Sara Paye – The Media Network

Carat appoints new CEO

November 11, 2018/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Suad Ashimi

Global media agency, Carat, part of Dentsu Aegis Network has appointed Ramzy Abouchacra to the role of CEO, Middle East and North Africa. With almost 20 years of regional experience, Ramzy previously held leadership roles at Starcom MediaVest and most recently at Initiative MENA. In his new role, Ramzy will support clients and be responsible for driving the development of the agency’s operations across all markets.

“I am excited to join Dentsu Aegis Network and lead the next wave of transformation in the region with Carat,” says Ramzy. “My decision to join Carat was driven by their passion, talent and clarity of purpose, which is supported by an integrated operating model that combines data and technology to build innovative media solution. The positivity, entrepreneurial spirit and determination of the agency are clear and immediately attracted me to the role. I am thrilled to be joining the team and hope to build on the agency’s success to date in delivering outstanding work for clients.

Tarek Daouk, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA, continues: “I am delighted that Ramzy is joining Dentsu Aegis Network to lead Carat. He has proven to be a transformative leader who has vast regional experience in building media and digital services. I look forward to working with Ramzy to propel Carat MENA into the next stage of its evolution as we support our clients in using the power of media to transform their businesses’.”

Digital Republic secures tourism account

June 11, 2017/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Digital Republic Linked by Isobar has been appointed as the digital creative agency for Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAK TDA). Established in 2011, RAK TDA aims to show the history, heritage and beauty of Ras Al Khaimah. Digital Republic Linked by Isobar will be responsible for executing the digital creative strategy and social marketing campaigns for RAK TDA.

“We are extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to raise awareness of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah,” says Karim Khalifa, Founder and CEO, Digital Republic Linked by Isobar. “We will be launching a creative and digital journey that represents all Ras Al Khaimah has to offer by delivering solutions that will resonate across audiences and help RAK TDA deliver their tourism goals.”

iProspect MENA appoints Regional General Manager

February 13, 2017/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Shelly Mistry

The Dentsu Aegis Network digital performance agency, iProspect has appointed Iyad Tibi to the role of Regional General Manager. With over 14 years of digital experience, he was previously Search Director at iProspect and most recently head of Reprise Media MENA. In his new role, Iyad will be responsible for the agency’s evolution by diversifying and developing its service offering as well as driving regional expansion.

“We are excited to have Iyad back with iProspect,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. “His extensive experience, collaborative leadership style and entrepreneurial business spirit will be a great asset in our capability progression and expansion plans for iProspect MENA.”

Carat to handle account for International bank

January 5, 2017/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Global media agency, Carat, part of Dentsu Aegis Network has won an account from its Singapore office to handle all business and media operations for Standard Chartered Banks across the Middle East and North African region. With a presence in 67 countries, Standard Chartered Bank has operated in markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Carat will act as the global media strategy, planning and buying business partner for Standard Chartered Banks to lead it out of Singapore across the Middle East and North African markets.

“We are very pleased to start the year with the win of this prestigious account out of our Singapore hub for the global Carat network,” says Sean O’Brien, CEO, Carat APAC. “We’re looking forward to working with the team at Standard Chartered Bank and their agency partners.”

Digital Republic Linked by Isobar wins digital account

January 4, 2017/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Cairo-based digital advertising agency, Digital Republic Linked by Isobar has secured the account to develop and manage the digital services for Uber Egypt. Launched in 2014, Uber Egypt is a smart mobility application that offers cashless on demand car request services. Digital Republic Linked by Isobar will provide advertising technology solutions, online content and social media campaigns to promote Uber Egypt’s services across to its technology-savvy audience in Egypt.

“We were looking for an agency who could help manage our entire digital presence in Egypt,” says Abdelatif Waked, General Manager, Uber Egypt. “Digital Republic Linked by Isobar showed us a commitment to doing things differently, with real creative thinking and insight driven content creation. We look forward to working together to help develop the Uber brand in this market.”

iProspect launches in KSA

December 6, 2016/in Featured, New Launch /by Shelly Mistry

Digital performance agency, iProspect has launched a new operation in Saudi Arabia. Part of Dentsu Aegis Network, the new agency headquarters will be located in Jeddah with support from the Dentsu Aegis team in Riyadh as well as the iProspect Hub office in Dubai. Headed by Digital Performance Director, Ruark Williams, the agency aims to introduce a wide range of digital marketing services to the Saudi market.

“As the second largest Middle Eastern market, Saudi Arabia presents a huge opportunity,” says Ruark Williams, Digital Performance Director, iProspect. “Digital spends have increased by more than 200% from 2015 to 2016 with continued exponential growth predicted moving into 2017 and beyond. The momentum highlighted the need for an on-ground presence of digital specialists who are able to proactively educate the market and ensure our clients are getting real ROI across all digital platforms.”

Dentsu Aegis Network acquires gyro

July 26, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Suad Ashimi

Media and digital communications agency, Dentsu Aegis Network, has acquired gyro, an independent global creative agency dedicated exclusively to business-to-business (B2B) marketing, to create a fully integrated global B2B powerhouse. Launched in 1999, gyro’s Dubai office has worked with a variety of brands including EMAAR, Jumeirah, Emirates NBD and Fed Ex. Dentsu will now add B2B offering to its product portfolio in the region and focus on the growing marketing sector following the acquisition.

“The B2B communications sector is relatively underdeveloped in the MENA region and we are looking forward to working with gyro to help businesses navigate the complex landscape and develop the right insights, strategies, approach as well as execution across every part of the customer’s journey,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, MENA.

Christopher Becker, Global CEO and COO, gyro, adds “With Dentsu Aegis acquiring gyro, a major global strategic vision is coming together. Together, we are in the perfect position to lead and accelerate the much needed reinvention of the B2B space through the total integration of creative, media and technological power. Teamed with Dentsu Aegis, gyro will offer even more value to our great client partners and bring bigger wings to achieve their goals and dreams. Together, Dentsu Aegis and gyro will reinvent the way we see, consume and feel advertising in the business-to-people space.”

Dentsu Aegis retains Kellogg’s

June 16, 2016/in Account win, Featured /by Michelle J Kuehn

Dentsu Aegis Network agencies Carat and iProspect have jointly retained the account for Kellog’s media, following a statutory review of Kellogg’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) media planning and buying business over the past six months. The review was handled in-house by Kellogg’s media and procurement teams and includes all cereal and snack brands, including Pringles, across 31 markets in the EMEA region, including the Middle East and North Africa. Kellogg’s has worked with Carat since 2008, with iProspect later appointed to drive digital performance across the company’s brands.

“Kellogg’s is such an iconic brand and we’re incredibly proud of our partnership over the past eight years,” says Tracy De Groose, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, UK and Northern Ireland. “Being selected, once again, is testament to the diverse capabilities within our network and our ability to evolve our approach to reflect Kellogg’s needs and growth ambitions.”

Chris Nolan, Media and Digital Director, Kellogg’s EMEA, adds “We are very excited to continue working with Carat and iProspect. During the very detailed and thorough pitch process they reinforced the strong foundation of buying and planning already in place across the region. Importantly for us they also showed a commitment to drive media forward with a vision and a plan for how we will develop across the next three years.”

Carat MENA promotes Herve Wittenauer

April 6, 2016/in Featured, Movers & Shakers /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Carat MENA has promoted Herve Wittenauer to the role of General Manager – International Clients. Previously Client Servicing Director, Herve brings over 15 years of experience to his new role where he will now be reporting to Ramzi Haddad, Managing Director, Carat UAE and Lower Gulf. As General Manager – International Clients, he will be responsible for all of Carat’s international clients active across the Middle East and North Africa, supporting the 20 offices Carat has in the region. Herve will work to ensure that the agency delivers holistic, integrated and consistent client servicing on both a local and regional level.

“Since Herve joined us in Dubai two years ago, he has worked tirelessly to build Carat’s product offering and achieve operational excellence,” says Ramzi. “As our network and client portfolio continues to grow, it is imperative that we have the right experience and capability in key regional roles. We want to become a 100% digital agency by 2020 and continue to deliver value on a regional scale. This transformation is a huge undertaking and Herve is the right person to help us achieve this long term ambition. His promotion is a recognition of the passion, hard work and dedication that he carries with him to work every day.”

Herve adds “I have been with Dentsu network for 16 years now and in the just the last two I have seen Carat MENA grow exponentially. Our clients recognise the potential of this region and look to us to drive value across the board via our command of media convergence. I look forward to making sure our on the ground knowledge in each market is supported by a collaborative approach across the Middle East and North Africa.”

Dentsu Aegis Kuwait partners with Views

August 25, 2015/0 Comments/in Regional News /by Emily Churchill-Owen

Dentsu Aegis Network in Kuwait has partnered with Views Communications. With offices based in Kuwait City, Views Communications will be responsible for the media planning and buying requirements of Carat and other Dentsu Aegis Network clients in the country. Views Communications is a full service agency that spans media planning and buying, creative, PR and activation, and was founded in 2010. The new partnership will see the team, lead by Karim Bitar, CEO of Views Communications, working on existing clients, Carat regional clients including GM, Total, BA and Pringles, as well as new prospects.

“This partnership is another important step in continuing our expansion in the Middle East and with Karim’s extensive experience and understanding of the media landscape in the market, we’re confident that we’ll see significant growth in Kuwait,” says Michael Nederlof, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network MENA.

Karim adds “This really is an exciting time for our team and it is a sign that a global player in the media space sees Kuwait as a market worthy of a significant presence and this kind of investment. We are looking forward to working with clients across the Middle East and beyond.”

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