joey Laham and he is the founder over at Good Morning Saudi Arabia.
And this particular interview is. Part of our FII Institute series where we’re bringing together some of the top experts and individuals that attended FII one of the events and this particular one is part of our Miami series. Joey, first off, just wanna say welcome to the show. Thank you.
Thank you for having me. Thank you Adam. Wonderful. So happy to be a guest here on Mission Matters. So first thing, first, Joey. FII, Miami. I mean, this was , a huge event. It’s my first time attending. I understand you’ve been to multiple, so I’m newer to the community, but I’ll tell you, I’m pretty hooked, man.
I’m like, when I doing these interviews, I’ve gotten to dig deep with many of the attendees, some of the speakers, and just dignitaries, and it’s just really been an amazing experience for me. For you, how did you originally get introduced to fi? Like what’s your story with it? I initially was around a lot of the guys that were investing capital venture funds and private equity guys that were investing in these big, bold, ambitious projects. You know, that were taking place at Saudi. And so, you know, coming from a Middle Eastern background myself, I was, obviously intrigued by I. What was happening at Saudi, especially their projects, their giga projects and really their bold, ambitious initiatives.
You can go around the world. I don’t think you’ll find anything like it today. Yeah. As far as the scale and the magnitude. And so, you know, having a platform like FII, I think, you can help it but, to wanna engage and be part of something that’s really incredible and amazing.
And I’m sure if you were there in Miami you probably saw some of the some of the amazing things that are happening. And so that’s really what attracted me and it’s honestly attracting a lot of people from all over the world. Hmm. And looking at the demographic, one of the things that just kind of stuck out to me was like the decision makers, the people that are in the room, the, like, you kinda, I couldn’t miss on a conversation.
I was like, wow, how am I, like you can’t get a lot of these things done, like often. It does not happen often. And , the truth is. They, really put on an amazing show and it was really spectacular. And having, like you said, people of power and people of ambition mm-hmm. There in the room, they’re, these are the change makers of the world.
And to be in the same room, I’m sure you felt it, it was electrifying. And so it was a privilege and an honor to be part of it. I wanna spend some of the time we have here talking about your company, so good. And your show. Good morning. Saudi Arabia. Like, what, what’s the vision behind this?
And tell us where you’re at. So, it all came down at, wanting to create a platform obviously for news and media. So, you know, our mission here at, good morning. Saturday Arabia. So we have this parent company called Arabian Broadcast, which is really the, mother company of all Good Morning shows that we’re gonna be building around the region.
One of them is Good Morning, Saudi Arabia. Mm-hmm. And, you know, there’s a lot in the work, a lot of good morning cities coming on the platform specifically the GCC region, cities like Dubai Qatar Oman. So on and so forth. So it’s, really, it’s really this dynamic region that is intriguing to me.
And so I wanted to create this platform to really redefine media as a futuristic, non-traditional platform for business empowerment. through meaningful conversations, obviously, and innovative storytelling, we aim to deliver really, like actionable insights that inspire.
Innovation, drive economic growth and really just shape a more informed and connected, connected future. And so that’s what really inspired me. I just didn’t wanna have, this, traditional media. So I was looking to more of like create something that’s, futuristic and non-traditional.
And you know, obviously that requires a strategic blend of innovation, engagement and a few other things. And so that’s really what inspired me and that’s what we’re building at Arabian Broadcasts and all the good morning shows that are coming up. Wow, that’s amazing. And, looking at now, language wise, is this, some of this gonna be incontinent English or not, or, I’m just trying to get a feel that is going to be completely in English.
That is the dominating language. And so Yes. There, there’s a lot of Arabic speaking platforms that are out there, and especially in Saudi Arabia. And, you know, you go to Dubai, we wanted to create something that’s more, you know, globalistic and futuristic. Mm. And with that, really, it’s, the.
Predominant language of the world and that is English. Mm. And now in terms of distribution, is it gonna be targeting people in Saudi Arabia? Is it gonna be targeting people in other countries? Obviously, like with distribution in general, it’s global and of a global nature of, you start a podcast, anybody can listen to it.
That’s a given. But like, what’s your, thoughts on like the content and like the distribution, like the, the goal for it is, local, is. So obviously we’re creating these cities cities in the GCC region and, and really in the Arabian Peninsula. And so it’s gonna be tailored to every, we we’re not gonna do a, you know, like one one size fits all.
You see what’s happening in Saudi. It’s not the same that is happening in Dubai, and it’s not the same thing that is happening in Doha guitar. And so hence, which is why I wanted to create more of like a tailored fit, but at the end of the day, they’re all gonna come down to one umbrella. And as far as the distribution, you know, like the news and the entertainment industries, it’s facing a, a paradigm shift, as streaming skyrockets in popularity.
Right? And then traditional media, the traditional media models are really like slowly fading away. And so, in this evolving landscape, I think viewers are seeking content that is not. Only engaging, but also distinctively unique. And so I think we’re gonna let leverage social media, analytics, media companies, like we’re, we’re gonna adapt to the changing demands of audience.
Mm-hmm. You know, obviously it’s gonna be mainly podcast and streaming. That is the goal, but we’re gonna be adapting to the ever changing landscapes of audience demand. And you know, obviously with that you’ve gotta create compelling content and mm-hmm. You know, we have to foster a vibrant community of creators and viewers.
So there are many different things we’re exploring. But to start, it’s definitely gonna be all podcast and streaming delivered. Yeah, it makes a, it makes a lot of sense and I, get it, I get it. Especially as you build those catalogs in those areas, I see it as just like and especially digital side of podcasts and things.
I see it as just ripe for ripe for change, ripe for building a catalog. And especially if you do something evergreen like that becomes super interesting, like long term. You don’t have, with all these. Catalogs, like you said, of of countries that we’re going to be engaging with.
It just makes more sense, at least for the starter point. But obviously with AI and with the changing technology, we’re gonna be adapting to all of that. So there’s, it’s gonna be a lot of fun Sure. To say the least. Yeah, I get it totally. And there how about. The, how about the news and stuff like that, covering in that region?
I’m, a novice by the way, so like me going to FII and me going to FII, well, not in the news business or in the industry. I mean, I’ve done over 6,000 interviews and we haven’t, you know, built a platform from scratch. But I mean, in terms of that, the covering news and, and things in that, in those areas, I’ve just never really worked.
Dense hot here in some of those regions. It’s kind of interesting to me. So like the distribution, like getting the stories, like is there, I’m guessing so I’m not, I’m just asking I’m guessing there’s gotta be a lot of demand for it, huh? Absolutely. There’s gotta be a lot of demand for the story.
Yeah. I mean, yes, there’s, there’s definitely a lot of demand, and especially in English format. Mm-hmm. There’s a lot of coverage, like I said, when we first started this call. Yeah. , in Arabic content, you know, obviously the entire region relies on Arabic. I’m fluent in Arabic, but when I come in as, a, you know, fluent Arabic speaker with obviously, you know, having arrived to the states at a very young age and, and, you know, being raised here in the us you know, there’s definitely you know, a, a motivation for them to tell compelling conversations. And when I say conversations, they’re not looking for interviews, you know? Mm-hmm. They’re looking for real meaningful deliverable conversations where they can actually share and relate to the world.
Mm-hmm. And so when you come with that kind of. Angle and you are there to help ’em, you know, bring whatever they have to offer to the world. And especially when it comes to projects like, you know, the ones that are being built today in Saudi Arabia and in other countries and, you know, larger scale projects, there’s a lot of.
Information to deliver on these projects. Mm-hmm. And, you know, for, for these entities, for these leaders, for these you know, storytellers, , they, you know, they appreciate having someone on their side that’s going to actually have a, a real relatable platform that’s gonna be global. That’s going to, you know, be streaming 24 7 and that’s gonna have the, you know, the infrastructure to actually deliver to the entire world the story they have to say.
And especially when it comes from a meaningful conversation, not just an interview. And so, yeah, that’s really the way. It’s just, it, that’s, that’s the way we, we aim to, to, you know, to deliver. Yeah, I think it’s a great story and I love being I love bringing this to my audience and talking about it kind of in the inception as, and as you’re as you’re getting everything going.
Because I, we’re gonna look back at this one day, I’m gonna be like, come on man. Joey, I remember you were, we were talking about now look what you’re doing, man. I’m so proud of you. I’m excited. I love it. I love media. I love seeing people build. It’s a building process. Yes. Yeah, it is. It’s a building process.
But you know, I’ve got the vision and I’ve definitely got the storytellers. And if you have both of these formulas and you’ve got the platform to deliver, it’s a win-win. The recipes, the recipes there and you know, you know it’s gonna be a success. Yeah. What are the so what are the next steps on for you, kind of in this rollout?
Like what, what’s next for you? So we’re obviously building the platforms slowly and surely. Some of these platforms are gonna be appearing on the podcast streaming on all the mediums you know, the traditional podcast mediums. We’re obviously getting our offices set up. Our headquarters in New York is.
Pretty much ready to go. All studios set up, you know, with a streaming broadcast, whether it’s interviews live in person for all of these mega projects and industry leaders that are actually in New York visiting. And, you know, they do come a lot, especially from the region. They, they, oh yeah. I’m, I’m sure, I’m sure you’re familiar and especially at times when you have.
A major event like FII and you saw all these industry guys, you know, like that you’re talking about. Not just, we’re not just talking business. You’re talking about government officials. Yeah. People with top positions, you know, they’re there and so you might as well have a platform for them to actually come in and have a nice, meaningful conversation and deliver mm-hmm.
You know, to the world and especially to the, to the region, you know, the North American region. So they, I think having something like that for them. To be built. So we’re having a sub studio also in Miami for future FII, you know? Mm-hmm. If you were there, you heard about their invest savvy platforms that are gonna be built in Miami.
Mm-hmm. And so they’re definitely gonna be there. I think we have to be ready. To offer them the platform. And so that’s another exciting thing where we’re gonna build like these sub offices in Miami for them. If they’re ever in Miami. Obviously New York is gonna be our headquarters and we are building obviously our, our regional headquarters.
You know, obviously in Riyadh. In Saudi Arabia and within Saudi Arabia. Just to touch on that. Mm-hmm. We’re actually opening up sub Good Morning Cities. Good morning, Riyadh. Good morning. Red Sea to just explore on all these big ambitious Red Sea projects because just that alone you could have. A medium just to have a daily deliverables on a topic like the Red Sea.
Because what’s happening there as far as infrastructure and tourism is mind boggling. There is no country in the world that is dynamically growing in tourism and in ambitious futuristic touristic projects like Saudi Arabia today. Mm-hmm. And that is all taking place in the re sea region as we speak.
And so for that, I need to be ready. And so we’re setting up a good morning on re sea. You know, in conjunction with Good Morning Riyadh and Good Morning Jedda. And, you know, that’ll all tie up to the Good Morning Saudi Arabia. So there’s gonna be these big country platforms with sub platforms and all of these sub platforms will have these little offices that are gonna be open and ready to shoot, to take content in and to deliver to the world.
So it’s really exciting and really big. Love it Joey. Well first off, it’s been great having you on the show today. How do people learn more about your platform? How do they connect? So our platform is gonna be Good morning, middle East, ’cause that’s where the region is. So the Good Morning, middle East platform is gonna be the main medium deliverable platform.
And, and you know, obviously Arabian Broadcast is the mother company, but. Everything will be coming off and being subdivided of Good Morning, middle East. And once you’re on there, you’ll see all the cities on the website. Good morning, middle east.com. A lot of it is taking, you know, being developed as we speak.
I’m hoping that by the time you get this published, everything will be up and running, but it’s just gonna be in, you know, I would say in a couple of weeks, at most a month or so before all these platforms are up. So yes, good morning, middle east.com. And then you can. Every individual podcast, meaning if you go, if you’re listening at Good Morning, middle good morning, Saudi Arabia.
So that’ll have good morning Saudi arabia.com. Good morning, Dubai will be good Morning. dxb.com. We’re actually, just to go back real quick on the subcategories in Dubai, we’re launching two platforms. Good morning, DXB, which is gonna be Dubai and Good morning Rack. Rael. And that in itself is going through, its on, you know, its own transformation today with the wind project that’s taking place.
So, again, very exciting. And all of these platforms will connect to Good Morning, middle east.com for all of the viewers to explore and, you know, obviously gain interest and go into any of these cities that we’re gonna be building these media platforms. Perfect. For every listing, just so you know, we’ll definitely put some links in the show notes so that you can connect and and check out what Joey’s working on.
That’s awesome. And speaking to the audience if this is your first time with Mission Matters and you haven’t done it yet, hit that subscribe or follow button. This is a daily show. Each and every day we’re bringing you new content, new ideas, and hopefully new, new inspiration to help you along the way in your journey as well.
So again, hit that subscribe or follow button. And Joey, thanks again for coming on the show. I appreciate it. Thank you so much, Adam.
