Pierre Azzam, a former chief operating officer at Impact BBDO, has re-entered the advertising business with the launch of Belong Interactive.
A partnership between Azzam and Mohammed Johmani, the digital agency is based in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, and already has 23 members of staff following initial seeding last year. Azzam and Johmani are positioning the operation as ‘The Immersive Agency’, with Majid Al-Futtaim Properties, Aldar and Abu Dhabi World Trade Center amongst its portfolio of clients.
“While exploring new opportunities, I wanted to venture into game-changing, ‘future-led’ business practices that enjoy traction and relevance to clients’ current and future needs,” said Azzam. “The launch of Belong Int-eractive merges 30 years of brand management pedigree with the freedom and agility to develop groundbreaking ideas which deliver not just disruptive messaging but immersive experiences.”
Azzam is also the founder and president of Mobibus.com, a specialist mobile technology company that will officially launch during Gitex later this month. He is also a shareholder in three recent online-based start-ups. Azzam’s partner in Mobibus.com is also Johmani, founder of the O2 Network.
Johmani added: “I set-up a digital business in 2009 that needed scaling-up. After being introduced to Pierre, it was quickly evident that building the business together would infuse a unique managerial acumen and superior strategic ability with a disciplined expansion of integrated skill-sets.
“The agency has 23 full-timers under its roof,” continued Johmani. “They are hand-picked to form a precise blend of strategists, creators and developers who, together, architect an integrated digital presence. We develop data driven digital strategies while providing fundamental services to drive success.”
Azzam left Impact BBDO in 2010, bringing to a close 26 years with the group.
