Saleh Agha, Managing Director, OMD UAE 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.
As an OMD veteran, Saleh Agha has built his career from the ground up, beginning as a junior planner at OMD UAE in 2005 and rising through the ranks to MD. With two decades of experience, his journey reflects a deep understanding of the communications landscape, shaped by both regional expertise and international exposure.
Over the course of his career, Agha has led a portfolio of some of the region’s most prominent brands, including Emirates, Daimler, Pizza Hut, Kia, du, Expo 2020, Apple, Nissan and Department of Economy and Tourism to name a few. In 2013, he expanded his global perspective by relocating to Toronto to join OMD Canada, where he managed accounts such as Visa, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Mercedes-Benz and McDonald’s Canada.
Today, Agha leads the OMD UAE team, driving growth and spearheading a more connected, data-driven approach to communications. He champions integration across disciplines, ensuring that strategy, media and innovation work seamlessly to deliver measurable impact for clients.
TOP ACHIEVMENTS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS
- Client relationship scores improved consistently quarter-on-quarter, with an overall increase of 28.4 per cent from Jan 2025 to Jan 2026.
- Achieving #1 media agency for new business across GCC in 2025.
- Increased employee engagement scores year-on-year.
CLIENT RECOMMENDATION
Jad Hindy
Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, Expo 2030 Riyadh
I have worked with Saleh three times. du. Expo 2020 Dubai. And Expo City Dubai. You do not invite someone back by accident. He reads the brief behind the brief. He builds teams that hold under pressure. He owns the hard calls. Saleh does not chase recognition. He earns it. This list is overdue.
