Five Dinner Dates, One App Relaunch: Creating MAXION’s Dating in Dubai
When matchmaker-turned-tech-founder Christiana Maxion needed buzz for her dating app’s relaunch, she asked Poddster to build a Netflix-style dinner series from the ground up — branding, multi-camera production, and full-platform distribution for a five-episode debut season shot across Dubai’s best tables.
The Challenge
Christiana Maxion built her name as an international matchmaker for what she calls Dubai's “1%,” before turning tech founder with MAXION, a members-only dating marketplace she describes as “Airbnb for dating” — built around meeting people in person rather than swiping through profiles. Ahead of MAXION's relaunch, Christiana wanted a way to build public awareness for the app without it feeling like a straight ad, so she brought the idea to Poddster: a filmed dinner series called Dating in Dubai, built on the same “meet first, match later” premise as the app itself.
A podcast wasn't going to cut it
Christiana already had two reference points in mind: Chicken Shop Date, for the idea of a real conversation over a real meal, and Dating Around, for its cinematic, multi-camera polish. Neither was quite right on its own — what MAXION needed was a show built to double as a brand vehicle for the app relaunch, one that could carry MAXION's existing visual identity into video, work natively across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, and hit the “Netflix quality” bar Christiana had set from the very first call.
- No visual identity built for video: MAXION's brand existed for an app, not a video series — Poddster had to extend its black-and-gold, Gilroy-driven look into a new format without it reading as a copy-paste of the app itself.
- A shoot built to survive real dinner service: capturing a natural, unscripted conversation while working around actual food and drink service — timing takes to the chef, resetting the table, multiple angles — without breaking the flow of conversation on camera.
- Five venues, five guests, one fixed cadence: each of the five episodes needed to work as a standalone piece of content strong enough to premiere on a set schedule across three platforms at once, with guests chosen specifically for camera presence and audience overlap with MAXION's target users.
Building the show like a five-course meal
With the concept locked, Poddster took Dating in Dubai from a one-page pitch to a full production system — branding, a multi-camera shoot method built specifically for filming over dinner, and a distribution pipeline running three platforms at once.
- A brand system that extends MAXION, not competes with it: Poddster's design team built the “Dating in DXB” identity on MAXION's existing black-and-gold, Gilroy palette — adding a stripped-back range of dark browns, beige and gold, and pairing Gilroy headlines with DM Serif subheadlines for a more editorial, “quiet luxury” feel across covers, lower-thirds and YouTube assets.
- A shoot segmented around the meal, not against it: the crew filmed each episode as full standalone segments timed to each course's arrival — drinks, starters, mains, dessert — giving room for multiple takes per beat, then stitched the segments together in post with B-roll, title cards and music pulled from each episode's own soundtrack.
- A visual direction that adjusted mid-flight: when the first cut came back darker and more saturated than the “quiet luxury” feel Christiana wanted, Poddster's team relit the color grade toward a lighter, more editorial palette, and shortened the episode intros once the format had found its footing.
- One team running three platforms at once: a dedicated social lead managed the full YouTube, Instagram and TikTok rollout — scheduling, captions, thumbnail A/B tests — and adjusted posting times against real performance data as the season aired.
Five episodes down, and MAXION has a content engine, not just a launch video.
Season 1 of Dating in Dubai shipped five episodes across five of Dubai's venues on a fixed release cadence, distributed as full episodes on YouTube and cut into vertical highlights for Instagram and TikTok.
- Nearly 140,000 views across every short-form clip the season has produced: the 30 Instagram Reels cut from the season, trailer included, have pulled 112,346 views — averaging just under 3,750 views per clip — and another roughly 24,800 views have landed across 28 YouTube Shorts, for a combined 137,000+ views across a now-complete five-episode season.
- The trailer landed before a single episode did: it pulled 8,343 views on Instagram ahead of Episode 1's premiere, and the season's top-performing clip — “Men fall in love faster than you think” — has passed 9,300 views on its own.
- All five episodes are live: Episodes 1 through 5 (Paris Norriss, Natasha Rudatsenko, Alex Woodford, Lanzi Weideman and Ciaran McDiamond) are all live across YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, with the season finale landing on YouTube on 21 June 2026.
- MAXION built its own landing page around the show: two weeks after Episode 2 launched, Christiana's team asked Poddster for the brand assets to build a dedicated Dating in Dubai page on themaxion.com — using the visual identity Poddster created for the series.
- A visible lift on YouTube the month the season went live: June 2026, the first full month of episodes airing, brought 26,121 views and 30 new subscribers to Christiana's channel — one of its strongest months for both metrics since the channel's original 2023 launch spike, after more than a year of largely flat performance.
Season 1 delivered exactly what Christiana set out to build: a recurring, premium piece of content that's already pulled six figures in organic views, and carries the MAXION name into rooms an app store listing never could, without ever feeling like an ad for one.
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Frequently asked questions
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Poddster is the original and largest podcast studio network in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We offer fully equipped podcast and video recording studios that you can rent by the hour. Our spaces are used by independent podcasters, content creators, founders, small business owners, entrepreneurs, agencies, and large corporate brands. Every studio is plug-and-play, and every session includes a trained studio operator who handles all the technical work for you.
Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, is located inside the Madar_39 co-working space at M-39, Al Rutam Street, Zayed Port, Freezone, Abu Dhabi (Mina Zayed area). Free street parking is available nearby, and we’ll send you a Google Maps link ahead of your session so it’s easy to find.
Poddster is fully plug-and-play. You just show up. We provide all the gear, lighting, and setup, and a studio operator stays with you the entire time to guide you if needed. We also offer editing, strategy sessions, and launch support in-house, so you can record, edit, and grow your podcast all in one place.
A 1-hour recording session at Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, starts from AED 400 per hour when booked as part of a multi-session bundle, or AED 490 for a single standalone hour.
Either way, you get all equipment (up to 2 microphones, 3 cameras, lighting), a studio operator, and your raw audio and video files.
Yes — every price is visible on our website the moment you click Book Now.
A 1-hour session starting from AED 400 includes full studio access, all cameras, mics, and lighting, a professional operator, your raw audio and video files, and seating for up to 2 people. A single standalone hour is AED 490.
You can book any Poddster studio online in under 2 minutes.
Just click Book Now, choose your date and time, select the studio, choose your recording type, add any editing services, and check out. No calls or back-and-forth needed.
Yes — cancel or reschedule any time from your online dashboard.
Our policy: a full refund if you cancel 48 hours or more before your session, a 50% credit if you cancel within 48 hours, and no refund or credit for cancellations inside 8 hours of your session.
A standard session at Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, includes:
- 1 hour in the studio
- 3 cameras, up to 2 microphones, lighting, and an audio mixer
- A trained studio operator
- Full setup, monitoring, and support throughout
- Your raw audio and video files
- Seating for 1–2 people
Pricing starts from AED 400 per session when booked as part of a multi-session bundle, or AED 490 for a single standalone session.
Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, runs on professional-grade gear: Shure SM7dB microphones, Sony FX3 and FX30 cameras, a RØDE Caster Pro audio mixer, and a Blackmagic ATEM switcher for live mixing.
All of it is included in every booking.
Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, comfortably seats 2 people, and the price of your session is the same whether you’re recording solo or with a guest.
Yes. A studio operator is included in every recording session at no extra cost.
Your operator:
- Prepares the studio and sets up all gear
- Runs technical checks
- Monitors cameras, lighting, and audio
- Adjusts angles and levels during recording
- Offers on-the-spot guidance if you need help
Their job is to make sure your session runs smoothly.
Yes — wireless microphones are available on request. Just note it when you book so we can have them ready.
Yes — small props and branded items are welcome, and our operator can help place them on set. For larger branding assets or a fully custom setup, contact us in advance, as this may need extra setup time and could carry an additional fee.
Yes. Remote guests can join any session through Riverside at no additional cost, and we also support live streaming for webinars and virtual events — just let us know your requirements when you book.
Yes. Live mixing means our operator actively switches between camera angles and keeps audio and video in sync as you record, so you walk away with a lightly edited episode already assembled — great if you’re short on turnaround time.
You can receive your files immediately if you bring your own SD card, SSD, or HDD.
If you prefer uploads, we can upload your files to a dedicated Dropbox.
Please note: due to high demand, uploads for recording-only clients may take 3–4 weeks, so bringing your own storage device is highly recommended.
Post-production clients receive edits via Frame.io.
Yes. Editing is available for AED 550 per episode.
First Episode Turnaround Time:
- First cut: 5 business days
- Final cut: 3 business days after feedback
Following Episodes Turnaround Time:
- First cut: 3–4 business days
- Final cut: 3 business days
You get 3 revision rounds on your first episode and 2 rounds on the rest.
We can turn any recorded episode into short-form content — Standard Highlights (3 clips for AED 550), a full Social Package (2-hour session with teleprompter plus 12 edited Reels for AED 3,400), or single Reels at AED 220 each.
Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, is open 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Saturday slots can be arranged on request, subject to operator availability, with a 20% surcharge.
Yes. Dusk, our podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, is professionally sound-treated and purpose-built for high-quality video podcast recording, not adapted from a general-purpose room.
Yes. We send Google Maps links and clear directions ahead of your session, which you can forward straight to any guests joining you.
Yes. We offer a 2-hour Strategy Workshop for AED 3,500. It covers:
- Defining your podcast angle and content pillars
- Understanding your audience
- Structuring episodes
- Building a launch and promotion plan
You’ll also receive a full summary document with your custom roadmap.
Yes. Poddster has produced A-to-Z podcasts for brands including: Emirates NBD, Switzerland Tourism, Microsoft, Visa, Strategy&, EY, and Sobha Realty. Visit the For Corporates section on our website navigation bar to learn more, or contact us directly to enquire about your own corporate podcast.
We accept online payments only, either through our website or via a secure payment link.
Sessions and services must be paid in advance. Cash payments are not accepted.
Our client list spans 2,000+ independent podcasters and creators plus 50+ established brands — among them Emirates NBD, Switzerland Tourism, Microsoft, Visa, EY, Sobha Realty, Property Finder, Nestlé, and Amazon — along with well-known creators like Fahad Kaleem, The Balance Theory, and Chef JKP.
Poddster is the largest podcast studio network in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with more locations and studios than any other provider. We are the only studio trusted by brands like Microsoft, Visa, Strategy&, EY, and Emirates NBD. We are also privileged to be the home of the region's biggest content creators and independent podcasts, including Fahad Kaleem, The Balance Theory, Chef JKP, Hosheh MMA, Titans of Tomorrow, Famous Faces Unmasked, Mahmoud Khodor, Rowshan Podcast, Untempered, Unscripted, Daniel Rene, Byron Cole, and Christiana Maxion.
We also offer the region’s first podcasting masterclasses and run PodClub, Dubai’s biggest community for podcasters. Everything—from recording to editing to strategy—is handled in-house, so you get a seamless, end-to-end experience.
The best podcast studio in Abu Dhabi is one that offers a fully supported recording experience, professional equipment, and a central location. Studios with an included operator, sound-treated rooms, and video podcast capability are typically considered the best option. Poddster’s studio in Mina Zayed is commonly recommended because it provides a full-service setup rather than a DIY recording room.
Professionals in Abu Dhabi typically use podcast studios that offer reliability, operator support, and high production quality. Studios that remove technical risk and handle setup, monitoring, and recording are preferred. Poddster’s Mina Zayed studio is used by professionals and teams because it offers a fully managed recording environment rather than a self-service setup.
When booking a podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, check that the studio includes professional microphones, cameras, and a trained operator. Make sure the room is designed specifically for podcast recording and that pricing is clear upfront. A central location, such as Mina Zayed, also makes it easier for guests to attend. This is why Poddster's Abu Dhabi studio is a popular choice.
The average cost of a professional podcast studio in Abu Dhabi is around AED 490 per hour for a standalone single session when the session includes equipment, operator support, and a sound-treated space. Lower prices usually indicate audio-only or self-service setups.
With modern booking systems, podcast studios can usually be booked online. Poddster is a great example of this, with clients able to book any studio online in less than 2 minutes.
Yes — Dusk, Poddster’s podcast studio in Abu Dhabi, is the only professional podcast studio in the Mina Zayed area, located at M-39 on Al Rutam Street.
You can record a podcast in Abu Dhabi at Dusk, Poddster’s podcast studio in the Mina Zayed area, on M-39 Al Rutam Street — a dedicated, fully equipped space rather than a shared or DIY setup.