The Communicate Top 20 CEOs in Advertising shortlist spotlights the leaders reinventing marketing across the region: the strategists, risk-takers, and boldest innovators whose decisions shape brands, budgets, and culture.
The ad warfare is accelerating. AI is flipping the playbook (and the playground) and rewriting the game. The leaders who adapt quickest are the ones scripting the industry’s next chapter.
This is not merely a ranking. It’s a pulse of influence showing the decision-makers setting the agenda, reshaping where money flows, and determining how brands connect with a digital-first audience.
Meet the 20 visionaries winning the next era of marketing:
1.Bassel Kakish
CEO, Publicis Groupe
Middle East & Turkey
“For me, trust is either zero or a hundred—there’s no in between. And I operate with everyone I work with at Publicis Groupe on a 100 percent trust basis. It’s also about removing barriers. No silo, no solo, no bozo.”
Bassel Kakish has spent the last four years at the helm of Publicis Groupe Middle East and Turkey, overseeing more than 3,600 talents across marketing, communications, and digital transformation.
A firm believer in a “talent-first” culture, Kakish has built his leadership philosophy around empathy, trust, and collaboration, values that he credits to his mother, who instilled in him the resilience and integrity that continue to shape his approach today.
Under his leadership, Publicis Groupe achieved a double-digit growth in net revenue in the first quarter of 2025. In March 2025, the group launched Ra’idah with the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, a year-long program focused on enabling women-led SMEs.
For Kakish, leadership is less about authority and more about empowerment. “When you give people the space and support to thrive, that’s where real leadership happens,” he says.
Having progressed through multiple roles at the group since 2002 to the top rank, his advice to the aspiring leaders: “Remember where you came from – you’re still ‘Jenny from the Block’. That mindset keeps you grounded.”
As AI reshapes the industry, he sees the CEO of the future not as a lone visionary, but the ultimate connector, connecting talent, technology, and purpose, or what he defines as an “intergalactic master of collaboration,” not just within the organization, but across the wider partnership ecosystem.
2.Elda Choucair
“I strongly believe that leadership is about making others successful, bringing out the best in them, and inspiring them. Humility is the most important quality every leader should possess.”
Elda Choucair is the CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA, where she leads the group’s strategic growth and innovation across the region. With nearly 20 years at Omnicom, she has built a reputation for empowering teams, driving transformation, and championing industry-leading culture and performance.
Under her guidance, the agency’s brands have developed pioneering solutions for modern marketers, earning top honors at Effies MENA, Dubai Lynx, and the MENA Digital Awards and gaining recognition from COMvergence as market leaders.
Choucair is a recognized voice in shaping the future of media and marketing, serving on the boards of the Advertising Business Group (ABG), Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), Endeavor, and the Unstereotype Alliance.
In 2024, she contributed to the launch of the Inclusive Media 3Bs Toolkit with UN Women and served as a Media Lions juror at Cannes Lions. Named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Arab Businesswomen and featured on the Dubai 100 by Arabian Business, Choucair continues to inspire progress through innovation, equity, and purposeful leadership.
She is deeply committed to driving innovation, fostering inclusion, and empowering the next generation in media and communications ring inclusion, and empowering the next generation in media and communications.
3. Ghassan Harfouche
Group CEO MCN MENAT
& President McCann Worldgroup APAC – part of the Interpublic Group
“Leadership has evolved, and we should now see ourselves at the service of our talents. Future leaders will be increasingly driven by purpose, lead with empathy at the core, act as guardians to protect cultures, and assume the role of being coaches and mentors.”
From a young age in a region shaped by uncertainty, Ghassan Harfouche learned that “resilience, change and agility have always been key survival skills.” These principles became the bedrock of a visionary 35-year career, now culminating in his role steering over 4,000 professionals across MENAT and APAC for MCN and McCann Worldgroup – part of the Interpublic Group.
Harfouche is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned leader with over three decades of global and regional experience across marketing, communications and media. His career spans the full spectrum of the industry—client-side, agency leadership, and publishing—bringing a unique and multidimensional force to the marcomms landscape. With a career spanning tech and media, he brings a 360° view to the business—connecting data, creativity, and savvy strategy in every move.
He earlier led De Beers’ marketing across the MENA region and played a key role in restructuring and managing a diversified media and publishing conglomerate in Saudi Arabia. Since 2011, he has driven consistent double-digit growth, transforming MCN into an agile, future-fit partner. But beyond metrics, his vision of success is cultural: creating an environment that “empowers, inspires innovation and progression, while giving a sense of belonging and wellbeing.”
This people-first philosophy, guided by BIG values —Bravery, Integrity, Generosity—has earned MCN global recognition as a Best Workplace and one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.
For Harfouche, strong brands are built on strong communities. He leads with empathy and trust, believing “to earn it, we must first give it.”
4.Reda Raad
“Future leaders need human skills. Emotional intelligence to connect, courage to disrupt, fluency in AI and emerging tech to innovate responsibly, and cultural curiosity to read shifting tides before they happen.”
In 2000, Reda Raad co-founded TBWA\RAAD with just four people and a bold vision: to put the Middle East on the global advertising map. Today, as Group CEO, he leads a network of 11 offices and multiple specialized entities across MENA, transforming the agency into one of the region’s most innovative and inclusive powerhouses.
A graduate of Syracuse University with a double major in Advertising and Marketing Management, Reda began his career as an Assistant Account Executive at Intermarkets Dubai. He assumed the role of CEO in 2015, overseeing hundreds of “Pirates” across MENA.
Reda’s guiding mission is to elevate the Middle East’s standing in the global advertising landscape, infusing the region’s work with fresh creativity, cultural nuance, and meaningful innovation. His leadership philosophy is as bold as his ambition: “Being a leader is charting a bold course, guided by a clear vision, and rallying every crewmember to sail it with you.”
He has propelled TBWA\RAAD to double-digit revenue growth, long-term client partnerships, and recognition as a Great Place to Work®, one of Fast Company Middle East’s Best Workplaces for Women, and Most Innovative Companies.
Looking forward, Raad sees the CEO’s role evolving into that of an entrepreneurial “innovation catalyst,” continually reinventing business models. His advice to aspiring leaders is simple yet powerful: “In a sea of sameness, dare to stand out.”
5. Tarek Miknas
“In today’s world, fast often matters more than perfect. Momentum builds confidence. So, lead with intent, stay open, and keep moving forward.”
Born into advertising, Tarek Miknas’s playground was the FP7 agency his parents founded. This early immersion forged a leader who believes true success is measured not in awards, but in people’s growth.
His journey from an Art Director at McCann Erickson in New York to launching LOWE MENA culminated in his role as CEO of FP7 McCann MENAT.
At LOWE MENA, he and the team carved out a unique, relevant space in the market, winning nine Lynx Awards within their first 11 months of operation. They grew from four people sitting on beanbags to 96 team members at its peak within four years, and expanded from Dubai into three new markets.
Under his 15-year leadership, the network became a global effectiveness leader, earning the title of Most Effective Agency in the world four times, an achievement born out of his belief that “ultimately, and at its simplest, being a leader is about delivering impact.”
FP7 McCann today is among the top three agencies in every market where it operates, and has been recognized as the second-best performing agency at the Cannes Lions in 2023 and 2024.
Miknas champions a culture built on love, integrity, and generosity, believing that “inclusion isn’t a policy; it’s a mindset.”
6. Amer El Hajj
“Future CEOs will need to navigate increasing complexity around technological disruption while adapting to the evolving expectations of younger generations who bring new communication styles and work preferences to the workplace.”
Appointed CEO of WPP Media MENA in 2023, Amer El Hajj brings over two decades of industry experience and a reputation as one of the region’s most influential media leaders.
Prior to this role, he spent 15 years as Chief Investment Officer at Publicis Media. Today, he oversees a team of more than 630 people across 11 markets. For Amer, leadership is rooted in transparency, integrity, and resilience. “Anyone can steer a ship on calm seas,” he says, “but leadership is truly tested when things get tough.” Amer’s leadership style focuses on cultivating future-ready talent and a collaborative culture that promotes continuous learning.
With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Amer regularly contributes to its development as a spokesperson and board member of the Advertising Business Group (ABG) and the International Advertising Association (IAA).
His parents have deeply influenced his leadership. He says watching how they conduct themselves in tough situations taught him that treating people with dignity and respect, being close to them and actively listening to their needs and demands always yields better results.
Success, in Amer’s view, is measured not just by financial results but by client trust and team growth. “The most fulfilling moments aren’t just hitting targets,” he notes, “but seeing people step into their potential.”
7. Tony Wazen
“What is imperative as a leader is not to let anything hold you back and keep hustling and moving forward, no matter what.”
When Tony Wazen took over as CEO of Publicis Media Middle East in May 2023, he stepped into the role with over 15 years of experience in shaping some of the Groupe’s most successful agencies in the region. A veteran of Publicis Groupe and a key figure in the Middle East’s marketing and media landscape, Wazen now oversees powerhouse brands including Starcom, Zenith, and Spark.
His journey in the Groupe began with Optimedia, the ROI agency, in 2008, where he transitioned into the role of Managing Director until 2019. Then he was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Digitas and launched the brand in the Middle East. With the launch of Digitas, he played a pivotal role in its rapid growth, making it a key pillar agency for Publicis Groupe in the Middle East.
He is an elected Board member of the Advertising Business Group (ABG) and the International Advertising Association (IAA) UAE, as well as a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
For Wazen, leadership is about adaptability, tough decision-making, and the courage to take risks. “Empathy, accountability, and resilience” are the values he champions, guiding both his people and the business.
He defines success by various metrics: “Delivering growth, creating a vision to future-proof the business, fostering an environment of trust and open communication, enabling others to reach their full potential, and above all achieving collective success.” His emphasis on trust, open communication, and inclusivity has created a culture where individuals feel valued and empowered. es that managing people is the hardest challenge, but also the greatest opportunity. His emphasis on trust, open communication, and inclusivity has created a culture where individuals feel valued and empowered.
8. Saleh Ghazal
“Don’t be late in confronting and addressing something that is not working or someone who is not performing. It’s a lose-lose case.”
With more than 18 years of experience shaping marketing, advertising, and media across the MENA region, Saleh Ghazal has established himself as a forward-thinking leader committed to driving digital transformation, integrated marketing strategies, and sustainable business growth.
Throughout his career, he has consistently been at the forefront of the evolving media landscape, helping brands navigate the complexities of an increasingly connected world.
His journey began with a pivotal role in the 2006 launch of OMD Digital, where his visionary leadership helped the agency adapt to the rapid pace of change. Recognizing the convergence of online and offline worlds, he pioneered a hybrid planning approach, bridging the gap between digital and traditional strategies to deliver holistic, data-driven solutions for clients.
Now, as CEO of OMD MENA, Ghazal believes that “being a leader goes far beyond managing people or projects,” and is instead about “setting a vision, building the right culture, and taking decisions that would impact the lives of people.”
Guided by core values of empathy, accountability, and curiosity, he fosters a positive and inclusive environment where he shows up “not as a CEO, but rather as a colleague.” For Ghazal, true success is seeing his team grow, take ownership, and innovate in a fast-paced world.
As he looks to the future, he sees the CEO evolving into an “orchestrator,” bringing together the right talent and enabling collaboration to navigate a world increasingly shaped by AI and technology.
9. Firas El Zein
CEO Middle East
Zenith Middle East
“Success is when the team feels connected, supported, and proud of what we’re building together. It’s about delivering for our clients and creating an environment where people want to stay and grow.”
When Firas El Zein joined Zenith in 2008, he brought with him not just experience from both agency and publisher roles but also a deep conviction about the power of media to shape brands and culture.
By 2011, he was CEO of Zenith Middle East, guiding the agency through rapid transformation and turning it into an ROI-led powerhouse that fuses creativity, technology, data, and performance to unlock growth for clients.
With over 25 years in the region, his career has spanned agencies like D’Arcy, Optimedia, and Zenith, as well as publisher roles at Al Khaleejiah and SRPC Group. That breadth of experience has helped him build strong and lasting partnerships with global icons such as BMW, Spotify, Red Bull, Disney+, and Saudia.
For Firas, leadership is less about hierarchy and more about creating space for others. “It’s not about having all the answers,” he says, “but about creating the space for the best thinking to come forward.” His philosophy is rooted in what he calls the “ABC” of leadership: Accountability, boldness, and clarity.
Growing up in Dubai instilled in him the belief that vision and ambition can transform entire landscapes. “Watching this city evolve with vision, ambition, and a belief in possibility has been a constant source of inspiration,” he says.
At Zenith, he fosters the same spirit. As he puts it, “Success is when the team feels connected, supported, and proud of what we’re building together.”ccess is when the team feels connected, supported, and proud of what we’re building together.”
10. Nassib Boueri
“Nothing is more important than maintaining the integrity of our story and the dignity of those involved.“
Nassib Boueri is the CEO of VML MENA and was appointed following the integration of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R at the end of 2023. Overseeing a team of multi-disciplined experts across 10 markets, including creatives, data scientists, and technologists and team leads, Nassib works to inspire growth across all clients and partners in MENA.
His team’s work has been regularly recognized at top-tier award shows for its strategic innovation and ground-breaking best practices that deliver measurable growth for clients and their brands.
In his previous role as CEO of Wunderman Thompson MENA, Boueri demonstrated success in developing and growing relationships with international, regional, and local clients in the market.
He is skilled in all aspects of cross-functional marketing and communications, delivering fully integrated solutions. Boueri believes in the importance of giving back to the industry. He has served on the Board of the UAE Chapter of the IAA since 2006, and was elected president of the chapter in November 2023. He has also participated in the Dubai Chamber’s mentorship program.
11. Dany Naaman
“Some of the most valuable insights come from decisions that did not unfold as intended. Openness to feedback, active listening, and a willingness to adapt with intention lead to deeper perspective and stronger leadership.”
For more than two decades, Dany Naaman has been at the forefront of the Middle East’s marketing and communications industry. Today, as CEO of Havas Middle East, he leads over 400+ professionals across creative, media, PR, and corporate communications, all unified under the Havas Village model. By seamlessly integrating all agency disciplines – creative, media, and PR – under Havas Village, the agency has evolved into a fully integrated and customer-centric powerhouse.
Dany’s leadership is marked by a people-first philosophy. “Leadership involves creating an environment where others can thrive,” he says. For him, success is not just measured by business outcomes but by the strength of the organization’s culture. “Success is reflected in a culture where teams feel aligned, empowered, and capable of moving forward with clarity.”
Named Leader of the Year in 2015 and a board member of the International Advertising Association-UAE Chapter, Naaman is widely known for his people-first approach, and championing talent, creativity, and collaboration.
His values — trust, humility, accountability, and empathy— guide his approach and have fostered a workplace where purpose and performance align. As he often reminds his teams, “It is not volume or visibility, but clarity and consistency that leave a lasting impact.”
12. Ramzi Sleiman
Regional Managing Director
Saatchi & Saatchi MEA
“A leader doesn’t only guide. A leader dares. Dares to see what others can’t yet imagine and helps them believe they can build it.”
Ramzi Sleiman, a seasoned professional in communication and marketing, currently serves as the Regional Managing Director at Saatchi & Saatchi MEA and Publicis One Touch, a position he has held since April 2020.
With more than two decades of experience, he has built a strong reputation for driving growth, creative excellence, and impactful brand strategies across the region. Prior to taking the helm at Saatchi & Saatchi, Sleiman served as Regional Growth Director at Publicis Communications MEA, and Regional Communication Director at Leo Burnett MEA, where he played a key role in expanding business operations and shaping strategic communications.
His career spans senior leadership roles across the advertising industry, giving him deep expertise in integrated communications, creative strategy, and agency transformation.
Sleiman believes the future of leadership depends on the courage to evolve. As he puts it: “Future leaders must master the ability to unlearn. The world is changing faster than experience can catch up. Leaders who cling to old playbooks will become irrelevant. It takes humility to forget what worked, and the curiosity to find out what will.”
13. Ramzy Abouchacra
Media Practice President
Dentsu MENA
“Future leaders must combine adaptability, humility, and the ability to inspire through uncertainty. Leaders of tomorrow must know how to work with AI and data—but they must also have the emotional intelligence to lead people through change. Courage to take a stand, and patience to let ideas evolve. And above all, the ability to build teams that don’t just execute, but create.”
As the Media Practice President at Dentsu MENA, Ramzy Abouchacra leverages his extensive management and media experience to drive the agency’s growth across the region. As CEO from 2019 to 2024, he drove Carat’s ‘Redefining Media’ vision while putting consumers at the heart of client strategies in an interconnected world.
Prior to his time at Carat, Abouchacra held senior leadership roles at leading regional media powerhouses, most recently serving as Regional Managing Director at Initiative, bringing over 20 years of industry experience. He has worked with a diverse portfolio of international clients, including Philip Morris, P&G, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, Nokia, Emirates, and Americana Group (KFC, Hardee’s), as well as major regional clients such as Etisalat in the UAE and Mobily in KSA.
When Abouchacra reflects on leadership, he often returns to one of the hardest tests of his career: guiding a company through the COVID-19 crisis. “It wasn’t just about operational survival- it was about navigating ambiguity, protecting people, and still believing in the long-term potential of the business,” he recalls. That moment crystallized his belief that leadership is less about control and more about trust, empathy, and resilience.
He insists that success is measured as much in culture as in outcomes. “It’s not about being the smartest in the room,” he says, “but about creating an environment where everyone can contribute their best.”
Whether mentoring teams or raising his own children, he leads with the conviction that trust, honesty, and inclusion are what transform groups into lasting communities.
14. Tarek Daouk
CEO
Dentsu MENAT & President of Merkle SEMENAT
“Brands must balance affordability with value, convenience, and good experience. This is especially true in MENA, where mobile-first strategies must prioritize personalized experiences without being intrusive.”
Tarek Daouk is the CEO of Dentsu MENAT (Middle East, North Africa & Turkey) and President of Merkle SEMENAT, having taken on the expanded regional leadership role in 2024.
Daouk has been at the centre of innovation in media, content, and digital media in the Middle East and North Africa for almost two decades. He built Starcom Mediavest Group into an early leader in the space, launched innovative new business models such as the content agency LiquidThread and landed Cannes Lions and numerous other awards.
Throughout his career, he has amassed a wealth of industry experience, working with a number of blue-chip advertisers including GSK, GM, Mars, Mondelez, P&G, Samsung and Visa.
Daouk joined Dentsu in 2018 and has since delivered strategic growth across MENA by leveraging Dentsu’s capabilities to design integrated solutions for clients that are focused on the seamless merging of technology, media, content and customer experience—with the ultimate aim of delivering better business and societal outcomes. Tarek has since transformed Dentsu’s business and operations in MENA and built an ambitious leadership team.
Today, Tarek is focused on helping advertisers thrive in the region by building a next-generation agency—one that unites creativity, media, data, and commerce to design unique consumer experiences.
15. Nathalie Gevresse
CEO
Publicis Communications UAE
“The CEO of tomorrow will take on a more therapeutic, human-centric role, reassuring one generation marvelled by AI, while guiding another that was raised with it. It will require listening more, trusting more, and leading with both heart and mind.”
Nathalie Gevresse has spent nearly three decades navigating the fast-changing world of advertising and brand building, but she still defines leadership in deeply human terms.
“Being a leader is not a title. It is not defined by years of experience. It is a mindset,” she says. As CEO of Publicis Communications UAE, Gevresse is responsible for more than 700 people across some of the region’s most iconic agencies, yet her focus remains simple: bringing out the best in others.
Her journey began in Paris at BBDO before spanning almost two decades at J. Walter Thompson, and later senior roles on the client side shaping destinations like The Dubai Mall and Dubai Parks & Resorts. Along the way, she learned that true success lies not just in growth or creative awards, but in culture. “We are a people business,” she explains. “We thrive on human intellect, imagination, and the value of unique talents.”
When she joined Publicis in 2022, her biggest challenge was uniting legacy agencies—Leo Burnett, Publicis, and Saatchi & Saatchi—under a shared vision while preserving their individuality. She approached it with listening, patience, and what she calls a “one team, one heart” mindset. For Nathalie, leadership is ultimately about clarity, courage, and care.22, her biggest challenge was uniting legacy agencies — Leo Burnett, Publicis and Saatchi & Saatchi — under a shared vision while preserving their individuality. She approached it with listening, patience, and what she calls a “one team, one heart” mindset. For Nathalie, leadership is ultimately about clarity, courage, and care.
16. Mounir Harfouche
“If I know I’ve done my best within the context, I don’t regret it. But if I feel I could’ve done more, I sit with that feeling for a moment, I reflect, learn, and take accountability.”
For Mounir Harfouche, leadership has never been about titles or corner offices, it has always started with people. “For me, leadership starts with humanity. It’s about putting people at the core of everything you do,” he says. Over more than three decades and 15 years as CEO of MullenLowe MENA, Mounir has built a reputation for bridging creative thinking, strategic leadership, and digital innovation to drive transformation across brands and businesses.
Known for his ability to connect creative vision with commercial and brand strategy, Harfouche helps organizations navigate complex challenges and seize new opportunities. His leadership philosophy centers on the belief that creativity—amplified by data, technology, and human insight—is a key driver to build brands with sustainable growth and differentiation.
His journey has been shaped less by a single mentor and more by a mosaic of experiences, interactions, and lessons. “There isn’t one single person, it’s probably been thousands,” he says. This openness has helped him navigate industries in flux, embracing AI, digital innovation, and new models of creativity to keep his agency, and his clients, ahead of the curve.
But even as he drives change, Harfouche resists seeing leadership as a fixed end-goal. “Success, to me, is about continuous progress. It’s one of many pitstops along the way, not the final stop,” he explains.
17. Ghassan Kassabji
CEO Impact BBDO Group – Dubai
& Chief Growth Officer Impact BBDO Group MENA
“For me, success isn’t just about hitting KPIs or chasing growth; it’s about building teams and client relationships that last.”
Ghassan Kassabji is the CEO of Impact BBDO Dubai, one of the most awarded creative agencies and the Chief Growth Officer for Impact BBDO Group MENA. With over 20 years of leadership experience across the U.S. and the Middle East, Kassabji has held diverse roles, from marketer and strategist to business builder and agency leader, across industries including advertising, automotive, F&B, retail, entertainment, and digital security.
In his current role, he has guided turnarounds, rebuilt fragmented teams, and earned the trust of clients who wanted more than campaigns—they wanted ambition. Yet he insists leadership isn’t about having all the answers. “It’s about making the team feel safe enough to challenge, to push, to try. Not by having all the answers, but by asking the right questions.”
The roots of this approach go back to his father, whose quiet discipline—showing up, working hard, never cutting corners—still guides him. For Kassabji, comfort is dangerous. “If it feels too safe, you’re probably playing it too small,” he says, with the conviction of someone who knows boldness is the only way forward.
18. Mazen Jawad
“Selecting the right entourage and leadership team is fundamental to a leader’s success. While technical expertise is essential, the chemistry between team members plays a crucial role in driving collective performance.”
When Mazen Jawad reflects on three decades in advertising, he often comes back to a single idea: progress is never finished. “If you can do it, do it at Horizon,” he says, summing up the ethos that has defined his journey from Beirut and Jeddah to Chicago, Athens, and, since 2001, Dubai.
In Dubai, Jawad took on leadership of Horizon Holdings’ diverse portfolio—Horizon FCB MENA, BPN MENA, GolinMENA, Blue Barracuda, and FuelContent— guiding the group through years of transformation. His vision has paid off: Horizon FCB Dubai went on to win its first Cannes Lions, a milestone that placed the agency among the top three in the region and opened the door to further accolades at global creative festivals.
What sets Jawad apart is not only his ability to anticipate shifts but also to act early. Long before “content” became a buzzword, he had already launched a digital agency and a production company, laying the groundwork for the future of brand storytelling.
Outside the office, Jawad’s curiosity extends to the world itself. With 117 countries behind him, travel has become both a passion and a metaphor for his leadership: a constant search for new horizons, always moving forward.nd a metaphor for his leadership: a constant search for new horizons, always moving forward.
19. Ghassan Maraqa
“The power of inclusivity is a lesson I imbibed working across diverse markets and understanding the aspirations of people from different cultural contexts.”
When Ghassan Maraqa first joined Memac Ogilvy back in 2002, he could hardly have imagined that two decades later he’d be steering its vast Middle East and North Africa network as CEO.
Yet the path feels almost inevitable in hindsight. Starting his career at Arthur Andersen in Saudi Arabia, he moved into Ogilvy’s orbit and steadily built a reputation for marrying sharp financial acumen with a rare sensitivity to the region’s cultural nuances.
“I believe that true leadership is honoring your organization’s legacy while building for tomorrow,” Maraqa says, summing up a philosophy shaped by more than 23 years working across nearly every country in MENA.
That duality — looking ahead without losing sight of roots — has guided him as he expanded operations into new markets, fostered multicultural teams, and pushed Ogilvy’s “borderless creativity” ethos to new heights.
Under his watch, the agency has achieved record growth and won industry honors, from Fast Company Middle East naming it “Most Innovative Company” to a Grand Prix at Dubai Lynx. Yet, ask him what success looks like, and he won’t cite trophies. “It is about how you attract and retain talent, and seeing our people grow into leadership roles,” he says.
20. Ramez Zeineddine
“In an increasingly complex media landscape, delivering clarity and results is more important than ever.“
Ramez Zeineddine is the CEO of Starcom Middle East, a role he assumed in 2023 after returning to the Groupe, having previously spent a decade with Starcom ME until 2018.
Drawing on nearly two decades of experience in advertising and marketing, he has worked with large government, international and regional brands throughout the Middle East. Before assuming leadership at Starcom ME, Ramez was the Country Head of Amazon Ads Saudi Arabia, where he launched, grew, and scaled the ads business in alignment with regional objectives.
Prior to that, he served as Managing Director at MediaCom Saudi Arabia, helping to transform the agency into a prominent player in its market.
Earlier in his career, during his previous tenure with Starcom ME, he held the position of Group Media Director, where he led global technical and operational priorities including strategic media practices, global media channel strategy and implementation across online and offline, global media partner management, account performance and optimization for key brands such as Samsung, Emirates, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and General Motors.
In his current role, Zeineddine focuses on driving transformative growth, digital innovation, and sustainable strategies that deliver measurable outcomes for clients.
