
Call of Duty gamers use KFC ‘Bribe Bucket' to barter for mercy
The virtual warzones of Call of Duty, KFC, and TBWA\Raad have combined for a bold, disruptive campaign that now permits gamers on the verge of being killed the opportunity to negotiate for their survival by offering other gamers vouchers to a 'Bribe Bucket' in exchange for being spared.
Capitalising on Call of Duty's proximity chat – a voice feature that lets players talk, joke or trick their opponents – the campaign lets gamers offer up a bucket of finger-lickin' chicken to 'barter for mercy'.
'With the Bribe Bucket, we're not just serving chicken — we're giving players a whole new way to win,' said Ahmed Arafa, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC MENAPAKT & CIS. 'In

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Campaign ME
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In this Industry Snapshot, TBWA\RAAD's Dan Leach explores how future-forward marketing is redefining the landscape in Saudi Arabia – driven by AI, hyper-personalisation, deep cultural relevance, and a generation eager to form meaningful connections. It is important not to group Saudi Arabia within 'Middle East marketing strategies,' but instead to focus on marketing specifically for Saudi Arabia because… Saudi is moving at its own speed under Vision 2030. A young, digital-first population and a surge of new industries demand messages that speak to local culture and ambition—one size for 'the Middle East' simply misses the mark. Above all, brand, marketers, and agency leaders in Saudi Arabia must prioritise… Deep cultural relevance. Go past surface storytelling to reflect Saudis' daily habits, values and pride, turning real insights into ideas that feel genuine and foster meaningful connections. The biggest marketing disruption in Saudi Arabia in the next two years will be… AI everywhere – real-time personalisation, predictive analytics and AI-generated content – leading to hyper-relevant messaging and immersive digital experiences while blending with the Kingdom's fast-rising entertainment and tech scene. We're excited about Saudi Arabia's Olympic Esports Games 2027, Expo 2030, and FIFA World Cup 2035 because… They put Saudi on the world stage and open huge canvases for brands to merge on-ground experiences with digital storytelling, earning both local love and global reach. The biggest proportion of marketing budget allocation for brands in Saudi Arabia should be towards… Data-driven digital experiences – social, gaming, AR/VR and mobile – that let Gen Z and millennials interact, personalise and share in real time. Local Saudi Arabia icons, celebrities, influencers, and gamers will have an effect on Saudi marketing because … They are the cultural heartbeat. Partnering with Saudi creators, athletes and musicians gives brands instant credibility and authentic, grassroots advocacy. The most important challenge that needs to be addressed within Saudi Arabia's creative, marketing, and advertising industry is… Developing and retaining Saudi talent. Growing the next wave of home-grown creatives, strategists and technologists is vital for lasting innovation and success. My opinion on the brand versus performance debate is that… It's not an either/or scenario. Successful marketers in Saudi Arabia will be those who can seamlessly merge brand-building with performance marketing, using data insights to optimise campaigns without diluting the creative spark that captures the hearts of consumers in the Kingdom. By Dan Leach, Managing Director, TBWA\RAAD Saudi Arabia.


Campaign ME
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As audiences move from passive scrolling to immersive play, gaming strategies will be key to unlocking new, innovative brand spaces. Alex Simonian Managing Director, Another in Kingdom YES Gaming is no longer just entertainment – it's become a cultural force equalling social media in audience size and engagement. While many brand integrations today are still surface-level, pioneers like Orange Telecom's GTA collaboration show the incredible potential for deeper engagement. The future in my opinion is very exciting and lies in seamless brand-gamer interactions, where brands go beyond traditional sponsorships or 'implanted presence' to designed experiences within gaming ecosystems. Instead of piggybacking on existing platforms, brands will create immersive, interactive spaces that feel organic to the gaming world – building lasting connections with players. Rey Sawan Regional Marketing Manager – Brand, Samsung Electronics – MENAT NO The sensational sells. That's why Sports Illustrated covers still promise '10 New Secrets to 6-Pack Abs' every month, why our slides centre around graphs that point up or down instead of staying flat, and why gaming has been 'on the rise' in digital culture for decades. Our marketing strategies don't need the sensational – they need to be rooted in how we understand humans and the role our products/brands play in their worlds. If gaming, like social, becomes central for all consumers and brands, then please change my answer to yes. Jack Rogers Associate Creative Director, Socialize YES However, it depends. Does your brand have a strong case to slot in seamlessly? Do you have someone on your team who actually understands the gaming space and gamers? Then, yes. The hardest part isn't knowing that your brand should be breaking into the space, it's trying to sell campaigns to brands whose teams don't understand the space. Gamers can immediately sniff out inauthenticity. And coming at them with a catch-all 'hey, fellow gamers' approach just doesn't work. Still need convincing? Some years, the League of Legends World Championship has clocked more unique viewers than the Superbowl, and we all know how much brands froth over that ad space. Rabih El Khoury Managing Partner, Evolution Group YES The numbers are too big to ignore. There are 1.5 times more 25 to 34-year-olds playing mobile games than there are on TikTok globally. One-in-four Americans aged more than 50 play mobile games daily. For Gen Alpha, platforms such as Roblox are already the new social media. e-Sports has a fan base of half a billion. The equally critical reasons are superior ad quality metrics (attention, engagement and VCR), higher creative flexibility and storytelling, and tremendous first-mover advantage, especially in the MENA region, in an uncluttered space. Bonus: e-commerce and online-to-footfall are being developed as an integral aspect of this space. Simon Morehead Founder, CRATER Global YES Gaming is becoming more like social media in that gamers are connecting, communicating, and building communities while they play. It's more than just about the game, there's a social layer with online interaction. Gen Zs lead the billions of gamers worldwide, signifying that gaming platforms shouldn't be overlooked. Whilst there are challenges in data limitations and market competitiveness, the space offers brands immense potential to engage with audiences. I believe just as gaming continues to evolve, so too should a brand's overall strategy, incorporating gaming into their digital media and marketing – although as with the rules of social media, content needs to be correctly targeted and most importantly remain authentic. Karim Mroueh Head of Digital Innovation, Serviceplan Middle East YES Indeed, brands will increasingly need a tailored approach to gaming. 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As gaming continues to evolve and become more ingrained in Saudi culture, its relevance in the media and marketing mix is set to rival, if not surpass, that of traditional social media strategies. Saudi Arabia has already hosted major esports events, such as Gamers8 and the Esports World Cup, which grabbed global attention. At UTURN, we had the privilege of being part of the on-ground video coverage for the Esports World Cup last year, witnessing firsthand the engagement of the gaming community. This rapidly changing market offers brands exciting opportunities to integrate into the gaming experience. We've noticed a growing interest from our clients to collaborate with gaming influencers, form partnerships with popular games and incorporate branded content within these immersive spaces, encouraging us to boost our investment in gaming content. 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Khaleej Times
18-04-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai restaurant review: Hanu offers a journey into Korean culture
S omething that was painfully missing from Dubai's fine dining scene was a truly high-end Korean restaurant. When it comes to Japanese, South American, or Mediterranean cuisine, Dubai diners are spoilt for choice — but luxury Korean dining was the hole in the city's foodie heart just waiting to be filled. Then along came Hanu. The cool calm of Korean culture floods the senses the second you walk through the doors. The interiors are adorned with soft charcoal tones, embossed with traditional Korean patterns and symbolic imagery across the walls and ceiling. As we sat down, we were instantly drawn to the gold circular grill built into our table, and our minds immediately began whirring with visions of high-grade meats sizzling on the hot grates. We were given a warm welcome by our waiter, Travis, who talked us through the menu — a collection of fresh interpretations of traditional Korean dishes. We tried the A5 Wagyu gyoza topped with bamboo, which were delicious from their crispy bottoms to their oozing centres — the ideal first bite. We also opted for the KFC (Korean Fried Cauliflower), a perfect marriage of sweet and spicy. Travis suggested we try the raw red prawn, marinated for 24 hours in a soy and citrus concoction — a refreshing bite that played beautifully off the richer starters. For the main event, we couldn't wait to try the 'Meat Me at the Grill' — a series of highly graded beef cuts, grilled at the centre of our table and served with an array of kimchi and traditional Korean pickles. The meat parade began with Australian Black Angus, followed by Australian Wagyu MB 6-7, then Japanese Wagyu striploin, and finally the Yangnyeom Short Rib Galbi. This decadent selection of rich, fatty, flavour-packed cuts epitomised Korean BBQ and showcased Hanu's commitment to quality ingredients, bold flavour, and elevated dining. The beautifully grilled meats didn't overpower the senses, thanks to the in-table BBQ's golden grates, which cleverly vented stronger smells away from the diner. As the chef explained, this seemingly small detail can dramatically enhance the experience — a perfect example of the careful attention Hanu gives to each individual guest. The meat course was accompanied by steamed rice and a traditional kimchi stew or Budae Jjigae (Army Stew), which was deliciously warming with a real kick. We also enjoyed a bowl of cold noodles, mixed with wafer-thin sliced mushrooms and fresh herbs — a dish that beautifully counterbalanced the heat, fat, and acidity of the mains. The dining experience came to a harmonious close with some Hodugwaja — Korean walnut pastries. These sweet, doughy pockets, filled with red bean paste and chopped walnuts, were served on a bed of whole, unshelled walnuts for extra flair. This experience was hard to fault — from the calming surroundings to the warm, friendly service, the spectacular food, and the non-pretentious theatrics, it was truly something special. A perfect spot for a birthday or any kind of celebration.