Middle East and North Africa (MENA) media company MBC Group has appointed Samar Akrouk as Managing Director of its in-house production division MBC Studios.
Akrouk, who has worked for nearly three decades at Riyadh-based MBC Group, will retain her position as Group Director of Production.
She replaces Christina Wayne who is leaving the MENA content giant after 15 months.
In her new role, Akrouk will lead MBC Studios’ ongoing push to expand the reach of its content to audiences around the world.
Akrouk will also continue her work as Group Director of Production where she leads a team of producers, directors, technicians, and creators, overseeing all of MBC Group’s non-scripted productions for MBC TV channels, streaming platform Shahid, and social media – which comprises over 1,500 hours of original content production annually.
This includes chat shows, social programming, game shows and competitions, comedy, as well as local adaptations of international franchises such as Arab Idol, Arab’s Got Talent, Project Runway, Top Chef, The Voice: Arabia and X Factor Arabia.
Akrouk said: “I am absolutely delighted and thrilled to take on the responsibilities of my new role as Managing Director of MBC Studios, building upon the exceptional achievements of the team so far. This role marks a significant milestone in my career, one which I have devoted to the MBC Group family since 1995.”
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
Sony launches virtual production studio at Norwich University
Norwich University of the Arts and Sony have launched a virtual production studio in Norwich, UK.
Disney’s Alice Taylor to lead BBC Studios’ AI Creative Lab
BBC Studios Productions has hired Alice Taylor to head its newly launched AI Creative Lab, following the initiative’s unveiling in July 2025.
LuckyChap and Mediawan launch London division led by Mona and Tanya Qureshi
Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap has teamed with European studio Mediawan Group to launch a London-based venture headed by Netflix’s Mona Qureshi and the BBC’s Tanya Qureshi.
Clément Schwebig to succeed Thomas Rabe as CEO of RTL Group
Warner Bros Discovery executive Clément Schwebig is to succeed Thomas Rabe as CEO of European broadcasting and production giant RTL Group.
Innovations from Freely and CCMA’s 3Cat win acclaim at 2025 HbbTV Awards
At the 13th HbbTV Symposium and Awards in Istanbul, the Hybrid broadcast broadband TV (HbbTV) Association unveiled the winners of the HbbTV Awards 2025, which included Freely, CCMA/3Cat, BCi Digital, and more.
