Brand Lounge has announced the appointment of Zak McKinven as its new chief operating officer. The move comes as the firm accelerates its expansion plans across the region, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hasan Fadlallah, Founder and CEO of Brand Lounge, said: “We are delighted to welcome Zak as our new Chief Operating Officer. His extensive experience and proven track record in driving operational excellence make him the ideal partner to lead our superstar team into Brand Lounge’s next growth phase. I am confident that his leadership will significantly enhance our internal capabilities and increase the value we provide to our partners and stakeholders.”
McKinven brings expertise in marketing, brand development, and communications and more than two decades of experience in operational leadership and strategic growth to the agency. As a chartered marketer, McKinven has worked with brands across diverse industries such as Emirates, Expo 2020, FAB, Dubai Holding, the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia, Hyatt, The Lego Group, SAM, Jumeirah Group, and Majid Al Futtaim.
McKinven previously worked in the roles of managing partner and head of brand experience at Y Partners, and managing director at agencies such as McCann Worldgroup, Latitude and Brash.
As COO, McKinven will oversee Brand Lounge’s daily operations, focusing on enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and supporting the firm’s growth strategy.
Commenting on his new role, McKinven shared: “It’s extremely exciting to be working with Hasan and
the Brand Lounge team. Supporting this multi-award-winning group in their continued pursuit of innovation, fresh thinking, and effectiveness is a thrilling opportunity. With the constant evolution in the region, I see great potential to help our partners further challenge the status quo and maximise their audience engagement. By keeping brand at the heart of our expanding services, we will continue to deliver value, driving our clients’ growth in market share.”
