Germien Amer, Head of Corporate Communications at The United Bank, led a high-level intellectual symposium on the influence economy, digital media, and cybercrime on the occasion of the signing of her latest two books, Cybercrime Theater and Tales of Influencers’ Planet, during the 57th Cairo International Book Fair.
Titled “The Influence Industry: Stories and Experiences,” the symposium was held on the sidelines of the book-signing event and brought together senior journalists, media leaders, economists, cybersecurity experts, and cultural figures. The discussion positioned Amer’s two publications as complementary frameworks for understanding both the opportunities and risks shaping contemporary digital influence.
Cybercrime: Awareness Before Technology
Drawing from Cybercrime Theater, the symposium examined the psychology of the digital criminal, emphasizing that cybercrime often begins with a breach in human awareness before exploiting technical vulnerabilities. Discussions highlighted the dangers of limited cybersecurity literacy and the ways in which victims may inadvertently become silent participants in cybercrime.
The session also addressed Amer’s preventive philosophy encapsulated in the hashtag #PrecautionIsEssential, presented as a first line of defense against banking fraud and identity theft. Participants raised questions regarding the adequacy of current legislation in confronting rapidly evolving cyber threats.
Influence as an Emerging Industry
Building on the themes of Tales of Influencers’ Planet, the discussion explored the transformation of influencers and content creators from spontaneous digital voices into a structured industry within the creative economy. Speakers debated the reliance on engagement metrics versus the real societal impact of digital opinion leaders.
The conversation further addressed the pressures associated with digital fame, including psychological burnout, loss of privacy, and creative exhaustion driven by trend dependency and algorithmic visibility.
Media, Ethics, and Digital Identity
The symposium also examined the role of digital media in shaping public opinion and political and economic awareness, the impact of social media on deep reading and cultural consciousness, and the relationship between digital content and the preservation of identity and heritage.
Additional topics included institutional responsibility for digital reputation management, the balance between freedom of expression and ethical accountability, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence to support—rather than replace—human expertise.
Key Outcomes
The event concluded with a call for the adoption of a professional and ethical code of conduct to regulate the influence industry, ensuring creative freedom within responsible professional standards. Participants also emphasized the importance of integrating traditional and digital media to enhance cybersecurity awareness and formally regulating the professional status of influencers and content creators.
