Gambit Communications has appointed Bassel Barakat as Senior Director, tasking him with overseeing key clients as the independent agency expands its portfolio.
Barakat brings over 12 years of experience across agency and brand roles, with strong expertise in the GCC region, particularly Saudi Arabia. His work has spanned B2G, B2B and B2C communications, with a focus on building and managing brand reputation.
He most recently headed external communications at Deloitte Middle East, where he worked on integrated campaigns, thought leadership and crisis management, engaging with a wide network of stakeholders. Earlier, he held senior roles at global and regional agencies, serving clients including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Ferrari, the Saudi Esports Federation, the Saudi Football Federation, the Saudi Ministry of Sports, Coca-Cola, Marriott International and Honeywell.
Commenting on the appointment, Jamal Almawed, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gambit Communications, said: “Bassel’s career trajectory speaks for itself. His work has been recognized by industry bodies and titles like MEPRA, SABRE Awards and Campaign Middle East, making him the right person to take on this strategic role. We’re excited to have his expertise in our team, as we continue to grow in our ‘Gambit 3.0’ phase of expansion.”
The appointment comes amid continued growth for the agency, which recently launched four new divisions — Gambit Pulse, Gambit Sage, Gambit Atelier and Gambit FWD — and expanded its roster of regional and multinational clients.
Gambit Communications also reported a strong awards run in 2025, securing 40 major wins, including Global Consultancy of the Year at the ICCO Global Awards, and multiple honours at the PRCA MENA Awards and Campaign Middle East Agency of the Year Awards.
