Speakers

Sir Martin Sorrell is the Founder and Executive Chairman of S4 Capital plc, the tech-led, new age / new era digital advertising and marketing services company for global, multinational, regional and local clients, and millennial-driven influencer brands. Sir Martin was the Founder and CEO of WPP for 33 years, building it from a £1 million 'shell' company in 1985 into the world's largest advertising and marketing services company. When Sir Martin left in April 2018, WPP had a market capitalisation of over £16 billion, revenues of over £15 billion, profits of approximately £2 billion and over 200,000 people in 113 countries. Prior to that, Sir Martin was Group Financial Director of Saatchi & Saatchi plc for nine years and worked for James Gulliver, Mark McCormack and Glendinning Associates before that. In 2018, S4Capital merged with MediaMonks, the leading AdAge A-listed creative digital content production company, and then with MightyHive, the market-leading digital media solutions provider for future-thinking marketers and agencies. Since then, MediaMonks and MightyHive have combined with more than 30 companies. In August 2021, S4Capital launched its unitary brand by combining MediaMonks and MightyHive into Media.Monks. As the operational brand, Media.Monks underpins S4Capital's agility, digital knowledge and efficiency and is the next step in delivering on its foundational promise to unify Content, Data&digital media and Technology services with over 8,000 people in 32 countries. S4Capital is listed on the London Stock Exchange under SFOR.L. Sir Martin supports a number of leading business schools and universities, including his alma maters, Harvard Business School and Cambridge University, and a number of charities, including his family foundation. He was ranked the second best-performing CEO in the World by the Harvard Business Review in 2016 and 2017 and received the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award. He has also been nominated as one of the TIME 100: The Most Influential People. He is also an Honorary Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge and a Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

A globally minded, creative, and culturally connected individual, Matt has unrivalled experience in the sports and entertainment space across multiple youth-orientated industry sectors. He has built passionate teams and high-performing cultures from the ground up in several fast-evolving environments, consistently producing results that are at the forefront of the industry.

Paul Pacifico CEO, Music Commission, KSA In January 2023, moved to Riyadh, KSA, to take up the post of CEO of the Music Commission within the Ministry of Culture with responsibility for developing the music sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For six years prior, Paul was CEO of AIM, the Association of Independent Music which represents the UK’s community of music entrepreneurs including independent labels, service companies and self-releasing artists amongst its 1000 members. Before his tenure at AIM, Paul was CEO of the UK’s Featured Artists Coalition (‘FAC’), and founding President of the International Artist Organisation (‘IAO’). For the past 6 years, Paul was Associate Professor at Berklee Valencia, Spain, where he continues to teach as a Guest Lecturer. He was a Trustee of English National Ballet, on the Boards of UK Music, Impala, the Music Advisory Board for London’s Roundhouse and a member of the Strategic Advisory Board for the Creative UK. Alongside his formal industry roles, Paul has had a long career as a performer and entrepreneur in music, working with artists including Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and Jimmy Cliff and advising on music strategy and projects for clients such as Coca Cola, British Olympic Committee, British Athletics, Goodwood, Save the Children, Gibson and Aston Martin as well as number of exclusive members clubs and UHNW private clients.

A seasoned Saudi professional with a successful track record of 25 years in leading brand-building, marketing and business transformation initiatives with local and global impact. Graduate of KFUPM, with executive education certificates from both Harvard Business School and INSEAD and a diversified experience across several sectors including consumer goods (e.g. P&G), real estate (e.g. Emaar), as well as NGO's (e.g. MISK) and public sector (e.g. SAGIA/MISA). Following the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, Khaled led the launch of "Invest Saudi"- the Kingdom's national investment promotion program (2018-2020). Since 2021, he has been leading the re-branding and re-launch of Saudia Group- by repositioning it as the "Wings of Vision 2030" with a new mission of bringing the World to Saudi Arabia and leading the region in aviation.

Marketing Executive - Leading Marketing at PIF

Ammar Alamo is a dynamic and results-oriented marketing professional, serving as the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With an MBA and a passion for strategic brand development, Ammar has a proven track record of establishing and optimising B2C and B2B marketing functions for maximum performance. Since joining the SFA in January 2023, Ammar has played a pivotal role in promoting and growing major events, including the Riyadh Marathon, Tough Mudder, and the SandClash CrossFit competition, leading campaigns of varying sizes, at a national or localised level. Some of these campaigns last many months. Ammar’s strategic vision and quick adaptation to brand positioning have been instrumental in the success of these initiatives, finding coverage for them in international markets. One of his key achievements with the SFA has been the #MoveYourWorld campaign, which encouraged people in Saudi Arabia to post images and videos to highlight movement – this resulted in 55.6 million video views, 218.6 million impressions, and 590 million steps achieved. The campaign was also named one of the top 10 promotional campaigns in the Middle East in 2023 by Campaign ME magazine. Ammar also helped to launch the first annual SFA Expo in 2023, oversaw the documentary film for the inspiring Movement is the Start campaign, engaged more than 50,000 citizens for various sporting activities on National Sports Day, spearheaded the marketing strategy for the inaugural Riyadh Fitness Festival, and has led the SFA’s digital transformation efforts. Through building awareness, Ammar helped to increase membership of the Neighbourhood Clubs by 141% compared to 2022, with a 192% increase of participants in Summer Camps, and the number of activities increasing by 160%. A lifelong learner, Ammar recently completed the Marketing Leadership Program at Stanford University, further enhancing his expertise in the ever-evolving field of marketing. He adds this to the MBA obtained from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and the BBA from Qassim University. Prior to working at the SFA, Ammar spent seven years in a number of roles at Saudi Arabia’s Olayan Group, which he joined as a marketing trainee in 2015. During that time, he contributed significantly to the organisation’s success, and is grateful for being part of such a value-driven organisation, gaining a wealth of knowledge during his tenure. Ammar continues to be a driving force in the marketing landscape, combining strategic thinking, innovation, and a passion for bringing people together through the power of sports and community engagement.

Nassib is the CEO of VML MENA and was appointed following the integration of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R at the end of 2023. Overseeing a team of multi-disciplined experts across 10 markets, from creatives, data scientists and technologists to team leads, Nassib works to inspire growth across all client and partners in MENA. Work for clients has been regularly recognised at top-tier award shows for their strategic innovation and ground-breaking best practices that deliver measurable growth for clients and their brands. In his previous role as CEO of Wunderman Thompson MENA, Nassib demonstrated success in developing and growing relationships with international, regional and local clients in the market. Skilled in all aspects of cross-functional marketing and communications for fully Integrated solutions. Nassib also believes in the importance of giving back to the industry. He has served on the Board of the UAE Chapter of the IAA since 2006, and has been elected as president of the chapter in November 2023. He has also taken part at the mentorship program of the Dubai Chamber.

Bassel Kakish assumed the role of CEO in April 2021, managing professionals across various disciplines spanning technology, marketing, creative, media and PR. With 20+ years at Publicis Groupe, Bassel has held various strategic roles, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Integration Officer, and co-Managing Director of Publicis Sapient in the Middle East. Under his leadership, Publicis Groupe has integrated operations across Creative, Media, and Sapient. He combined various Groupe functions with building a modular approach for clients’ business problems in a seamless manner driven by the alchemy of creativity and technology. As CEO, he is focused on strengthening and expanding the Groupe’s offering to help clients succeed through disruptive creative strategy, analytics and insights.

Dani holds the role of Chairman and CEO of BBDO Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as being Chairman of Impact BBDO Group of Companies. Under Dani’s leadership consistently Impact BBDO has been the top ranked regional network at Cannes Lions, Loeries, Mad Stars, London International Awards, Dubai Lynx, Andy Awards and the Clios. Dani has repeatedly featured in the Arabian Business Magazine list of ‘The World's 100 Most Influential Arabs’, most recently in 2023, as well as being named Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year 2018 and Arab Ad’s Man of the Year 2017.

Elda Choucair is CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA, spearheading the group's growth and transformation since 2021. With a 19-year tenure at Omnicom, she has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, and driving the group's digital and technological advancements. The agency brands under her leadership have consistently been recognised as top-performing companies in the region, earning accolades at Effies MENA, Dubai Lynx, and MENA Digital Awards and being recognised by COMvergence.

A champion of positive change, Elda is committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable industry. She actively contributes to industry organisations and is widely acknowledged as a leading figure in the region. Her exceptional leadership has been recognised by Forbes (100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen/Global Meets Local), Arabian Business (Dubai 100) and Campaign Middle East (Power List). She was also announced as a Cannes Lions Awarding Jury member in 2024.

A veteran in the world of media and marketing, Houda has made a lasting impact on the industry throughout her illustrious 22-year career. Her journey in this field began in 2002 in Dubai, where she honed her skills in communications and investment planning across a diverse range of categories, including leading FMCG giants, prestigious luxury and fashion brands, and various other sectors. Throughout her career, Houda's leadership at Havas Media has been instrumental in driving innovation and progress in the industry, contributing significantly to Havas Media becoming one of the top 5 media leaders in the Middle East. Beyond her role at Havas Media, Houda actively contributes to the industry's development as a board member of IAB MENA. In recognition of her exceptional leadership, Houda was named one of the top 30 leaders in the Middle East's advertising industry by Communicate Magazine, and selected in Communicate ME’s Power List for 2023, further solidifying her reputation as a respected figure in the field.

Bahmishan is a Saudi award-winning Adman. A jury member in Cannes Lions Festival 2022. Mena Effie jury 2023. Saudi Ad School mentor 2024. Cannes Lions speaker 2022. Dubai lynks speaker 2023. A pioneering veteran in the creative communication industry in Saudi Arabia. During his 20 years of experience, he has been considered to be a driving force to push the wheel of creative communication further in the Saudi market, through writing about it, and through special programs (he is the creator of the 1st YouTube show about advertising, named “Fasel e3lany”) and through his several talks and workshops in different forums. At the time when there were very few Saudies working in advertising, Bahmishan started his journey in the creative communication industry as a writer at Ogilvy & Mather, building top notch brands in the Saudi market such as Unilever, Kodak, and Volvo. In 2004, He moved to Leo Burnett continuing to develop remarkable campaigns. In Nov 2022, Bahmishan left Publicis Group as Publicis KSA Chief Creative Officer, and started heading FP7 McCann Saudi Arabia in a dual role as CEO and Chief Creative Officer. Passionate about dynamic digital communication and utilisation of technology in storytelling. He is also a painter, lyricist, director, and a coach.
Awards: Cannes Lions, The One Show, Art Director's Club, EPICA, CLIO, Dubai Lynx, AdFest, New York Festivals, Gerety, Effie's, Caples, Adstars, Cresta and many others.

Life-long marketeer. Fortunate enough to work on building the Saudi destination brand for the past 3 years.

Abdulrahman is an accomplished leader with expertise in destination management, marketing and corporate strategy. Currently serving as Destination Management Senior Director at Diriyah Company, he has played a pivotal role in crafting tourism strategies and leading international marketing efforts. His extensive experience spans both public and private sectors, where he has driven business development and led transformations in the tourism, financial and housing industries. A Misk2030 Leaders alumnus, Abdulrahman holds a Master's in Engineering Management and is passionate about forging relationships, delivering results and driving positive organisational change.

Najeeb has been with Google Marketing since 2009, currently serving as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Middle East and North Africa, and the Global Lead for Arabic Language and Products at Google. Najeeb oversees marketing, product strategy and expansion in the region. He played a key role in growing online presence in MENA from 10 million users in 2009 to 210 million today. Beyond his role steering Google product and marketing in the region, Najeeb works to enrich the Arabic web, and promotes Arab culture globally through StreetView and cultural projects. Najeeb is also an active member in the tech and start-up community in MENA, he has been a trusted advisor and committee member to numerous start-ups and regional / global VC funds in the region.

Katie Golding, Chief Marketing Officer at SRMG, the largest integrated media group from the MENA region, possesses over 25 years of experience in senior marketing and commercial roles. Her extensive career spans more than 15 years in the MENA region, fostering collaborations with leading global brands, thereby offering a wealth of insights and a broad global perspective. Recognised for her strategic acumen and commitment to nurturing creativity while emphasising performance, Katie excels in promoting team synergy and advocating for integrated marketing across diverse media channels.

Waseem Khashan is the Executive Director Marketing for ROSHN, the Kingdom's leading real estate developer. Waseem has over two decades experience of leading marketing functions, for multinationals, national brands, and governmental bodies. Prior to ROSHN, Waseem led “Invest Saudi”, Kingdom’s nation-wide investment attraction and promotion brand for presenting and marketing investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Waseem has held a range of leadership roles for organisations such as The Olayan Group, Emaar, Colgate-Palmolive and Procter & Gamble.

Advisor to C-Suites on marketing, communications, and strategy, as well as expert in CSR in KSA and the GCC for more than 27 years. International expertise and leadership at leading marketing and communications firm Ogilvy working on multinational brands. Founder of BlindSpot – a marketing management consultancy firm since in 2006. Now Marketing director at New Murabba. Advised leadership on marketing and strategy in real estate, financial institutions, healthcare, hotel management, retail, FMCG, and Fintech in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. One of the founders of the RCI (corporate social responsibility index) in KSA.

Hussain Abdrabalnabi is the Executive Director of Marketing & Digital at Alat, a PIF company, and a leading voice in the Middle East's digital transformation. With over two decades of experience, he advocates for "augmented humanity," ensuring that technology remains human-centred. Hussain focuses on delivering seamless, innovative customer experiences that meet evolving digital expectations. As a key supporter of the KSA Vision 2030 program and a member of the Saudi Leaders 2030 initiative, he is dedicated to developing the next generation of Saudi tech and marketing leaders. He is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a member of The Marketing Society.

Yahya Hamidaddin is the Vice President of Corporate Communications at ACWA Power, bringing extensive experience in public relations and communications across both public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. He excels in corporate and crisis communications, markcomms, CSR, and digital strategies. With a Master’s in Public Communications & Public Relations from the University of Westminster, Yahya is a strong advocate for innovative communication practices that align with business growth and sustainability goals.

Hamad Alsalman is VP of Marketing and Communications at Taiba Investments, overseeing their communication strategy and leading successful campaigns. He supervised the branding of Taiba's hospitality portfolio, including Dur Hospitality and Makarem hotels. With 17 years of experience, he has managed the development of over 30 brands for various organisations. Alsalman previously held marketing roles at Maceen Capital, Alinma Bank and SEMARK. He holds a BBA, a Diploma in Public Relations, and certifications in Brand Management, Customer Experience and Service Design.

Waleed Bashawri is the Senior Director of Marketing at Almosafer (part of Seera Group), where he spearheads the brand strategy for the leading travel brand in Saudi Arabia, whilst leading on brand efforts across the Almosafer's portfolio of travel companies. With over 20 years of diverse experience in FMCG, banking, and tourism sectors, he has developed a keen expertise in brand strategy, digital transformation, and business development. His current role focuses on elevating the brand’s presence and driving growth within the competitive travel industry. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals and continues to be a key player in advancing the marketing field in the region.

A seasoned marketer with 17 years of experience across diverse industries, specialising in consumer behaviour, data analytics, and AI. Holds an MBA from Alfaisal University and completed the PLD executive program at Harvard Business School. Renowned for strategic thinking and leveraging insights to drive growth, combining a deep understanding of market dynamics with innovative solutions. Proven track record in enhancing brand performance through data-driven decisions and cutting-edge marketing strategies. Known for leadership, adaptability, and a passion for transforming complex data into actionable insights that fuel business success.

Hanin Hamza Al Oufi is Head of Group Marketing & Corporate Communication at BSF. Hanin holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Design Projects and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 3D Design from Northumbria University. Building upon her educational background, Hanin has accumulated valuable experience in various roles as Corporate Communication Director at Channels by STC. Prior to that, she worked as a Brand Manager at Channels by STC and as a Visual Merchandising Manager at IKEA. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Hanin has also been actively involved in education as a lecturer at esteemed universities, and is a certified innovation leader of the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM), having completed the certification in 2021. She is also a Certified Brand Manager, awarded by the AIPMM in 2020, which further validates her expertise in brand management.

A trusted team leader with extensive experience in marcoms, branding, strategy and new business development, Aamir has a proven track in nurturing relationships, enhancing functional profiles and increasing revenues. He spent 21 years with Impact BBDO, most recently as the General Manager, spearheading the business and client relationships across key clients, such as PepsiCo, Saudia Dairy, Misk, RCRC, to name a few. And post the ‘Adman’ journey was complete, Aamir opted for a new and bigger challenge with Tim Hortons Middle East, where he’s been the Regional CMO for 2 years now. Respected by clients & agency teams alike. His success is largely attributed to being “fearless" in doing the right thing. Aamir is best known for his optimism, composure, insights and ability to inspire passion within his teams, having demonstrated how such translates into locally/regionally relevant and globally recognised work.

Dynamic and results-oriented marketing expert with 17 years of experience dedicated to driving brand growth and maximising market impact. Proficient in a diverse range of marketing functions, including brand management, corporate communication, digital marketing, media planning, content development, PR/media relations and customer experience. Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic marketing initiatives that enhance brand growth and drive business success dealing with various segments i.e. B2B,B2C and B2G. Currently leveraging expertise in marketing complex destination projects, including industrial and logistics parks, creative and culture districts, and free trade zones, to drive innovation and market leadership.

Senior international executive, with 27 years of wholesale and retail automotive experience in mature and developing markets. Experienced at managing large and complex operations, with full P&L responsibility, in both public listed and family run companies. Proven track record in turning-round and managing difficult situations, having led several change management initiatives throughout the MENA region over the past 21 years. Possess a deep understanding of all aspects of automotive marketing, distribution and retail, as well as how to implement best practice across different cultures and levels of sophistication.

Abdulghafoor Abdulhaleem is a transformational leader with over 20 years of experience in driving strategic initiatives and organisational growth across key sectors including education, technology, and corporate services. As a Council Member of the Saudi Leadership Society (SLS) under the Misk Foundation, Abdulghafoor has played a pivotal role in enhancing member engagement and establishing regional chapters that foster leadership and collaboration among more than 600 active members. His extensive experience includes serving on the leadership team of Misk Foundation, where he has overseen the strategic direction of initiatives like Riyadh Schools Group and ilmi, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and youth empowerment. At Tawuniya, Abdulghafoor led the company’s digital transformation journey, embedding sustainability (ESG) practices and improving market competitiveness. His role at Dussur involved the establishment of critical operational departments, guiding the company from its startup phase to a fully operational state, while maintaining zero workplace infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abdulghafoor’s boardroom experience is complemented by his strategic acumen in managing corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and stakeholder relations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from King Abdulaziz University and has completed executive leadership programs at Esade and the Misk 2030 Leaders program. His commitment to fostering innovation and driving strategic growth makes him a valuable asset to any board seeking to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment while positioning for future success.

Philip leads Siegel+Gale in EMEA. Based in London, he’s behind the people, the work and the firm’s belief that complex brand challenges can be solved through simple, unexpectedly fresh strategies, stories and experiences. Philip’s international experience spans journalism and advertising as well as brand consulting. He has helped advance brands such as American Express, Barclays, British Airways, Fabergé, Hewlett Packard, London & Partners, McLaren Automotive, NetJets, Porsche, Saudi Aramco, SAP and many others. You’ll see Philip frequently quoted in the press or speaking at events on the role brand plays in bringing business strategies to life.

Named Creative Person of the Year three times by Campaign magazine and Advertising Person of the Year 2024 at Dubai Lynx, Ali Rez is the most awarded creative leader in the Middle East, and currently leads output for the IMPACT BBDO Group across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region. Following more than a decade of advertising experience in the US, Rez's creative leadership has seen Impact BBDO ranked as the No.2 agency in the world on the World Creativity Rankings, while winning more than 30 different No.1 Regional Agency accolades in the last three years. He has spoken on advertising and marketing at more than 50 international venues, including Oxford University, Cannes Lions, 4As China, TedX, London School of Economics, amongst several others. Rez has won almost 1000 international awards in his career spanning four continents over 20 years, which include 3 Grands Prix at Cannes Lions, and a United Nations Peace Medal. In 2023, he became the first jury president in Cannes Lions' 70 year history to represent the Middle East.

Ramsey Naja is today Creative Partner at the newly established Das Kapital advertising consultancy. Prior to this, he was CCO of J. Walter Thompson MEA which, under his stewardship, became one of the region’s most awarded networks and top business performers. He left the agency in 2020 to join DDB Dubai as Regional ECD until December 2023. Ramsey is a columnist in Campaign ME, runs training seminars and is a frequent speaker at major industry events. He resides in Beirut with his wife Marianne, their children Mark and Sophie, a dog who suffers from anxiety and a psychopathic cat.

Ashish leads Bloomberg Media Studios, crafting bespoke creative and media solutions for brands to engage with Bloomberg's influential audience. Under his leadership, the studio has seen double-digit growth across offices in New York, London, Dubai, and Singapore. With 25 years of experience, Ashish believes in data-driven storytelling. He previously held creative leadership roles at Kelton and Digitas. His career spans diverse industries, from game design at Atari to branded entertainment at Endeavor. Ashish's work has earned accolades including Cannes, Shortys, and Webby awards. He is fluent in Hindi, struggles with Italian, and lives with his daughter in Brooklyn."

Ahmed Younis, also known as Fizo, is a highly respected Chief Creative Officer with over 25 years of experience in creative leadership and digital strategy. Currently serving as the Chief Creative Officer for Publicis Communications KSA, he oversees Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi. Previously, Fizo led the Creative Shop at Meta for the Middle East and North Africa. His visionary leadership has transformed agencies like Cairo Elephant and FP7/McCANN Cairo. Fizo has earned recognition from prestigious organisations such as Cannes Lions, D&AD, Effie's, Andy’s, and LIA, solidifying his position as a top Creative Leader in the MENA region.

Simon is a creative and business leader with a passion for driving innovation, transformation, and growth through strategic communications. As the Global Chief Creative Officer of Burson, one of the world's largest creative communications agencies, Simon is responsible for leading the strategy and creative output. Simon has extensive international experience, with a strong presence in the Middle East, China and the US. Simon held significant creative leadership positions, including roles at H&K, Exposure, Good Relations, and Imagination. His industry renown is underscored by his contributions as a speaker and judge at the Cannes Lions and the D&AD, where he served as jury president.

Paul is currently the Chief Creative Officer at Mullenlowe MENA. Before that, he was the Regional Executive Creative Director at FP7 McCann Dubai and President of the Creative Council MENA. Prior to that, he was the Digital ECD of JWT London and the European ECD at Agency.com. In his 20+ years as creative chief, he's steered the way to 27 Agency of the Year titles, and his work has collected more than 750 awards for creativity and effectiveness. He's ranked in the world's top 50 ECDs four times - 2008 #17th, 2014 #27th, 2016 #9th, 2021 #36th.

James is the Chief Product Officer at UM MENAT, based in Dubai. He is a growth focused sales and marketing leader with over 25 years’ global experience in driving brand and revenue growth for global brands and startups. Extensive digital, media, gaming, AI and CRM experience with global network. Strong SaaS startup experience at both commercial and advisory levels.

I’m the CEO of Initiative MENAT, the Fastest Growing Media Agency Globally and Regionally and the #1 agency in Compitches as per RECMA, the only agency to achieve an A+ rating in MENA. I’m also the CEO of Magna Global, the Most Effective Media Agency Network in 2020 and 2021 as per the Global Effie Index. I have more than 18 years of experience in leveraging new opportunities, growing businesses, building exceptional relationships with partners, and nurturing talent across the region. After taking on the challenge of setting up the Magna Global operation in KSA, and becoming the first lady to lead a media office in Riyadh, Magna KSA became profitable in just 3 months of inception, I took on a new task and expanded my regional skillset by leading the UAE office. This success allowed me to widen my scope and lead Initiative across the MENAT region, working towards achieving a very ambitious vision.

I am fuelled by helping clients shape their brand future and providing them with human insights that can help grow their brands. I have worked extensively with brands across different industries and life stages on providing consumer insights around aspects of brand positioning, segmentation, brand equity, advertising & communication, and media effectiveness. I am a huge advocate of using advanced analytics and technology to bring new and unique ways of understanding what drives people's behaviours and attitudes, creating better linkage to business performance, and breaking down data silos. In my current role I lead Kantar's business across the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan."

Marie Claire is the Chief Creative Officer across EMEA and the Middle East at the world’s leading public relations consultancy firm, Edelman. Throughout her career, starting in 2006 at BBDO, Marie-Claire has worked with an extensive portfolio of both international and MENA brands across sectors, including Mars, J&J, PepsiCo, Essity and Annahar Newspaper. Marie Claire has contributed to hugely impactful and effective campaigns driven by her purpose to add value and better the life of others, one idea at a time. In turn her work has earned hundreds of awards in the industry’s leading international and regional shows including Grands Prix at Cannes Lions and the only Yellow Pencil by D&AD for the MENA region in 2022. Marie Claire was also named the third Most Awarded Executive Creative Director in the world in 2023, ranked as the number one female ECD, Top 3 outstanding woman by Ad Media and winner of the Next Creative Leader at the 3% Conference. Most recently MC was the highest-ranked professional in the region by The Drum World Creative Rankings for both 2023 and 2024. Her penchant for injecting positivity into life, has led her to study Pranic Healing and to a certification in Professional Kinesiology Practice by ICPKP New Zealand and Kinesiocoach Dubai. She uses the tenants of what she learned to spread a positive culture through public speaking events, with the people she works with and create a healthy, collaborative environment. In her role as EMEA Chief Creative Officer, Marie leads creative across 13 markets with the mission to create original, impactful, and effective work across Edelman’s specialisms including brand marketing, digital, influencer and entertainment with clients across a breadth of sectors such as energy, financial services, FMCG, travel, health and technology.

Rohan, PHD WW’s Chief Experience Officer, is a communication strategist with over 20 years of experience working in agencies and media companies. His strategic capabilities are centred around a background in digital and a fascination with how technology is changing consumer and brand behaviour. He works with large global and household brands such as HSBC, VF Corp, VW Group, Chanel and Diageo.

Noah heads up digital and innovation as Regional President of Digital & Innovation - CEE, Middle East and Africa, TBWA & DAN. He joined TBWA\ in 2013, where he led the digital and innovation practice across the Middle East, supporting clients such as Nissan, Du and Emirates Airlines, amongst others, before taking on regional responsibilities. Noah has been leading the growth of strong digital and innovation capabilities across the region and was one of the architects of NEXT, which he helps implement across the region. He has developed strategic partnerships with Google, Meta and TikTok, furthering our open creative collaboration. He continues to drive key clients and new business growth through the collective. Noah has worked in the digital space for over 27 years, having worked with organisations such as Barclays Premier League, ITV, BBC, Turner Broadcasting, Trinity Mirror Group, Channel 4, Abu Dhabi Media and Possible Worldwide. Noah holds an MBA and a BSc(Hons) in Software Engineering.

Martín has led different business segments at Pinterest since the start of international monetisation in 2017 including, and is currently responsible for the next 40 new markets including the Middle East.

A Saudi CEO leading one of the largest local Saudi agencies. Started his career through creative storytelling and serving a large range of clients from the Telecom big three (stc, Mobily and Zain) to international brands like Amazon, apple and Nestle.

Eddy Rizk is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of BIG KAHUNA FILMS, a leading creative production house in the Middle East. The company collaborates with a range of international and regional brands and agencies and is recognised for its unwavering commitment to high-quality productions. BIG KAHUNA FILMS has earned numerous awards from major advertising festivals worldwide, including Production House of the Year at the Dubai Lynx in 2019 and Best Production House in the 2020 B&W Report. Founded in 2007 and operating from offices in Dubai, Riyadh, and Beirut, BIG KAHUNA FILMS has played a pivotal role in the development of the Middle Eastern film industry and the attraction of international talent. The company has been instrumental in promoting regional creativity, as well as hosting events at advertising festivals in the aim to always bring the industry together.

Founder & Chairman of Brandship Consultancy Member of 2030 Leaders, Author, Senior Advisor, Entrepreneur.
Brand expert with 24 years of experience. Member of Misk 2030 leaders. Member of Saudi Leadership Society. Advisory board member AutoHub (ALJ). Board member at Entrepreneurs Organisation EO Jeddah chapter. Member of Minaret Business Organisation. Member of Tomouh Community of Leaders TCL. Advisory board member at Jeddah college of advertising (UBT). Advisory board member at college of Design & Art (Princess Noura University). Jury member of MENA Effie. Jury member of pioneer marketing award (pmaward). Leadership program Esade University. Strategic Management certificate Harvard Business School. Master of business administration MBA. Bachelor of design & FinArts. Author of the first Arabic books in Branding in the Middle East (Eysaam). Public speaker local & international.

Bassem ElHady is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of Kijamii, a leading and award-winning advertising agency in the MENA region, recognised as the Independent Agency of the Year at the Dubai Lynx. With offices in Dubai, Cairo and Riyadh, Kijamii has become a prominent name in the industry. Originally graduating as a computer engineer, Bassem shifted his career to pursue his passion for media and advertising. Under his strategic leadership, Kijamii has successfully expanded across the MENA region, partnering with some of the world’s most beloved brands, including Netflix, Google, TikTok, Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC, and LaLiga. The agency offers a unique blend of consumer insights, creative, paid media and production services, crafting integrated experiences that drive impactful results.

Ahmad, originally trained as an architect, made a significant shift to the realm of graphic design in 2005, marking the beginning of his journey in the creative industry. His transition into graphic design paved the way for his involvement in diverse design, advertising, and communication projects. Notably, he played a crucial role in developing major campaigns for Abdullatif Jameel and Kingdom Holding, and was instrumental in producing over 30 public service announcement films for these organisations. Ahmad also played a key role in shaping the identity and launch of Nas Air (now flynas), the Kingdom's pioneering private no-frills airline. In 2013, Ahmad co-founded Onsor Mosha, guiding the creative team to secure several regional awards and nominations. The agency collaborates with prestigious clients such as ROSHN, Jabal Omar, Alinma Bank, and National Housing Company, among others. With a Master's in Applied Arts from Emily Carr University (2011) and a Bachelor's in Architecture from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (2005), Ahmad shares his industry expertise as a visiting speaker at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, focusing on professional practice. Ahmad's commitment to the design and advertising community in Saudi Arabia is evident through his active involvement as a panellist in conferences and his roles as a juror or advisor on national projects. Since 2022, Ahmad has served as the CEO of Wahaj Investment Group, championing start-ups in the creative sector and showcasing his unwavering dedication to fostering innovation in the industry.

Badr AlRumayyan is the CEO and founder of Tajalla Agency; he exemplifies true leadership with an entrepreneurial mindset focusing on delivering innovative solutions fuelled by creativity and cultural insights. His visionary leadership emphasises growth, empowerment and development, ensuring the optimisation of each talent within his team. With extensive experience in business development and brand management, Badr has effectively utilised his expertise to establish Tajalla as an industry leader and under his guidance, Tajalla has set new benchmarks in the industry, becoming known for its innovative products and strategic insights. Vision 2030 serves as the main motivator for Badr, driving him to push the boundaries of traditional approaches and embrace innovative, forward-thinking strategies with a local mindset and international standards. Through Tajalla, Badr not only contributes to the agency's success but also plays a crucial role in the broader transformation of the Saudi Arabian creative industry.

An articulate and driven leader with high energy and an engaging personality, Neel Pandya is proficient in building and leading large teams and projects successfully. Instantly identifying growth opportunities and thinking outside the box come naturally to Neel. He has a demonstrated history of working in the FMCG, Telecom, Marketing and Advertising industry. For Neel Pandya, the biggest leap is to put India on the global map for AI and innovation in marketing and business growth. With over 13 years of experience as a marketing expert with focused digital marketing and research expertise, Neel believes that growth and technology go hand-in-hand. He aspires to equip brands and marketers with robust AI capabilities to help them effortlessly scale their growth. Having had extensive experience working in digital with global brands such as L’Oreal, Vodafone and Unilever, Neel is able to accurately identify pressing brand pain points that can be alleviated with AI. To achieve his goals, currently, Neel has taken on the role of the Chief Executive Officer for APAC & Europe, at Pixis – codeless AI infrastructure to enable customers to scale accurate data-driven marketing. Throughout his career Neel has achieved a plethora of accolades which include: India’s Top 40 under 40 Disruptive Minds Most Powerful Influencer 2020 Head of Media Forum at ISA (June 2021) Youngest Media Head at L’Oréal & Vodafone as a leader, Neel is quite interactive and open to insightful discussions in-person and digitally as well.

Najib Sabbagh, a dynamic Lebanese entrepreneur, has made a substantial impact across the MENA region with his ventures. His diverse achievements, highlight his strategic vision and leadership across multiple industries. In 2012, he founded SSUP World, a leading creative agency and production house that has since expanded its presence across the Middle East, with offices in KSA, UAE, and Lebanon. Najib also co-founded Another Round, a hospitality venture featuring 19 standout outlets across Lebanon, UAE, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Additionally, he serves as Managing Partner and CEO of WALEE MENA, specialising in influencer marketing and social commerce throughout the MENA region.

CEO and Creative Director at Gene Branding (a Wahaj Group company), Ahmed has been a passionate Saudi brand identity designer for over 15 years. He trained as an architect before pursuing his passion and earning his Master's degree in Branding and Design Strategy from Brunel University in London in 2011. He then co-founded Onsor Mosha as the Director of Strategy & Design for branding, leading the strategic and creative development of key branding projects in the government, private, and not-for-profit sectors. After Onsor Mosha expanded into the holding company 'Wahaj Group', Ahmed is currently the CEO and Creative Director at 'Gene', the group’s specialised strategic branding and design consultancy. Gene helps businesses and organisations define their brands and identities strategically and creatively, enabling them to progress, transform, and make a difference. Recent projects include 'Designed in Saudi', 'Giddam', 'Wrth', the Royal Institute for Traditional Arts, and Gathern, to name a few.

Nada Hakeem is the CEO and co-founder of Wetheloft, a prominent Saudi creative agency specialising in strategy development, brand building, social communications, and workspace cultivation. Additionally, she co-hosts the "Hakeem podcast," an Arabic thought leadership podcast focused on creative entrepreneurship and the business of expertise. With over 15 years of experience, Nada plays a pivotal role in leading the agency's creative department, driving business development, and overseeing strategy consulting for a diverse range of projects serving both local and international clients. Nada is not only a mentor in creative leadership but also an advocate for humanised management practices. Her passion lies in exploring the intricacies of human behaviour through disciplines like organisational psychology and human design. She prioritises understanding the "why" behind people's actions and motivations, aiming to empower leaders to focus on goal fulfillment, nurture leader accountability, and celebrate individual uniqueness, all in the pursuit of unlocking the fullest potential of both individuals and organisations. Her role as a grief ritual facilitator adds a unique dimension, allowing her to blend personal psychological growth with career development expertise.

Ahmad has over 15 years of experience in the marketing, advertising and media fields. With strong experience in analytics, negotiation and the generation of creative solutions, he helps many blue-chip brands navigate the fast changing media landscape. His passion for research and data and applying them to business challenges puts people at the heart of the digital ecosystem, driving business value from media. Prior to joining dentsu, Ahmad worked at Impact/BBDO managing a large portfolio of local and global client across various sectors, covering strategy, planning and activation.

Amr is an advertising professional and a creative enthusiast with over 25 years of experience. Amr spent 17 years with FP7McCann in the Middle East, leading local and global award-winning campaigns, nurturing talents, and helping brands achieve their targets or even exceed them in many cases. During his time as Managing Director of FP7McCann Cairo, Amr spearheaded the agency to become the most celebrated office in the country, securing numerous accolades across creative and effectiveness awards, including Cannes Lions, The One Show, Gretty, Caples, Lynx, Andy's, Cresta, D&AD, Effies, and WARC, among others. Early in 2024, Amr was promoted to Regional Managing Director for KSA & Bahrain and is now based in Riyadh, leading the fastest-growing operation in the region. Throughout his career, Amr has also participated as a keynote speaker and a panellist in many regional and Local business events, as well as participated as part of the jury committee of MENA Effie awards and in Cannes Lions in 2024.

Alejandro Fischer has amassed over 18 years of experience in the media and advertising sector. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Product Innovation at Havas Middle East, Alejandro is instrumental in integrating strategic processes and insights across all agencies within Havas Village in the MENA markets. He has been pivotal in establishing a unified process and framework for media, brand, and communications strategy. His balanced approach to brand building and performance metrics offers clients a comprehensive suite of strategic services, including data, channel, and analytics planning. Prior to his current role, Alejandro was the Regional Head of Strategy for OMD MENA. Even before that, he headed strategy at Havas Media Middle East, laying a strong foundation for his current responsibilities at Havas. Leading a specialised team of 12 in creative strategy, communications strategy, data analytics, and research, Alejandro has overseen campaigns for esteemed clients such as Emirates, Adidas, Virgin, Hyundai, Chanel, Saudi Tourism, and Dubai Tourism. His team's work has been recognised at industry-leading events like Cannes, Effies, and WARC. Alejandro takes charge of strategy across Havas’ existing clients and new business initiatives. He coordinates a unified communication approach, harmoniously integrating Media, PR, and Creative disciplines. He ensures planning consistency and creates synergies across digital specialties such as Content, CX, and Social Media. Further emphasising his multifaceted role, Alejandro also leads Havas' Data and Analytics offerings. He has spearheaded the development of tools that facilitate data-driven decision-making for both clients and the internal team, in line with his mission to forge meaningful connections between brands and consumers through effective use of data, research, and actionable insights. Alejandro is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and growth. He invests in mentoring the next generation of strategic thinkers, providing them with the essential skills and tools to navigate a competitive market landscape.

Andy has a global publishing and media career spanning the last 30 years with extensive experience in Europe, Australia, Asia and the USA. He is an alumni of the Stanford University Professional Publishing Course. For the last 20 years, he has worked exclusively in the football media industry, holding senior positions for FourFourTwo, DAZN and now Footballco, leading his teams to multiple industry awards in that time. Following a period leading Footballco's partnerships with football federations, leagues, clubs and players globally, Andy is now the SVP of Middle East leading Footballco's operations in the region.

As VP, Executive Creative director — Rob leads the R/GA EMEA Design Practice, ensuring innovation and the quality of the design offering. He has expanded and grown the EMEA brand and systematic design capabilities and believes in creating signature experiences that drive positive change. In his 20 year career Rob has created iconic brand identities and systematic digital experiences for global brands such as BSF, Moncler, Stone Island, Nike, Weyay and Dyson. He has received industry awards from the likes of Cannes Lions, D&AD, Dubai Lynx, Eurobest and more.

Chris is Global Executive Creative Director at Landor, working with some of the world’s most well-known and well-loved organisations to redefine how their brands should think, look, feel and behave in the world. Previously, Chris was an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, setting up the global branding practice, a new service line serving a wide range of international clients to solve big brand related challenges. He also spent 18 years at Wolff Olins where he was Chief Design Officer, leading global rebrands for clients as diverse as Hyundai, Google, PwC, TikTok, Tesco and Virgin Media. With a passion for re-energising well-known institutions, Chris worked alongside the senior leadership of the BBC to help redefine the organisation’s portfolio and design system. Chris believes brands should inspire and delight, but they must also be built to better serve cultural, community and commercial ambitions, instilling pride in the people who work in them and belief in the people who use them. He is driven by helping teams bring together design, strategy, data and emerging technology to help create brands that are more exciting, relevant and useful for all of us.

Georges is a passionate brand builder with more than 26 years of experience in the fields of marketing, brand communication, and strategy. He has contributed to the communication and outreach success of key global and regional brands and Government organisations in Saudi and across the MENA region. He started his career in 1998 at JWT KSA. In 2000, he joined Leo Burnett MENA, whereby he worked across several regional and global strategy and operational assignments at Leo Burnett until July 2015. In August 2015, Georges was appointed as CEO for VMLY&R MENA. In January 2023, he started his own company, Anarkey – Strategy Advisory. In January 2024, he was appointed as Deputy CEO and COO of the Extend The Ad Network; a Network of 6 companies that cover all the spectrum of marketing disciples and operate in KSA, UAE, and Cairo. Georges has depth of experience in multiple categories such as FMCG, Banking, Government and Semi-Gov, Retail, Oil and Gas, automotive, Telecom, and other.

Mohammad is a highly accomplished Adman and marketeer with over 18 years of experience in the Marcom industry. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to blend data and strategic acumen with creativity, crafting communication and marketing solutions that resonate powerfully in today‚ Äôs dynamic and ever-evolving marketplace. He has played a key role in steering national and global brands to success in KSA and the region by developing innovative communication and marketing strategies that align their business objectives with market trends and social behaviours to deliver solutions and drive engagement.

As CSO for TBWA RAAD, Catherine believes in game-changing strategic thinking and leadership on behalf of clients’ brands. She joined TBWA RAAD in March 2024 bringing with her a wealth of strategic planning experience. Catherine has worked across many major categories including government, telco, financial services and FMCG. She has significant experience in the opportunities for brands in white space expansion whether in new geographies or incremental innovation in products and services. With TBWA RAAD, she has the pleasure and privilege to lead a talented and diverse range of strategists who leverage the twin superpowers of creativity and data.

Nabil Sleiman is a multi-awarded marketeer with over 20 years of experience. He has led agencies and brands to achieve objectives through unconventional campaigns built on data and consumer insights. In his current role, Nabil looks after media, marketing communications and insights for one of the largest consumer brands in the Middle East. Over the last five years, he led his team to achieve more than 35 awards recognised globally and regionally.

After graduating from Goldsmiths in London with a degree in music, Tim got his first break in the industry in the early 2000s when his band signed a record deal with EMI. The band went on to record an album with Andy Green (Paolo Nutini, Keane) before heading out on a number of tours and playing iconic festivals such as Glastonbury and V Festival. In his post band days Tim dabbled in writing music for film but soon got offered a job at EMI in the Sync team, working primarily as a creative, before leaving to join the book publisher Faber and Faber where he led the Composer Management and Sync Publishing business. Tim returned to the EMI business in 2013 and now co-runs the sync operation for Warner Music internationally. In his time at Warner, he has worked on thousands of film, TV, gaming and brand deals for the 2 million strong recordings catalogue. Standout placements include the world’s first artist and song partnership within the narrative of Ubisoft’s Watchdogs, for Stormzy, securing Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill in Stranger Things, which went on to become a global phenomenon and building a 2-year long activation for Ed Sheeran with Pokemon. Tim and the team continue to be thought-leaders in the sync space, advising and navigating music strategy for 3rd parties with a focus on innovation, working with agencies and partners to craft music into visual media.

A graduate in hotel management, Ian Fairservice moved from Assistant Manager of the prestigious Grand Hotel in Eastbourne to take up the role of Deputy General Manager in Dubai’s second five-star hotel (Excelsior, now Sheraton) in January 1978. With media in its infancy, Fairservice identified the opportunity to launch the county’s first magazine and set up his media business, Motivate Publishing, in June 1979. Together with his partner, Obaid Humaid Al-Tayer, he has seen the company develop into one of the most successful media houses in the region. Publishing a wide range of award-winning magazines and books along with diverse media interests across digital, content, events and cinema, Motivate has a team of more than 200 media professionals in a network of Middle East offices. What’s On, Gulf Business, Emirates Woman, Identity, Golf Digest, Campaign and Business Traveller are some of Motivate’s established consumer and trade brands with websites that reach an audience of more than two million people each month. Motivate’s book division was founded in 1986 and has more than 300 titles in print including many from well-known authors such as Sir Wilfred Thesiger, Ronald Codrai OBE, General Sir Peter de la Billiere, and British royal photographer Lord (Patrick) Litchfield. Motivate published My Vision, an autobiographical account of the development of Dubai by its Ruler, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Eight different language versions of My Vision have now been released. Further books by His Highness include Poems from the Desert, Spirit of the Union and Flashes of Thought. The company has several successful joint venture partnerships across a wide-spanning media landscape including their cinema advertising business, Motivate Val Morgan, which exclusively represents more than 90% of the cinemas in the Middle East including the three key operators in Saudi Arabia. Fairservice has been the Middle East representative of the Cannes Festival of Creativity since 2000. In March 2007, he founded the Dubai Lynx Advertising Awards and Festival of Creativity for the Middle East & Africa in partnership with Lions Festivals. Ian is also the Chairman of Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity.

A passionate communicator, prominent strategist, experienced advisor, and empowering leader, with deep knowledge and understanding of the MENA Region’s communications industry, Mohamed Al Ayed came to prominence in 1998 when he established TRACCS in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Since then, he has grown the single operation to become the largest independent and homegrown communications consultancy in MENA, with 14 offices across 13 markets, serving a diversified portfolio of clients including government entities, MNC’s, family run businesses, corporate giants, local companies, and NGOs. For the past 25 years, under Mohamed’s leadership, TRACCS has been inspiring, driving, and leading the evolution of communications in the Middle East and North Africa into a gamechanging industry with the power to influence positive change and deliver present and future impact. He has built a team, comprising local market experts and Arabic-speaking communications professionals, that continues to provide real time, strategic communications insights and develops and deploys optimal, high-return communication programs for some of the most influential, complex, and mission-critical organizations operating in the region. Mohamed has helmed TRACCS’ efforts in becoming the preferred communications partner for several national champion organizations in Saudi Arabia, and in sustaining its commitment to nurturing the talent of young communicators across region. Mohamed has provided counsel and communications training to hundreds of senior government officials and C-suite executives and led strategic communications program for a wide array of high-level government and private organizations across the region, including the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Mastercard, Pepsi, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (KSA), Olayan Group, Diriyah Gate Development Authority, Toyota Motor Corporation, DHL, Careem and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts among others. Mohamed also serves as the principal trainer for ENRICH, the proprietary communications training program of TRACCS, and to date, has conducted over a thousand individual and group training sessions delivered exclusively and through workshops, seminars, and webinars, covering more than 2,500 beneficiaries. Mohamed is a certified trainer of the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA).

Jason is founder and CEO of BBD Perfect Storm, a brand and cultural transformation company, headquartered in the UK. Clients include Etihad Airways, Moet Hennessy, Investec Bank, Smith & Nephew, Severn Trent Water, Pepsico, Mishcon de Reya, Kraft Heinz and Unilever. Perfect Storm has won many international awards for its clients, including Cannes Lions, Clios and One Show. BBD Perfect Storm is a founding member of the United Nations UnStereotype Alliance, committed to improving societal representation and eradicating the depiction of harmful stereotypes from communications. Jason is a Fellow of The Marketing Society and also Treasurer to its Global Board. He also sits on the Advisory Board for the Alliance of Independent Agencies.

Serfi is the Founder of Idea Bakery, a boutique global brand strategy consultancy company with HQ in Atlanta with global clients like Google, Bayer and Taco Bell. Idea Bakery has opened its Riyadh office past year after working for a decade in the region with brands like Visit Saudi, Saudia Group, Team Saudi, Ministry of Economy & Planning, Goody, Savola, Nahdi and SNB. Prior, Serfi worked for Procter & Gamble where she led and trained brand strategy & communications for North America and MENA for 16 years. For the past 3 years, Serfi has been the Dean at Cannes Lions.

As the Managing Director of GVGL, Ebru is passionate about bringing brands' purposes to life, worldwide. With two decades of leadership experience in renowned consulting companies like Deloitte and Accenture, she has overseen major global projects and earned recognition as one of the Middle East's top CMOs. Ebru's expertise lies in crafting marketing growth strategies, enhancing employer branding and championing diversity initiatives. Her academic journey includes completing management and leadership programs at Harvard Business School and Stanford University Executive Education’s High Potential Women Leaders Program. Actively involved in initiatives promoting women's leadership, Ebru serves as the Chairwoman of IWBD's Advisory Board, advocating for inclusivity and delivering speeches on women's leadership in various global forums. She has been selected to participate in the CMO Accelerator Program at the Cannes Lions Creativity Festival for five consecutive times. She is awarded one of the Middle East's female leaders by Women Leadership Congress, and winner of the Women in Martech Vibe Awards. Ebru is listed as “Asia’s 100 Women Power Leaders 2023”. She was also named "Wonder Women of MENA" by Brandberries. She is ranked among "Top 10 CMOs in Dubai" by Women Entrepreneur India Magazine. Ebru is a Board Member in Marketing Society.

Pierre oversees the MENA region as the Managing Director of MassiveMusic, a Songtradr Company, in Dubai. His career in music began as a hip-hop DJ and producer, and as music supervisor within French creative agency FF Creative Community, working with brands like Amazon and Audemars Piguet. He then became one of the leading independent music supervisors in Paris, advising luxury brands such as Chanel, Cartier, Remy Martin, and Yves-Saint-Laurent on music. Joining MassiveMusic in 2020, he focused on developing music solutions across EMEA and APAC, before opening the Dubai office in 2022. Today, together with the MassiveMusic Dubai team, he identifies and creates musical gold for films, TV shows, and brands across MENA including Nakheel, Qatar Airways, AROYA Cruises, NEOM, and Careem.

Over 20 years of diverse experience in the field of Brand and Marketing with FMCG and the Automotive Sector in KSA.

Miguel Viana Co-Ceo, Chief Creative Officer and Co-founder, UnlockBrands. Miguel is a brand designer and creative director with 25 years of experience. With his partners and teams at Unlock Brands, he has been developing comprehensive branding programs across the world for some of the most important and striking global events, especially in sports, having collaborated with renowned organisations such as FIFA, UEFA, FIBA, FEI, EUROPEAN AQUATICS, EXPO DOHA, and LUSAIL INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT. Miguel's work embodies an inspiring vision, as he and his teams craft unique visual identity programs that honour the local culture while also resonating worldwide.

Ian is the Founder and CEO of DAIVID, an advertising research company utilising facial coding, eye tracking, and machine learning to enhance advertisers' creative impact. He began his career at L’Oréal, Nestlé, Tate & Lyle, and Sony Pictures before joining Unruly in 2012, where he led a global team in developing insights like ShareRank and EQ. At Whalar, he drove innovation in influencer marketing. Ian has been featured on BBC World, Sky News, and WARC, and judged for the WARC Media Awards. Outside work, he adores pugs and lives in London with his beloved pugs, Lola and Mimi.

Over 14 years of experience in production of various European TV series, films and commercials. Co-founder and CEO of Human - the most awarded creative agency in the last couple of years in Bulgaria. Co-founder and Head of production of Human Production – leading production house in the country with numerous productions across Europe. In 2023 received the first ever Bulgarian nomination in Cannes Lions - Film Lions category. Co-founder and CEO of Human Middle East – creative agency and production house operating in Saudi Arabia and UAE.

Fabio has set the vision and built the structure that led Havas to become a regional creative powerhouse – being recognised as the number one regional agency across the most important creative festivals in the world. Under his leadership, the agency won the Cannes Lions Outdoor Grand Prix in 2022, was recognised as one of the best networks across the Middle East and Africa at the Campaign Global Agency of the Year Awards 2022 and ranked as the number 2 agency globally in WARC Media 100.

Dan is the Managing Director for TBWA Saudi Arabia overseeing the growth and development of the agency in the Kingdom. With over two-decades of experience, Dan has worn a number of hats during his agency life from strategy to creative, with PR, social and digital in-between. His diverse experience gives him a channel agnostic point-of-view on business challenges, which he aims to solve through innovative, bold and disruptive ideas. In a career that has taken him from London to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, he has worked with some of the world’s most iconic brands including NEOM, the Royal Commission for AlUla, adidas, Nissan, Starbucks, Rolls-Royce, Coca-Cola and many more. Dan is an award-winning creative with recognition from Dubai Lynx, Cannes Lions, and MEPRA.

Seyoan was born in London and studied Economics then Graphic Design. Has worked on some of the world's most famous brands in London, Amsterdam, Paris, New York and Dubai. Those brands include Nike, HSBC, Evian, Eurostar and Emirates. Has judged and been awarded at all the major awards festivals including Cannes, D&AD, Effies and Dubai Lynx.

Brand and Communication Director at HungerStation. Bringing 17+ years of experience in Brand Building, Strategic Marketing, Campaign Management and MarTech. Formerly, Senior Marketing Manager for Samsung, managing marketing activities for Samsung Mobile in KSA. A Saudi Ad School Mentor. Recognised as a Marketing Game-Changer for 2023 by Campaign Middle-East. Acknowledged for securing the first Cannes Lions Grand Prix for a Saudi Brand Passionate for everything related to Creativity, Tech, Digital Transformation, and Coaching. My educational background holds a Master's in Digital Transformation and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

Driven by research and fuelled by strategy, I am a multi-disciplinary strategist who harnesses the power of data and storytelling. Over 15 years, I’ve catalysed transformation and growth for global and local brands in the MEA region. My expertise spans consumer and media research, creative marketing, brand development, digital, CX, CRM, and loyalty. I've worked with leading agencies like Yahoo!, MRM//McCann, YouGov, and currently serve as Director of Strategy for MEA at .Monks, supporting top brands like NEOM, SEVEN, Qiddiyah, and Red Sea Development. Raised in Jordan and now based in the UAE, I bring a deep cultural understanding of the MEA region. Passionate about chess, hiking, and calligraphy, I value our environment and its beautiful creatures".

Beth is the co-founder and managing partner of Main & Rose, an award-winning female-led, global marketing and communications agency specialising in bringing new brands to market and reinvigorating existing brands. From research to brand strategy and ideation to execution, the agency works across the US, Saudi Arabia, and The UAE. Inc Magazine named her one of the top branding experts globally, and she sits on several boards, including the Pacific Council for International Policy and the Forbes Council For Young Entrepreneurs. She is an advisor to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Project and has spoken at Harvard, Google and MIT among others.

Amit Nayak, Managing Director for Middle East and Africa at Bloomberg Media, is a visionary leader transforming the media landscape. Since 2014, he has exponentially grown Bloomberg's regional operation, forging groundbreaking partnerships with governments and corporate titans. Amit's strategic prowess has catapulted Bloomberg to the forefront of global conversations, spearheading initiatives like the New Economy Forum. His illustrious career spans The Wall Street Journal, Mindshare, and BBC Worldwide, where he consistently drove expansion and innovation. A global citizen with a multicultural upbringing, Amit leverages his unique perspective to dominate diverse markets. This media guru proves that unparalleled professional success and devoted family life can coexist harmoniously.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

With more than two decades in the communications industry, Lucy is focused on expanding the impact of Burson's award-winning work and team in the region. With a particular focus on driving the global creativity and innovation agenda and the growth of The Studio, Lucy supports major clients, strategy, training, team development and operations. Lucy has worked with some of the world's biggest brands, trained C’suite leaders and developed campaigns across disciplines. Her personal passions include using new digital and tech innovations in communications, seeing creative ideas come to life with the beauty and simplicity of works of art, and championing the development of young industry talent. As an experienced and inclusive trainer, Lucy facilitates and develops workshops including media training, communications training and crisis training. She has delivered one on one coaching to senior leaders, in addition to facilitating large group sessions around complex issues, message development and creative ideation. Lucy has judged the PR category at Cannes Festival of Creativity, alongside judging at Gerety, PRCA, PR Week and other regional business awards. Listed in the PRWeek Middle East Power Book for more than six years, Lucy has also been recognised as an Arabian Business Top 50 Female Business leader and as one of the region’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership. She is actively involved with Dubai Lynx and Athar Festival of Creativity as a coach and mentor in the See It Be it and Athar programmes for young female talent. Early in her career, Lucy worked at freud Communications in London across international FMCG clients including Pepsi, Gatorade and Nike. Before that she worked at The Press Association (national news agency for the UK), and specialist F&B and broadcast communications agencies. Originally from Nottingham, Lucy graduated from St. Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, UK, with a BA in English Language and Literature.

Joined MMS in Feb 2021 as Client Growth Lead and after a 20 years regional media and advertising career at Publicis Media, where the last role was EVP-Managing Director KSA.

Anup Oommen is the Editor of Campaign Middle East at Motivate Media Group, a well-reputed moderator, and a multiple award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience at some of the most reputable and credible global news organisations, including Reuters, CNN and ITP Media Group. His industry experience spans across broadcast, print, digital, and new media, with renowned reportage and key interviews with ministers, government leaders, and C-suite executives across the business, banking, construction, education, energy, healthcare, hospitality, media and marketing, retail, and real estate sectors. As such, he's an expert at differentiating trustworthy information from alternative "news", and identifying key trends and challenges within various industries. A well-rounded communicator who has resided in Dubai, New York, New Delhi, and Bangalore, Anup is also recognised industry-wide for moderating panels, focus groups, and board level discussions with high-net-worth-individuals, diplomats, influencers, and key stakeholders to unearth knowledgeable and experienced opinions and analyses, as well as unbiased and actionable intelligence. As the Editor of Campaign Middle East, Anup heads market-leading coverage of advertising, media, marketing, PR, events and experiential, digital, the wider creative industries, and more, through the brand’s digital, print, events, directories, podcast and video verticals. As such he’s a key stakeholder in the Campaign Global brand, the world’s leading authority for the advertising, marketing and media industries, which was first published in the UK in 1968.

My +20 year career was built around building lasting client relationships across multiple geographies starting from Beirut, then to the Gulf specifically in UAE, Kuwait, Doha & currently in KSA. The diversity of sectoral experience from multi-national FMCG to Telco to E-com has given me exposure to a broader understanding of business & marketing/communication. My management experience moved me to experience setting up offices, adapting to new environments, and winning businesses in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Doha. Currently leading the Boopin Middle East network from Riyadh has expanded even further understanding of the Marketing/Communication spectrum & the insights that drive our client's business as well as ours.

I am currently Executive Director and Head of Strategy, member of the Management Committee that oversees our work in Iberia, Middle East and Latin America. I lead the Interbrand Fund Arena, a global research thought piece that aims to understand the dynamics of how brands can connect with the financial needs of people. I am responsible for a team of extremely talented people from various professional backgrounds who make me think and smile, all of them uniquely versed in all things brand strategy. I work with wonderful colleagues that love what they do and are always striving to lead the way in our discipline: Thinking and Making brands that make our clients and our teams proud. In my years at Interbrand I have worked on a wide array of sectors across multiple time zones: luxury, finance, telco, real estate, hospitality, energy, healthcare, transportation, FMCG… and co-created singular brands with great clients along the way.

Saleh El Ghatit, the Executive Creative Director at Serviceplan Group Middle East, leads creative teams in Dubai and Jeddah. Sal’s impressive track record includes launching Netflix in Saudi Arabia with locally relevant and insightful content, as well as directing multiple advertising commercials while building a strong production unit within the agency. His portfolio features successful campaigns for notable clients such as Netflix, ALJ Toyota, Peugeot, Virgin Mobile, and Emirates NBD Bank. At the Athar Festival, Sal will discuss the transformative power of humour in creativity. He will explore how humour resonates across Middle Eastern cultures, emphasising the importance of research, empathy, and adaptability in creating engaging and culturally respectful content.

Leo is a multi-award-winning creative leader with over 20 years of international experience. As Executive Creative Director at Havas Creative Dubai, he leads a highly decorated team. His career includes tenures at Ogilvy Dubai, RPA, and Saatchi & Saatchi in Los Angeles. Leo's notable achievements include the region's first Titanium Lion for UN Women’s “Autocomplete Truth” campaign. He has created campaigns for Ikea, Coca-Cola, Disney, The Economist, Honda, and Toyota, including a 2020 Super Bowl ad. Over two decades, he has won more than 60 international awards from D&AD, Cannes Lions, The One Show and Clio.

With over a decade of experience, Zac specialises in creating brand experiences for live events, destinations, and consultancy projects within the Middle East. At Imagination, his approach is rooted in strong ideas and a commitment to a creative process that delivers fast, effective design solutions. Known for his fine eye for detail, Zac ensures projects stay on track from inception to completion, overseeing all creative aspects. His work reflects a blend of technical proficiency and strategic thinking, crafting seamless, experience-led design stories that resonate with clients and audiences alike.

Xzit Thamer a Gamer Content Creator with over 15M followers across all Social Media platforms. Xzit Thamer from Saudi Arabia but succeed to become famous world-wide and get followers from across the world and from different countries like United States, Brazil, Philippines, India and more. Xzit is The Gaming Ambassador in the region Xzit Thamer was creating gaming content for over then 10 years and worked with over 30 large companies on champaigns and ads and services like PlayStation, WWE, Warner Brothers, TikTok and more.

Creator and Builder. I'm into content, music, sports and good stories. Arabic and English native. Economics and Business Law graduate.

As an Experience Director with over 15 years of industry experience, Romain’s background covers everything from creative, through to strategy and delivery. He has led creative for major brands like NEOM, Nike, and Booking.com, across platforms, campaigns and customer experience. Deeply engaged with the latest in AI, and futurism, having built his first chatbot back in 2015 and having brought many AI products to market. Always seeking to merge new technologies with unseen opportunities and storytelling, he aims to challenge conventional thinking and expand the realms of possibility.

Ali embarked on his advertising career in 2006 after graduating with distinction from LAU. He moved to KSA to join VML Saudi (formerly J. Walter Thompson) as an account executive. His journey within the company saw him transition into the research department, first as a Knowledge Officer, and later as a Knowledge Director. By 2016, he moved to the planning department as a Strategy Director. In 2023, Ali became a Strategy & Planning Consultant. With 18 years of experience in advertising, his expertise spans various industries, brands and markets including KSA, Qatar, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan and the USA.

Ibrahim is a brand strategy guru who founded Dubai's first branding firm, where he helped create iconic brands such as Emaar, Union Coop, American Hospital and among others. Ibrahim was previously the Regional Marketing Director of Apple and the Middle East Regional Manager for Adobe. He is a Dubai Quality Appreciation and Conqueror Design Award winner, published author and university professor.

Tech, Entertainment & Music BD, Strategy and Partnerships | ex. Meta, Deezer and Anghami.

Mary Bou Akl is a pioneering post-production producer turned talent agent and founder of Dynamik, the first post-production management agency in the Middle East. Since 2015, Mary has been at the forefront of post-production, transforming projects into compelling stories. In February 2023, her passion for the field led her to establish Dynamik, representing top-tier global talents exclusively for the regional market. Her Master’s degree in Marketing has been instrumental in shaping her entrepreneurial journey, blending strategic insight with creative vision to support talent and drive innovation in post-production.

Youssef Raad, Gaming Lead at GroupM MENA since joining GroupM in January, Youssef Raad has emerged as a leading expert and thought leader in the power of gaming for brands. With a robust media background and a deep-seated passion for gaming and esports, Youssef brings unparalleled enthusiasm and insight into this rapidly expanding industry vertical. Over the last nine years, Youssef has built a reputation for developing best-in-practice, performance-driven media campaigns, working across client servicing media analytics and crafting effective marketing strategies for the likes of His long-standing passion for gaming and esports has led Youssef to prominence as an expert in marketing innovation and gaming. Youssef has long recognised the growth opportunities gaming presents and wants to see more brands using the many platforms available and creative canvasses they provide as a significant component of their marketing, not just as a one-off solution. His unique perspective and deep knowledge of gaming have led to remarkable activations and results for his clients, including the most recent Mentos and Esports World Foundation partnership of the first-ever Esports World Cup. Youssef is dedicated to harnessing the region’s increasing appetite for innovation and gaming to help his clients achieve their business goals.

Khalid is Managing Partner at Pure Consulting. He is a marketing expert with a proven successful track record in brand management and business sustainability. Khalid has more than 20 years of practical experience, having worked in Aramco and Unilever, including two years as a member of the executive management of Unilever Saudi Arabia.

For over a decade, I've navigated the dynamic evolution of Saudi Arabia's media landscape. As General Manager of Sales at Saudi Signs Media, I oversee operations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, witnessing unprecedented growth in outdoor advertising. My experience spans business development, media planning, and building a robust client network. Adapting to new technologies and market demands, I've seen our industry flourish, offering advertisers unparalleled opportunities in a burgeoning media environment".

Fausto is the current Head of Marketing for Pizza Hut in the Middle East. A student of the marketing game, with 15+ years of experience across global, regional and local marketing roles. Passionate in solving complex business and consumer challenges through a blend of creativity, data analytics and storytelling. Led award winning campaigns on some of the world largest and most admired brands having worked across Italy, Turkey, Singapore and the UAE, in FMCG and Quick Service Restaurants industries. He is an avid traveller and aviation enthusiast, loves hidden gems restaurants and likes to start his day with silky smooth cappuccino.

Kim Mascarenhas, a data strategist with a fire for consumer insights and a knack for innovation, brings over a decade of experience to the stage. She's a champion for the intersection of processes, data, analytics and the human element. Her analytical mind, honed by years of research, unlocks consumer truths and translates them into actionable insights that resonate with real people. This passion fuels her work in empowering brands to develop winning marketing strategies, a track record proven by her success with industry leaders in various industries across KSA, UAE, EGY and Levant. Thriving on juggling and innovation in fast-paced environments, she constantly seeks new ways to leverage data and insights for impactful marketing.

An award-winning branding expert with nearly two decades of experience, Mo leads the Design & Creative Impact team at Brand Lounge in Dubai. Previously, he was the Regional Creative Director at Landor in Singapore, overseeing the creative vision for P&G across Southeast Asia and Japan. His career began in New York, working with clients like Novartis and Genentech. He later led a brand refresh for Saudi Telecom in Riyadh and then expanded his portfolio in Dubai’s Hospitality, F&B and Entertainment sectors. He is the founder and former President of AIGA Middle East and a contributing author to “Brand Bible.” In 2024, Mo was honoured with the award for Creative Director of the Year at the Transform Awards MEA.

Dina leads Consumer & AI Marketing in MENA looking after core products such as Google Search, Gemini and Android. In her 7 years at Google, Dina has worked on connecting Google’s products with the MENA consumer through localising products and building local stories. She has led campaigns for major launches for Search, Android and YouTube through her strategic approach to creatives and media. Dina also brings a brand management experience from Kellogg’s where she led the Pringles brand. Her expertise in Tech and FMCG gives Dina a unique perspective into consumer habits where she utilises that to create stories that resonate.

Born in Kuwait and raised in Dubai, Maya has witnessed first-hand the ever-changing landscape of the region. She is passionate about brands and the power of strategy & innovation. With 20 years’ experience in communications, she has managed a diverse portfolio ranging across FMCG, Real Estate, Destination, Automotive, Beauty, QSR and Banking, for both local and regional clients. With a focus on creativity that delivers results, her brand campaigns have won multiple awards across the region at the Effie’s MENA and Dubai Lynx.

Sara has over 18 years of well-rounded experience in the industry; from Branding & Design to Brand Communication, digital communication & Advertising. Her experience comprises creative and strategy roles in addition to professional development and training. Through her versatile experience, Sara has worked with a variety of local & multinational networks such as BBDO, DDB and Dentsu. Sara currently holds the position of Creative Excellence lead with Social Clinic. Through her role, her division contributes to the overall development and improvement of the agency’s creation processes and output quality towards the highest industry standards.

Omer Iqbal is a seasoned brand strategist with over seven years of experience crafting compelling brand narratives for iconic Saudi and multinational brands. His expertise lies in integrated marketing, where he develops innovative cross-platform communication strategies that resonate with diverse audiences. Omer’s passion for storytelling and keen understanding of market dynamics have made him a sought-after collaborator in the branding landscape, helping brands connect authentically and effectively.

Abdelrahman Mamdouh is the Regional Sports Content Manager of Kijamii with over 6 years of experience in the sports industry. Abdelrahman has helped numerous sports clubs and federations craft their communication strategies to connect with the local Arabic-speaking community in the region, achieving their business objectives.

Abir Almadani is a passionate and imaginative designer with a BA in Graphic Design & Digital Media. With over 5 years of experience, she specialises in illustration, design thinking, and UX/UI design. Known for her vibrant and engaging work, Abir loves pushing creative boundaries to deliver impactful visual content and user-centered designs. Her portfolio is a testament to her artistic vision and innovative approach. Abir is dedicated to creating visually stunning and meaningful experiences that truly captivate and inspire. She brings a fresh perspective and a personal touch to every project, always aiming to connect and resonate with her audience.

Khalid is engaged in the creative field in multiple ways. He works as a Senior Creative Copywriter at Leo Burnett, playing a key role in generating concepts and ideas for advertising campaigns and writing scripts for films. At the same time, he practices writing comedy material and performs stand-up comedy and improv theater shows, interacting with the audience on stage across various cities in Saudi Arabia.

Leanne has over 15 year’s experience in launching existing businesses into new markets, by increasing her client's visibility, network and revenue. She has extensive experience in leading the marketing for agencies, b2b events and running business award programs across the globe. Her career has been across PR, marketing and events and she single handily launched the Public Relations Communications Association in the Middle East and Asia.

Riyadh-based Alex Malouf is a marketing communications executive and expert who has spent the last two decades in the Middle East. A journalist by training, and with a cultural mix that is both European and Arabic, Alex's expertise spans communications and media, public relations and marketing.

Katie Overy is the host of DXB Today on Dubai One TV and previously, Studio Expo, she’s a familiar face in Dubai’s media scene. Katie’s talents extend beyond the screen; she hosts live events, creates engaging online content, and delivers compelling voiceovers for radio ads, corporate videos and campaigns. You can also hear her on "That Grief Relief Podcast" and Dubai 92 radio. Originally from the UK, Katie has made her mark in Dubai since 2008, charming audiences with her quick wit and vibrant energy.