
Bio
Maisa is CMO at A47 Media, leading the strategic marketing and growth function alongside business development. She shares opinion pieces on the GCC marketing community.
Editorial Responsibility
Responsible for how A47 shows up in the world, including the brand presence, building equity and community.
Previous experience · 16+ years
- · Former Head of Influencers at More
- · Ex Head of Strategy and Business Development at Empact Middle East
Education
BA Spanish & Literature, University of Jordan
Areas of expertise
Categories overseen
Stories from Maisa Aloul’s desk
824 stories- Culture· World
BBC Terminates Scott Mills Contracts Amid New Allegations of Historic Sexual Offences
On 27 March 2026, the BBC sacked radio presenter Scott Mills following new information revealing the alleged victim in a 2017 Metropolitan Police investigation was a teenage boy under 16. The BBC claims current management only recently learned the victim's age, prompting decisive action aligned with its culture and values. This incident highlights ongoing scrutiny of media figures and may lead to further reviews of past allegations within the industry.
4 sourcesApr 2Moderate
- Culture· World
Art Heist at Italian Museum Results in Theft of Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse Paintings
Four masked thieves executed a swift art heist at the Fondazione Magnani Rocca in Italy, stealing three valuable paintings in under three minutes. The incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in European museum security, particularly following a recent surge in art crimes. As investigations continue, the art market may see increased scrutiny and changes in security protocols across museums globally.
4 sourcesApr 1Moderate
- Culture· MENA
Eurovision Song Contest to Launch First Asia Edition in Bangkok 2026
The European Broadcasting Union has announced the inaugural Asia edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, set for November 14, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. This initiative is driven by the EBU's 70th anniversary and aims to showcase musical talent from ten Asian countries, reaching a potential audience of over 600 million. The long-term implication includes increased cultural exchange and tourism opportunities for the host city and participating nations amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
4 sourcesApr 1High
- Culture· World
Art Heist at Magnani Rocca Foundation Results in €9 Million Loss
On the night of 22 March 2026, four masked thieves stole three paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse from the Magnani Rocca Foundation in Italy. The heist was executed in under three minutes, exploiting vulnerabilities in museum security amidst a rising trend of sophisticated art thefts in Europe. This incident is likely to prompt a reevaluation of security protocols across art institutions to prevent future thefts.
5 sourcesMar 31High
- Culture· World
Skeletal Remains of Historical Musketeer d'Artagnan Discovered in Maastricht Church
Skeletal remains believed to belong to Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan were uncovered beneath the altar of St. Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht during recent floor repairs. The discovery was triggered by subsidence that revealed a grave containing a male skeleton with a musket ball wound, consistent with historical accounts of d'Artagnan's death. If confirmed through DNA testing, this finding could lead to significant cultural commemorations and further archaeological investigations in the region.
3 sourcesMar 28Moderate
- Culture· World
Ancient DNA Reveals 15,800-Year-Old Canine Genome as Earliest Evidence of Dog Domestication
Recent studies have identified a 15,800-year-old canine genome from a puppy skull in Turkey as the oldest evidence of dog domestication. This breakthrough is driven by advancements in paleogenomics that allow for the sequencing of ancient DNA, revealing that dogs diverged from wolves much earlier than previously thought. The long-term implication is a reevaluation of the timeline and processes of human-animal relationships, particularly in the context of early human societies and their migrations.
3 sourcesMar 27Moderate
- Culture· World
Skeleton of Historical Musketeer Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan Discovered in Maastricht
Workers at St. Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht uncovered a skeleton believed to belong to Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan during repair work prompted by subsidence. This discovery is significant due to the historical context of d'Artagnan's death during the Franco-Dutch War and the long-held belief that he was buried locally. If confirmed through DNA analysis, this find could enhance tourism and historical interest in the region.
4 sourcesMar 27High
- Culture· World
Olivia Dean Achieves Historic Wins at 2026 MOBO Awards
Olivia Dean won three major awards at the 30th MOBO Awards held in Manchester, including Album of the Year, Best Female Act, and Song of the Year. This momentous occasion follows her recent Grammy and Brit Awards victories, highlighting her rapid rise in the music industry. The success not only enhances her profile but also elevates the visibility of black music in the UK culture, potentially influencing future award ceremonies and artist recognition.
3 sourcesMar 27Low
- Culture· World
Oldest Dog Genomes Confirm Pre-Neolithic Domestication by Hunter-Gatherers
Recent paleogenomic studies have identified the oldest sequenced dog genomes, including a 15,800-year-old specimen from Turkey, indicating that dogs were domesticated by Ice Age hunter-gatherers much earlier than previously believed. This shift is triggered by advancements in ancient DNA analysis techniques that allow for clearer differentiation between wolves and dogs. The long-term implication suggests a reevaluation of the timeline of human-animal relationships and may lead to increased funding in archaeogenetics research.
3 sourcesMar 26Moderate
- Culture· World
Skeletal remains potentially belonging to d'Artagnan discovered in Maastricht church
Workers renovating St. Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht uncovered a skeleton, musket bullet fragment, and a 1660 French coin, potentially linked to Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan. This discovery coincides with ongoing historical research and DNA analysis aimed at confirming the identity of the remains. If verified, this find could reshape historical narratives surrounding d'Artagnan and his role in the Franco-Dutch War, attracting significant interest from historians and cultural authorities.
5 sourcesMar 26Moderate
- Culture· World
Saudi Arabia Achieves 22nd Place in World Happiness Report 2026
Saudi Arabia has been ranked 22nd out of 147 countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, reflecting a significant improvement in national life satisfaction. This ranking is attributed to the ongoing success of Vision 2030 reforms, which have enhanced quality of life through various social and infrastructure initiatives. The long-term implication suggests that this progress may bolster investor confidence and further drive social reforms in the Kingdom.
4 sourcesMar 25Low
- Culture· World
Mel Schilling, Relationship Expert from Married at First Sight, Passes Away at 54
Mel Schilling, a prominent relationship expert known for her role on Married at First Sight, died on March 24, 2026, after a battle with metastatic colon cancer. Her death comes shortly after she publicly announced her terminal prognosis, following a misdiagnosis and subsequent treatment failures that began in late 2023. The long-term implication of her passing may lead to increased awareness and discussions surrounding cancer diagnosis and treatment in the entertainment industry.
4 sourcesMar 25High
- Culture· World
Project Hail Mary Sets Record $80.5 Million Opening for Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary grossed $80.5 million in its North American opening weekend, marking the highest debut for Amazon MGM Studios. This success is attributed to strong audience reception and demand for original sci-fi narratives in a recovering box office environment. The film's performance signals a potential resurgence for Amazon MGM in the competitive film industry ahead of upcoming releases.
7 sourcesMar 25Low
- Culture· World
Chappell Roan Denies Security Guard Incident Involving Jorginho's Family
On March 21, 2026, pop singer Chappell Roan denied allegations of sending a security guard to confront the family of soccer player Jorginho at a hotel in São Paulo. The incident was triggered by accusations that Jorginho's 11-year-old stepdaughter harassed Roan, which led to public backlash and social media discussions. This event highlights ongoing tensions between celebrity culture and public interactions, potentially influencing how artists manage their security and public relations in the future.
9 sourcesMar 25Very High
- Culture· World
Canadian Actress Carrie Anne Fleming Dies at 51 from Breast Cancer Complications
Carrie Anne Fleming, known for her roles in Supernatural and iZombie, passed away on February 26, 2026, in Sidney, British Columbia, due to complications from breast cancer. Her death was confirmed by her representative and co-star Jim Beaver, highlighting the impact of her battle with the disease at this moment. The long-term implication may include increased awareness and discussions surrounding breast cancer and its effects on the entertainment industry and fans alike.
3 sourcesMar 25Low
- Culture· UAE
Mel Schilling, Relationship Expert from Married at First Sight, Dies at 54
Mel Schilling passed away on March 24, 2026, at the age of 54 due to metastatic colon cancer. Her death follows a two-year battle with the disease, which had spread despite previous treatment efforts. This loss is likely to amplify public health discussions around cancer awareness and early screening, particularly among expatriates in the UAE.
4 sourcesMar 25High
- Culture· World
Project Hail Mary Sets Box Office Record for Amazon MGM Studios with $80.5 Million Opening Weekend
Project Hail Mary has achieved a record-breaking $80.5 million domestic box office gross during its opening weekend. This surge in ticket sales is attributed to strong critical and audience reception, alongside a recovering theatrical market. The film's success is likely to encourage further investment in original non-franchise films by major studios.
7 sourcesMar 25Low
- Culture· World
Chappell Roan Responds to Security Incident Involving Jorginho's Family at Lollapalooza Brazil 2026
During Lollapalooza Brazil, pop singer Chappell Roan faced accusations from soccer player Jorginho regarding a security guard's confrontation with his family at a hotel. The incident was triggered by a misunderstanding during breakfast, leading to public outcry and conflicting accounts about the guard's affiliation. This controversy highlights ongoing debates about celebrity security protocols and fan interactions in the entertainment industry.
9 sourcesMar 25Moderate
- Culture· World
Carrie Anne Fleming, Actress from Supernatural, Passes Away at 51
Carrie Anne Fleming, known for her role as Karen Singer in the series Supernatural, died on February 26, 2026, from complications related to breast cancer. The announcement of her death comes after a private health struggle, with tributes pouring in from co-stars and fans alike. This loss highlights the impact of cancer on public figures and may prompt discussions about health awareness in the entertainment industry.
3 sourcesMar 25Low
- Culture· MENA
Iranian Kurds Celebrate Nowruz Amid Ongoing US-Israel-Iran Conflict
Iranian Kurds celebrated Nowruz in Iraqi Kurdistan despite the ongoing war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran. The festivities were triggered by the desire to preserve cultural identity and express hope for regime change following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This event highlights the resilience of the Kurdish community and may lead to increased calls for international support and intervention in their struggle against Iranian oppression.
3 sourcesMar 24Low