Looking to start off your media career in Saudi Arabia right? We’ve got just the thing.
NEOM and ITP Media Group are collaborating to offer 35 students the opportunity to fast track their careers in digital journalism, new media and content creation with a six-month paid internship with ITP and four weeks of training, with the top students then offered full-time roles within ITP Media Saudi, based in Riyadh, or one of ITP’s five offices spanning three continents.
That would give you the chance to collaborate with huge global and regional media brands such as Esquire, as well as Time Out, Cosmopolitan, Arabian Business and Harper’s Bazaar.
A combination of industry leaders and world and regionally renowned editorial chiefs will lead the training, with a critical focus on educating students on the relevant skills demanded by today’s evolving media industry. The course will cover several areas, including new media, podcasting, the digital age of communications and, above all, integrity in journalism and storytelling.
The training programme will begin in November and will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“One of the key components for the NEOM media hub is providing industry standard training and job opportunities for young Saudis, enabling them to play a pivotal role in establishing our advanced media ecosystem,” explains Wayne Borg, Managing Director, Media Industries, Entertainment & Culture at NEOM. “Working with partners like ITP, we are able to provide invaluable skills development and on-the-job work experience to the next generation of industry professionals.”
One of the largest media companies in the Middle East, ITP has a portfolio of more than 80 media brands. ITP made history in 2019 when it became the first independently owned media house in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the country’s new licensing rules. In2021, Harper’s Bazaar and Esquire Saudi were introduced to the country as the first international fashion and lifestyle magazines curated specifically to the taste of the local market. The company also saw Time Out Riyadh and Jeddah launch in 2021, with the firstever independent foods awards, the Time Out Riyadh Restaurant Awards, held in September of 2022.
“ITP Media Group is always on the lookout for the next generation of media talent, thought leaders and trend-shapers. Our brands are only as dynamic and relevant as the teams working on them, which is why our business consistently looks to the next generation as drivers of evolution and innovation in the ever-changing future of our industry. Long term, these internship programmes have the power to help us identify, encourage and empower the next generation of media leaders, both in the region and globally,” Martin Chambers, Managing Director, ITP Media Group said.
“As the first private media company to establish itself in the Kingdom, developing Saudi talent has always been a significant part of our corporate objectives. It is important that our youth see and hear themselves represented in the content we create for them – helping to develop the voices that will power that representation for years to come is vital in our mission to make Saudi’s media industry one of the most evolved and competitive in the world.”
NEOM’s infrastructure and long-term vision are designed to support the education, training, and development of new talent at home in the Kingdom, and abroad. This collaborative interdisciplinary programme as a platform is ideal for ambitious individuals looking to learn new skills and improve their career opportunities.
NEOM and ITP are inviting applications from Saudi nationals between 22 and 35 interested in a career in digital journalism.
Apply at https://scholarships.neom.com/, but hurry, as applications are open until Sunday, November 6.