IMPACT BBDO Group has announced the promotion of Regional ECD Ali Rez to Chief Creative Officer for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region, effective May 1.
One of the most highly awarded creatives in the world, with more than 600 international accolades, Ali Rez has consistently ranked amongst top global creative leaders. Most recently, Rez was named No.1 in APAC and MEA on several 2021 industry rankings.
Rez will be working in partnership with and reporting to IMPACT BBDO Chairman/CEO Dani Richa. His remit will expand across the MENA and Pakistan region, where he will be collaborating with multiple creative leaders in order to drive IMPACT BBDO’s vision of delivering the most creative, effective and innovative product in the world. Rez has also recently become a member of the Global BBDO Creative Board, reporting to BBDO Worldwide CCO David Lubars.
Dani Richa, Chairman and CEO, IMPACT BBDO Middle East, Africa and Pakistan said, “I was keen to see this key position filled by someone from our own bench and after working closely with Ali for the last six years, I’m confident he not only embodies our culture but shares our purpose and vision to take the group to new heights.”
“Ali is one of my favourite people,” said David Lubars, Chief Creative Officer of BBDO Worldwide. “He’s a shining light who embodies the BBDO trifecta: a brilliant creative; a brilliant leader; a good soul.”
Rez moved to Dubai from California in 2010, where he spent almost a decade at Y&R SF working on global brands such as Adobe, ChevronTexaco and 7UP; and Doremus+GoodbySilverstein Collaboratory on HP. In the UAE, Rez spent some time at Grey Dubai and FP7 McCann before heading to IMPACT BBDO in 2016, where Rez and his team have now seen the agency ranked as No.2 in the world on the WARC 2021 Creative Rankings, and named Agency of the Year at Dubai Lynx 6 times in the last 7 years. Last month, IMPACT BBDO were named the Network of the Year for the MEA region at the Campaign Global Agency of the Year Awards.
On his appointment, Rez commented: “Let’s get to work.”
