UK agency Cravens expands into the Middle East

Independent UK creative agency Cravens has opened an office in Dubai as part of its bid to establish a foothold in the Middle East.

Founded in 1948 in the northern English city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the fully integrated creative agency is currently involved in pitching for regional business. Its managing director, Phil Coverdale, and creative director Alan Harvey, are only Cravens’ third owner/managers in its 64-year history and the boutique shop is a stalwart of the North East’s creative scene. It has a sister PR agency called Hundredth Monkey.

In the UK, Cravens’ client portfolio includes Northern Rock, Newcastle United Football Club, Queen’s Park Rangers Football Club, as well as London Zoo and Kew Gardens. By leveraging this financial, sports and leisure and tourism experience, Cravens’ owners are hoping to examine similar opportunities regionally.

With a total staff count of 30 people, Cravens is locally recruiting senior client relationship talent in order to fully service its first regional client, Ahmed Siddiqui & Sons, after successfully pitching for its creative account in November last year. Its new office is located in Dubai Media City.