Saad Abu Touq, Managing Director, Memac Ogilvy, 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.
Abu Touq is a communications leader with more than 18 years of experience shaping how brands are seen, heard, and trusted across the MENA region. His work goes beyond campaigns – building lasting reputations and developing strategies that truly move audiences. Having spent more than 15 years at Ogilvy across Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Abu Touq brings a deep understanding of regional markets, and the proven strength of smart, well-executed communications. He leads the operations, drives sustainable growth and shapes strategies that deliver real impact. He also co-leads the firm’s wider UAE operations, bringing cross-functional teams together to deliver benchmark-setting work. His leadership approach is rooted in empowering people – building the conditions for talent to grow, teams to collaborate and exceptional work to follow naturally.
Abu Touq also serves as a Strategy Board Member of MEPRA, and is a sought-after speaker at various industry platforms. He has been featured in PR Week’s Middle East Power Book for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025) as one of the region’s Most Influential PR Professionals, and named by PR Week in 2025 among the Top Communications Agency Leaders in the Middle East.
TOP ACHIEVMENTS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS
Under his leadership, the Ogilvy UAE PR team set a landmark year, achieving the highest revenue since its inception, underpinned by more than 29 per cent year-on-year growth, 13 new client wins and several partnerships renewed on the back of earned trust. Twenty new hires over the last 12 months took the team to its largest size to date, and an 8.5/10 client satisfaction score. He also led the growth of a strong Influence practice and embedded creative in PR.
CLIENT RECOMMENDATION
Ahmed Soudodi
Vice President, Kia Middle East & Africa
He has been an invaluable partner in Kia’s transformation journey across the Middle East. He has helped elevate Kia from a challenger brand to one of the region’s most admired and culturally relevant automotive brands. His ability to combine creativity with business outcomes has delivered measurable impact on brand perception, customer engagement and commercial performance.
