M&C Saatchi Abu Dhabi appoints first creative director

M&C Saatchi’s new Abu Dhabi office has appointed its first creative director and won its first piece of local business following its opening in April.

Barry Brand, who began his careet at BBH in London, arrives at the agency’s UAE operation as creative director after a four-year stint at M&C Saatchi’s Beirut office, where he helped the agency win a raft of new business. He is an M&C Saatchi veteran, having joined the agency’s London team in the late 1990s, where he worked across the operation’s entire portfolio of clients, including British Airways.

M&C Saatchi opened its office in the UAE capital following its winning of the global Etihad account in February. The agency will manage the airline’s brand communication strategy, international above-the-line and online display campaigns, including development of creative for brand, product and service communications, tactical promotions and new route launches.

“His knowledge of the region, his strong eye for art direction and his sheer passion make him an exciting choice to lead M&C’s newly formed Abu Dhabi operation,” said David Glass, partner at M&C Saatchi.

As well as Etihad, Brand will work on Image Nation’s Arab Film Studio (pictured) brief following the agency’s winning of the studio’s creative account. It is the agency’s first piece of new business since the opening of the office, with M&C Saatchi tasked with developing a campaign to run across the UAE and select territories in the region. The campaign will include TV, digital and radio executions, with supporting print and interactive marketing materials.

Mike Golding, business director at M&C Saatchi Abu Dhabi, said: “It’s thrilling to win a client as prestigious as Image Nation after just a few weeks of operation in Abu Dhabi.  Image Nation, Arab Film Studio and M&C Saatchi Abu Dhabi share a vision for the emirate to be seen globally as a world-class hub for creativity and film-making talent. We are looking forward to playing our role ensuring this happens.”

The Abu Dhabi office is the 27th and newest office in the network of M&C Saatchi, the world’s largest independent communications company. The agency has yet to appoint a CEO for the office.