The brand and marketing industry in the Middle East witnessed several high-level appointments, promotions and the creation of multiple new regional roles in 2025.
From new C-suite brand-side marketing officers, directors and heads of marketing, to major movements at the highest levels of agencies, Campaign Middle East has taken cognizance of some of the biggest movers and shakers in the industry.
These Top 25 movers and shakers are highlighted in Campaign Middle East’s Annual 2025 issue, which also features in-depth lists such as the Top 20 news stories, media milestones, and integrated and digital campaigns.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Park Foundation appointed Simon Shaw as its Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. Shaw moved to Riyadh in April 2025 to take up the role. With prior roles as the Global Chief Creative Strategy Officer at Hill & Knowlton and Chief Creative Officer at Burson, Shaw brings a strong track record of working with international clients.
GEMS Education, one of the world’s largest private K-12 school operators, appointed Suad Merchant as its Chief Marketing Officer. With a career spanning more than 20 years in leadership roles across industries including financial services, information technology and transformation consulting, Merchant brings to the role a wealth of experience in building iconic brands.
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah appointed Phillipa Harrison as the new CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), following the departure of Raki Phillips. Harrison’s appointment aims to help advance the Ras Al Khaimah Government’s objectives to further cement its position as a leading, sustainable tourism destination.
ROSHN Group promoted Waseem Khashan to the role of Chief Marketing Officer. Khashan takes over the mantle from Ghada AlRumayan, who has been promoted to the Group Chief Shared Services Officer at ROSHN Group. In his new role, Khashan will oversee ROSHN’s marketing and communications function, including campaigns and destination marketing.
New Balance appointed Ana Elisa Seixas as Head of Marketing for the Middle East, Africa and India (MEAI). With more than 20 years of marketing, Seixas now leads efforts to strengthen the New Balance brand’s presence across the region, driving innovative marketing campaigns and fostering deeper connections with local customers and communities.
Middle East-based fitness brand GymNation appointed Rory McEntee, the former Brand and Marketing Director of Gymbox in London, as its new Chief Marketing Officer. McEntee leads the brand’s marketing initiatives and strategic communications, focusing on creative, disruptive and brand-led work.
To reinforce the company’s focus on strategic, data-driven communications, talabat appointed Chama Moumile as Regional Director of Communications for the Middle East and North Africa. In her new role, Moumile works closely with talabat’s executive leadership and communications teams across eight markets.
CFI Financial Group has appointed Omar Khaled as Chief Marketing Officer to reinforce its commitment to driving brand excellence, global growth and stronger client engagement. Khaled leads CFI’s global marketing function, overseeing brand, digital, performance and client communications strategies.
SRMG appointed Nedaa Al Mubarak as Chief Executive Officer of SRMG Media Solutions (SMS) to lead the integrated media group’s performance-driven commercial arm. In her new role, she leads SMS’s efforts to deliver offerings powered by premium content, advanced adtech, and access to regional audiences.
Al-Futtaim Automotive named Katib Belkhodja as Marketing Director for Toyota and Lexus in the UAE, placing the senior group executive with wide-ranging divisional experience in a key leadership role across its two flagship brands. Belkhodja oversees marketing and communications activities.
Burson appointed Fouad Bou Mansour as Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region. He joins Burson from Saudi Tourism Authority, where he spent two years as Vice-President, Creative Studio. In this role, Bou Mansour will continue to deliver bold, integrated and creative solutions.
Havas appointed the CEO of BETC Bertille Toledano as President of Havas Creative Network and CEO of Havas Creative Middle East. She works with the support of Alberto Canteli, Chairman & CEO – NEC region and the Middle East and Chairman – Africa, as well as Dany Naaman, CEO of Havas Middle East.
Publicis Groupe Middle East appointed Chris Solomi as Chief Digital Officer, a newly created role that reinforces the Groupe’s ambition to advance its connected media ecosystem and marketing transformation capabilities across the region. Solomi oversees the scaling of Publicis Groupe’s identity and data proposition.
OMG MENA promoted Elie Bachaalani to Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of OMG MENA, from his current role of Executive Director – Investments (GCC). As CIO, Bachaalani’s remit includes elevating OMG’s investment capabilities, solutions and partnerships to deliver added value for clients.
Serviceplan Group Middle East appointed Varun Kohli as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the region. Before joining Serviceplan, he held senior roles at leading global advertising and media groups, where he was driving performance and building financial frameworks to support creative excellence and expansion.
Snap Inc. expanded the leadership remit of Hussein Freijeh in 2025 to include the Asia-Pacific region, in the role of Vice President – APAC and MENA regions. Freijeh leads Snap’s strategy and operations across the regions, driving growth, building high-performing teams, and navigating complex environments.
Adding to the list of Publicis Groupe’s appointments, Rawan Yaqub joined Zenith as Head of Zenith Saudi Arabia. Through her career, Yaqub has worked with some of the Kingdom’s most prominent brands, including Almunajem, L’azurde, MANGO, KUDU, the Red Sea Film Festival, Red Sea Global and New Murabba.
Dentsu Sports International appointed Ali AlJehani as Senior VP – MENA in 2025 to strengthen the network’s sports and entertainment advisory presence in Saudi Arabia and across the region. AlJehani leads sport and entertainment projects, supporting clients in building long-term brand and commercial impact.
McCann Content Studios, part of FP7 McCann MENAT, appointed Ahmed Nour as Head of McCann Content Studios – UAE. With more than a decade of experience across global agencies and corporations, Nour leads the studio’s social operations across the UAE, overseeing strategy and delivery across a diverse portfolio of clients.
HAVAS Middle East promoted two leaders to its C-suite bench. Alejandro Fischer was named Chief Strategy Officer and Fabio Silveira was appointed Chief Growth Officer at HAVAS Middle East. The appointments come as the group evolves into a fully integrated communications network across the region.
Rounding off HAVAS Middle East’s list of C-level appointments in 2025, Dana Tahir was promoted to CEO of HAVAS Red Middle East. In her new role as CEO, Tahir will continue to lead the agency’s regional vision while deepening its commitment to creative innovation, client impact and talent development.
Digital communications company, alternative.agency, which marked a proud 20-year legacy in 2025 and a presence across Dubai, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa and India, appointed Aejaz Khan as CEO. He stepped into the role with more than three decades of leadership experience at TBWA, BBDO, and Publicis Groupe.
Neel Pandya is now the Founder and Global CEO of Climaty AI, a new carbon intelligence platform. Pandya has navigated the industry from multiple vantage points as a brand marketer, media leader and tech CEO. His journey spans leadership roles at L’Oréal, Vodafone and WPP Media. He was recently CEO of Pixis.
Assembly appointed Farhad Miah as its first Chief Client Officer for the MENA region, marking a continued push to strengthen its client leadership and regional capabilities. The newly created role reflects the agency’s growing focus on strategic client partnerships and business impact across the MENA region.
Influencer talent agency Bold Management appointed Ahmad Daabas as Global Executive Vice-Managing Director in 2025, marking a pivotal move in the agency’s continued global expansion and leadership in the influencer marketing space. Daabas has already steered Bold towards signing and nurturing top-tier talent.
