Posts

Spark Foundry partners with AstroLabs

/in , /by

Spark Foundry, part of Publicis Media has partnered with AstroLabs. Founded in 2013, AstroLabs is a co-working agency and learning academy for digital technology companies in the UAE. The partnership will deliver a programme called Transformational Upskill to Spark Foundry clients across the region.

“Our partners and our talent are the two most important assets in our business and our partnership with AstroLabs was set up with the objective to nurture both,” says Alain Brahamcha, Spark Foundry MENA, CEO. “In today’s landscape we need to continuously evolve and acknowledge that the only constant is change.  Positive change which has put transformation as the core driving force behind the evolution of our clients’ business and ours.  I’d like to thank AstroLabs for their support and our client partners for acknowledging the importance of this collaboration and allowing us to be the catalysts in their business transformation.”

Starcom makes new appointment 

/in , /by

Starcom, part of Publicis Media, has appointed Racha Makarem to the role of Regional CEO. With over 15 years of experience in the agency, Racha previously worked as Head of the Analytics and Insights Practice and most recently held the role of Managing Director of the Data Science Practice. In her new role, she will elevate the passion and collaborative spirit of Stardom to drive change while also continuing to build the agency’s deliverables against the increasing demand for data.

“Over the past 15 years, my expertise has been in helping our clients solve complex business problems from the lens of the consumer, mining data and delivering actionable insights,” says Racha. “Previously, as the head of the Publicis Media Data & Science Practice, my role was to build this expertise across our network and client teams, fueling marketing transformation in an age where data is prevalent.  In my role as CEO, I will accelerate this momentum, ensuring that we continue to shape the industry.  My priorities, leading Starcom, the Human Experience Company are; to work closely with our clients to create real solutions that accelerate their growth, to leverage actionable data and technology to deliver marketing transformation, and to invest in our people who will drive the capabilities around data, technology and performance to propel the growth of our clients business in today’s digital economy. We have never faced a more dynamic time to be in our business and I’m excited to be at the helm of Starcom, leading into tomorrow.”

Mediavest | Spark rebrands globally

/in , /by

Global media agency, Mediavest | Spark, part of Publicis Media has rebranded as Spark Foundry. The rebrand aims to develop talent and focus on the growth of the agency’s client list as well as reflect its continuous growth beyond the parameters of media to include analytics, technology, innovations, insight, content and commerce.

“The talent we have assembled are passionate about our startup spirit and with this rebrand and the strengthening of the Spark Foundry global network each market across the MENA region will further be empowered to bring to life our unique proposition,” says Alain Brahamcha, CEO, Spark Foundry Middle East.

Ali Nehme promoted at Publicis Media

/in , /by

Publicis Media, part of Publicis Groupe has promoted Ali Nehme to President of Innovation and Commerce, EMEA starting September, 2017. Ali joined Publicis Groupe in 2008 as a part of Starcom Mediavest Group and most recently held the position of Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Media, where he oversaw the development and execution of the agency’s vision and strategy. In his new role, he will work with the leadership team in the region to accelerate growth and report to Iain Jacob, the CEO of Publicis Media EMEA, as well as continue to report to Steve Parker, the CEO of Publicis Media Middle East. He will also be responsible for driving an innovation agenda for the agency with a primary focus on strengthening and building an e-commerce strategy and roadmap to ensure scaled solutions across all markets in the EMEA region.

“Ali is an incredibly talented, dynamic and accomplished leader and his impressive track record demonstrates his ability to identify new opportunities to drive tangible business results for our agencies and clients,” says Iain Jacob, CEO, Publicis Media, EMEA. “Commerce is a critical area of future growth for our business and I look forward to working with him as he builds on the momentum he’s already achieved in the Middle East.”

Publicis Media launches new boards

/in /by

Publicis Media has introduced next generation boards across international and regional markets. The new boards, consisting of leaders from the media and digital industry, aim to foster collaborations and influence the direction of all brands within Publicis Media. The board for the MENA region includes:

  • Ravi Shekar, Associate Director at Publicis Media Analytics and Insights
  • Khaled Gaber, Senior Client Management at Zenith
  • Ghina Marouf, Associate Media Director at Mediavest | Spark
  • Amir Antoun, Media Director at Starcom
  • Sajid Ismail, Senior Manager – Social Strategy at Publicis Media
  • Aneesha Hingorani, Associate Director at Zenith
  • Omar Madi, Director – Performance Media at Perfomics

“The launch of the next generation boards is about challenging and disrupting how we currently do things, to the benefit of all stakeholders,” says Steve King, CEO, Publicis Media. “We had our first global board meeting earlier this month, which ran in parallel with the global Publicis Media board and we were incredibly impressed with the proposals that were presented, some of which we have already started to adopt.”  

Zenith launches new brand identity

/in , /by

Following the global rebrand of Zenith’s identity, proposition and platforms, the ROI agency has launched ROI+, a new global approach to communications. ROI+ aims to drive profitable growth for clients through the creation of upstream strategies, designing personalised communication and maximising downstream efficiencies. The launch of the agency’s identity will also see the addition of a new interactive section called Global Intelligence, which will make Zenith’s data and insights on advertising expenditure forecasts available online.

“We have a vision for delivering transformational growth for our clients and this required a new way of working that embraces both technology and invention,”says Vittorio Bonori, Global Brand President, Zenith. “I believe that Zenith’s new proposition and brand identity builds on our distinctive ROI positioning and sets us further apart from the competition.”

Publicis Media makes new promotion

/in , /by

Publicis Media Middle East, part of Publicis Group has promoted Amer El Hajj to the role of Chief Investment Officer. With experience in the region’s marketing and media industry, Amer previously worked with Starcom MediaVest as Media Manager before joining Publicis in 2004 as Regional Buying Director and most recently holding the position of Executive Vice President of group trading and Commercial Managing Director. In his new role, he will oversee and continue to work on developing strategic decisions to guide Publicis’ portfolio of trading and investment operations across the region.

“Amer’s proven track record for successfully leading large scale initiatives, supporting all markets’ commercial requirements and pushing profitability as the number one priority, has quickly earned him the respect and admiration by colleagues, clients and partners alike,” says Alex Saber, Chairman, Publicis Media Middle East.