Hall & Partners, a brand and communications research agency, announced that it has opened an office in the Middle East. The new office is located in Dubai and will not only cover the MENA region but also Turkey and Iran.
Taking the lead of the new operation is managing director Ziad Skaff, who will manage a team of research, data and analytics experts. Prior to Hall & Partners, Skaff spent eight years as regional executive director of research and insights at Omnicom Media Group MENA, where he developed the company’s analytics and consultancy arm, Integral. Under his guidance, the division headed regional studies on trends and research topics in the communications industry for the group’s agencies and their clients. Ziad also led the publication of 12 white papers by Integral, with the most recent titled: “Changing Lives: The evolving Saudi shopper” and “Upwardly Mobile: Reflecting on the growth of mobile in MENA”.
“The market for brand research and insights is evolving just as fast as the commercial sector in the Middle East. The launch of Hall & Partners in the region will provide organizations with the agency’s advanced approaches and techniques for research, as well as access to a global network of shared learnings and expertise. Such services will enable our clients to gain valuable insights on market trends as well as a deeper understandings of their consumers,” says Skaff in a press statement.
Caroline Frankum, EMEA CEO for Hall & Partners, adds: “The Middle East is an important and strategic market for many of our clients. With the region’s market research industry maturing to the point where it is ready for a more premium research offering, it was only natural that we expand our presence there. We are thrilled to have Ziad and his team on board. Their wealth of knowledge and experience will allow Hall & Partners to focus on providing a more local service to key clients, one that builds commercially and emotionally rewarding relationships in ways that matter for the region.”
The launch of the new office coincided with Caroline and Ziad’s presentation, It’s Time to Get Serious About Play, at the ESOMAR 2015 MENAP Forum, which reflected on why ‘play’ is the future of research and the key to strengthening relationships between people and brands.
Further details about the new office can be found at http://www.hallandpartners.com/offices/dubai
