Key Takeaways
- Abu Dhabi investment holding company Ethmar International Holding (EIH) has partnered with Guggenheim Brothers Media (GB Media) to launch a multi-million-dollar investment fund focused on media, entertainment, and the digital creative economy.
- The fund aims to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global hub for creative industries and next-generation content innovation.
- The partnership brings together local expertise and global experience to provide opportunities for creative entrepreneurs and their teams to thrive on a global stage.
- The fund’s leaders, Dillon Lawson-Johnston and Criswell Fiordalis, have industry experience at top companies such as UTA, Anonymous Content, Lionsgate, and Hello Sunshine.
- The partnership is expected to add significant economic and creative value to Abu Dhabi and serve as a catalyst for new opportunities and outcomes.
Introduction to the Partnership
Abu Dhabi investment holding company Ethmar International Holding (EIH) and Guggenheim Brothers Media (GB Media), a private investment firm focused on early- to growth-stage media and entertainment companies, have partnered to launch a multi-million-dollar investment fund based in the emirate with a global focus on media, entertainment, and the digital creative economy. The partnership aims to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global hub for creative industries and next-generation content innovation. By offering access to a world-class platform rooted in Abu Dhabi, the fund seeks to provide creative entrepreneurs and their teams with opportunities to thrive on a global stage.
The Fund’s Objectives
The exact size of the fund, based in the United Arab Emirates, was not detailed. However, the partners stated that their shared mission is to help advance Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a global hub for creative industries and next-generation content innovation. The fund is also focused on helping GB Media with its goal of "building on the Guggenheim family’s legacy of cultural impact." The firm was launched in 2024 by Dillon Lawson-Johnston, the great-great-grandson of Solomon R. Guggenheim who founded New York City’s Guggenheim Museum, and Criswell Fiordalis. The two will also lead the new fund, bringing together local expertise and global experience to provide opportunities for creative entrepreneurs and their teams to thrive on a global stage.
Leadership and Expertise
Lawson-Johnston has industry experience at the likes of agency UTA and Anonymous Content, while Fiordalis has held roles at Lionsgate, MRC, Hello Sunshine, and Webtoon. Their experience and expertise will be invaluable in leading the new fund and supporting early-stage creative companies shaping the future of culture from Abu Dhabi to the world. Said Ethmar International: "Abu Dhabi is globally recognized as a capital of capital, while also building the foundations of a scalable and globally connected creative economy. It is for this reason that EIH has partnered with Guggenheim Brothers Media, where together we can combine the Guggenheim legacy with EIH’s vision to propel Abu Dhabi’s objectives as a dynamic, future-focused media and creator hub."
Expected Outcomes
The partnership is expected to add significant economic and creative value to Abu Dhabi and serve as a catalyst for new opportunities and outcomes. Said Lawson-Johnston and Fiordalis: "We are thrilled to partner with Ethmar International Holding to advance our shared mission of supporting the early-stage creative companies shaping the future of culture from Abu Dhabi to the world." The fund will provide creative entrepreneurs and their teams with access to a world-class platform, resources, and expertise, enabling them to thrive on a global stage. With the partnership, Abu Dhabi is poised to become a major player in the global creative economy, attracting talent, investment, and innovation to the emirate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the partnership between Ethmar International Holding and Guggenheim Brothers Media is a significant development in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to become a global hub for creative industries and next-generation content innovation. The multi-million-dollar investment fund will provide opportunities for creative entrepreneurs and their teams to thrive on a global stage, while also adding significant economic and creative value to Abu Dhabi. With the leadership and expertise of Lawson-Johnston and Fiordalis, the fund is well-positioned to achieve its objectives and support the growth of the creative economy in Abu Dhabi and beyond. As the creative economy continues to evolve and grow, the partnership between EIH and GB Media is an exciting development that will be closely watched by industry experts and stakeholders around the world.
