Elie Kawkabani is one of the region’s most experienced media executives, with over three decades of senior leadership across Western and Middle Eastern markets, generating more than USD 500M in enterprise value. His career spans the launch of the first live OTT platform in the United States, exponential subscription growth as SVP at OSN, and transforming NEOM Media Industries into a globally recognized production hub, attracting 40+ regional and international productions and pioneering NEOM Media Law. Strategic alliances with the likes of Amazon, Netflix, AT&T, Comcast and MBC, combined with deep hands-on experience across film and television, streaming, broadcast, media technology and ecosystem development, define his standing as a trusted operator at the highest level.

“Confluence Media Advisory was founded to offer something rare: senior guidance that bridges global media expertise with deep GCC and MENA fluency. Advisory work spans content and co-production structuring, cross-border partnerships, streaming strategy, market expansion and commercial growth for media companies scaling across the region, and the design of national screen industry ecosystems. Clients include governments, sovereign entities, international studios, investors and growth-stage media companies navigating complex regional initiatives.” 

Elie holds an MBA from USC, has completed executive programmes at Cambridge, Wharton and the Hawkamah Institute of Governance, and is fluent in English, Arabic and French.