PR agency Hill+Knowlton Strategies has added an exciting line-up of talent to its Middle East team to expand and enhance its client-focused approach to innovation and creativity. Each of the 30 new hires in the past three months has been selected to help clients achieve their goals through purpose-driven communications. They join the growing regional team, which celebrated 24 awards, 65% revenue growth and 40% team growth in 2019 alone, in addition to recognition as a top ten Great Place to Work in the UAE.
Dubai is the home of one of the H+K Innovation + Creative hubs. The series of 10 networked hubs are a key pillar of H+K’s future strategy. Creative strategists work alongside sector specialists, experts in digital planning + optimization with public affairs consultants, and creative directors partner with content + publishing strategists and communication consultants – all focused on the same client-centric goals. A fluidity of skills between these global hubs ensures our clients have access to the right people, at the right time, in the right place.
Bashar AlKadhi, CEO of Middle East, Turkey, India and Africa (METIA) explained: “Building on our tremendous growth last year, we are determined to continue on this exciting path. The outstanding success across our practices – from sports to energy, brand to finance, health to technology – in a dynamic region inspires us to maintain razor-sharp focus and commitment to improving our work for our clients each and every day.
“Seeing our community of communications experts grow this year is one of the highlights of my role, and our latest cohort are some of the most intriguing and exciting. I have always believed in hiring people smarter than me, bringing in new skills and experiences to surprise and delight our clients, and deliver campaigns that make a real difference. Each of them brings more commitment, imagination and collaboration, and we look forward to introducing the new team to clients across the Middle East, and beyond.”
New hires include the formidable business leader Lucy d’Abo as Director of Client Services, and entrepreneur and digital expert Audrey Soler as Regional Director of The Studio and Digital Optimisation. Arne Mosselman takes on the newly established role of Director of Creative Strategy, and creative content specialist Salah Bakri takes on a key role as Director of Content and Publishing.
Having previously co-founded and built DABO & CO, one of the largest independent communications agencies of its kind in the region, Lucy d’Abo brings her extensive business and entrepreneurial expertise to clients and agency alike. Her personal passion for strategy, creative ideation and experiential moments has enabled her to work with a broad range of clients including Marriott International, HSBC, Chanel, Visa, BMW, DTCM and General Motors.
Originally from Paris, Audrey Soler has over 20 years’ experience in the digital and creative industries across the UAE and Europe. Prior to joining H+K, Audrey enjoyed successful roles for the international advertising agency Dentsu-Aegis and HUG Digital (now AKQA), and has used her innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to setup projects in various industries such as live music event production and e-commerce.
Salah Bakri joins the team as Director of Content + Publishing, with over eight years of experience in advertising and creative communications in the region. Having spent his career on the agency side, he has worked with top global names such as Leo Burnett, OMD & TBWA\RAAD. Driven by creativity and innovation, Salah’s expertise ranges across digital, social and offline, with a focus on content strategy, production and distribution.
With a decade of experience in PR, advertising and media, Arne Mosselman will help clients grow through impactful creative work based on insights and creative strategy. Before joining H+K, Arne built out the Amsterdam-based creative sports agency, Helden Media. Combining strategic thinking, an analytical mindset and a passion for creativity, earlier in his career he co-founded Moyee Coffee and was head of PR & Social Strategy at \TBWA Netherlands.
Simon Shaw, Global Chief Creative & Innovation Officer added: “The incredible success of H+K in the Middle East is testament to the relentless pursuit of creative excellence across the region. I am confident that this further strengthening of the team will ensure even more creative and innovative solutions for our clients and, along with the wider team, deliver increased business value to our clients.”
H+K has offices in more than 40 countries worldwide, delivering award winning campaigns to clients across all sectors and disciplines and with a focus on continued innovation for the industry. Recent innovations include Flight School+, a crisis communications training and simulation tool, Better Impact™, a new approach to brand purpose and CSR, and H+K Smarter™, a behavioral science unit.
