Press release – Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 02 September 2026: JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai has appointed Brazen MENA as its communications partner across the GCC.The appointment comes as the hotel embarks on the most significant transformation in its history. The multi-phase enhancement programme will see all 1,608 rooms and suites redesigned, two executive lounges reimagined, and the hotel’s culinary offering transformed through the renovation of legacy restaurants and bars and the introduction of new homegrown F&B concepts and lifestyle experiences. The hotel will remain fully operational throughout, with further enhancements to be revealed in due course.

Brazen MENA’s remit spans the full breadth of the hotel: its rooms and suites, its restaurants, bars and lounges, its wellness offering, its meetings and events business, and the collaborations and cultural programming being built around them. The agency will lead consumer and corporate communications across the region, spanning media relations, brand partnerships and social.

The scale is considerable. Rising 72 storeys above Business Bay beside the Dubai Water Canal, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai has stood at the centre of the city since 2013. It is home to 1,608 guest rooms and suites, an ever-growing collection of F&B concepts, Saray Spa with its 17 treatment rooms and two private hammams, the reformer fitness studio BodyBase, and close to 10,000 square metres of event space across two ballrooms and 32 meeting rooms.

Karin Cohen, Multi-Property Director of Marketing, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, said: “This is an ambitious moment for the hotel. Our owners are making a significant investment across rooms, dining and the wider guest experience, introducing new concepts that will change how people experience this address and how they use it. Brazen MENA understands luxury in this city and knows how to sustain a story across years of change.”

Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner, Brazen MENA, said: “JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is far more than a hotel. It is one of Dubai’s defining addresses and one of the largest luxury hotels in the world, and it is about to be transformed. A transformation on this scale is rare, and rarer still in a hotel where there is always something new to experience. We are looking forward to bringing that ambition to a much wider audience.”

Contributed by

Brazen MENA

New York (Wednesday, August 12, 2026) — Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for its clients through reputation, today announced it has acquired Limbik Inc., the cognitive-AI company behind Decipher, Burson's predictive intelligence platform that forecasts how communications will resonate with audiences operating in more than 60 markets globally. The acquisition reflects Burson's continued investment in AI capabilities that help clients navigate reputation, communications and stakeholder trust in an increasingly complex information environment.

Limbik and Burson co-developed Decipher’s proprietary IP over the past two years, giving Burson a first-mover position in AI-native audience intelligence within a broader product suite that also includes Sonar, Reputation Capital and The Fount. The acquisition brings Limbik's proprietary cognitive AI capabilities, engineering team and AI research team fully in-house, allowing Burson to accelerate product integration and development across its entire innovation suite. This enables the ability to capture the full value of the Decipher platform across the WPP network via WPP Open.

"Decipher has become foundational to how we help clients build, protect and prove the value of their reputation in real time," said Corey duBrowa, CEO of Burson. "Bringing Limbik's team and technology on board at Burson lets us build solutions faster for our clients and own our future technology roadmap. This work isn’t a separate service line item anymore. It's foundational to every piece of client work we do, and it's how we help clients lead, not just adapt, in the intelligence era. This move ensures faster answers, sharper judgment and a predictive, ‘see around corners’ edge we can put directly in our clients' hands, no matter where in the world we're working or what problem we're helping them solve."

Decipher forecasts how communications will resonate with audiences, predicting the virality and believability of messaging to determine impact before it reaches the market. The technology serves as the predictive engine behind Burson's AI-enabled ecosystem, powering the agency's work across GEO, Reputation Capital, Culture Up and influencer strategy.

Limbik co-founders Zach Schwitzky and Josh Levin will join Burson as Global Head of Innovation, AI Platforms and Products and Global Head of Innovation, Clients & Growth, respectively reporting to Global Chief Innovation Officer, Chad Latz. The broader Limbik team will join Burson’s Innovation team to build and expand AI advisory and product capability across the entire company.

"Every firm in the industry is guessing how audiences will react. We built the cognitive framework that knows," said Zach Schwitzky, co-founder and CEO of Limbik. "With Decipher, Burson didn’t just add a tool. It activated a model for how real audiences around the world respond to information. At Limbik, we set out to build the AI infrastructure that the world's most influential agency runs on and the intelligence behind how it shapes and protects reputation at scale. Burson understood that before anyone else, and this is what setting the standard looks like.”

“With this acquisition, Burson continues building a standing innovation arm within our walls, designed to continuously generate, test and integrate new AI products across every practice, every geography and the entire communications and creative workflow," said duBrowa. "This is how we set the agenda for the industry - not by adapting to how AI changes communications but pioneering and proving what that change looks like.”

Contributed by

Burson

The recognition affirms the firm’s people-first culture and strengthens its standing as an employer of choice within the Gulf’s fast-growing communications and advisory sector. 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 5 August 2026: Global Advisors Communications has been officially certified as a Great Place to Work® in the United Arab Emirates for the period from May 2026 to May 2027, recognising the firm’s sustained commitment to building a high-performing, 
people-centred workplace culture across the region. 

The certification — awarded by Great Place to Work Middle East, the globally recognised authority on workplace culture — was signed by Mohammed Alshair, Executive Chairman of Great Place to Work Middle East. It acknowledges the agency’s continued investment in employee experience, leadership development, collaboration, and professional excellence. 

The recognition reflects Global Advisors Communications’ growing reputation not only as a strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, but also as an organisation committed to fostering innovation, inclusion, trust, and meaningful career growth for its people. 

Commenting on the recognition, Shady El Gohary, Chief Executive Officer of Global Advisors Communications, said: “Our reliance on the human element in public relations is a cornerstone of our success; minds and human resources are the foundation and the differentiator that sets a public relations firm apart. Our employees’ appreciation of this element, expressed through their votes, reflects their strong confidence in our sound investment in minds and human resources. 

Today, as we move with confidence into a new phase of growth, we are expanding across markets around the world through a network of regional offices that brings us closer to our clients wherever they operate. We are deepening our strategic partnerships in the management of critical files and growing our client portfolio at an accelerating pace. We are building a truly global institution one anchored in its people and unbounded in its ambition — and we look forward to achieving even greater success.” 

Over the past year, Global Advisors Communications has continued to expand its footprint across strategic markets, advising leading institutions, governments, and multinational organisations on reputation management, public affairs, strategic communications, and cross- market engagement initiatives spanning the Middle East and Africa. 

The certification further strengthens the company’s positioning as an employer of choice within the communications and advisory sector, particularly as the firm continues its growth trajectory across the Gulf and emerging international markets. 

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviours proven to drive business performance, retention, and innovation. Its certification process is based on direct employee feedback and globally benchmarked workplace standards.

Contributed by

Global Advisors Communications

• The Dubai-based carrier increases its operations to Naples to a daily service from 27 July
• To cater to the increased travel demand for the winter period, flydubai will boost its Milan-Bergamo frequency to a double daily service from 31 July

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 29 July 2026: flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has increased its daily operations between Dubai and Naples and is set to boost its flights to Milan-Bergamo to a double-daily operation from 31 July, further enhancing passenger connectivity to Italy and expanding its offering to its network in Europe.

Due to scheduled maintenance works at Naples International Airport (NAP), the airline will temporarily operate daily flights from Dubai International (DXB) to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport (QSR) from 01 to 30 November 2026, before resuming services to Naples International Airport (NAP) from 01 December.

During this period, passengers with existing bookings to Naples will be automatically rebooked onto flights to Salerno, ensuring their journeys continue without disruption. The temporary switch offers seamless connectivity for passengers travelling between Dubai and Naples, while reinforcing Dubai’s role as a global hub for travel, trade and tourism.

With the increased frequencies, the carrier will serve Italy with a double-daily frequency to Milan-Bergamo, daily flights to Naples, thrice-weekly flights to Catania, alongside seasonal summer flights to Olbia, operating twice weekly until the end of August.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Naples and Milan have become key gateways into our Italian network and we are pleased to have expanded the frequency of our operations to both cities. Our priority is to ensure customers continue to enjoy convenient access to the region, in line with our long-term commitment to strengthening connectivity to underserved destinations and supporting the continued flow of trade, tourism and people between the United Arab Emirates and Italy, particularly as travel demand increases during the winter season.”

Jeyhun Efendi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, added: “Our commitment to further strengthening our direct services to Naples and Milan-Bergamo underscores the importance of the Italian market and our commitment to offering customers seamless, non-stop access to key destinations across Italy and beyond. Through our Dubai hub and the combined reach of the flydubai and Emirates networks, we now offer passengers even more travel options to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, with seamless connections to Kenya, Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Zanzibar and many more. We look forward to welcoming our customers on board as we connect our destinations in Italy with our expanding network.”As part of its ongoing network expansion, flydubai has recently launched services to Aleppo in Syria, Bangkok in Thailand and Benghazi in Libya, with direct flights to Pokhara in Nepal set to commence on 23 September, further enhancing connectivity to key destinations across the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The flydubai experience

Passengers travelling with flydubai can enjoy an elevated onboard experience across the carrier's modern fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

This includes lie-flat seats in Business Class and ergonomically designed seats in Economy Class, ensuring a comfortable and restful journey, with a wide selection of internationally inspired dining options, light snacks and refreshments served throughout the flight, alongside hours of inflight entertainment, available for passengers across all cabins at no additional cost.

flydubai will also soon introduce Starlink high-speed connectivity across its fleet, further enhancing the passenger experience across its growing network.

 Flight details

 The Naples and Milan-Bergamo services are operated under the flydubai and Emirates codeshare partnership, offering passengers the convenience of streamlined itineraries, single-ticket bookings and through-checked baggage.

 Flights will temporarily operate daily from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) to Salerno Costa d’Amalfi and Cilento Airport (QSR) from 01 to 30 November 2026, before services resume to Naples International Airport (NAP) from 01 December 2026.

 Return Business Class fares from DXB to QSR start from AED 14,135 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,885.

 Return Business Class fares from QSR to DXB start from EUR 3,080 and Economy Class Lite fares start from EUR 610.

Contributed by

flydubai

Dubai/Singapore, 16 July 2026: Brazen MENA, ranked among the 100 Best PR Agencies in the World*, has officially launched in Asia Pacific with offices in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and the appointment of Angeline Tan as General Manager, APAC.

Tan brings 19 years of experience across integrated communications, brand reputation and business growth in Asia Pacific, EMEA and beyond. She has built and protected the reputations of leading brands across the region and understands how culture, media and commercial reality intersect in each APAC market, and how global expertise is made to work at a local level. Throughout her career, Tan has led communications strategies and creative production for global and regional brands, including Netflix, Dutch Lady Malaysia (part of the global dairy leader FrieslandCampina), and consumer health company Haleon. She has also been named a judge for the 2026 Asia-Pacific SABRE Awards, the region’s benchmark for excellence in public relations.

“In a region as diverse as APAC, the most powerful stories are shaped with both insight and cultural understanding,” said Angeline Tan, General Manager, APAC. “Brazen has built its reputation on doing things the right way, with strategy, intelligence and genuine care for clients. Communications here need cultural fluency and strategic depth, underpinned by real data. I am proud to lead the agency’s next chapter in Asia Pacific.”

Brazen MENA enters APAC with a track record built over more than a decade in the Middle East, where the agency has represented over 500 brands across luxury, lifestyle, hospitality, fashion, beauty, corporate, and government sectors. Global clients, including Marriott, Abercrombie & Fitch, SKIMS, Hilton, Veuve Clicquot, and Raffles, have trusted Brazen MENA to build and protect their reputations in competitive, fast-moving markets.

The agency has already begun building its APAC portfolio. Brazen MENA & APAC is now working with Bosom, a maternal-care platform that connects mothers to trusted lactation and mental health specialists through secure consultations. This reflects the quality of work Brazen MENA is known for: representing brands with a clear point of view that operate in categories where credibility and trust are commercial drivers.

As part of RAIYN, the trust-led communications network of more than 700 professionals across MENA and beyond, Brazen MENA & APAC gives clients in the region access to an integrated platform spanning strategy, creativity, digital, and intelligence. RAIYN operates within News Group International, which also owns CARMA, the global media intelligence company, meaning every client engagement is underpinned by real-time data, analysis and insight from day one.

"APAC is one of the most exciting regions in the world - fast-moving, reputation-conscious and home to some of its most ambitious brands. It demands cultural fluency, strategic depth and communications built on insight. That is what we have spent more than a decade delivering for some of the world's most recognised brands, and that is what Angeline and the team will bring to clients here.”

Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner, Brazen MENA & APAC

Contributed by

Brazen MENAT

TishTash is proud to be representing SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) - the commercial engine turning one of the region's biggest media legacies into its sharpest data-led advertising play.

SMS is the commercial and advertising arm of Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG)  - a media group with roots back to 1972, representing a portfolio that includes Arab News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, Sayidaty, Billboard Arabia and Thmanyah, and reaching 270M+ people across MENA via 25+ media brands. 

What's changing is the model: SMS is building its proposition around first-party data and AI-driven audience intelligence, positioning itself as a genuinely fresh, cutting-edge voice in how the region thinks about media buying and audience targeting  - backed by real scale (3,900+ campaigns for 600+ advertisers in 2025 alone) and most recently formalised through a new role as the official TikTok Advertising Sales Partner in Saudi Arabia.

Nedaa Almubarak, CEO of SMS, is well placed to speak to this shift - from the data and AdTech strategy behind it to where she sees Gulf media commerce heading next,  and we'd welcome the chance to make her available for the right conversations as they come up.

No specific ask right now. We just wanted to get on your radar ahead of some story ideas and updates we'll be sharing over the coming weeks and months. Please let us know if this sparks anything for you in the meantime - always here to help.

Contributed by

TishTash Group

DUBAI, 25 JUNE 2026: RAIYN, the trust-led communications network built for the future, was unveiled today at the Museum of the Future in Dubai by Mazen Nahawi, Founder and CEO of CARMA and RAIYN.

The network brings together four of the region’s leading specialist communications firms, Brazen MENA, Cicero & Bernay, Salient Communication Group and SOCIALEYEZ under a single accountable structure. RAIYN is designed to help organisations across MENA and beyond strengthen their reputation, make better decisions, and deliver outcomes with lasting impact.

The organisations RAIYN serves operate in an environment defined by constant change, heightened scrutiny and increasingly complex stakeholder expectations. Reputation and business performance are more closely connected than ever, yet many leaders still navigate them through fragmented advice and disconnected specialists. RAIYN brings these capabilities together into one integrated model.

It offers clients a team of owner-operators who bring passion and strength, an integrated platform of insights, strategy, and creativity, specialisation that brings in-depth sector expertise, and measurement that proves value. Every engagement starts with regional expertise and aligned thinking, so that communications are relevant, credible and effective from the outset. Its approach is defined by transparent counsel, clear ownership and accountable delivery. Decision-making stays close to the work, and success is measured by the impact created for clients.

Commenting on the launch, Nahawi said:"The people of this region, nationals and expats, are best suited to speak on its behalf. That is the belief on which RAIYN is built. We have brought together the best practitioners in the region, combining creativity, sector expertise, AI mastery and cultural depth. Communications needs a new dawn. That dawn begins with trust. RAIYN is a promise to bring people together, to build respect and to put trust at the centre of everything our industry does."

Nahawi, who has spent 30 years helping shape the world’s communications intelligence industry, is joined by four RAIYN principals: Ahmad Itani, Founder and Chief Advisor, Cicero & Bernay; Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner, Brazen MENA; Sean Trainor, Chief Executive, Salient Communication Group; and Tarek Esper, Managing Director, SOCIALEYEZ.

Each firm contributes distinct strengths to one connected model.

• Brazen MENA is an insights-led communications agency shaping reputations and building influence for global and regional brands across lifestyle, luxury and corporate communications. Built on strategy, intelligence, care and genuine partnership with every client.

• Cicero & Bernay has helped define the evolution of strategic communication across the MENA region, bringing analytical rigour, creative discipline and a culture of measurable outcomes, guided by its enduring principle “Empowered by Facts.”

• Salient Communication Group is a Riyadh-based strategic communication consultancy helping leaders close the gap between what their organisations do and what stakeholders believe they do.

• SOCIALEYEZ is the Middle East’s leading team of creative strategists, driven by its philosophy “Create No Matter What,” which brings strategy and execution under one roof and ensures ideas land creatively and deliver commercially.

RAIYN brings together more than 700 professionals across strategic advisory, creative, digital and intelligence, and operates within News Group International (NGI), which also owns CARMA, the global media intelligence company. Through CARMA, RAIYN embeds real-time intelligence, analysis and foresight into strategy, counsel and outcome measurement, helping organisations navigate complexity and identify opportunities as they emerge.

The name RAIYN reflects the principles on which the network is built. Drawing inspiration from light (Ray), growth (Rain), humanity (Ai), intelligence (AI) and balance (Y/N), it represents the balance between human relationships and technology, intelligence and creativity, ambition and responsibility. At its heart is a belief that the strongest communications are built when different perspectives, disciplines and strengths come together to create trust and lasting value.

Contributed by

Brazen MENA

·       Senior appointments signal a new phase of growth focused on advisory expertise, technology-enabled marketing and integrated client solutions

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 17 June, 2026: Viola Communications, a subsidiary of 2PointZero Group, has appointed Camilla d’Abo as General Manager, Public Relations, and Larry Kraut as Business Director, Client Services, as the agency accelerates its ambition to become Abu Dhabi’s most sophisticated integrated marketing and communications business.

The appointments form part of a broader investment in senior talent, technology and specialist capabilities as the communications industry undergoes one of the most significant transformations in its history. The agency is investing in a leadership model designed around senior expertise across every marketing discipline, bringing together specialists in communications, creative, digital, media, strategy, content, events, technology and customer experience under a single integrated proposition.

They join an established group of industry leaders including Chief Client Officer Mohammed Ajawi, whose experience across global networks Ogilvy, BCW and Havas is recognized for connecting creativity, communications, digital innovation, together with Executive Creative Director Ivan Bormaister, a Cannes Lions-winning creative leader and TEDx speaker with experience spanning FP7 McCann, Saatchi & Saatchi and VMLY&R.

Speaking about the appointments, Piero Poli, Chief Executive Officer of Viola Communications, said: “The industry is entering a new chapter. Technology is reshaping all facets of marketing, and clients are facing more complexity, more scrutiny and more pressure. In this environment, clients need senior advisors more than ever.”

“Our ambition is clear. We are building the most sophisticated marketing and communications agency in Abu Dhabi defined by senior expertise, integrated thinking and technology-enabled creativity. Camilla and Larry are exactly the calibre of leaders required to help us achieve that vision.”

D’Abo joins Viola with more than 25 years of experience advising governments, multinational corporations and leading regional organisations on reputation, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications. Throughout her career she has held senior leadership positions at APCO Worldwide, Edelman DABO, BPG Group and Action Global Communications. She believes the role of communications is becoming increasingly central to business performance.

“Communications is no longer a support function. It sits across reputation, policy, growth, investment, employee engagement and brand value. Organisations are operating in a far more complex environment and that demands stronger strategic counsel. The opportunity is not simply to deliver campaigns but to help clients solve bigger business challenges.”

Kraut brings more than two decades of international agency experience from leadership roles at M&C Saatchi UAE, Iris London and GroupM New York, where he advised some of the world’s most recognised names and led flagship accounts across real estate, FMCG, and global consumer brands.

“Clients have little interest in managing disconnected specialists. They want partners who can connect strategy, creativity, media, communications and technology around a single commercial objective. Viola already has the foundations in place. The opportunity now is to scale that model and create even greater value for clients.”

The appointments come as Viola continues to expand its capabilities around data, AI and technology-enabled marketing, reinforcing its belief that the most effective growth strategies emerge when creativity is powered by intelligence and insight.

With more than two decades of experience supporting government entities, national institutions and private-sector leaders, the agency is positioning itself for a new era where technology strengthens creativity, data sharpens decision-making and integrated expertise delivers stronger business outcomes.

Contributed by

Viola Communications

• The Dubai-based carrier becomes the first UAE airline to offer direct flights to Pokhara International Airport (PHH)
• The expansion strengthens flydubai’s longstanding commitment to Nepal, following 17 years of successful operations to Kathmandu
• Starting on 23 September, the daily route will operate from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) as part of a codeshare with Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 11 June 2026: flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has announced the launch of a new daily service to Pokhara International Airport (PHH), marking its second destination in Nepal. The direct flights will commence on 23 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB).
 

With the start of daily flights to Pokhara, Nepal’s second-largest city and tourism capital, flydubai becomes the first carrier to service this vital route directly from the United Arab Emirates. The announcement marks a significant expansion of flydubai’s presence in Nepal, where it has successfully operated since 2009 and carried approximately four million passengers to date. ​

Commenting on the launch of operations, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Nepal has remained an exceptionally important market for flydubai since we first launched operations to Kathmandu in 2009, and introducing direct flights to Pokhara underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting free flows of trade and tourism between the UAE and Nepal. By providing a direct link to Nepal’s second largest city and another gateway to the market, we are proud to leverage Dubai’s position as a world-class aviation hub to open new avenues of accessibility for both business and leisure travellers.”

Since entering the market 17 years ago, flydubai has steadily grown its operations to meet robust consumer demand. The airline’s seat capacity to Nepal has increased more than 12 times since its inception, with operations scaling up to five daily flights to Kathmandu during peak travel periods to facilitate both business and leisure travel, as well as visits to family and friends.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, said: “We are delighted to expand our footprint in Nepal with daily operations to Pokhara, offering our passengers more flexibility and choice across our network. This new route is strategically positioned to cater to strong demand from the UAE and the wider flydubai network, offering convenient, reliable connections for travellers coming from the GCC, the Middle East and Europe, as well as further afield through our codeshare partnership and interline partners. Passengers on this route can look forward to experiencing our high-quality service, whether they travel in Business Class with its added comfort and privacy, or in our elevated Economy Class experience.”

Nestled near the Annapurna range, Pokhara is internationally renowned as Nepal’s premium adventure and leisure tourism hub. The new daily service is expected to significantly benefit western Nepal by supplementing the current service to Kathmandu and providing international travellers with direct access to the region’s vast eco-tourism, trekking and economic opportunities. ​

Contributed by

flydubai

11 June 2026, UAE – StickyGinger continues to expand its luxury and automotive portfolio, securing the PR retainer for McLaren Middle East, Africa & India following a competitive pitch process. The win reflects the agency’s experience in positioning luxury brands within the region’s cultural landscape, with a clear understanding of UHNWI audiences and the moments that shape influence, conversation, and automotive brand relevance across MEAI.

Building on strong momentum and a growing roster of high-profile clients, StickyGinger is set to bring its communications expertise to one of the world’s most iconic automotive brands, delivering impactful storytelling and culturally relevant campaigns tailored to the region.

The agency will lead on PR strategy, media relations, influencer engagement, events, and regional campaigns. The partnership aims to further elevate McLaren’s presence across key MEAI markets, supporting brand visibility and engagement with both existing and new audiences.

Contributed by

StickyGinger 

Dubai, 10 June, 2026 - Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for its clients through reputation, today announced that Jonty Summers will join the agency as Head of Corporate Affairs at the end of June.

“We are thrilled to welcome a leader of Jonty’s caliber to our team,” said Fouad Bou Mansour, CEO, MENAT, Burson. “In a region as dynamic and fast paced as the Middle East, clients require senior counselors who combine a deep, nuanced understanding of the region with a proven track record of delivering results. Jonty embodies this. He has over 20 years of experience providing strategic, C-suite level counsel to top-tier organizations, helping them navigate challenges, growth, and transformation. His expertise will be a tremendous asset, and I am confident he will play a pivotal role in continuing to elevate our corporate offering and helping our clients win in this complex environment.”

Summers joins Burson from Hanover, where he spent ten years as Regional Managing Director establishing and running their advisory business in the Middle East. His extensive career includes senior leadership roles at Edelman, where he was Senior Vice President for the Corporate Practice across the Middle East. Prior to this, Summers was Managing Director at Bladonmore in London, before transferring to Abu Dhabi in 2009.  He began his career as a journalist and then worked in publishing in London.

An active industry leader, Summers served as Chair of the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) from 2019 to 2021 and as a Board Member dating back to 2016.

"Having spent my career helping organizations build and protect their reputations through periods of transformation, growth and change, I am excited to join Burson as it continues to grow and evolve its offering across the Middle East,” said Summers. “This is one of the world’s most dynamic and strategically important regions, and organizations here face both extraordinary opportunities and increasingly complex operating environments. Burson's sector expertise, global reach and local relevance position it exceptionally well to help clients navigate, lead and grow in this breathtakingly disruptive landscape." 

Contributed by

Burson

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3^rd June 2026: Brazen MENA, the award-winning communications consultancy with offices in Dubai and Riyadh, has announced four new client wins across fashion, lifestyle, retail and hospitality, spanning both B2C and B2B. The appointments signal continued growth momentum for the agency, with additional mandates currently underway.

The agency is now leading communications for OnTheList, the members-only luxury flash sales platform that has brought more than 50 flash sales to the UAE since 2024 and is now expanding into Saudi Arabia. Brazen MENA has already made an impact on its first brief, driving visibility for the platform’s partnership with Le Creuset and delivering the brand’s celebrated Factory to Table sale to Dubai for the first time, with a VIP launch event for media and influencers.

Deepening its relationship with Al Tayer Insignia LLC, the agency has added two further brands to its portfolio. Mamas & Papas, the iconic British brand with more than 40 years of heritage, appointed Brazen MENA to lead the launch of its new Dubai Mall store, through a targeted media and influencer campaign that built awareness and drove footfall ahead of and beyond opening day. And USA brand Vuori, founded in 2015 and built around the active California lifestyle - has appointed Brazen MENA to launch the very first store in the UAE and GCC.  Brazen MENA will lead the launch of its regional PR strategy, doing what it does best - introducing the brand to lifestyle and fashion audiences across the GCC.

On the B2B side, the agency has been retained by Trilight, a hospitality asset management company focused on protecting owner interests and maximising long-term asset value across hotels, resorts, branded residences and mixed-use developments. Part of the global Al-Bahar Group, Trilight brings decades of experience across hospitality investment, operations and development. Brazen MENA’s remit covers strategic press office activity, executive profiling and bilingual communications across English and Arabic media.

“We are trusted by the brands who lead, and these four are no exception, from a British household name with decades of heritage to one of the fastest-growing activewear brands in the world. We take their reputations as seriously as they do, and that is the partnership we are proud to build. There is a great deal more to come,” said Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner, Brazen MENA.

Brazen MENA expects to announce further client news in the coming weeks.

Contributed by

Brazen MENA

Dubai, UAE – 01/06/2026 – Hanover Communications, an international strategic communications consultancy, today announced the appointment of Samantha Gregson Donnelly as Managing Director for the Middle East.

Samantha has been with Hanover for six years and currently leads the firm’s Corporate Practice in the region. A graduate of the University of Cambridge, she brings more than 19 years’ experience across media and strategic communications, advising CEOs and senior leadership teams across the GCC on corporate reputation, crisis management, communications strategy and executive positioning.

Prior to joining Hanover, Samantha spent eight years at Sky News in London as a television producer and chief planning producer for the channel’s World News programme. During this time, she worked on major international news coverage and interviews with senior political and business leaders around the world. Samantha succeeds Jonty Summers, following a planned leadership transition, and will lead Hanover’s continued growth across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Commenting on the appointment, Charles Lewington, Interim Managing Partner, Hanover Communications, said:

“Samantha has played a central role in the growth and success of Hanover Middle East over the past six years and is exceptionally well placed to lead the business into its next phase. She brings strong client relationships, strategic counsel experience and deep regional understanding, alongside a clear commitment to our clients, people and long-term growth across the Middle East.”

Commenting on her appointment, Samantha Gregson Donnelly said:

“It is a privilege to take on the role of Managing Director for Hanover Middle East at an important moment for both the business and the wider region. Over the past six years, we have built a strong team and trusted client relationships across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, advising organisations on some of the region’s most high-profile and complex communications challenges.

“I would also like to thank Jonty for his stellar leadership, mentorship and continued support over the past six years, and I look forward to building on the strong foundations already established across the region.”

Established in the Middle East in 2017, Hanover advises leading regional and international organisations on strategic communications, reputation management, crisis communications, corporate positioning and stakeholder engagement, with offices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Contributed by

Hanover Communications

Cairo, Egypt — Global Advisors Communications participated in The American University in Cairo (AUC) Career & Internship Fair, where the team received more than 250 applications and engaged with over 500 students and graduates from various nationalities and academic backgrounds. 
 

The event highlighted the strong interest among AUC students in pursuing career opportunities in Dubai and within the strategic communications and advisory sector. Commenting on the participation, Shady Al Gohary, CEO and Head of the Advisory Board at Global Advisors Communications, said: “We are always committed to attracting ambitious and exceptional talent from across the region. The level of calibers we met at AUC reflects a promising future for the communications and advisory industry.” 

Global Advisors emphasized that the participation comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to invest in young talent and build a strong regional network of future professionals.

Contributed by

Global Advisors

Press release – Dubai, UAE, 13th May 2026: Brazen MENA, one of the region’s leading independent PR and communications agencies, has partnered with SOCIALEYEZ, an award winning digital agency, to expand its Unite initiative, increasing support from three to six independent businesses. 

Launched in March 2026, Unite is an initiative created by Brazen MENA to give something back to the independent business community through practical communications support. At a time when many businesses are navigating uncertainty and making difficult decisions, the focus is on helping them stay visible, communicate clearly and create impact. 

Following a strong response and a high volume of applications, the decision was made to extend the initiative in order to support more businesses that stood out. Brazen MENA will lead PR support for three businesses, while SOCIALEYEZ will deliver focused digital campaigns for a further three, ensuring each brand benefits from clear, targeted support aligned to its immediate needs. 

The initiative is led by Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner at Brazen MENA. It is supported by teams across Brazen MENA and SOCIALEYEZ, with Aarzoo Choglé leading PR support, alongside Heena Mak and Tarek Esper supporting digital direction and delivery. 

Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner at Brazen MENA, said: “When we launched Unite, the intention was simple. To do something practical and real for independent businesses that are often navigating real pressure without access to the right support. The response made it clear there were more businesses we could help, and limiting this to three did not feel right. Partnering with SOCIALEYEZ allows us to extend that support in a way that is considered and useful. PR and digital need to work together, and this ensures we are giving businesses support that is both relevant and effective.” 

Heena Mak, Group Head of Strategy at SOCIALEYEZ, said: “These are businesses already making a real contribution. They just do not always have the platform to match it. Digital lets us build that visibility quickly, through content that is consistent, targeted and rooted in genuine insight. Being part of Unite means we can put that expertise to work where it is genuinely needed.” 

Tarek Esper, Managing Director at SOCIALEYEZ, added: “The priority now is execution. That means clear direction, consistent output and making sure the work delivers something tangible for each brand from the outset.” THREE WINNERS SELECTED FOR PR SUPPORT BY BRAZEN MENA:

• Zahra’s Kitchen: A female-founded UAE homegrown food business with a loyal community behind it and a clear identity. The opportunity is to extend that story into the right media and build the visibility it deserves.

• OO La Lab: A Dubai Design District-based creative business offering immersive fragrance experiences. It was selected as independent businesses in the creative sector are among those feeling the pressure most, and its story deserves to be heard.

• The Waste Lab: A sustainability-led business with a credible and timely story. There is a clear opportunity to build meaningful visibility as sustainability moves from trend to business imperative.

 THREE WINNERS SELECTED FOR DIGITAL SUPPORT BY SOCIALEYEZ

• Gaia: A business that has become a genuine pillar of its community, particularly for women. The focus is on translating that real-world impact into a social presence that reflects it.

• Neurocore: Supporting children and families in a space that rarely gets the attention it warrants. Digital storytelling is the right vehicle to build awareness in a way that feels considered and human.

• Bookends: A UAE homegrown brand with a clear identity and loyal following. The opportunity is to strengthen that connection through targeted, well-crafted social content.

All six businesses will begin working with their respective teams over the coming weeks, with support tailored to deliver immediate and practical outcomes. Follow Brazen MENA and SOCIALEYEZ to stay up to date with how each brand’s work takes shape:https://www.instagram.com/brazenmena/https://www.instagram.com/socialeyez/ 

For more information on Unite, visit https://brazenmena.com/unite/

Contributed by

Brazen MENA

Dubai, [06/05/26] - Following the recent appointment of its first Managing Director, The Romans MENA has completed its new-look senior leadership team with the hire of Lauren Sanders as Head of Client Services.

Sanders will be responsible for delivering The Romans experience across its growing client portfolio. Her remit spans client leadership, talent development, and building a seamless, high-performing operational engine that enables the agency’s earned-first creativity to thrive at scale.

Arriving from Edelman, Sanders brings close to two decades of experience from some of the biggest network and indie agencies, across several territories, including the UK, France, and the UAE.

Joe Lipscombe, Partner at The Romans MENA, said, “Lauren is exactly what we need for this next phase. She understands that great work doesn’t just come from ideas, but from how you build teams, run clients, and create the conditions for creativity and excellence to thrive.

With our rapid growth comes an increased responsibility to develop an impeccable operational environment, where clients experience frictionless service day-in, day-out. In a creative, forward-thinking agency like The Romans, that backbone is even more important. In that space, Lauren is an absolute pro.”

Sanders will work closely with Managing Director Sophia Boudjemaa and Head of Strategy Kassandra Panagiotopoulos, forming a leadership team that is now 75% women-led—a reflection of the agency’s commitment to building a modern, representative leadership culture.

Lauren Sanders, Head of Client Services at The Romans MENA, added, “I’ve been watching The Romans’ rise for some time, and its exponential growth in just 18 months, alongside the announcement of multi-year partnerships, signals that the region really is ready for a new era of earned influence.

The Romans’ unapologetically bold and disruptive approach is rewriting the rulebook of what great work can and should look like. Unsurprising given their mindset is well matched to the ambition, pace, and entrepreneurialism of this region. Their energy is magnetic, and it's clear that our clients are committed to partnering in pursuit of work that genuinely shakes things up and proves there is far more to ‘PR' than many have been led to believe. I’m so excited to join the team and shape what’s next as the empire grows.”

In December, The Romans MENA was named Agency of the Year by the PRCA, MEPRA, and Campaign, following an incredible 12 months that saw the agency grow from one to 24 people, open a creative hub in Al Quoz, and run key national projects such as the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Romans has a global headcount of almost 250, with offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Berlin. The agency’s specialisms span Consumer, Corporate and Reputation, Sports, and Social. The Romans is the 2025 Cannes PR Agency of the Year.

Contributed by

The Romans

For many brands, the start of a new month passes quietly. Internal targets are reviewed, calendars are updated, and teams move into execution mode. But, the beginning of May presents a valuable opportunity, particularly for brands that want to stay visible in the media before the month becomes crowded. 

This is often one of the most effective moments to reset outreach, identify fresh opportunities, and position spokespeople for upcoming coverage. While others wait for announcements or campaigns, proactive brands use the first week of the month to get ahead of the editorial cycle. 

One of the smartest places to begin is with editorial calendar planning. Many publications work weeks and months in advance, especially business, sector-specific, and monthly titles. That means the beginning of May is an ideal time to review what media outlets are likely to be covering across the rest of the month and into June. Themes such as technology adoption, summer consumer trends, investment outlooks, hiring patterns, sustainability, travel demand, and market performance often begin to surface during this period depending on sector and region. 

By understanding what editors are already planning, brands can stop pitching reactively and start contributing strategically. This is where comment opportunities become particularly valuable. Journalists are consistently looking for timely expert insight that adds context to broader stories. A relevant quote from a credible spokesperson can often secure strong coverage without the need for a formal announcement. 

The beginning of May is also an ideal time to assess your available experts, refresh key talking points, and identify which leaders within the business can credibly comment on current market issues. Once that groundwork is in place, outreach becomes faster and more effective. 

Alongside editorial planning, brands should also be reviewing industry news closely. Every sector has ongoing developments, policy changes, funding activity, consumer behaviour shifts, mergers, seasonal demand patterns, technology launches, or market data releases. These stories create openings for smart commentary when linked to your brand’s expertise. 

For example, if retail trends are in the news, a commerce brand can speak about changing buyer behaviour. If hiring demand is rising, an HR or technology company can comment on workforce readiness. If AI adoption dominates headlines, almost every industry now has a relevant perspective to contribute. The opportunity lies in translating external news into credible internal insight. 

This proactive approach is increasingly important in a competitive media environment. Studies show that 88% of journalists report that they immediately delete pitches that do not match their specific beat or audience, reinforcing why timely, tailored outreach matters more than mass pitching. 

Editors receive constant inbound pitches, many of them generic or poorly timed. Brands that understand what is being covered, respond early, and provide useful expertise are far more likely to stand out. 

There is also a compounding effect. A quote secured in one article can lead to follow-up requests, profile features, podcast invites, or future commentary opportunities. Consistent visibility often starts with small, timely wins. There is almost always something editors are covering. There is almost always a conversation underway in your industry. And there is almost always room for a relevant expert voice. 

The brands that benefit most are often the ones that approach first, add value quickly, and stay visible through insight rather than announcements alone.

Contributed by

Sherpa Communications

Jacqui joins with nearly two decades of experience in integrated communications and agency leadership, most recently at The Romans where she was part of the leadership team that re-launched the agency in the UAE.

At Current Global, Jacqui will be responsible for leading some of the agency’s hero clients and will form part of the senior leadership team responsible for taking the agency to the next level.

Peter Jacob, Managing Director, Current Global MENAT, said:
“When we launched Current Global in the region, we set out to prove that you could combine the ambition and solidity of a network, with attitude and spirit of an independent. As we step into just our fourth year that proposition resonates in the market and we’ve gone from strength to strength.

Bringing Jacqui on board is the next important move for us. Her expertise in agency management and client leadership is exactly what we need. She has a brilliant understanding of how brands and agencies need to show up today and will help us keep raising the bar, both front and back of house. 

Jacquelyn Moulds, Director, Client Experiences, Current Global MENAT, said:

“I’m joining Current Global at a great time. They’ve already established themselves as a force in the region, carving out a unique position that allows them to flex to any type of scope and client need. Pete, Sinead and the rest of team have built a really strong culture and there’s a genuine desire to move the industry forward whilst looking after their people, and that’s really important to me.”

Over the last 12 months, Current Global MENAT has been named Agency of the Year by MEPRA, PRCA MENA, PRAXIS MENA x 2, PRWeek Global and PRCA Platinum, while delivering award-winning work for some of the region’s most visible brands like Dubai Airports, OSN, ŌURA, Global Village, Heinz, Uber, Puck, New Balance and Dubai Tourism.

Contributed by

Current Global MENAT

Dubai, [23/04/26] - Fresh off winning five Agency of the Year titles in its first full year, The Romans MENA has doubled-down on its rapid rise by appointing its first MD in the region.

Sophia Boudjemaa joins from MSL (Publicis Groupe), stepping into the newly created role, with a sharp focus on growth and expansion. Her mandate is to accelerate The Romans’ rise across the region, scaling both its client portfolio and reputation for the best earned-first work in MENA.

The announcement follows significant growth into new regional territories, with The Romans expanding its footprint across the GCC and into North Africa, as well as delivering high-impact work in South Africa, India, and parts of Asia. 

Boudjemaa previously held director roles at Zeno, Grayling, and Golin in London where she was responsible for major global brand portfolios, including Unilever and Campari. She entered the market in 2024 as MSL’s Head of Strategy and was featured in the Middle East PR Week Power Book 2025. 

The move comes less than two years after The Romans launched in Dubai, rapidly building an impressive client roster that includes Ethara, Audi, Binance, Keeta, Porsche, and other major local and global brands. 

Joe Lipscombe, Partner at The Romans MENA, said, “Our growth in MENA reflects a broader shift in the industry, away from volume-obsessed communications and towards ideas that earn their place in culture. We continue to see, now more than ever, an increasingly strong appetite for independent partners that bring originality, creativity, and cultural relevance at speed. Sophia’s appointment is a direct response to that. 

She belongs at The Romans. She is an earned-first thinker and culture driver, with an incredible amount of experience across independent and network agencies.”

Sophia Boudjemaa, MD at The Romans MENA, added:
“Globally, The Romans has always been a bit of an enigma in the PR industry. Loved by many, envied by all for consistently delivering some of the best earned-first creative work of the last decade. What Joe and the team have achieved in just 18 months is testament to the fact that there has been a Romans shaped hole in the region's comms industry. 

It’s a privilege to be joining forces with some of the best talent in the market and to be part of a team that shares the same ambition of raising the bar for PR in the region.”

In December, The Romans MENA was named Agency of the Year by the PRCA, MEPRA, and Campaign, following an incredible 12 months that saw the agency grow from one to 24 people, open a creative hub in Al Quoz, and run key national projects such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

The Romans has a global headcount of almost 250, with offices in London, New York, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Berlin. The agency’s specialisms span Consumer, Corporate and Reputation, Sports, and Social. The Romans is the 2025 Cannes PR Agency of the Year. 

Contributed by

The Romans MENA

20 April 2026 — Northbourne Advisory today released Mapping Disruption, its new analysis of the impact on events during the first seven weeks of the US–Iran conflict, finding that disruption across the Gulf’s events  sector was driven not by physical constraints, but by the gap between what the region could do and what the rest of the world believed it could do.  
  
Northbourne’s analysis – the only comprehensive picture of what is happening across the region’s events landscape tracked more than 275 events across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, demonstrating a clear pattern: postponement, not cancellation.   
  
Justin Kerr-Stevens, CEO of Northbourne Advisory, said: “What we have seen over the first seven-weeks of the conflict is a reconfiguration of the Gulf’s events economy in real time. Events are one of the earliest and most visible indicators of confidence, and what they showed was that events didn’t stop because they couldn’t happen. They stopped because insurers wouldn’t underwrite them, organisers didn’t have a shared operating picture, and international participants no longer had confidence to attend.”  
  
Events reliant on international delegates were among the first to cancel, while regionally driven events proved more resilient, highlighting the role of perception as much as reality.    
  
“We’ve seen a clear market split has emerged between events with regional and those relying on international participants. This divergence suggests that the disruption has, so far, been driven as much by external perception of regional safety as by conditions on the ground” Kerr-Stevens added.  
  
Another key finding from Northbourne’s analysis shows a significant reshaping of the Gulf events calendar, with 99 events postponed and a growing concentration of activity into the October to December period.  
  
Kerr-Stevens also commented, “The decision to postpone rather than cancel reflects underlying confidence in the region’s long-term trajectory and demonstrates how confidence has shifted through the system.  But it also creates a new challenge with an unprecedented concentration of activity into a single period, where competition for attention, participation, and visibility will be significantly higher.”  
  
Key data from Northbourne’s research, covering the period 28 February to 17 April, found:   

• 99 events postponed or rescheduled  

• 45 cancelled  

• 29 left in limbo 

• 20 events rescheduled to the Gulf autumn period (October to December)  

“This conflict has caused more event disruption in a shorter timeframe than any previous Gulf crisis except COVID, but unlike the pandemic, the underlying demand has not disappeared. It has been deferred. The question is whether recovery follows the rapid rebound pattern of 2019 or the extended trajectory of 2020 to 2022. The answer will depend in large part on signals sent from the insurance markets, airspace normalisation, and the quality of joined-up recovery communications,” said Kerr-Stevens.

Mapping Disruption provides detailed analysis of disruption patterns, system-level constraints, and recovery dynamics, alongside strategic recommendations for governments, organisers, and communications leaders.  
  
To support governments, organisers, and communications professionals navigating this environment, Northbourne Advisory continues to distribute its daily tracking dashboard, which captures the rolling events calendar and updated insights.   

To join the mailing list and keep across daily developments, sign up here: info@northbourneadvisory.com

Contributed by

Northbourne Advisory

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE – 9 April 2026: Ras Al Khaimah invites residents to take a moment to enjoy calming experiences across the Emirate with the thoughtfully curated offers of ‘RAK Moments’ campaign. From exceptional family staycation packages to memorable dining and restorative wellness, Ras Al Khaimah brings together compelling reasons to plan a getaway closer to home with ease and comfort so visitors can make every moment count. Discover and book offers at visitrasalkhaimah.com/rak-moments.

Family Moments - Kids Stay Free 

Across the Emirate, family-friendly stays span pristine beachfront resorts, relaxed island retreats and immersive desert experiences, each offering its own setting for shared moments. 
 

A Grand Family Staycation Escape at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah 

A refined beachfront family escape framed by the Arabian Gulf and Hajar Mountains, designed for quality time by the sea. 
Available: 11 March to 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 700 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Breakfast and dinner buffets at Qasr Al Bahar for every guest 
• Children up to 18 stay and dine free 
• Flexible cancellation across all room types 
• Private beach, resort activities and spacious family-friendly surroundings 

Family Staycation with Dining Included & Kids Stay Free at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island 

A no-fuss beachfront family staycation where everything is covered, making it easy to settle into quality time together. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 450 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner included 
• Children up to 18 stay and dine free 
• Beachfront setting with family-friendly facilities and activities 
• Flexible cancellation until arrival day 

‘Stay, Play, School & Work’ Package, Featuring Exclusive Bear Grylls Outdoor Explorer Camp for Kids at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island 

The package provides a supportive setting for remote work, remote schooling, and meaningful outdoor experiences that help children thrive. 
Available: April 2026 
Rates: from AED 600 per room, per night for 2 adults and 1 child 
Highlights: 
• Dedicated remote-workspaces and high-speed connectivity 
• Facilities and support for children attending remote school 
• Complimentary access to the Bear Grylls Outdoor Explorer Camp, held daily from 3–5pm 
• Free kids’ menu 
• Free Kids movie nights 
• Pets stay free 
• 50% off on spa treatments 
 

Learning in Perfect Balance Staycation at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert 

A thoughtful family stay that blends remote learning with quality time in the desert. 
Available: April 2026 
Rates: from AED 1,600 per room, per night for 2 Adults and 2 Children 
Highlights: 
• Private villa stay with remote learning set-up 
• High-speed Wi-Fi, desks and charging points 
• Complimentary Ritz Kids activities and workshops 
• Breakfast and family-friendly resort access 
 

UAE Staycation Special at Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort 

A special staycation offer for UAE residents with exclusive perks for families. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 

Rates: from AED 900 per room, per night 
Highlights 
• Daily breakfast included 
• Kids Stay & Dine for Free  
• 10% savings on additional food and beverage 
• 10% extra savings for Minor DISCOVERY members and new sign-ups 
• Flexible cancellation policy 
 

36-Hour Beach Stay for the Price of One Night at Rove Al Marjan Island 

A laid-back beach escape that gives families and weekend travellers more time to settle in, switch off and make the most of the coast. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 149 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Pay for 1 night, stay for 36 hours 
• Check-in at 9am and check-out at 9pm the following day 
• Beachfront location on Al Marjan Island 
• Easy access to the pool, waterfront and social spaces across the hotel 

All-Inclusive Moments 

Ras Al Khaimah’s all-inclusive stays and day passes make it easy to simply arrive and settle into the moment from the very start with dining and entertainment for days that drift effortlessly from pool to table.

All-Inclusive Beach Staycation at Rixos Bab Al Bahr 

A lively island retreat on Al Marjan Island with dining, beverages, entertainment and family- friendly activities all in one place. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 799 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Additional savings on stays of 2 nights or more 
• All-inclusive dining and beverages 
• 14 restaurants and bars, family-friendly activities and beachfront access 
• No blackout dates 

Ultra All-Inclusive Staycation at Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah 

An all-inclusive stay filled with sun-soaked days, slower moments and effortless comfort by the sea. 
Rates: from AED 799 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• 24-hour stay regardless of check-in time 
• Ultra all-inclusive dining and beverages 
• 20% savings on spa treatments 
• Beachfront access and resort leisure facilities 

Stay Offer at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island 

Enjoy a beachfront retreat where contemporary luxury meets serene island living, with stylish accommodation, vibrant dining and sea views. 
Available: 25 March to 30 April 2026 
Rates: 
• Friday & Saturday: AED 1,050 net for double occupancy 
• Rest of the week: AED 950 net for double occupancy 
Includes: 
• Breakfast for 2 at The Market 
• Dinner for 2 at Ula 
• Complimentary upgrade to a chalet with outdoor jacuzzi and terrace, subject to availability 

All-Inclusive Stay with Dine-Around Access at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

A beachfront escape designed entirely for two. 
Rates: from AED 1,300 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Breakfast and lunch at Saffar Restaurant 
• A La Carte Dinner with AED 120 credit per person at Levant & Nar or Saffar Restaurant 
• Unlimited soft and house beverages across selected venues 
• Access to health club, Planet Trekkers Kids’ Club and Teen Club 
• Up to 2 children under 6 stay and dine complimentary; children aged 6–12 on full price 

Half-Board Staycation with Dine-Around Offer at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

A beachfront stay that brings together relaxed island living and flexible dining, with time to drift between the beach, pool and table at your own pace. 
Available: April 2026 
Rates: Rates from AED 800 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Breakfast and dinner included 
• A La Carte Dinner with AED 120 credit per person at Levant & Nar or Saffar Restaurant 
• Access to health club with whirlpool and sauna 
• Planet Trekkers Kids’ Club access 
• Up to 2 children under 6 stay and dine complimentary; children aged 6–12 receive 50% savings 

Dining Moments 

Ras Al Khaimah dining line-up brings together weekend brunches, relaxed seaside lunches, sunset drinks and destination-led culinary experiences, offering plenty of reasons to gather around the table and enjoy the moment. Brunch au Soleil at Bar du Port RAK Set against Mina’s crystal waters, Brunch au Soleil brings together French flavours, free- flowing drinks, and BDP’s effortless signature energy. 
Timing: Saturdays, 12pm-4pm 
Pricing: Packages from AED 240 

Brunch-cation at Basilico at The Cove Rotana Resort 

A Saturday brunch that combines Mediterranean dining with pool and beach access for a more flexible, sun-filled afternoon. 
Timing: Saturdays, 1pm–4pm 
Pricing: 
• AED 210 non-alcoholic package 
• AED 290 selected alcoholic beverages package 
Includes: 
• Mediterranean dishes, live entertainment and open views 
• Pool and beach access as part of the experience 

Islander’s Brunch at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island 

A long-running Saturday brunch with live stations, entertainment and beach access. 
Timing: Saturdays, 1pm-4pm 
Pricing: 
• AED 219 soft beverages 
• AED 319 house beverages 
• AED 125 children aged 6-11 
• Under 5 complimentary 

Sanchaya Night Brunch at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island 

An Asian night brunch shaped by sushi, wok dishes and a live DJ. 
Timing: Fridays, 6pm-10:30pm 
Pricing: 
• AED 199 soft package 
• AED 249 house package 

Breakfast & Beach Day Pass at Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort 

A relaxed morning-to-afternoon experience combining breakfast at EAST with beach and pool access. 
Highlights: 
• AED 200 per adult 
• AED 150 F&B credit at Samphire 
• Children aged 6–11 receive 50% off 
• Under 5 complimentary 

All-Inclusive Family Day Out at Rixos Bab Al Bahr 

An all-in family day pass that brings together sunshine, lunch, drinks and resort access. 
Highlights: 
• AED 210 per adult 
• AED 350 per couple 
• AED 50 per child aged 6-11 
• Includes lunch, free-flowing beverages, beach and pool access, Rixy Kids Club, Teens 

Club and Exclusive Sports Club fitness classes 

• Dinner extension available for AED 100 per adult and AED 50 per child aged 6-11 

Dining at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert and Al Hamra Beach 

From desert breakfasts to evening tasting menus and afternoon tea by the sea, the Ritz- Carlton properties add more elevated dining moments to April. From slow breakfasts in the desert to afternoon tea by the sea and refined evening dining, these moments bring a more elevated rhythm to April. 
Includes: 
• Kaheela Sip, Savour & Sunrise - AED 155 per person 
• Farmhouse by Syrco Chef’s Select Menu - AED 245 per person 
• Afternoon Tea with Sea Views at Shore House - from AED 168 per person 
• Weekend Roast by the Sea - AED 168 per person 

Dining Offers at Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island 

From relaxed roasts to sunset drinks and casual midweek bites, these seaside dining moments are made for long afternoons and easy evenings. 
Includes: 
• Sunday Roast with Drink - AED 99 
• All-Day Happy Hour with drinks from AED 25 
• Unlimited Pizza & Wine on Wednesdays - AED 99 
• Pizza and a Pint - AED 79 
• Relaxed beachfront settings across RBG Bar and La Med Bistro & Bar 

Wellness Moments 

Ras Al Khaimah invites visitors to slow the pace and carve out time to relax, reset, and feel better, whether by the sea or in the stillness of the desert. Spa & Beach Day Retreat at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah A weekday reset that blends a 60-minute massage with beach and pool access. 

Available: Monday to Friday, from 23 March to 31 August 2026 
Rates: 
• AED 650 for one person 
• AED 1,200 for two 
Includes: 
• 60-minute massage 
• Private beach and pool access 
• AED 150 F&B credit per person / AED 300 combined for two 

A Calm Coastal Staycation at Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort 

A feel-good coastal escape with half-board upgrade, late check-out and spa savings. 
Valid for bookings: Until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 680 per night, subject to taxes and fees 
Highlights: 
• Complimentary upgrade to half board 
• Late check-out until 4pm, subject to availability 
• 20% off dining and 20% off spa treatments 
• Pets stay free 

36-Hour Staycation with Extended Stay Benefits at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

A beachside stay made for lingering a little longer, with more time to unwind between spa moments, slow mornings and unhurried afternoons. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 550 per room per night 
Highlights: 
• Guaranteed early check-in and late check-out 
• Complimentary upgrade to Club InterContinental Room 
• Daily breakfast included 
• 50% savings on spa treatments 
• 30% savings on dining 
• Up to 2 children under 12 will be on complimentary basis  
• Health club and kids’ club access 

A Desert Symphony of Stillness at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Al Wadi Desert 

A multi-step spa ritual designed to slow everything down in the desert. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 
Pricing: 
• AED 1,055 per person 
Includes: 
• Grounding foot ritual 
• Back massage 
• Restorative facial 
• Complimentary spa gift 

Spring Spa Reset with Hot Stone Massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Al Hamra Beach 

A restorative seaside treatment inspired by the rhythm of the coast. 
Available: Until 30 April 2026 
Pricing: 
• AED 700 per person 

Fitness Moments 

For those who feel most at home in motion, Ras Al Khaimah brings together active community events and wellness escapes that make the most of Ras Al Khaimah’s landscapes. 

Arabian Warrior Ras Al Khaimah at Mina Al Arab 

The season finale returns with a day of obstacle course racing in a scenic coastal setting. 
Date: 11 April 2026 
Highlights: 
• Season finale of Arabian Warrior 
• Hosts UAE School OCR Championship Finals 
• Hosts UAE University OCR Championship Finals 
• Includes kids race, 5km, 10km, 20km, 50km and team formats 
• Brings together athletes, families, schools and universities 

Exclusive Hotel Offers for Arabian Warrior Participants: 

The Cove Rotana Resort 
• AED 375 per room, per night (including breakfast) 
• Kids stay free (up to 2 children, 11 and younger) 

Booking: email res.cove@rotana.com or call +971 50 561 6844. When booking, mention Arabian Warrior and use this special promo rate code: CRR26 – ARW1 

The InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

Participants can avail of 20% off from the best available rates online 
Booking: email Reservations.icrak@ihg.com or call +971 7 202 6660 (and make sure to mention Arabian Warrior) 
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert AED 1,900 per night for Al Rimal Pool Villa including breakfast for a couple 
Booking: reservations.rak@ritzcarlton.com or call +971 7 206 7777 
 

Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island & Pullman Hotels & Resorts Al Marjan Island 

Rates: from AED 350, per room, per night including breakfast for double occupancy 

Meal upgrades 
• AED 90 per person for Half Board 
• AED 180 per person for Full Board 
• AED 225 per person for All Inclusive 
Booking: Use the booking code: MOVAW26 to avail on the hotel website 
 

Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort 

• AED 480 per room, per night 
• Kids up to the age of 12 go free and stay as per parent’s meal plan 
• Pet-friendly hotel 
Booking: email hb9f8-re@sofitel.com or call +971 7 209 6000 (and make sure to mention 
Arabian Warrior) 

Birthday Moments 

For those celebrating a birthday, Ras Al Khaimah sets the scene for marking the moment in style, whether through a long lunch by the sea, a private beachside escape or something a little more indulgent. 

Floating Breakfast in a Beachfront Pool Villa at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

A celebratory start to the day served directly to a private pool villa. 
Pricing: 
• AED 350 for two 
• Optional Laurent-Perrier add-on for AED 350 
Includes: 
• Breakfast favourites, hot beverages and juices 
• Dedicated kids’ menu on request 

Private Beachfront Villa Daycation at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach 

A more exclusive way to celebrate, with a private pool, direct beach access and the freedom to settle into the day at your own pace. 
Pricing: from AED 1,300 
Includes: 
• 10am–6pm access to beachfront villa 
• Private pool and direct beach access 
• 20% off dining and 25% off spa treatments 

Afternoon Tea with Sea Views at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach 

A more elegant way to mark the occasion by the Arabian Gulf. 
Pricing: from AED 168 per person 

Cabana Escape at Rixos Bab Al Bahr 

A private beach cabana experience for couples or small celebrations. 
Pricing: AED 449 per couple 
Includes: 
• Dedicated beach cabana 
• Three-course menu from L’Olivo 
• All-inclusive beverages 
• Private waiter throughout the day 

Island Day Pass at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

A full day of island leisure with pool, beach and health club access. 
Timing: Daily, 8am to sunset 
Pricing: 
• Weekdays: AED 150 per adult with AED 100 redeemable 
• Weekends: AED 250 per adult with AED 150 redeemable 
• Public Holidays: AED 300 per adult with AED 150 redeemable 
• Children aged 5–12 enjoy 50% savings 

Anniversary Moments 

Take a moment to reconnect across Ras Al Khaimah’s beaches, islands and desert landscapes that provide the perfect romantic setting for marking the moment. 

Romantic All-Inclusive Escape for Two at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa 

An all-inclusive stay designed for slower days by the sea, shared meals and uninterrupted moments together. 
Rates: from AED 1,000 per room, per night 
Available: Until 30 May 2026 
Highlights: 
• All-day dining at Saffar Restaurant 
• Unlimited soft and house beverages across selected venues 
• Club InterContinental access with adults-only pool 
• 50% off spa treatments and 20% savings on dining 
• Access to beach, infinity pool, health club and tennis court 

A Desert Renewal Journey at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert 

A quieter anniversary setting shaped by stillness, nature and private villa comfort. 
Book by: 13 April for stays until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 1,400 per room, per night 
Includes: 
• 20% savings on Bed & Breakfast rate 
• Daily breakfast and dinner for two at Kaheela 
• Desert setting ideal for reconnecting and recharging 

Sunset Beach Lounge Escape at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah 

An adults-only golden-hour escape designed for sharing. 
Available: 23 March to 31 August 2026 
Pricing: 
• AED 200 for two adults 
Includes: 
• AED 200 combined F&B credit 
• Resort facilities access 
• Elegant beachfront sunset setting 

Pet-friendly Moments 

For travellers who never leave home without their four-legged companion, Ras Al Khaimah’s 
pet-friendly stays offer another way to enjoy the season together. 

A Calm Coastal Staycation at Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort 
A pet-friendly seaside break where nobody gets left behind. 
Valid for bookings: Until 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 680 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Pets stay complimentary 
• Half-board upgrade 
• Late check-out and added dining and spa savings 

Pawsome Staycation at Al Hamra Residence and Al Hamra Village Hotel 

A relaxed break by the sea where beach days, fresh air and time away are shared with every member of the family. 
Valid until: 30 April 2026 
Rates: from AED 195 per room, per night 
Highlights: 
• Pet stays free 
• Book directly via phone or email 
• Pet-friendly staycation across Al Hamra Residence and Al Hamra Village Hotel 
• Designed for guests travelling with their loyal companion

Explore here

RAK Moments - Your Effortless Staycation - Visit Ras Al Khaimah

Singapore, 15 April 2026 – Sandpiper, the reputation and policy management consultancy group, today launches Sandpiper Vantage – a new AI-powered solution operating in real-time that offers significant efficiencies and increased speed over existing industry models.

Its launch follows the publication of Sandpiper’s ‘Turbulent Times’ research at the end of 2025 which found that 62% of global Executives expected their firms’ revenues to be negatively impacted in 2026 owing to geopolitical factors. This trend has since been amplified by the rapidly evolving conflict in the Middle East.

With rising geopolitical dynamics generating fast-moving policy, regulatory, and market signals, Sandpiper Vantage enables organisations to monitor developments across jurisdictions, languages, and stakeholder networks, helping teams cut through fragmented information flows and focus on the issues most likely to affect them.

With Sandpiper Vantage, organisations can:

· Surface emerging issues and developments likely to affect operations, markets or investment decisions before they become formal policy.

· Generate insights on policy and stakeholder sentiment evolution, rather than simply tracking announcements when they appear.

· Equip internal teams with structured analysis, enabling them to engage policymakers and stakeholders with stronger evidence and foresight.

Kelly Johnston, COO of Sandpiper, said: “In an era of rapid geopolitical realignment, organisations can no longer afford to be reactive and speed matters. With Sandpiper Vantage we have developed a transformational product using AI to disrupt the traditional market for policy analysis and advice. Sandpiper Vantage enables organizations to navigate complex policy and regulatory environments locally and globally. Its customisable intelligence engine is designed to give leadership and their teams the foresight they need to influence policy in real time to protect their reputation and operations.”

To find out more information or to request a demonstration, please contact Sandpiper’s public affairs team at: publicaffairs@sandpipercomms.com.

Contributed by

Sandpiper Communications

Dubai, UAE – April 14^th 2026: Gambit Communications has announced the appointment of Bassel Barakat as Senior Director, in a strategic role overseeing flagship clients in the independent agency’s burgeoning portfolio.

Bassel brings 12 years of experience to his new role, covering senior positions on both agency and brand side, and in-depth knowledge of the wider GCC region. He has built and led communications strategies spanning brand reputation across B2G, B2B and B2C, with a specific focus on Saudi Arabia.

In his most recent role, he led external comms at Deloitte Middle East, working closely with an extensive network of external and internal stakeholders, handling integrated campaigns, thought leadership, crisis management and more. Prior to that, he held several senior roles at global and regional communications agencies, where he served clients such as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ferrari, Saudi Esports Federation, Saudi Football Federation, Saudi Ministry of Sports, Coca-Cola, Marriott International and Honeywell.

Jamal Almawed, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Gambit Communications, said: “Bassel’s career trajectory speaks for itself. His work has been recognized by industry bodies and titles like MEPRA, SABRE Awards and Campaign Middle East, making him the right person to take on this strategic role. We’re excited to have his expertise in our team, as we continue to grow in our ‘Gambit 3.0’ phase of expansion.”

The appointment adds to a period of continued momentum for Gambit Communications, following the launch of its four branded divisions: Gambit Pulse, Gambit Sage, Gambit Atelier, and Gambit FWD, and a growing roster of regional and multinational clients.

The independent agency picked up 40 major awards during 2025, being named Global Consultancy of the Year at the ICCO Global Awards, Very Large Consultancy of the Year & Very Large Independent Consultancy of the Year at the PRCA MENA Awards 2025, and Independent PR Agency of the Year & Best Agency in UAE at the Campaign Middle East Agency of the Year Awards 2025.

Contributed by

Gambit Communications

The campaign was strategically managed end-to-end to combat misinformation and highlight its negative impact during a period of heightened regional tensions in the Middle East. It featured two awareness videos produced in multiple languages, including Arabic, English, French, and Urdu, aimed at encouraging the public to verify information and rely on official sources.

Since its launch on March 3, 2026, the campaign has demonstrated exceptional digital performance, with its hashtags “Safeguard Our Skies” and “Stop It With You” trending on X and content widely disseminated across all major social media platforms.

A total of approximately 191.6 million potential impressions and 2.8 million views and engagements were achieved by the campaign, amplified by support from dozens of prominent influencers.

Extensive media coverage was also secured, including news agencies, websites, newspapers, television channels, and government entities, totaling over 212 media coverages from 120 sources, 92% of which originated from Tier 1 outlets, with an overwhelmingly positive sentiment of 98%.

Beyond the UAE, the campaign’s impact extended and resonated strongly in countries including Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt, and was delivered in four languages to maximize reach and accessibility.

This campaign highlights Global Advisors’ ability to execute large-scale, high-impact campaigns that combine compelling digital storytelling, strong media engagement, and strategic implementation, enhancing public awareness and promoting responsible information sharing in complex media environments, while reinforcing trust and credibility in regional public discourse.

Contributed by

Global Advisors Communications

Dubai, 31 March 2026: Brazen MENA, one of the region’s leading independent PR and communications agencies, has launched UNITE, a new, purpose driven initiative designed to support independent businesses in the UAE with practical communications advice and action. 

At a time when many businesses are navigating uncertainty and making difficult decisions, the impact is being felt most by independent businesses. 

“As an independent business that has been here for 11 years, we understand the pressure. We  believe in coming together, and we want to help others by offering our expertise. UNITE is our way of doing something practical and real to support the independent business community here, which we’re proud to be part of.” said Louise Jacobson, Managing Partner, Brazen MENA. 

UNITE has been created to give something back, by offering practical support that can help businesses stay visible, communicate clearly, and create impact. 

The initiative focuses on three areas: 

PR and communications support 

Three independent businesses will receive a complimentary PR campaign, designed to help them build visibility, strengthen credibility, and reach the right audiences.

Leadership sessions 

Three independent business leaders will take part in a one-to-one coaching session with Louise Jacobson. Each session is shaped around what matters to them most, from navigating challenges and making decisions, to how they communicate their business. 

With 25 years of communications experience and 11 years running a business in the region, Louise brings a practical, real-world perspective on what it takes to steady and grow a business in this market. 

A practical PR guide 

Brazen MENA has also released a free, downloadable guide designed for businesses managing their own PR and communications, focusing on what to say and how to stay visible. 

How to get involved: 

Independent businesses can apply by sending a short email to unite@brazenmena.com outlining: 

• A bit about your business

• Your story

• Where you need help 
   

More information can be found at: brazenmena.com/unite 

Brazen MENA, founded in 2015 by Louise Jacobson and recognised as one of PRovoke Media’s 100 Best PR agencies globally and PRCA MENA Large Independent Agency of the Year, is using its experience to offer something back to the business community it is part of.

Contributed by

Brazen MENA

Thursday 26 th March 2026: North Seventy Five, the integrated communications agency launched late last year, today announces the introduction of The Edit, a dedicated offering for communication training designed to help brands, organisations and individuals communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence, especially in an era of unprecedented change.

Across the Middle East and beyond, organisations are facing a perfect storm of complexity: accelerated digital transformation, rapidly shifting stakeholder expectations, geopolitical uncertainty, and an always-on media environment. These forces have created an urgent need for sharper communication capability inside organisations from the C-suite to everyday communicators. 

Built around real client needs, The Edit provides bespoke training experiences aligned to organisational priorities, capability gaps, and culture. The offering includes: Talent & Capabilities Development through elevating capability across communications, strategy, creativity, leadership, reputation, and digital confidence; Facilitation and Workshops with high-impact, interactive sessions designed to unlock clarity, alignment, and momentum; Customised Programmes for bespoke learning journeys built around organisational goals, culture, and future needs; and Executive Coaching to help individuals & corporates embed new behaviours and sustain momentum beyond the everyday. This tiered approach ensures that leaders, spokespeople, and teams at every level build the skills and behaviours required to communicate with precision, empathy, and strategic intent. 

Lisa Welsh, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at North Seventy Five, said: “Leaders increasingly recognise that effective communication is now a core business competency, not a soft skill. Executives need to articulate vision through ambiguity, respond to public scrutiny, navigate disruptive technologies, and build trust with employees, regulators, and customers. Meanwhile, communication and marketing teams require stronger storytelling skills, greater digital fluency, and the confidence to operate in fastmoving, highstakes environments.” 

“Against this backdrop, internal communications functions are under more pressure than ever expected to be strategic, creative, and operationally excellent, often without the specialist training or tools to keep pace. The Edit directly addresses these gaps,” added Iman Issa, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at North Seventy Five. 

The Edit is built for organisations across sectors who face increasing pressure to communicate better and faster. This includes Csuite leaders and spokespeople; corporate affairs and communications professionals; functional leaders across HR, finance, operations and technology; highgrowth companies and government entities; and teams across digital, marketing, public affairs, and brand. 

North Seventy Five is part of the European communications network Paritee, alongside its agencies: Brands2Life (UK/US), Truth Consulting (UK/global), Fenton Fitzwilliam (Ireland/Brussels), Geelmuyden Kiese (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), LHLK Gruppe (Germany) and RPP Group (Brussels, France, Spain, Italy) and One Strategy Group (US). 

The group now operates across nearly 20 offices in 12 markets serving transformative industries including technology and AI, energy and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, and financial services.

Contributed by

North Seventy Five

23 March, Dubai: Shakespeare Communications, now one of Dubai’s fastest growing small agencies, has been appointed by Ateliier De Soul, the Dubai-based bespoke tailoring house and contemporary menswear hub - founded by serial “purpose-preneur” and conscious business leader, Biivesh Vamadev - as the brand looks to raise its profile and share its distinctive approach to modern men’s style with a wider audience.

Rooted in craftsmanship and modern refinement, Ateliier De Soul specialises in personalised suits, tuxedos and statement tailoring, creating thoughtful made-to-measure and bespoke garments designed entirely around the individual.

More than a traditional tailoring boutique, the brand has positioned itself as a fashion-forward destination for men seeking elevated style, bringing global fashion influences into the bespoke space through contemporary cuts, distinctive detailing and red-carpet-inspired silhouettes.

Biivesh Vamadev, Founder and Managing Director of Ateliier De Soul, said: “Ateliier De Soul was built on the belief that tailoring should feel personal, refined and expressive. We wanted to create a space where men could explore style in a more elevated way, with garments that are not only made to fit, but made to reflect who they are. As the brand continues to grow, we are pleased to be partnering with Shakespeare Communications to help us articulate that vision and build greater visibility for Ateliier De Soul in the market.”

And what makes Ateliier De Soul stand out? Every garment is developed through a private consultation process, with fabric, structure, styling and finishing touches curated collaboratively. Whether a client is seeking timeless elegance, a wedding tuxedo or a more directional statement piece, each design is created with precision and intention.

And alongside boutique fittings in Oud Metha, Ateliier De Soul’s key service includes private home and office consultations across Dubai, delivering a discreet and highly personalised experience.

Through this new partnership, Shakespeare Communications will support Ateliier De Soul with strategic communications, brand storytelling and profile-building activity designed to strengthen awareness of the business, its founder and fresh perspectives on contemporary tailoring and style.

Ananda Shakespeare, Founder and CEO of Shakespeare Communications, said: “Ateliier De Soul is a brand with a very clear identity. There is real craft at the heart of it, but also a strong sense of style, individuality and modern luxury. It goes beyond traditional tailoring and speaks to a client who wants something more personal, more distinctive and more expressive. We are delighted to be working with Biivesh and the team, and look forward to helping tell that story more widely.”

The appointment further strengthens Shakespeare Communications’ growing portfolio of lifestyle, luxury and founder-led brands in the UAE, while marking an important step forward for Ateliier De Soul as it continues to develop its presence in Dubai’s evolving luxury menswear space.

For more information, please visit ateliierdesoul.com

Contributed by

Shakespeare Communications

10 March, Dubai: Strategic communications consultancy Shakespeare Communications welcomes CompassPoint Consulting as its latest new client, supporting the innovative fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) advisory business in its international communications and thought leadership strategy.

Headquartered in Dubai with operations spanning the UK and GCC, CompassPoint Consulting is a boutique financial, operational, and talent advisory firm specialising in fractional CFO services, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and operational transformation for scaling businesses.

The firm works with founders and executives to bring greater clarity, structure, and financial insight to growth-stage companies navigating complex markets, with deep expertise across a variety of service company sectors.

Founded by seasoned finance leaders Zaid Aboobaker and Zain ul Abideen, CompassPoint Consulting combines deep corporate experience with an agile advisory model designed to help businesses scale sustainably while maintaining financial discipline.

As Zaid puts it: “We are CFOs who can improve your profitability, look at your numbers and not tell you what happened but look ahead and find ways to help you grow. Our unwavering mission is to support companies that have outgrown basic accounting but aren’t quite ready for a full-time CFO.

“CompassPoint was founded to connect the dots between finance, data and strategy using the latest technology. We improve your cash flow, and ensure everything is paid on time through careful planning.”

Through the new partnership, Shakespeare Communications will support the company, launched in 2025, with strategic media engagement, executive positioning, and thought leadership across international business and financial media.

Ananda Shakespeare, Founder and CEO of Shakespeare Communications, said: “CompassPoint represents exactly the kind of high-calibre, intellectually serious business we love working with.

“Zaid, Zain and their team bring a rare blend of strategic finance expertise and real operational experience, helping founders and leadership teams move from ambition to execution.

“As the UAE continues to attract global entrepreneurs and scale-ups, the need for clear financial leadership and disciplined growth has never been greater. We are delighted to help tell CompassPoint’s story and position the firm as a trusted voice in the evolving global conversation around business growth and financial strategy.”

Zaid Aboobaker, Co-Founder and CEO of CompassPoint Consulting, added: “Compass Point Consulting was founded on a simple belief - that businesses don’t fail because they lack vision, but because they lack the financial structure and operational clarity needed to sustain growth.

“As we expand across the GCC, it’s important that our expertise and experience reach a wider audience of founders and decision-makers. Shakespeare Communications stood out to us for its strategic thinking, media relationships, and ability to translate complex business ideas into clear, compelling narratives. We are excited to work together as we continue building a firm that helps businesses grow with discipline, and the rare ability to look at their financial futures with technology-backed confidence.”

CompassPoint Consulting has quickly gained momentum in the market, offering companies access to experienced financial and operational leadership on a fractional basis – a model increasingly adopted by scale-ups seeking senior expertise without the overhead of full-time executive hires.

The collaboration will focus on raising CompassPoint’s profile internationally through media commentary, contributed articles, and executive interviews exploring topics such as strategic finance, scaling businesses in the GCC, and the rise of fractional leadership models.

CompassPoint Consulting is proud to be backed by James Caan CBE, renowned entrepreneur, investor, and former star of BBC’s Dragons’ Den, along with his private equity firm, Hamilton Bradshaw.

With a distinguished track record of building and scaling high-growth businesses, their backing brings CompassPoint strategic firepower, deep sector knowledge, and access to a powerful global network. This partnership strengthens its mission to deliver transformative growth solutions with boldness, experience, and integrity.

Contributed by

Shakespeare Communications

Dubai, UAE, 26 Feb 2026: - Golin MENA has been appointed as the public relations agency for World Art Dubai 2026 for the second year, adding one of the region’s most prominent cultural platforms to its growing portfolio of arts and lifestyle clients. 

Under the mandate, Golin MENA will lead strategic communications and media engagement for the 12th edition of the contemporary retail art fair, amplifying its role in supporting regional and international artists while driving broader audience visibility across the UAE and the Middle East. 

World Art Dubai has become a key fixture on the region’s cultural calendar, bringing together galleries, independent artists and collectors, and making art more accessible to diverse audiences. 

Stephen Worsley, Regional Managing Director at Golin MENA, said: “World Art Dubai is a platform that genuinely champions creativity and accessibility in the region. We’re excited to partner with a brand that not only supports emerging and established artists, but also plays a meaningful role in shaping the UAE’s cultural landscape. Our focus will be on building compelling narratives around the fair and ensuring it continues to grow its impact and visibility ahead of 2026.” 

The win further reinforces Golin MENA’s expertise in culture-led communications and its continued expansion across lifestyle and destination accounts.

Contributed by

Golin MENA

February 2026, UAE – StickyGinger has kicked off 2026 with a series of significant retained and project account wins across PR and Social Media, including new and expanded partnerships with Marks & Spencer Middle East, Watsons GCC, and BRED Abu Dhabi.

Leading the momentum is a flagship integrated win with Marks & Spencer Middle East. Following the successful delivery of PR support across the region in 2025, StickyGinger has now been appointed as the brand’s retained Social Media agency for the GCC. The expanded remit marks a significant evolution of the partnership and reinforces StickyGinger’s position as a fully integrated agency delivering connected, channel-agnostic brand storytelling.

“Our partnership with M&S is built on mutual trust and a shared ambition for excellence – growing its presence in the Middle East in a way that truly resonates with the people here while staying true to the iconic brand identity,” says Shay Thomas, PR Account Director. “Our expanded role is a testament to the brilliant, collaborative work of both teams. It’s a privilege to now shape their social narrative in the region, ensuring its seamlessly connected to every other part of their story.”

Adding to the Al-Futtaim Group portfolio, StickyGinger has also been appointed as the social media partner for Watsons GCC following a rigorous pitch process. The beauty and skincare retailer will now work with StickyGinger to elevate its digital presence, supported by the agency's newly appointed Social Media Account Director, Lucy Swales. Swales brings a wealth of experience in social media strategy, data interpretation, insights, and social storytelling, along with a keen understanding of how to create impact and build engaged online communities in an ever-shifting digital landscape.

Further strengthening its position in entertainment and culture, StickyGinger has also been tapped to handle PR for the fourth edition of BRED Abu Dhabi. With a proven track record of executing some of the region's most talked about campaigns and events over the past decade, the agency will manage all communications for this April's neo-culture event in the capital, from influencer partnerships to media activities and announcements.

“These wins reflect the growth of our PR, Social and Creative divisions and, more importantly, how seamlessly they now operate together,” says Kiera Purdue, Managing Partner. “Brands are increasingly looking for integrated partners who can think long-term, move fluidly across channels and deliver world-class work without silos. That is exactly how StickyGinger is built, and we’re proud to be trusted by iconic brands to help shape their next chapter.”

The new appointments join an already strong client roster and signal StickyGinger’s most ambitious year to date, as the agency continues to scale its integrated offering and deliver work that drives relevance, impact and lasting brand value.

Contributed by

StickyGinger

Dubai, UAE, 19 February 2026: Retro 9, the specialist automotive brand dedicated to the meticulous restoration and refinement of premium segment cars, has appointed Current Global MENAT as its PR partner across the GCC. 

Current Global MENAT will lead Retro 9’s external communications, delivering an earned-first strategy rooted in storytelling, craftsmanship and cultural relevance. The partnership will spotlight Retro 9’s rare approach to the restoration of iconic classic cars, its uncompromising standards of quality, and its deliberately limited output across key regional markets. 

Working with an extremely selective roster of classic models, Retro 9 operates as a modern-era automotive house grounded in heritage. Every vehicle undergoes an 
intensive, detail-driven process designed to honour the original engineering, while subtly enhancing performance, finish and drivability to meet modern luxury expectations. Retro 9 speaks to a discreet global audience of collectors and enthusiasts who value authenticity over scale, and rarity over replication. Each vehicle is not simply restored but carefully reimagined as a timeless statement of heritage. 

Peter Jacob, Managing Director, Current Global MENAT, said: “Retro 9 is built on a genuine love for classic cars and a deep respect for the craft behind them. Every 
restoration is approached with patience, precision and pride, balancing automotive history with modern craftsmanship. 

What stands out just as much is a team that understands the value of storytelling and the role PR can play in building long-term brand equity, not just short-term visibility. We’re excited to partner with a passionate local business that sees communications as an integral part of its growth journey and to help bring its story to the region’s discerning collectors and automotive purists.” 

Danial Mausoof, Founder of Retro 9, said: “Retro 9 was conceived as an automotive house, not a traditional restoration business. As we move the brand to the next phase, Current Global will play a key role in helping us tell that story thoughtfully, with the depth and restraint it deserves.” 

In the last 12 months Current Global MENAT has scooped Agency of the Year wins across five separate awards including PRWeek Global, PRCA MENA, PRCA Platinum, MEPRA and PARXIS, as well as 40+ campaign awards including Best Middle East Campaign at both the PRWeek Global and EMEA SABRE awards, for the 
second year running.

Contributed by

Current Global MENAT

Artificial intelligence is moving too fast in marketing communications. Many agencies are already relying on it in some form. And while the industry is busy keeping up, the critical impact of the evolution is still unfolding. 

In post-AI communications, briefs, brainstorms, drafts, last-minute posts and rewrites all run through the tools. In a short time, AI has moved beyond execution and into the early stages of creative thinking, influencing how ideas take shape. 

This remarkable shift raises important questions on the role of AI in the creative process. Where should AI be involved and how? Where does human judgment need to lead? This matters because when content is developed at this speed, creative choices become a responsibility; and good judgement makes all the difference. 

Where Creativity Changed (and Where it Didn’t) 
Creativity itself hasn’t changed. But almost everything around it has. Creative work now begins before teams even sit down to brainstorm. A media strategist, creative 
director and content writer now arrive with options already in view, each with deeper insights in their own area. Their drafts, sketches, and narrative contexts are explored, half-generated, or already refined. As a result, the human role has moved towards decision making. 

AI has changed the rhythm of the work. While ideas move faster and put more pressure on intent and direction, time is also freed from routine tasks, allowing more focus on creative substance. A content creator now spends less time hunting for ideas, and more focusing on the message itself and how it lands. Teams can use this extra space to sharpen their creative identity informed by context and cultural understanding. 

Culture in Focus 
Ask AI to draft a social post for Ramadan. The first version may look appropriate and well-designed but still feels broad. The language could be too formal where a more familial tone in expected; the visuals may lean colder than they should; the team lets it pass; The post goes live, but never quite connects; and audiences sense the distance. Why? Because it lacks a sharp cultural instinct; it is generic. 

In the absence of clear direction, cultural authenticity is at risk. Algorithms can produce very well-written drafts in seconds, but they can just as easily slide into generalizations or narrative rhythms that feel out of place. The output looks fine on the surface. Look closer, and the gaps will begin to show. 

What has become obvious is that cultural expectations need to be clear at all times to ensure the message and human intent are whole and meaningful. This brings the agency’s creative thought and connection to culture into the spotlight. It also raises a question: how ready is the agency to work in a way where clear human cultural judgment guides AI? 

ThinkMate: A Digital-First Agency Model 
Embracing AI is not about having the “best” tools. It is about finding the most effective human-AI collaboration model for the agency. This led Hewar to develop ThinkMate, our in-house digital transformation strategy. 

Built around the needs of our teams, ThinkMate addresses challenges at the level of all departments through a bottom-up approach. When the strategy was launched in 2025, delegates from each department represented their teams in workshops and identified where friction existed in daily workflows and where AI could meaningfully support the operations. Used cases were developed, and several tools were conceptualized and assessed by each department to identify priority solutions for implementation. 

On the Creative Team level, the power of Generative AI is invaluable for enriching brainstorming sessions and supporting the early stages of artistic production. ThinkMate introduced a framework that enables faster exploration while preserving a space for original thinking. This has led Hewar to strengthen its cultural core as a people-centered Integrated Marketing Communications agency, while leveraging AI to expand - rather than define - creativity. 

Amplifying Human Creativity 
Even as daily work has become more automated, the human role is back at the center of the conversation. Knowing how to work with AI tools is now minimum expectation. What sets strong creative talent apart is their ability to question the work and assess whether the deliverable fits the cultural context and intent. 
AI-human collaboration frameworks can help bridge this gap. It can merge AI’s fluency in data processing with the social and emotional depth that people bring. When this is done, the content we create stays true to the agency’s identity. 

Beyond its impact on improving content creation, this collaboration creates a cycle of continued learning. As communicators are empowered with more options and deeper research capabilities, they gain broader perspectives. That can push their creative point of view beyond the limits that had previously existed. 

Takeaway 
Good marketing communication has always depended on judgment. The strongest creative ideas come from people who live in culture, who have clear perspective and purpose. And while we are embracing AI as part of the creative ecosystem, the ultimate goal is to boost human creativity, not dominate it. 

And so, between us and AI, the future of marketing communications belongs to creatives and professionals whose skills are sharpened by machines that provide faster access to wider knowledge. This can be seen through agency-led approaches, such as ThinkMate, where teams experiment and adapt tools to their ways of working and build capability over time. This way, even as creation speeds up, the work stays connected to what matters most: meaning and culture.

Contributed by

Hewar Group

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 11 February 2026– Edelman today announced the launch of the  Arab Youth Outlook 2026. This report offers a comprehensive look at the mindset of young people aged 18–30 across the Arab world, revealing a generation defined by resilience, drive and an unshaken belief in their ability to shape a better future. 

This is the first dedicated piece of research from Edelman’s newly formed Gen Z Lab in the Middle East built through a collaboration between Edelman and Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI). The study surveyed more than 4,000 young people across 10 Arab countries, representing roughly 70% of the Arab world’s population and 85% of its combined GDP. It highlights a generation that is learning, adapting and moving forward with confidence, even as they navigate shifting social norms, rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and broader economic pressures. 

In a World of Pressure, Technology Gives Arab Youth Agency 

The findings underline the structural pressures shaping the day-to-day reality of young  people across the region. Health and wellbeing, financial situation and job security are their top concerns. Yet Arab youth feel most in control where they can act, through learning, adapting and defining who they are. Technology stands out as a major source of empowerment, with nearly two-thirds (68%) saying they feel equipped to adapt to emerging technology, and many seeing it as a catalyst for learning, growth, and wellbeing. While health ranks as their second main concern, 62% say they find it easy to take care of themselves. Alongside this, optimism remains strikingly high. Three in four (75%) Arab youth say they are optimistic about their future, and 83% want to be included in the decisions that shape it – signalling a generation whose confidence is matched by a desire for participation. 

Institutional Support Makes the Difference 

Institutional support emerges as a critical factor shaping that optimism. Young people are clear about what they need most from institutions, which includes job opportunities, financial stability and support for their mental and physical wellbeing. More than three quarters (83%) say it is difficult for young people to plan for the future without stability, underscoring the importance of long-term frameworks that enable progress. Crucially, optimism rises sharply among youth who feel institutions are supportive and understand their needs. 

Optimism Persists, Despite Mounting Economic and Social Pressures 

The research also shows that optimism exists alongside very real economic and social pressures. While only around half of Arab youth say they find it easy to cover daily living expenses (54%) and feel prepared to face a major financial challenge (55%), confidence is far from universal. This reveals a divide beneath the surface, where financial security feels uneven across the generation. Social pressures persist as well, with eight in ten (81%) saying they have felt excluded or judged at least once, and 77% saying they hide parts of themselves to avoid judgement. Nidaa Lone, Head of Abu Dhabi, Edelman Middle East, said: "This research shows a generation that is not waiting for the future to happen to them, they are actively shaping it. Arab youth are both determined and optimistic, but they are also clear about the support they need to turn that optimism into progress. This is a pivotal moment for institutions to step forward as partners, not just observers, and work with young people in the ways they desire to build the conditions for long-term stability and opportunity." The full Arab Youth Outlook 2026 report explores these findings in greater depth, offering organisations a clearer understanding of the priorities, pressures and potential of Arab youth, and the opportunities to better support their future. This report coincides with the official launch of Edelman's Gen Z Lab in the Middle East, a dedicated regional platform helping brands, governments, and institutions understand and engage the next generation through data-driven insights and culturally grounded strategies. Through advisory services, focus groups, idea vetting, creative campaign development and more, the Gen Z Lab in the Middle East is part of Edelman’s broader, 500+ Gen Z cohort around the world.

Contributed by

Edelman 

Dubai, UAE – February 12^th 2026: Gambit Communications has been appointed Red Bull’s PR representative in the Middle East region. The account was won by Gambit Pulse, the agency’s trends division that focuses on momentum, disruption and high-impact storytelling.

Founder & CEO of Gambit Communications, Jamal Almawed, said: “I can’t think of any brand in the world that pushes the limits of human endeavor the way Red Bull does. In the past couple of months alone we’ve had the chance to support their PR efforts in the world’s biggest game of Tetris (done with Drones and the Dubai Frame!), the UAE’s first interactive LED basketball court, a ‘creators vs DJs’ football match, and a historic athlete moment where an NBA shooting coach landed a three-pointer from a helicopter into a hoop on Atlantis The Palm. It’s a privilege to tell these stories, and there is a lot more to come!”

The independent agency picked up 40 major awards during 2025, being named Global Consultancy of the Year at the ICCO Global Awards, Very Large Consultancy of the Year & Very Large Independent Consultancy of the Year at the PRCA MENA Awards 2025, and Independent PR Agency of the Year & Best Agency in UAE at the Campaign Middle East Agency of the Year Awards 2025.

Contributed by

Gambit Communications

Following its recent recognition as MEPRA Medium Agency of the Year, Current Global MENAT continues to scale with purpose, with three new team members joining in January.

Binoy John joins as the agency’s first in-house photographer and videographer, appointed in response to increasing client demand for reliable, responsive and live visual content.

Sarah Al Barazi joins as Associate Manager, bringing experience from Burson where she worked across clients including TECOM and Ford.

Eshika Kewlani joins the team as an intern, having recently graduated from the University of Southampton.

The new hires join Current Global on the back of its most successful ever year, scooping over 40 awards including Agency of the Year at the PRAXIS MENA, PRWeek Global, MEPRA, PRCA MENA and PRCA Platinum Awards.

 Contributed by

Current Global MENAT

Dubai, UAE – February 9^th 2026: Gambit Communications has been appointed the PR agency for ASICS Middle East, following a competitive multi-agency tender. The win sees the Dubai-born independent communications agency take on the brand’s regional communications remit, supporting ASICS’ continued growth and its long-term commitment to advancing running culture and holistic wellbeing across the Middle East, while also supporting and streamlining communications across key categories including tennis, padel and sportstyle.

The account will be led through Gambit Pulse, the agency’s trends division that is focused on momentum, relevance and high-impact storytelling. Under the appointment, Gambit will oversee strategic communications, media relations and brand campaigns, amplifying ASICS’ founding philosophy of “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body” and strengthening the brand’s connection with both performance-driven athletes and everyday runners.

Nikola Djordjevic, Deputy GM Marketing, ASICS Middle East, said: “At ASICS, we believe in the transformative power of movement to uplift both body and mind. Gambit demonstrated a strong understanding of our philosophy and the regional landscape, along with a clear vision for how we can continue to grow our voice across the Middle East. Together, we aim to inspire runners across the region to move with purpose, connect through community, and experience the joy of running at its best.”

Founder & CEO of Gambit Communications, Jamal Almawed, said: “ASICS is a brand with an incredibly strong purpose and a deep-rooted philosophy that really resonates with us. Our sports PR portfolio has been steadily growing, and we are so excited to tell ASICS’ stories in the region.”

The partnership also aligns with ASICS’ growing involvement in major regional running moments, including milestone events such as the 25^th edition of the Dubai Marathon, reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s premier running destinations.

The appointment adds to a period of continued momentum for Gambit Communications, following the launch of its four branded divisions: Gambit Pulse, Gambit Sage, Gambit Atelier, and Gambit FWD, and a growing roster of regional and multinational clients.

The independent agency picked up 40 major awards during 2025, being named Global Consultancy of the Year at the ICCO Global Awards, Very Large Consultancy of the Year & Very Large Independent Consultancy of the Year at the PRCA MENA Awards 2025, and Independent PR Agency of the Year & Best Agency in UAE at the Campaign Middle East Agency of the Year Awards 2025.

Contributed by

Gambit Communications

04 February 2026, Dubai-UAE: HAVAS Red Middle East today announced that its CEO, Dana Tahir, has been named Jury President for PR Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, marking a historic first as the first Arab woman from the MENA region to serve as Jury President in the festival’s history.Dana’s appointment reflects the growing influence of perspectives shaped in the Middle East on the global creative and communications landscape. It signals the increasing presence of voices from the region at the highest levels of industry leadership, and the role MENA continues to play in shaping conversations around creativity, culture, and reputation worldwide.

Commenting on the announcement, Dana Tahir said, “This is a meaningful moment, both personally and for the wider industry. It’s encouraging to see perspectives shaped in the MENA region increasingly contributing to global conversations around creativity, culture, and impact. The region has long been rich in talent and ideas, and it’s rewarding to see that reflected on an international stage. I look forward to working with an exceptional jury to recognise PR work that pushes boundaries, shapes reputation, and sets new standards for meaningful creative impact.

”Dany Naaman, CEO, HAVAS Middle East, added, “Dana’s selection as Jury President is a landmark moment for the PR industry in the Middle East. It speaks to the strength of leadership emerging from the region and the growing role it plays in shaping global industry standards. We are incredibly proud of Dana and what this moment represents.”

From a global perspective, James Wright, Global CEO, HAVAS Red and Chairman of HAVAS PR Network, commented, “Dana’s selection reflects the growing importance of leaders who can navigate culture, creativity, and impact with equal fluency. Shaped by her experience in the MENA region, her perspective is both grounded and globally relevant.  Having worked with Dana closely over the years I know her keen eye for a breakthrough idea centred in earned that is then brilliantly executed and activated means we will see the best of the best work rise to the top in the PR Lions. It’s a proud moment for HAVAS Red and our global HAVAS PR network.

”Dana Tahir’s appointment underscores the Middle East’s growing impact on the global creative economy and reflects the increasing visibility of regional leadership on the world stage.

Contributed by

Havas Red Middle East

Kirsty O’Connor joins recently launched Paritee agency with a focus on driving innovation and intelligence amid recent client wins. 

North Seventy Five, a new integrated communications agency launched in late 2025, marks a growth milestone with the appointment of Kirsty O’Connor as Managing Director. 

O’Connor has spent the last nine years at the region’s largest communication agency, where she built its Innovation Hub which focused on digital, data and artificial intelligence integration and productisation. 

Co-Founder and Managing Partner at North Seventy Five, Lisa Welsh, said: “We launched North Seventy Five in response to a clear market pull: clients want senior-led, agile, locally rooted teams with the ability to solve complex challenges at speed. With Kirsty’s appointment we continue to deliver on that promise. She has a unique skillset in communications and a proven history of transforming and innovating, not only client briefs but training talent in new communications skills. We are delighted to have her onboard with immediate effect.” 

A Middle East PR Association Strategy Board member since 2023, O’Connor was named in PRovoke Media’s Innovator 25 list for EMEA in the same year, which recognises the top 25 changemakers in the industry. She is also a renowned industry judge, sitting on juries for The Gerety Awards and PR Week Global Awards in 2025, and is a well-known AI consultant in the region driving excellence in this area. 

“There has never been a bigger opportunity for those working in communications,” said O’Connor. “The agency model is evolving at speed once again, and so are the skillsets required to work in them. Joining North Seventy Five is truly special as we can rewrite the agency model completely.” North Seventy Five is part of the European communications network Paritee, which provides the newly formed agency with immediate global backing and marks Paritee’s expansion in the Middle East. Reuniting with agency founders, Lisa Welsh and Iman Issa, O’Connor’s appointment will also see her develop the agency’s AI offering with the support of Paritee’s AI team and newly acquired sister agency Truth Consulting. 

North Seventy Five offers tailored integrated communications services spanning strategy, creative campaigns, design and identity, content and publishing, leadership training, corporate communication, crisis response and data intelligence, and is a founding member of the Alliance of Independent Agencies MENA. 

The agency’s partnership with Paritee’s EMEA platform establishes its first strategic foothold in Dubai, serving as a gateway to the MENA region. Alongside its agencies, Brands2Life (UK/US), Truth Consulting (UK/global), Fenton Fitzwilliam (Ireland/Brussels), Geelmuyden Kiese (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), LHLK Gruppe (Germany) and RPP Group (Brussels, France, Spain, Italy), the addition of North Seventy Five enhances Paritee’s ability to serve clients across borders, secure international mandates as well as attract talent. The group now operates across 17+ offices in 12 countries, serving transformative industries such as technology and AI, energy and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences and financial services.

Contributed by

North Seventy Five

Dubai, UAE: 26 January 2026 – Impact Porter Novelli (IPN), a full-service PR agency within Omnicom and part of the Impact BBDO network, enters 2026 following a year of new client wins, regional growth and continued investment in talent and integrated capabilities.

In 2025, IPN secured new mandates and renewals across diverse sectors, ranging from electric vehicles and real estate to equestrian sports and government-related entities. In Saudi Arabia, the agency extended its partnership with Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) for a further two-year term, reflecting an expanded scope aligned with SEVEN’s continued growth and evolving communications needs across the Kingdom.

As client briefs increasingly demand integrated delivery, IPN strengthened collaboration across its Omnicom network, partnering with BBDO, OMD, Impact Proximity, Hearts & Science and The Farm to bring strategy, creativity, media and production together in service of stronger outcomes. This approach was reflected through the partnership between Shamal Holding and Omnicom, which delivered signature campaigns with proven results throughout 2025. The same model supported the launch of Saudi-based OceanQuest as a global, science-led initiative, contributing to a contract extension for an additional term. IPN also continued its collaboration with OMD on Clorox, building on the 2024 success of a culturally led consumer research programme, and extending the partnership into 2025.

To support continued growth across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the agency expanded its team in Q4 2025, welcoming five new hires across multiple levels, from Account Executives through to Account Director. The company also promoted Sumitra Roy from Associate Director to Director and Shifa Al Usman from Account Director to Senior Account Director, recognising their contributions to leadership and revenue growth. Sumitra leads day-to-day operations, supported by long-standing senior team members, reinforcing a culture of collaboration, continuity and care across the business.

Commenting on the agency’s outlook, Sumitra Roy, Director at Impact Porter Novelli, said, “IPN’s approach in 2026 is simple - partner well, plan with insight, and deliver in an integrated way. With data and intelligence informing our work and Omnicom capabilities alongside us, we can match the right solution to the brief and deliver outcomes clients can stand behind across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.”

Reflecting the quality and effectiveness of its work, IPN received industry recognition in 2025. At the MEPRA Awards, the agency won Bronze in the Best Consumer Goods Campaign category for its work with Clorox Scentiva. The “Disinfect and Set the Mood” campaign was recognized for its culturally rooted insight and its ability to connect functional efficacy with emotional consumer appeal. IPN was also shortlisted as one of five contenders for Small Agency of the Year, alongside eight additional shortlists across other categories.

At the PRCA MENA Awards, IPN received a Highly Commended recognition in the Best Travel & Lifestyle Campaign category for its work on EXIT139, a first-of-its-kind BASE jump event from Burj Khalifa, nominated in three categories.

As IPN continues to evolve, it remains anchored in its culture and values. Heading into 2026, the agency builds on a strong platform with new talent and fresh ideas, focused on delivering meaningful results for clients across the region.

Contributed by

Impact Porter Novelli

• Analysis reveals companies with the strongest reputations earned a nearly five percent ‘Reputation Return’ in shareholder value
• Study also warns that a company’s treatment of its employees in the age of AI is identified as a significant threat — and opportunity — to its financial value

NEW YORK, January 14, 2026 – Corporate reputation now has measurable value: companies with strong reputations can realize as much as 4.78% in additional unexpected annual shareholder returns, creating a global "Reputation Economy" worth an estimated $7.07 trillion, according to a landmark new study from Burson.

The research, “The Global Reputation Economy: A New Asset Class for a New Era,” has successfully quantified the financial value of reputation, moving it from a soft concept to a hard asset. The analysis found that among the companies studied, the magnitude of this “reputation return” could add anywhere from $2 million to as much as $202 billion in unexpected shareholder returns, above what would be expected strictly from standard financial performance metrics.

“For decades, leaders have known intuitively that reputation matters, but they’ve never been able to quantify it as a financial asset; now, we can,” said Corey duBrowa, Global CEO, Burson. “Our research shows that reputation is an interconnected system that, when rigorously managed, can yield billions in measurable returns, build resilience against shocks, and give leaders the confidence to make bold moves. A strong reputation that can deliver financial impact goes well beyond the simple binary of trust.”

The New Reputational Battleground: AI and the Workplace

While reputation leaders excel across the board, the research identified the workplace as presenting both a significant opportunity and challenge. Though ranked lowest in terms of perceived importance (11%) among the eight drivers of reputation in the study, it showed a performance gap of 11.8% between the best and worst performing companies in the research.

The study warns this gap may become a crisis for companies that mishandle the integration of artificial intelligence.

“Businesses must go beyond having an ‘AI strategy’ and create an ‘AI people strategy,’ because how they manage this transition will be a powerful statement about how they value their employees,” said Matt Reid, Global Corporate and Public Affairs Lead, Burson, and U.S. CEO, Burson Buchanan. “Organizations that invest in reskilling their workforce and co-create the future with their people will earn a reputation dividend. Conversely, those that view AI merely as a tool for headcount reduction will pay a reputation tax, with any efficiency gains offset by reputational losses.”

Additional Key Findings

• Leaders Leave No Weak Links: Top-performing companies dominate across all eight drivers of reputation, scoring an average of 11 to 15 points higher on each lever. The biggest advantages were seen in Innovation (15.5-point gap), Product (15.2-point gap) and Governance (14.4-point gap).

• A Counterintuitive Path to Recovery (Aerospace & Energy): In sectors where the cost of failure is catastrophic, or for industries viewed as problematic, reputation is being rebuilt from the “inside-out.” Two aerospace companies in the study saw the greatest reputation gains not from showcasing the superior engineering of their products but from focusing on operational integrity through Governance (+7.9%) and Workplace (+6.2%). Similarly, the energy sector’s reputational gains are coming from a focus on Workplace (+0.9%) and Citizenship (+0.9%), not just sustainability narratives.

• Finance Sector’s Multi-Billion-Dollar Erosion: The study noted a consistent decline in the Finance sector across Leadership (-24%) Governance (-11%) and Citizenship (-15%). For the companies analyzed, this erosion puts $4.3 billion in reputational value — 38% of their total reputational value of $11.4 billion — at direct risk.

“Our research proves that the historical models for studying reputation were at best static and at worst not actionable,” duBrowa continued. “Reputation is organic and constantly evolving, so with a clear understanding of which components of reputation are strong or require action, businesses can focus with precision on predicting and influencing the forces that drive perception and fuel financial outcomes.”

Burson’s complete report, “The Global Reputation Economy: A New Asset Class for a New Era,” can be found here.

Contributed by

Burson

Dubai, UAE – 10 th January 2025: Current Global MENAT, part of Middle East Communications Network (MCN), has announced the appointment of Luanne D’Souza as Account Director. 

With over a decade of experience, Luanne brings a wealth of expertise in creating award-winning social- first campaigns for brands like Rolls-Royce, Amazon Prime Video, Al- Futtaim Automotive and Marriott Bonvoy. Luanne joins Current Global’s team working across clients like New Balance, Dubai Holding Entertainment and Heinz, having previously spent time at Sticky Ginger, Art Dubai and Sweetwater MEA. 
 

Peter Jacob, Managing Director, Current Global MENAT said, “We launched Current Global MENAT with the idea to create a different kind of agency. In just over two years we’ve significantly increased headcount, worked with some of the region’s most loved brands, delivered award-winning campaigns, and diversified our offering to meet the needs of clients. One important part of that is the role of social and influencers in driving human-first connections both on- and offline. As we continue to re-define 
what an earned first agency of the future looks like in our region, Luanne brings a new set of skills, perspectives and energy that I know will add huge value to our already amazing team and roster of clients.” 
 

Luanne D’Souza said, "Shifting gears from social media to a wider earned-first and conversation-led mindset is a step that I wouldn't want to take anywhere other than Current Global MENAT. From the impressive clients to the award-winning work, the attitude and mindset of the team is different from what I’ve experienced, and I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for the team.” 
 

Starting just its third year of operations, Current Global MENAT combines the global reach, strategic thinking and capabilities of a big agency, with the attitude, speed and passion of a smaller one. In the last 12 months the team has won PRCA MENA and PRCA Platinum Small Agency of the Year 2024, scooped 14 awards at the recent MEPRA Awards including Best Campaign in the UAE, and in November was both certified a Great Place to Work® in the UAE, and awarded Best Mental Health Support in PR at 
the mentl Awards.

Contributed by

Current Global MENAT

DUBAI, January 5, 2026 - Burson, the global communications agency purpose-built to create value for its clients through reputation, today announced two key appointments to its senior leadership team in its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Effective immediately, Sana Ali Khan joins Burson as Chief Client Officer and Claire Lawson takes on the role of Head of Burson Dubai. 

“Sana and Claire are outstanding additions to our team,” said Fouad Bou Mansour, CEO, MENAT, Burson. “Sana is a strategic communications leader with a proven track record in driving brand reputation for Fortune 100 companies. Claire combines deep regional knowledge with a strong history of driving innovation, developing talent and unlocking growth. I am excited for the impact both Sana and Claire will make on our clients and our people in the region.” 

Khan joins from Amazon, where she was the Policy and Crisis Communications lead for the Middle East, Africa & Turkey, responsible for managing and defending the company’s corporate reputation across six countries. Previously, she was with Impact Porter Novelli in the Middle East, working with clients from industries as diverse as technology, consumer goods and retail, to name just a few. 

“I’m eager to step into this role at a time of profound change for our industry and our clients,” said Khan. “In a region defined by rapid transformation, organisations are seeking partners who deliver sharp counsel, measurable impact, and AI-enabled speed. Burson has the vision and capabilities to meet this moment. I look forward to working with our talented teams to deepen client partnerships and ensure that an exceptional client experience remains at the centre of our work.” 

Lawson brings more than 15 years of agency experience in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa to her position, having served with Impact Porter Novelli, Edelman Middle East, APCO Worldwide in Dubai and Text100 in London, advising clients in industries ranging from mobility and transport to retail and professional services, amongst others. 

“It’s a privilege to take on this role as we continue shaping Burson’s next chapter in the region,” said Lawson. “The reputation landscape is evolving at rapid pace and Dubai sits at the heart of that change. We have an incredible team and outstanding clients, and I look forward to driving the next phase of growth and impact in the market by raising the bar on our creative and strategic work and empowering our people to excel.” 

This latest news further underscores WPP’s ongoing momentum and leadership in advisory services. It follows a series of significant new business wins and expanded remits with leading brands worldwide, including Mastercard, Reckitt and Heineken, where the company’s proprietary AI platform for marketing, WPP Open, was instrumental in securing these successes.

Contributed by 

Burson

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – December 23, 2025: Golin MENA has been appointed as the regional PR partner for TOD, the MENA’s leading sports and entertainment streaming platform by beIN MEDIA GROUP, following a competitive pitch. 

The mandate covers corporate and consumer communications across the GCC, Egypt, North Africa, and Levant regions, with Golin MENA leading earned media, strategic storytelling, and creative campaign development for the sports and entertainment portfolio of TOD. The partnership comes at a high-growth moment for the platform, with major regional tournaments, original productions, and market expansions planned for 2026.  

Stephen Worsley, Regional Managing Director at Golin MENA, said: “TOD is one of the most dynamic platforms in the region, reshaping how audiences consume world-class sport and entertainment. Winning this mandate is a big moment for us as it reflects our team’s instinct for culturally sharp, earned-first ideas and our ability to support brands operating at speed and scale. We’re excited to partner with TOD at a time when the region’s streaming landscape is evolving fast.” 

Golin MENA will deploy a cross-market team across the GCC and North Africa operations to support the communications goals for TOD. The win adds further momentum to Golin MENA’s regional growth, strengthening its presence in the media, tech, entertainment, and sports sectors.

Contributed by

Golin MENA

Dubai, 9 December 2025: MAIA has been selected as the Public Relations agency for Costa Navarino in the Middle East. The appointment will see the Dubai based consultancy represent the sustainably driven Mediterranean destination, set in Messinia in the southwest Peloponnese of Greece.

A boutique agency specialising in luxury travel and hospitality, the MAIA team will lead strategic communications for Costa Navarino across the entire GCC region. 

About Costa Navarino 
Costa Navarino lies within one of the most unspoiled coastal landscapes of the Mediterranean. Defined by its history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage, the destination is guided by a long-term vision to protect and promote Messinia while supporting sustainable development that honours both the land and the local community. 

The destination is composed of distinct areas, encompassing together four five-star hotels, four signature golf courses, world-class sports facilities, a contemporary marketplace, private residences, and an extensive collection of activities for all ages. Sustainability underpins every facet of the destination, from responsible water and energy use to integrated waste management and the protection of local biodiversity, while also safeguarding and promoting the region’s rich heritage. 

Navarino Dunes 
Home to The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Navarino Dunes is shaped by soft hillsides overlooking the Ionian Sea, with architecture inspired by the Messinian heritage. 

Navarino Bay 
Nestled within the historic Bay of Navarino, Navarino Bay is home to W Costa Navarino, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino, and Navarino Agora – a curated ecosystem of retail spaces, a variety of eateries, services, and an open-air cinema, complemented by a plethora of events. 

Golf and Sport 
Costa Navarino hosts four signature golf courses designed by Bernhard Langer, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and José María Olazábal, creating a true golf destination. It also presents a wide selection of outdoor pursuits including cycling, hiking, climbing, sailing, and watersports. Europe’s first Mouratoglou Tennis Center and the NBA Basketball School further establish Costa Navarino as one of the region’s most compelling sporting destinations. 

Costa Navarino Residences 
A curated collection of villas available for private ownership is designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, set in the most privileged locations, in terms of privacy and views within Navarino Dunes. Each residence offers expansive views, in one of the few beachfront mixed-used developments in the Mediterranean offering such proximity to the sea. The owners enjoy privileged access to the destination’s full suite of facilities and services, creating a community intrinsically connected to the land and people.

 Villa Rental Collection 
Those seeking to immerse in the home-owner experience, can select from a range of luxury villas available to rent, whilst enjoying the experiences the destination has to offer, making them an ideal choice for multi-generational holidays, milestone celebrations and longer stays with family and friends. 
 

For media information, please contact: 
MAIA 
Andrea Wubben 
Senior Account Manager 
costanavarino@themaiacollection.me 

Contributed by

MAIA
 

Current Global MENAT, MEPRA’s recently crowned Medium Agency of the Year, continues its growth trajectory with the appointment of two new full-time hires who joined the team this month.

Yara Essa starts as Senior Account Manager having previously worked at Burson leading campaigns for the likes of Meta, Al Futtaim Electric Mobility, The Walt Disney Company, The Coca-Cola Company, Visa and Dubai Holding Asset Management.

Mona Shaibani, a recent graduate from Bristol University, joins Current Global as a Junior Associate having successfully completed an internship with the agency.

Yara and Mona join Current Global on the back of its most successful year scooping over 40 awards in 2025 including Agency of the Year at the PRWeek, MEPRA, PRCA MENA and PRCA Platinum Awards and winning some of the region’s most loved brands like Dubai Tourism, Dubai Airports and OSN.

Contributed by

Current Global

Until now, data on Internal Communications and Corporate Culture has mostly reflected North American and European contexts — leaving the MENA region without local benchmarks. 
 

That gap is now closed. For the first time, leaders in the Gulf have access to real data on how organizations structure their internal communications and culture functions — their goals, challenges, tools, and effectiveness. 
 

The study covers 132 organizations across six Gulf countries, providing the first set of regional benchmarks leaders can use to design stronger, more effective internal communications and culture functions. 
 

Among the findings: 98% of Gulf organizations already have an internal communications function — yet only 27% consider it effective. The research also explores how function ownership, leadership involvement, and AI adoption shape the maturity and impact of communication and culture across the region. 
 

The research was conducted by Sage XP, a Bahrain-based consultancy specializing in Internal Communications and Corporate Culture, founded by Kateryna Byelova, a senior communications leader with over 15 years of international experience. 
 

To learn more or request a copy of the report, contact info@sagexp.com or visit 
www.sagexp.com.

Contributed by

SAGE XP

About the campaign

This second part of the series focuses on how global media is shaping perceptions of Chinese automotive brands. While Part 1 explored what consumers think, Part 2 shifts the focus to what the media is saying; who’s leading the conversation, how topics like innovation and reliability are being framed, and which brands are gaining trust and visibility across markets.

• You can download the full report here: https://carma.com/driving-change-automotive-series/
• Avail complimaentary subscription for a 1-week trial of our Insights Dashboard, click here: https://share.hsforms.com/1D_KCRF4dTu-W2-unnHQoNQ4d2kp

Contributed by

CARMA

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 2024: SOCIALEYEZ, the Middle East’s leading team of creative strategists, is proud to announce its nomination for Campaign Middle East’s Agency of the Year Awards under the category ‘Social Media Agency of the Year’ award for the second year running. This prestigious recognition celebrates the agency's outstanding achievements, innovative campaigns and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results for its clients.

The shortlist was revealed in November 2024, with the winners set to be announced during the highly anticipated awards ceremony on 12th December.

SOCIALEYEZ's continued success is rooted in its bold "Create No Matter What" philosophy, which inspires the team to push creative boundaries, tackle challenges head-on and consistently deliver impactful work. This nomination reflects the dedication of the SOCIALEYEZ team and the trust placed in them by their valued clients.

Tarek Esper, Managing Director of SOCIALEYEZ, shared his thoughts on the nomination:
“Being shortlisted for 'Agency of the Year' for the second consecutive year is a proud moment for SOCIALEYEZ. This recognition is a testament to the creativity, passion and resilience of our team, as well as the trust and collaboration of our incredible clients. Together, we are redefining what it means to innovate and inspire in the marketing industry.”

The nomination reinforces SOCIALEYEZ's position as a trailblazer in the marketing and creative landscape, showcasing its ability to consistently deliver industry-leading work.

Contributed by

Brazen MENA

Leading Agencies Combine Global Expertise to Deliver Comprehensive Marketing  Services Across the GCC and Beyond 

Doha, Qatar 11 November 2024 – MUSE, an award-winning integrated marketing communications agency based in the Middle East, North Africa and United Kingdom, is excited to announce its partnership with DHOW Marcom Agency, a leading communication and marketing services provider in the MENA region, Asia and Europe. This partnership is set to significantly expand the market reach of both agencies, enhancing their ability to deliver top-tier solutions and drive value for clients across a broad range of services and industries. 
 

The collaboration between MUSE and DHOW Marcom Agency allows both companies to extend their global coverage and offer an integrated suite of 360 marketing and communication services across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, UAE, Spain, the UK, Monaco, and Lebanon. With a combined focus on innovation, creativity, and data-driven solutions, the partnership is designed to support businesses across diverse sectors, including technology, real estate, hospitality, finance, government, e-commerce, healthcare, telecommunication, and more. 
 

The partnership will focus on shared services, including but not limited to PR, communications, marketing, social media, digital, creative, internal communication, and events. The agencies’ team of experts, positioned across the GCC and internationally, will enable efficient delivery, providing seamless execution and support for businesses prioritizing operational excellence. 
 

Lauren Fryer, CEO of MUSE, expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating: “This collaboration with DHOW Marcom Agency represents an exciting opportunity to take our vision to a global scale. By combining our strengths, we’re setting the stage for a new era of brand communications that embraces innovation and creativity. Our goal is to empower businesses, not just to achieve their growth targets, but to redefine the future of their industries through impactful strategies that create positive impact.” 
 

Bouchra Danwra, CEO of DHOW Marcom Agency, added: “In a world where communication shapes our shared experience, our partnership with MUSE represents a powerful convergence of vision and expertise. At DHOW, we believe in the transformative power of a message that resonates deeply. Together, we are committed to ensuring that every brand we touch not only finds its voice but leaves an indelible impact on a global stage. This is more than a collaboration; it’s a journey toward realizing the full potential of communication.” 

With this collaboration, MUSE and DHOW Marcom Agency continue to build on their shared vision of empowering businesses to accelerate their success. 
For more information about how MUSE and DHOW Marcom Agency can elevate your brand and drive impactful growth, please contact hello@the-muse.co and info@Dhow-me.com.

Contributed by

MUSE

Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 25, 2024 – Place Communications has launched Place Advisory and Public Affairs, led by Rachel Maycock as Managing Partner. This new practice will 
provide strategic communications and public affairs services, leveraging Place Communications' extensive experience with governments and non-profits. 
 

Place Advisory and Public Affairs will develop stakeholder-nuanced strategies and public awareness campaigns, drawing on Place Communications' work with the UAE, Egypt, Australia and UK governments, as well as global non-profits including UN agencies. The new practice aims to support the rapid growth of the private sector in the UAE and the Gulf region by offering agile and responsive public affairs strategies to navigate regulatory changes and stakeholder priorities. 
 

Radwa Allabban, Founder & Managing Director of Place Communications, emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement. Allabban said: “The role of public affairs is central 
to companies to engage meaningfully with stakeholders on interests and issues. Place Advisory and Public Affairs provides clients with strategic advice, helps them build business and social capital, through informed engagement with government entities, media, and key interest groups. I am delighted to welcome Rachel Maycock as Managing Partner and look forward to working alongside one of the most experienced public affairs strategists in the UAE.” 

Rachel Maycock, Managing Partner, Place Advisory and Public Affairs said: “There is an impressive pace of change in the region across technology, financial, and social sectors. Place Advisory and Public Affairs aims to bring the world closer to these opportunities through understanding and partnerships, helping clients lead through significant shifts to enhance the region's reputation and purpose.”

Contributed by

Place Communications