Title: Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Bloomberg Media
Years in the role: 11 years
Years in the industry: 22 years
Years in the Middle East region: 24 years: 1985-1994 in Riyadh and 2011-present in Dubai.
Power Essay: A region telling its own story: The rise of Middle Eastern brand ambition
Growing up in Riyadh in the 1980s and 90s, I remember a city and region defined by warmth, culture and a deep sense of community. The energy was always there, in the way people connected, built and imagined their futures – even if much of that story wasn’t visible to the rest of the world. What felt different then was that this story had not yet reached a global stage.
When I returned to the region in 2011, it was clear that change was underway. What has unfolded since is nothing short of remarkable: a transformation that has made the Middle East one of the most dynamic brand landscapes anywhere. The region is no longer just hosting global names; it is creating its own, rooted in heritage but built with global ambition.
This momentum has not come overnight. It has been built milestone by milestone – Expo 2020 in Dubai, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, world-class cultural festivals and concerts across the region and the rise of new industries in finance, sport and entertainment. These moments are not simply events; they are proof points of a region taking control of its narrative, with brands and institutions telling their own stories with confidence.
I saw this shift up close in 2019, when Bloomberg Media worked on a landmark tourism campaign in Saudi Arabia that felt like an official “welcome” to the world, marking one of the first instances where local ambitions were shared at such scale with a global audience. Since then, we have partnered with government organisations, airlines, tourism boards, financial institutions and cultural organisations to help bring local narratives to a global business audience.
At Bloomberg Media, our focus is about creating engagement and relevance. We combine data, insight and creative storytelling to help brands express their ambitions with clarity and impact. But it goes beyond content – it’s about connection. Through our convening power and cross-platform ecosystem, we engage decision-makers across digital, print, TV, audio and live events, ensuring that brand narratives are delivered where they matter most. The goal is simple – we want to ensure that the stories emerging from this region are understood in the right context and with the depth they deserve, both here and on the global stage.
What excites me most is that this story is still in its early chapters. The Middle East today is attracting talent, capital and ideas at a pace few other regions can match. But beyond the economic transformation, there is a cultural momentum, a sense of possibility and ownership that is redefining what ambition looks like here.
There’s so much of the Middle East the world hasn’t seen yet. I’m proud to be part of the team helping tell that story, and even prouder that more regional brands are now telling them with confidence, on their own terms.
Highlight of the year
Being part of the founding team behind the Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg, from early discussions in 2017 to its fifth edition in 2025, has been an amazing experience. Bringing together the world’s most influential CEOs and government leaders in Doha for discussions brought to life across our media ecosystem – alongside an exceptional global team and committed sponsors has been a proud milestone.
Rapid fire
What the industry needs to talk more about:
Brand trust.
What the industry needs to talk less about:
Vanity metrics.
If you could change one thing in the blink of an eye, you would …
That my brother Nithin Nayak were still alive.
What’s one thing about you that would surprise your team?
My MJ impersonation video from boarding school has surpassed 20,000 YouTube views.
What mobile application can you not live without?
Spotify.
What word / phrase do people remember you for using the most?
“Let’s change the game!”
What’s one local / regional tradition that you love the most?
Qahwa (Arabic coffee) and dates.
If you could choose any two people, currently alive, in the world to share a meal with you, who would it be?
Roger Federer and Ricky Gervais.
What’s your top word of advice for Gen Z and Gen Alpha?
Hustle.
What’s your go-to comfort food?
Bento box at any Japanese eatery.
What’s your favourite ad from the past 12 months?
Nike ‘Nailed It’ following McIlroy’s Masters Victory.
