Joanna Ezzat

Joanna, what are your stand-out memories of your time here at Claremont?

I was incredibly excited to have my own laptop and to be allowed to use it in class, that was a first for me. I also remember getting caught drinking hot chocolate in the music hallway during winter because we were so cold and eating the pizza baguettes. I also fondly recall the oranges after netball games. It’s funny that these memories are all food-related, but I think it’s because I was so young.

Whilst you were a pupil here, did you know what you wanted to do as a future career?

Not at all. I really loved singing, although I wasn’t great at it, which in hindsight might have been a hint of what was to come with Arte-beat.net—being a medium for those who can express themselves creatively.

You previously worked in television production. How did you break into this industry?

Almost every member of my family is involved in TV, so I grew up on sets. A better question might be how I managed to carve my own path. I’m still a producer, but now I work for a startup focused on digital media, aiming to reshape how we consume content in healthier ways, specifically designed for the high-potential markets of the Global South, for example MENA/ South East Asia/LATAM etc. I’m proud to be part of a narrative that shares authentic stories from our regions (MENA and beyond) and represents them in a positive light.

How would you best describe your new company, Arte-beat, to our readers?

Arte-beat.net is a digital community platform that centralizes and empowers people to pursue their creative and event related endeavours, whether its organizing parties, selling merchandise, comedy shows or other innovative ideas. My vision is for people to come together and create. I’m also excited about launching Arte-beat Kids, which will help young aspirational talent showcase their skills and assist parents in organizing events like birthday parties, fundraisers and bake sales more efficiently.

Aside from launching Arte-beat, what have been your career highlights to date?

– Lead producing Scoop with Raya the flagship Hollywood show with over thirty-five million viewers across MENA. Covering events from BAFTAs to Cannes   Film Festivals and other various industry related premieres.
– Lead producing the Gucci 2023 Christmas campaign alongside delivering the Louboutin digital assets that same year.
– Now transitioning into a hybrid role that leverages my production skills with financial journalism to translate business in a more digestible format for the next generation of thought leaders and investors.

Are there any personalities in the business world who have inspired you?

There are many! I’m currently in awe of the new wave of thought leaders in AI and disruptive technologies. Mira Murati stands out as an incredibly dynamic and forward-thinking figure. I also admire Trevor Noah and Steven Bartlett for their ability to articulate and moderate discussions in these areas.

In such an ever-changing world, what advice would you give soon-to-be Claremont Fan Court alumni who are considering starting their own business?

Go for it! Don’t invest any money until you’ve proven your concept but know that you have so many tools at your disposal now, from platforms like Shopify to countless online resources. Even if you don’t make any money at first, what you learn along the way is invaluable. Despite the long nights, even the smallest wins are immensely satisfying.

We recently welcomed you back for our Student Future’s Evening (formerly known as Careers Evening), where you spoke to our Senior School pupils about your career journey. Standing in their shoes as a former pupil at Claremont, what advice would you give your sixteen-year-old self?

I’d tell my sixteen-year-old self to ease up and enjoy the ride. I doubted myself a lot as a child and still do at times. The core of who you are doesn’t change much, so I’d say keep pushing forward. Life is unpredictable, and each year feels like a new level in a video game—just keep playing and embrace the journey.