Amy Roko, Ambassador, Maheerah Programme powered by Publicis Groupe Middle East at Athar Festival 2025.Athar Festival 2025 – the Saudi Festival of Creativity in Riyadh presented by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS – has teamed up with Saudi creative icon and influencer Amy Roko, who will take centre stage as the ambassador of the festival’s widely popular Maheerah Programme, which is powered by Publicis Groupe Middle East and part of the Maheerah Network.
The women empowerment initiative returns this year with new momentum, new faces and a bold new direction, while introducing an extended three-day format.
Known for her fearless voice and strong presence, Roko’s appointment marks a new chapter for Maheerah Programme. Roko is widely recognised for embodying the values of authenticity, ambition and community that lie at the heart of the Maheerah Programme.
As ambassador, she will play a key role in amplifying the programme’s mission, supporting women in the industry, and growing the reach of the network.
Highlighting the significance of this new chapter, Bassel Kakish, Chief Executive Officer of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey said, “Maheerah has grown into something truly special. What began as a program has become a real platform, bringing women together to learn, connect and grow. As we continue building a supportive community of like-minded women within the Kingdom’s creative industry, this year marks an exciting new chapter.”
Kakish added, “With a bigger and bolder programme ahead, and Amy Roko joining us as ambassador, we’re amplifying everything Maheerah stands for. We can’t wait to meet the inspiring women joining us this year.”
Applications for this year’s Maheerah Programme officially open on 22 July and will run until 10 September. For the first time, the programme will run across three days during Athar Festival 2025, featuring enhanced content and a new industry-wide networking event open to all women in the Maheerah Network.
Commenting on these latest developments, Kamille Merchant, Athar Festival Director, said, “Maheerah has become one of the most meaningful initiatives at Athar Festival, growing from a programme to a network in just three years, marking a significant step in its evolution.”
Merchant added, “Together, we are deepening our commitment to empowering women across every level of the creative industry. This is fittingly reflected by the appointment of Amy Roko as ambassador, which we are confident will bring new energy and more visibility to the programme.”
Just as the festival itself prepares to return bigger, bolder, and more dynamic, so too will this year’s Maheerah Programme, offering a deeper, more connected, and more impactful journey for participants.
Reflecting on her appointment as the new Maheerah Programme Ambassador, Amy Roko, said, “It’s refreshing to be part of something that actually gets what it means to be a woman in this space: loud, ambitious, real, and unapologetically herself. Maheerah creates a space where women can be heard, supported, and celebrated for who they truly are, and I’m proud to be contributing to that kind of movement.”
