Stuart Randall, Business Director at One Team Stellantis – Publicis Groupe MENAT was awarded the Account Person of the Year award at Campaign Middle East’s Agency of the Year Middle East awards in December 2024.
The Account Person of the Year award recognises professionals responsible for client account management who have displayed the most innovation, skills and enthusiasm in bringing the benefits of advertising to their clients’ businesses, resulting in lasting business relationships.
Reflecting on his achievement as the Account Person of the Year 2024, Randall shares his thoughts on the win.
What does winning this award mean to you?
Winning this award is a career milestone and is not just a reflection of my journey, but a testament to the power of collaboration. It’s not just a personal achievement, but an advertisement of the exceptional teams and clients I’ve had the privilege to work with. This honour reinforces my belief in the impact of strong partnerships and creative problem-solving. It’s a moment of immense pride, but also a motivation to keep pushing boundaries, building stronger relationships, and making great work together in 2025 and beyond.
Can you share some strategies that contributed to your success?
Fostering strong client relationships and cultivating a culture of trust within teams have been crucial. I believe in setting clear objectives, be it personal or business and empowering everyone to own their roles with full autonomy. Continuously striving to elevate standards, while ‘treating people the way you want to be treated’, even under tight deadlines, has been my mantra. Most importantly, staying positive
and passionate about the work and always being a reliable, solution-oriented partner for both clients and colleagues has been the foundation of my success.
What is your proudest moment from 2024 and what’s your key takeaway from it?
Winning Account Person of the Year tops the list, but before this highlight there were a few to say the least. Taking on my role as Business Director to manage more than 10 brands and delivering groundbreaking Stellantis campaigns under ever-changing industry conditions was equally rewarding. Apart from delivering business needs, was the chance to deliver Industry needs, and being an integral role in launching Publicis Groupe’s first-ever internship programme, ‘PubCubs.’ My biggest takeaway is that resilience and teamwork can turn any challenges into triumphs. When everyone is aligned on purpose and vision, any goal is achievable.
Has the business case for investing in creativity and disruptive strategies strengthened in 2024?
Absolutely. In 2024, creativity has proven to be a vital differentiator in an increasingly commoditised market. Disruptive strategies, paired with data-driven insights, have delivered exceptional ROI, proving
that bold ideas backed by analytics are not just nice-to-have – they’re essential. Creativity remains the driving force of effective advertising, helping brands stand out in competitive landscapes. Those who invest in it are reaping the rewards, from heightened consumer engagement to lasting loyalty. The results speak for themselves – creativity is the catalyst for meaningful connections and measurable growth.
How do you envision the demand for cost, speed, and quality being balanced in the months to come?
Balancing cost, speed, and quality will remain a challenge, but it’s achievable with the right mindset, strategies, and tools. Efficient workflows, seamless cross-team collaboration, and the strategic use
of AI and automation will play a pivotal role. The key is not sacrificing quality for speed, but rather building trust between agencies with their brands, and together finding synergies that enable creative excellence even within tight constraints. Agencies that can master this balance will not only meet business objectives, but also set new benchmarks for impactful, high-quality work in a fast-paced industry.
How can marketing be a force for good and what will it take for brands and agencies to truly make a difference?
As we know, Marketing has the power to influence culture and drive meaningful change. For it to be a true force for good, brands and agencies must prioritise authenticity and long-term impact over performative gestures. It starts with aligning values with actions and investing in initiatives that benefit communities and brand affirmation, not just bottom lines. Collaboration, transparency, and a genuine commitment to creative diversity will be critical in ensuring marketing delivers on its promise to make a difference. When marketing is driven by purpose, it can be a transformative force that leaves a lasting, positive impact.
How do you see data analytics and digital tools reshaping the industry in the year to come?
Data and digital tools will continue to revolutionise how we understand and engage audiences. Personalisation, powered by conceptual thought, strategic intent and AI, will elevate consumer experiences, while predictive analytics will refine decision-making. However, the real game-changer will be integrating strategic data seamlessly through creativity, ensuring insights inform but never overshadow bold ideas. As technology advances, the industry’s success will hinge on its ability to blend human intuition with machine precision to craft compelling narratives. This synergy will shape the future of marketing, creating deeper connections
with audiences and driving measurable results.
