NordStella, in partnership with Effie Worldwide, has announced the launch of the first-ever Effie Awards Saudi Arabia, set to take place in Riyadh on June 11, 2026, at the Narcissus The Royal Hotel.
The inaugural awards programme marks the introduction of Saudi Arabia’s first dedicated platform focused on recognising marketing effectiveness and celebrating campaigns, brands, agencies and industry leaders that deliver measurable business results.
Building on the success of 16 editions of the MENA Effie Awards and Effie Worldwide’s global legacy spanning more than 50 years across over 125 markets, the Saudi edition aims to spotlight the Kingdom’s most impactful marketing achievements. Held under the theme “Pride of the Kingdom,” the event will honour creativity, innovation and effectiveness in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving marketing and advertising sector.
As part of the launch, organisers will introduce “The Effectiveness Edit Talks,” a daytime conference programme featuring talks, panel discussions, workshops and debates. The event will bring together senior marketers, business leaders, agencies, media professionals, technology platforms and government-linked entities to discuss the future of marketing effectiveness in Saudi Arabia.
Key topics on the agenda include the impact of Vision 2030 on marketing, understanding the evolving Saudi consumer, measuring return on investment, the role of culture and creativity in campaign success, and the growing influence of data and technology on effectiveness.
Speakers and participating organisations are expected to include representatives from Google, the Saudi Tourism Authority, King Salman International Airport, the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, Kantar, Samsung Electronics Saudi Arabia, Saudi Ceramics, EVIQ, Gathern and Herfy Food Services, among others.
The launch comes as Saudi Arabia’s marketing and media sector continues to expand, supported by increasing digital adoption and economic diversification efforts. Industry data indicates that digital advertising spend in the Kingdom grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% between 2020 and 2025 and is projected to accelerate further between 2026 and 2029.
The day’s programme will conclude with the Effie Awards Saudi Arabia ceremony, where campaigns, brands and agencies demonstrating outstanding effectiveness and measurable business impact will be recognised.
Organisers said the event is designed to provide a platform for both industry learning and recognition, reflecting the growing importance of marketing effectiveness in Saudi Arabia’s evolving business landscape.
(Communicate is a media partner of Effie Awards Saudi Arabia)
