From left, James Bicknell, CEO, Multiply Media Group; Ahmed Emam, Chief Revenue Officer, Multiply Media Group; Jawad Hassan, Head of Media and Communications Vertical at Multiply Group; Samia Bouazza, Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group; Kaan Gunay, Co-Founder and CEO of Firefly; Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)-listed Multiply Group, a leading Abu Dhabi-based investment holding firm, has revealed the financial results of its media and communications vertical, which includes Multiply Media Group and Viola Communications, for the second quarter (Q2) of 2025.
This media and communications vertical delivered strong performance in Q2 2025, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) up 60 per cent year-on-year.
Growth was reportedly driven by favourable market dynamics and the success of a powerhouse strategy, which unlocked value across both static and digital signage.
The second quarter of 2025 also marked the official launch of Multiply Media Group (MMG), uniting BackLite Media, Viola Media, Media 247 and Purple Printing to create a new UAE-based market-leading media company.
MMG has also expanded its footprint in the UK, through its long‑term partnership agreement with Wildstone, securing exclusive rights to operate high‑impact digital out-of-home (DOOH) sites across central London.
In a key leadership move in 2025, Viola Communications also appointed industry veteran Piero Poli as CEO to accelerate AI‑led innovation and drive regional expansion.
With more than 25 years of experience across media, digital transformation, and data strategy, Poli brings a global perspective and a sharp focus on what’s next.
His mandate at Viola Communications includes: scale impact, deepen client value and future-proof the agency through AI-powered intelligence, strategic partnerships and integrated media solutions.
The financial results of the media and communications vertical were part of Multiply Group’s larger reporting on EBIDTA excluding fair value changes of AED395m in Q2 2025, registering AED 214m in group net profit excluding fair value changes, with 39 per cent revenue growth across its operating portfolio.
Samia Bouzza, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Multiply Group, said, “This quarter’s revenue growth of 39 per cent reflects the strong double-digit performance delivered across all verticals. This momentum translated into a 69 per cent increase in operating EBITDA and a 52 per cent rise in net income from our operating subsidiaries.”
Bouzza added, “While our inorganic initiatives contributed to the Group’s overall growth, organic EBITDA from our operating businesses increased by 54 per cent year-on-year, led by our media and mobility verticals.”
