Piero Poli, Chief Executive Officer, Viola Communications has been recognised on Campaign Middle East’s 40 Over 40, which honours leaders who have shaped the regional brand and marketing industry over the past 15 years and more.
This is not a ranking. It is the first edition of an annual platform created to spotlight senior industry figures aged 40 and older. They represent different disciplines and different leadership styles but are all builders of brands and businesses.
These have been recommended as caretakers of client trust and custodians of culture. The 40 over 40 list celebrates the people who have moved the needle – not for a season or for a single campaign cycle, but for several years.
Poli leads Viola Communications as CEO and brings more than 20 years of experience across media, AI, digital transformation, strategy and marketing. He has worked closely with government entities, multinational organisations and regional brands, helping them grow and stay relevant in fast-changing markets.
At Viola, he focuses on building a future-ready business at the intersection of creativity, technology and AI.
TOP ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Over the past 12 months, under Piero Poli’s leadership, Viola has undergone a significant organisational turnaround and restructure across all service lines, strengthening its foundation for sustained growth. This transformation delivered 40 per cent top-line growth, reflecting stronger market positioning and increased client confidence. Viola was also recognised as a Great Place to Work (Asia) and won seven industry awards, reinforcing its culture and creative excellence under his leadership. Operational efficiency improved through the adoption of AI, delivering 12 per cent productivity gains, while four strategic MOUs were signed to support future expansion. Collectively, these achievements reflect a more agile and high-performing organisation.
CLIENT RECOMMENDATION
Ahmed Alkhazraji
Executive Director – Healthy Living Abu Dhabi, Department of Health, Abu Dhabi
Having worked closely with Piero, I have seen first-hand his ability to lead with clarity, integrity and strategic vision. He builds teams that consistently deliver work combining creativity with meaningful impact and builds strong collaboration and trust among stakeholders. Under his leadership, Viola has driven our growing organisational agenda for real behavioural change and lasting health outcomes through strategic communications.
