Dubai's Storyfied Ventures turns brand stories into screen-worthy gold
A new Dubai-based company, Storyfied Ventures, has launched to help brands turn their stories into profitable intellectual property. Founded by producer Casper Shirazi, the firm will focus on creating screen-based content as the core of its strategy. Backers include high-profile figures like Catherine Barr, global marketing head at Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, and entertainment lawyer Joseph Lanius.
Storyfied Ventures aims to build a 360-degree relationship between brands and audiences by transforming brand narratives into monetisable IP. Shirazi, whose credits include the upcoming comedy Holy Molé starring Tim Roth, sees this as a way to define a new content economy in the MENA region. He argues that even in uncertain times, brand-owned IP can drive growth.
The company will work across film, television, documentaries, music, and children's content, as well as creator-led projects. Its approach comes as the MENA region has seen faster growth in brand-owned entertainment IP since 2021, fuelled by rising investments in streaming platforms and local production. However, the region still lags behind North America and Asia-Pacific, where larger budgets and established IP ecosystems dominate. Joseph Lanius, a key investor, will also lead business affairs for Storyfied Ventures through his firm, Convergence Media Law. The company plans to form strategic partnerships between brands and entertainment creators, positioning itself as a bridge in the evolving media landscape.
Storyfied Ventures enters a market where brand-driven content is expanding but remains less developed than in other regions. With backing from industry leaders and a focus on screen-based IP, the company intends to shape how brands engage with audiences through storytelling. Its success will depend on turning brand narratives into sustainable entertainment assets.
