1 Pizza Hut
In January, Publicis Middle East, an advertising agency under Publicis Groupe, won the Pizza Hut account for the region, after a competitive pitch process that took place over several months.
As the lead creative agency partner, Publicis Middle East works closely with Pizza Hut on its market strategy, creative communication campaigns and positioning of the brand and its products across the Middle East.
2 Saudi Tourism Authority
In the same month, following a multi-agency international pitch, Dubai-based independent advertising and design agency and us was appointed as the Saudi Tourism Authority’s (STA) agency of record (AOR).
The agency’s scope involves handling the Tourism Authority’s domestic and regional communications.
3 Emirates NBD
A several-month-long pitch involving more than five network agencies ended with creative shop Leo Burnett MEA landing the Emirates NBD account in February 2023. Leo Burnett provides forward-thinking strategic planning, creative, data, communication, and digital marketing solutions for Emirates NBD.
4 Al-Futtaim IKEA
Grey MENA announced its appointment as the creative and strategic agency for Al-Futtaim IKEA in the UAE, Qatar and Oman region. The account win follows a competitive pitch process involving five network agencies.
As the lead creative and strategy agency partner, Grey is responsible for developing Al-Futtaim IKEA’s creative communication campaigns, positioning, and supporting its growth and expansion across these markets.
5 Mcdonald’s
Dubai-based digital marketing agency Netizency was awarded the McDonald’s UAE social media business, following a competitive pitch process. The agency’s remit is to manage the social media strategy, content creation, community management, analytics, and social listening of McDonald’s UAE.
6 Saudi Payments
The Bold Group secured the Saudi Payments account, which is a significant milestone for the company. Specialising in marketing, branding, and experiential marketing, The Bold Group is responsible for handling the Saudi Payments account with its three sub-brands: mada, sarie, and sadad.
7 Majid Al Futtaim
In June, Gambit Communications announced its win of the Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls and Majid
Al Futtaim Entertainment accounts, following an extensive six-month-long pitch process.
As the PR agency, Gambit Communications leads the communications for both segments’ business units in the region.
8 LG Electronics
In June, Havas Media Middle East announced its win of the LG Electronics media account. As part
of a three-year deal, the media agency is responsible for looking after the tech giant’s digital presence in the region. The duties are carried out by Havas Media’s Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon Offices.
9 Visa
Netizency was awarded the Middle East social media business for Visa, following a multi-agency pitch that took place in late 2022.
As part of its duties, Netizency handles social media strategy for Visa’s markets across Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) region, as well as content creation, community management, and analytics for the GCC markets.
10 Virgin Mobile UAE
Earlier in April, Virgin Mobile UAE appointed Havas Middle East as its creative and public relations partner. Havas Creative leads the brand’s strategy and creative direction, while Red Havas leverages its PR communications expertise to deliver Virgin Mobile’s storytelling and expand its mission to “make mobile better”.
