TITLE: CEO, Havas Middle East
YEARS IN THE ROLE: 6 years
YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: 30+ years
YEARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGION: 30+ years
OTHER ROLES: Board member, IAA UAE Chapter; Advisor to Evora Board Member
POWER ESSAY: UNLOCKING COLLECTIVE POWER
In today’s rapidly evolving industry, collaboration is not a choice; it’s a business imperative. Success relies on the ability to bring diverse perspectives together, breaking down silos and working as one team to solve client challenges.
At the heart of our approach is a simple truth: we gather “all kinds of people to solve all kinds of problems.” It’s not just a philosophy – it’s how we’re structured, with all disciplines under one roof and working towards a shared goal. Collaboration thrives on two critical elements: the right mindset and the right framework. Generosity, openness, and team spirit are essential, but they must be paired with clear structures to drive results.
That’s where our integrated model comes into play, allowing us to operate fluidly across disciplines –whether it’s creative, media, production, or strategy. This cross-functional approach ensures that the solutions we bring are tailored to client needs, not bound by traditional silos. Our growth teams are constantly looking for opportunities to foster internal cross-pollination between disciplines, ensuring we don’t just solve problems in isolation but create value across the board.
Take our dashboards as an example. They’re not just a tool for media or performance – they add value across disciplines by providing insights on brand health, social sentiment, and strategic impact. This holistic approach is what makes our model powerful. We’ve seen this integrated thinking resonate with clients as well. More and more, we’re receiving RFPs for 360-degree services – an unmistakable signal that the market is demanding the kind of strategic alignment and operational efficiencies that only come from this collaborative, integrated approach. The results speak for themselves: 62 per cent of our revenue now comes from clients who rely on us for more than one line of service.
“Collaboration thrives on the right mindset and the right framework. Generosity, openness, and team spirit are essential, but they must be paired with clear structures
to drive results.”
Our success isn’t just driven externally – it starts within. Across Havas, from leadership to individual teams, there’s alignment and belief in the value of collaboration. Strategy and data consulting, for instance, have grown four fold year-on-year, a direct result of teams recognising how these solutions can elevate their work and drive better outcomes for clients. When leadership fully buys into the model, it creates an unstoppable momentum that drives growth across the organisation.
Looking forward, our new Converged strategy will take this even further, building stronger bridges between creativity, media, production, and technology. At the core of Converged is a new Operating System, designed to deliver integrated, meaningful value through four steps that mirror the client journey: intelligence, design, activate, and measure. Powered by data, technology, and AI, with creativity at its heart, this new OS will be rolled out across all areas of expertise, empowering our 23,000 talents to work smarter, faster, and more effectively. This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about crafting more innovative, impactful solutions. By combining the latest in tech with our creative expertise, Converged will enable us to not only keep pace with change but to lead it.
Additionally, our expansion through ventures like Liquid Havas and H/Advisors is a testament to our commitment to collaboration and integration. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building a seamless model that leverages the strengths of every team, ensuring we can deliver unmatched value
to our clients.
At the end of the day, collaboration isn’t a buzzword – it’s the engine that drives business success. Our clients don’t just benefit from individual talents; they gain access to a team united by a shared vision to create meaningful, lasting impact. The future demands nothing less.
Career highlight:
At Havas Middle East, the past six years have been a remarkable journey of growth, innovation, and dedication. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team. From expanding our regional footprint to delivering forward-thinking solutions, our success is driven by passion, creativity, and collaboration. Our achievements – entering new markets and launching cutting-edge services – reflect the talent and determination that define us. Today, we stand stronger than ever, with a reputation for delivering meaningful results. As we look ahead, I couldn’t be prouder of the milestones we’ve reached and the opportunities ahead.
Rapid fire
Focus for the next 12 months?
Accelerate the transformation across our Middle East operations.
Buzzword we need to kill?
Always on.
Marketing needs to prioritise?
Partnerships.
Marketing needs to change?
Double standards.
Top lesson learnt in 2024?
Patience is a virtue.
What worries you the most?
Globalisation of indifference
Biggest blessing in your life?
My family.
Value/principle that matters the most?
Generosity.
Next travel destination?
Riyadh.
What is your pet peeve?
Beating around the bush.
Who do you look up to?
Pope Francis.
Favourite restaurant in the Middle East?
Zuma.
What are you reading?
‘Atomic Habits’.
Favourite hobby?
Football.
Top tip?
Try, try, try.
