The Marketing Society expands GCC leadership to drive regional growth
The Marketing Society has revealed key leadership appointments as part of its strategic expansion across the GCC region, marking a significant milestone in the society's mission to champion marketing excellence and strengthen its influence across the region.
Mohammed Ismaeel Hameedaldin, Partner at TOUGHLOVE Advisors and current Dubai Chair, has been appointed Chair, GCC, for The Marketing Society, leading the expansion across the region. Hameedaldin brings deep regional expertise and a visionary approach to this new role.
Meanwhile, Amina Taher, CMO, Wio Bank PJSC and current Chair, Abu Dhabi, will assume the position of Chair, UAE, overseeing both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Taher has been instrumental in elevating the marketing profession in Abu Dhabi, and the society believes that her strategic leadership will be key to shaping its continued growth in the Emirates.
To further support this expansion, Faheem Ahamed, Group CMO, G42 in Abu Dhabi, and Aly Tawfik, Area Marketing Director, Red Bull in Dubai will support Amina as Vice Chairs.
Additionally, former Chair, UAE, Khaled Ismail, CEO and Partner, TOUGHLOVE Advisors will take on a newly created global role as Chair of International Hubs, designed to enhance collaboration across key markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and the GCC. This role, introduced by CEO Sophie Devonshire, reflects the commitment to global connectivity and growth.
Commenting on the leadership appointments, Sophie Devonshire, CEO, The Marketing Society, said: 'We are incredibly excited about our new leadership team in the GCC. The impact Khaled has made on the Society is immeasurable and he's been instrumental in shaping our success. His passion, ideas, and leadership have helped build this community from a few dozen members to a 550+ strong community. He is the perfect Changemaker to help drive our vision forward globally.'
Devonshire added, 'Mohammed and Amina have done an outstanding job in their previous roles as Chairs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and I am excited to see how they can further expand our Society's influence across the region.'
The Marketing Society community continues to grow and now has more than 550 members in the GCC, marking 360 per cent growth in four years. Through the network; a programme of 30 physical events; training programmes, including the UAE Scholarship; their gender equality initiative THINK EQUAL; GCC Awards; Sustainability Squad, and more, the society aims to grow marketing's positive impact on business.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
5 days ago
- Campaign ME
The Marketing Society GCC Awards 2025: Mashreq, Majid Al Futtaim, Etihad and more shortlisted
The Marketing Society has announced the shortlist for its 2025 GCC Awards, featuring entries from brands including Mashreq, Majid Al Futtaim, Etihad, STA, Red Sea Global, and Mercedes-Benz. The awards, launched in the UAE in 2023, aim to recognise marketing work that demonstrates not only creativity and effectiveness but also contributes to business growth and reputation. The 2025 edition saw a significant increase in participation, with entries tripling year-on-year. The shortlist spans eight categories: Brand Communication, Brand Evolution, Customer Experience & Engagement, Sustainability, Successful & Effective Partnerships, B2B, Best Use of Media, and Best Team. The entries represent a wide range of industries including retail, tourism, tech, banking, aviation, FMCG, mobility and real estate. Brand Communication Virgin Mobile UAE – Superfans, Real Stories: Rehumanising Brand Communications at Virgin Mobile UAE Procter & Gamble – Pampers – Joy Has Come Early Madagascar National Tourism Board – Madagascar Uncharted | Beyond the Baobabs Majid Al Futtaim – The SHARE Touch Miral, Yas Island Abu Dhabi – The Chief Island Officer's Enduring Legacy Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes-Benz presents The Mission XX – Riyadh to Dubai with a single charge Brand Evolution Allinners Media – Empowering Personal Brands In The GCC: A Year of Innovation and Authentic Connections at Allinners Media G42 – Artificial Intelligence, Real Emotions. Mashreq – Climb2change by Mashreq MG Motor – Underdog to Unstoppable National Housing Company – Where Life Begins: How NHC Rewrote The Rules Of Real Estate Marketing Saudia – Revitalising a National Icon Customer Experience & Engagement, in partnership with National Housing Company City Centre Deira – Santa Hotline: A Magical Festive Surprise at City Centre Deira Miral Destinations – Yas Annual Pass PwC Middle East – Our space is your space – بيتي بيتك Careem Kuwait – Careem Kuwait: Captain Wanasa G42 – THE INTELLIGENCE GRID Mashreq – Mashreq AED 1 Specials Sustainability Emirates Nature-WWF – Pioneering Citizen Science and Conservation in the UAE Mashreq – Climb2Change by Mashreq Red Sea Global – The Regeneration Journey – Red Sea Development Dubai Holding – Gift It Forward – A philanthropic initiative Successful Effective Partnerships Madagascar National Tourism Board – Madagascar Uncharted | Beyond the Baobabs Saudi Tourism Authority – The Most Amazing Arla Foods – Selfless Shelves G42 – The Choice Majid Al Futtaim – Increasing Loyalty Through Increasing Partnerships Mashreq – Mashreq AED 1 Specials B2B IBM – The CEO's Guide to Generative AI G42 – THE INTELLIGENCE GRID Mashreq – Climb2Change by Mashreq Best Use of Media Saudi Tourism Authority – The Most Amazing Madagascar National Tourism Board – Madagascar Uncharted | Beyond the Baobabs Best Team Majid Al Futtaim Retail – HyperMax Launch Al Masaood Group – Al Masaood Marketeers – 'The Makers of Results' The Hanging House – The Hanging House Team Etihad – Selling Memories, Not Products: Etihad's Black Friday evolution Wio Bank – A team united by the mission to disrupt banking Informa Bahrain Marketing Team – The Autumn Fair Marketing Team Judging will be conducted in two stages. The first involves a scoring system that evaluates strategy, insights, innovation, risk, results, and the extent to which the work elevates the marketing profession. The second stage sees top-scoring entries debated by the panel to determine the winners. The 2025 judging panel comprises 24 senior marketing leaders from across the region, representing organisations including Mondelez, Diriyah, Gulf Bank, PIF, Wio Bank, Samsung and Pepsi, among others. The Marketing Society GCC Awards 2025 winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on Tuesday, 24 June, from 7–10pm at Atlantis, Dubai.
Gulf News
29-04-2025
- Gulf News
Nigerian entrepreneur turns smart spending into business success in Dubai
Dubai: From budgeting summer holiday expenses as a child to managing a profitable salon today, Amina Bahari's story is proof that financial literacy pays off—literally and emotionally. When a seven-year relationship ended, she moved to Dubai from Sudan in 2013 with no clear roadmap—but she carried two powerful tools many underestimate: discipline and a deep respect for money. What followed was a decade-long journey of saving with purpose, investing wisely, and building a thriving business in one of the world's most competitive cities. Raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Amina learned early that 'money was earned, not given.' Her father, the family's sole provider, made sure of that. 'Before any allowance, we had to justify our need with a budget breakdown,' she says. 'He taught us to think critically about spending and saving—skills that I later used in life and business.' That money mindset eventually led Amina, now 40, to co-found Stay Flawless, a beauty lounge in Dubai, which broke even in just nine months and now runs at a 34% profit margin. But her journey wasn't always glamorous—or easy. Planning before passion pays off After gaining over a decade of corporate experience in brand and marketing roles across the GCC, Amina began saving with a specific goal in mind: financial freedom. 'I knew I didn't want to stay in a job forever, no matter how successful I became. I saved aggressively, learned how to read P&L statements, and took time to understand every part of running a business—from logistics to customer service.' Alongside business partner Hadeel Ismail, Amina invested Dh600,000 of personal savings into launching Stay Flawless in 2021. 'We planned it for two years, and because we understood our market and cost structure deeply, we scaled sustainably. From year one to year two, revenue jumped 105%. The next year, it rose by 45%.' But the real financial lesson came early. Avoiding the contractor trap 'One of our first mistakes cost us dearly,' Amina recalls. 'We trusted a contractor who claimed they could handle the fit-out for half the market price. They disappeared after taking Dh150,000.' It was a painful but invaluable lesson in due diligence. 'Always do background checks and keep your emotions in check—especially when you're excited. That setback taught me the power of professional delegation and the need for contracts, references, and clear communication.' The value of financial boundaries Amina's disciplined financial upbringing taught her something many business owners overlook: pay yourself. 'We included fair remuneration for ourselves from the start. Too many entrepreneurs ignore this and end up dipping into savings or running up debt.' She also avoided the trap of overreliance on credit. 'Unless you have a repayment plan tied to incoming revenue, don't borrow. We only use credit for short-term liquidity—not long-term funding.' Instead, she focused on strong cash flow management, accurate forecasting, and building emergency reserves. Tip #1: Save with intention, not just fear Amina began investing in 2020—not impulsively, but cautiously. She started with low-risk instruments like savings plans and fixed income, then diversified into equity funds and eventually business ventures. 'Savings are great, but inflation erodes idle money,' she says. 'I looked for investments aligned with my values and long-term goals. Passive income, when planned well, creates stability.' Tip #2: Spend where it matters Amina's spending philosophy is simple: 'Splurge only where there's return—financial or emotional.' For her, that meant investing in her team's training and wellbeing. 'Happy teams create happy clients. That's what sustains growth.' She's also strategic about branding and digital marketing. 'It's tempting to cut costs here, but visibility drives value in competitive cities like Dubai.' Tip #3: Build financial confidence early Whether managing a salon or planning retirement, Amina credits her confidence to early financial exposure. 'Budgeting during childhood, negotiating with siblings, presenting plans to my father—all of it helped me become financially fearless as an adult.' She now applies those same lessons with her team and future business ventures. 'Transparency, structure, and open discussions about money shouldn't be taboo. They build trust—and better decisions.' Final takeaway: Finance is freedom Today, Amina enjoys both financial stability and personal freedom. Her days are a mix of business meetings and beach walks, salon reviews and poetry writing. 'Financial planning doesn't mean you can't enjoy life,' she says. 'It means you get to enjoy it on your terms.' Her advice to anyone looking to take control of their finances—whether starting a business or building savings? 'Track every dirham. Save with purpose. Delegate smartly. And always negotiate—life and money are both flexible if you ask the right way.'
Zawya
14-04-2025
- Zawya
Wio Bank launches salary plan with market-leading 6% interest on savings to enhance financial wellness
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Wio Bank PJSC, the Middle East's first digital financial platform, announced the launch of the Wio Personal Salary Plan, a new banking plan offering salaried individuals in the UAE a market-leading 6% interest rate on their savings and significant benefits to enhance their financial wellness. Financial wellness has emerged as a key priority for professionals in the UAE, with financial stress widely recognized as a factor affecting workplace productivity, mental health, and overall life satisfaction. Salaried individuals are increasingly seeking banking solutions that do more than just store their income. The Wio Personal Salary Plan addresses these concerns by transforming how employees interact with their primary source of income, turning standard salary accounts into tools for financial growth and stability. The Wio Personal Salary Plan converts a standard salary account into a comprehensive financial wellness tool. It offers 6% interest per annum on Fixed Saving Spaces—one of the highest in the UAE—and 3% interest per annum on current account balances, making Wio the first bank in the country to offer interest on everyday balances. These features enable automatic wealth building, creating a foundation for improved financial wellness without requiring active management. Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank PJSC, said: "In today's fast-paced economy, bank accounts should do more than just hold money—they should create opportunities for growth. People work hard for their income – we believe their earnings should work equally hard for them. We designed the Wio Personal Salary Plan to transform how people build wealth automatically with every paycheck, even when they're not actively managing their finances. This innovation directly supports our strategic mission to create financial tools that generate measurable value and empower customers to achieve greater financial security." The plan integrates multiple financial wellness components in one solution. Through one easy-to-use app, customers can save up to 3.5% on global transactions with multi-currency accounts in USD, EUR, and GBP, enjoy up to 2% cashback on credit card spending (up to AED 2,500 per month), and seamlessly invest in over 2,500 UAE and US stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. This holistic approach addresses key aspects of financial wellness—from daily money management to long-term wealth building—with a hassle-free digital account opening process that requires no paperwork. Available to those earning AED 15,000 or more monthly, the Wio Personal Salary Plan supports the UAE's vision for financial well-being and digital advancement. Companies partnering with Wio can offer their employees special access, providing an accessible financial wellness benefit at no cost to employers. In alignment with the UAE's broader vision of financial empowerment and inclusion, Wio Bank aims to support residents in building long-term financial wellness. By offering an innovative, high-yield banking solution, Wio Bank is contributing to the country's economic development by encouraging smarter saving habits, enhancing digital banking adoption, and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leader in fintech innovation. About Wio Bank PJSC: Wio Bank PJSC, the Middle East's first digital financial platform, is reimagining banking for individuals and businesses. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi and backed by strategic investors including ADQ, Alpha Dhabi, e&, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Wio combines cutting-edge technology with a human-centric approach to deliver seamless, personalised financial solutions. For personal banking, Wio offers smart tools and insights to help users take control of their finances, enabling them to save, spend, and grow with ease. For businesses, Wio goes beyond traditional banking by providing entrepreneurs and SMEs with a comprehensive digital platform designed to streamline operations, unlock growth opportunities, and simplify financial management. Wio is redefining the banking landscape as a market leader in Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and embedded finance, delivering innovative solutions that empower people, businesses, and communities with the infrastructure they need to access long-term wealth creation. By offering an end-to-end, frictionless digital platform for both retail and business customers, Wio is disrupting traditional banking models, creating operational efficiencies, and unlocking value-added services through a transparent, personalised customer experience. Wio Bank's commitment to innovation has been widely recognized, being named '#1 Fintech in MENA' by Forbes Middle East and 'Digital Bank of the Year' at both the E-Business Awards 2024 and Tech Innovation Awards 2024. The bank has also received 'Best Retail Banking Digital App Experience' award, 'SME Bank of the Year' award, and 'Intelligent Banking and Finance Implementation' award. Additionally, Wio's leadership excellence was acknowledged with inclusion in the Top 34 GCC Banking CEO Power List 2024 by Finance Middle East. For more information, visit
