The Brandberries

Unlock the art and science of Marketing Communication with HIMEL’s Vibha Thusu , Overseas MarCom Leader, as she shares invaluable insights on collaborative synergy, customer empowerment, authentic storytelling, data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and the challenges of delivering omnichannel communications experience. Don't miss out on this exclusive interview, where we delve deep into the strategic marketing communications and global outreach success.

Marketeers To Watch In 2025 As we look ahead to 2025, these marketing luminaries are poised to take the industry by storm, pioneering new frontiers in consumer engagement, campaign optimization, and market domination. With their finger firmly on the pulse of emerging trends and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, they are set to redefine the very essence of modern marketing, inspiring their peers to follow in their footsteps and cementing their status as the visionaries destined to shape the future of this dynamic, ever-evolving field. Abdullah AlRubaish: GM Marketing, Corporate Communications at Abdullah AlOthaim Investment Group Ahmed Zakaria: Marketing Vice President, Berain Water Alexandra de Smet: GM of Marketing for Mobility Services & Non-OEM Business, AW Rostamani Group Asmaa Quorrich: CEO, ThinkBig Consulting Basel Hijazi: Marketing Lead – Google Saudi, Retail MENA and Think With Google Bilal Bezri: Head of Marketing Middle East and Africa, Ericsson CELINE GERGESS: Marketing Director, Cenomi Retail Dina Jreissati: Senior Executive Vice President Marketing & Communications, Shamal Holding Dominic Lynch: Director of Marketing, Bain & Company Middle East Ebru Tuygun: Managing Director, GVGL Marketing Management George Paige: Global Head of Brand, Etihad Airways Hasan Abughosh: Global Marketing Director, Foodics Jumana Akkawi: Chief Marketing Officer and Communications Director, IBM Global Middle East FZCO Lynn Fattouh: Senior Consumer Marketing Manager MENA at Spotify Mahmoud Gawad: Head of Marketing, Central Arabia at Nestlé Waters Mai Youssef: Communications and Corporate Marketing Director, Canon EMEA Middle East and Turkey Marwa Kaabour ??: CMO/ Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication, Al Masaood Melhem Najm: CMO, Stellantis Middle East & Africa Merve Gokce: Marketing Director, PepsiCo Middle East Mike Rich: CMO, Aramex Neda Shelton: Head of Communications, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Solutions Plus – A Mubadala company

Place Advisory and Public Affairs has officially launched in Abu Dhabi, led by government relations veteran Rachel Maycock as Managing Partner, who previously held the position of VP of Communications, at ADNOC's trading companies. This new practice will sit alongside Place Communications, a UAE home-grown independent agency founded by Radwa Allabban, to provide strategic communications and public affairs services, leveraging the agency’s extensive experience with governments and global non-profits.

We’re very excited to announce that Seif Hakim, Program Manager at AUC Venture Lab is joining our squad of regular contributors. Seif Hakim a multi-faceted professional with six years of experience spanning across communications, public relations, marketing, and startup ecosystem development. Armed with a BSc in Economics, he started his career with a fervent passion for innovation and strategic thinking. Commencing as an Account Executive in 2019, Hakim spearheaded communication strategies and managed the public image of prestigious entities such as McDonald's Egypt, the 2019 & 2020 PSA CIB Women's World Championship, and the CIB Egyptian Squash Open 2019 at the iconic Pyramids of Giza. His responsibilities encompassed media exposure, developing communication strategies, and media handling. In 2020, as a Senior Account Executive, Hakim led a team of junior executives, producing business development proposals across diverse sectors including real estate, sports, and health-tech before transitioning into entrepreneurship. Hakim first joined AUC Venture Lab in 2021, assuming the role of Senior Marketing Communications Coordinator before moving to the role of Senior Program Coordinator in 2022, where he coached entrepreneurs on implementing evidence-based entrepreneurship tools to validate and launch their innovations. In his subsequent role as an Account Officer at V-Lab since 2023, he developed tailored business content aimed at empowering startups in crafting effective business models and leveraging growth-hacking techniques while establishing connections with various stakeholders to facilitate startup growth. In 2024, he assumed the role of Design Thinking Programs manager where he supports idea-stage startups and early-stage founders through different initiatives.

In a strategic move to continue its success in Saudi Arabia, Snap Inc. announced today the appointment of Abdulla Alhammadi as Managing Director in KSA.

OMD Worldwide, a leading media network in the region and the world, has announced the promotion of the Managing Director of its Egyptian operation, Tarek Jaffar, to Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

We’re very excited to announce that Darien Harris, Founding Partner of JansenHarris, is joining our squad of regular contributors. For more than twenty-five years, Darien has lived and breathed branding. Initially studying Art and Design in South Africa, then holding senior design positions at both Landor and HKLM, Darien now champions the global, multicultural approach that is very much a cornerstone of JansenHarris. Since co-founding the business in 2010, Darien’s extensive brand-building experience has included partnerships with Abu Dhabi Airport, Accor, Costa Coffee, Marriott International, Jack Daniel’s, Siemens, The Emirates Group, The Macallan, and The Ritz-Carlton. Darien heads up a multi-disciplined team, leading with courage and integrity. Together their work has been recognised with over 50 regional and international design awards.

OTB, the international fashion and luxury group which owns the Diesel, Jil Sander, Maison Margiela, Marni and Viktor&Rolf brands, the Staff International and Brave Kid companies, and holds a stake in the Amiri brand, and Chalhoub Group, the leading partner and creator of luxury experiences in the Middle East with a portfolio of ten owned brands and over 450 international brands, signed a strategic joint venture agreement to significantly expand the presence of OTB’s luxury brands in the region.

This Father’s Day, Canon Inc. launched a campaign celebrating the dads behind the lens who rarely get to be in the picture. The series showcases universal moments in children’s lives and hints at the often-hidden parent behind the scenes.

General Motors Africa & Middle East continues its path to transform mobility in the region, while also providing world class cars, trucks and SUVs. Effective July 1st, 2024, Furrukh Jawaid will join GM to lead its Marketing effort across its vehicle brands Chevrolet & GMC, consolidating GM’s growth plans and spearheading the next phase in GM’s quest to transform the customer experience in the region through his track record focused on innovation.