J. Walter Thompson has announced the appointment of Sasan Saeidi, previously managing director of FP7, as CEO for the agency’s Gulf operations, leading the Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar teams. Saeidi took over the role on 5 September, succeeding Michiel Hofstee, who has been working on network projects, leading on group pitches and WPP ‘horizontality’ initiatives and business models designed around specific client needs.
A statement from WPP said: “Saeidi will drive the agency’s aggressive development agenda in the Gulf, leveraging best practices and talent performance in the interests of clients and their brands. He is charged with building an agency of the future; a new spirit, vision and ambition, with new leadership.” Saeidi will report in to Vatche Keverian, CEO of J. Walter Thompson MENA, and be based in Dubai.
Keverian said: “It’s time for a new era in Dubai, to build the agency of the future, to be the best team in town. For that you need best talent and Sasan Saeidi is best talent.”
Saeidi joins J. Walter Thompson from FP7, where he held the post of managing director, McCann Group in the UAE since 2011. During his tenure, Saeidi transformed the agency, leading to recognised financial, business and award success. Saeidi’s career spans 18 years across strategy, account management, business development and executive offices. He has led teams in North America and the MENA region on a wide range of assignments, both global and regional, for international and local brands across numerous sectors.
Saeidi is the International Advertising Association’s (IAA’s) global vice-president for content strategy, and regional vice-president for the IAA in the Middle East and Africa.
He said: “J. Walter Thompson is a pioneering communications agency both globally and locally and I’m truly excited about the work and positive transformation we are going to be doing. I look forward to working with some great talent, and ensuring we create a castle of world-class ideas that are responsible and innovative, drive our clients’ businesses and shape culture. Throughout this journey my plan is to help implement a culture that positions the agency as the best creative consultancy in the region.”
