Shamma Almarzooqi
MA Media Producing Class of 2026
Hometown: Dubai, UAE
Shamma Almarzooqi is an Emirati media professional, textile artist, and founder of Soof Studio. She currently works as a Regional Brand Manager at Nestlé, leading marketing initiatives across the Gulf region. Alongside her corporate career, she explores storytelling through textile art and film, with a particular interest in identity, culture, and contemporary creative practices. She holds an MA in Media Producing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts..
Instagram: @soof_studio
Why did you pursue the MA Media Producing?
I pursued the MA in Media Producing because I wanted to better understand how creative ideas move from concept to execution. Coming from a marketing background, I had experience building campaigns and managing projects, but I wanted a deeper understanding of storytelling, production, entertainment business, and emerging technologies. The program allowed me to explore both the creative and strategic sides of media while developing the skills needed to bring projects to life across different formats
Please tell us about your real-world application of the learnings and skills you developed in the MA Media Producing program?
One of the most valuable skills I gained from the MA Media Producing program was understanding how creative projects move from concept to execution. I applied this directly while working on the Taste Worth the Wait Ramadan campaign for the Gulf region, where I was involved in the production process and spent time on set alongside agencies and production teams. The program gave me a stronger understanding of production workflows, scheduling, budgeting, and stakeholder management, allowing me to contribute more effectively throughout the project and better bridge the creative and business sides of production.
What are you working on now/what's coming up for you?
Currently, I work as a Regional Brand Manager at Nestlé, leading coffee brand initiatives across the Gulf region. Alongside my professional role, I continue developing my textile art practice through Soof Studio and participating in exhibitions that explore material, identity, and cultural memory. I am also working on an original animated short film that explores personal and social themes through visual storytelling. Looking ahead, I hope to continue building projects that sit at the intersection of creativity, culture, and emerging technologies.