Leo Burnett ME adds to KSA leadership with business lead appointment
Leo Burnett Middle East has appointed Ali Abdulhadi as Business Lead for its Saudi Arabia office, where he will oversee client partnerships, creative output, and team development across key accounts.
Currently based in the Eastern Province of the kingdom, Abdulhadi brings close to two decades of experience across the MENA region, having worked with more than a 100 brands in industries spanning automotive, FMCG, technology, aviation, and beyond. His career includes senior leadership roles at agencies and startups, and a portfolio featuring clients such as Mercedes-Benz, UNICEF, Samsung, and Nestlé.
'Ali's appointment comes at a time when our clients are looking for deeper integration and faster delivery. His mix of agency and startup leadership, along with hands-on experience across the region, makes him well positioned to support the evolving needs of the business,' said Adel Baraja, CEO, Publicis Communications KSA.
Abdulhadi has led marketing transformation efforts, regional launches, and campaigns that delivered measurable business impact. His career is also marked by a series of regional firsts, including the first Arabic Discovery page on Snapchat with Layalina and the first TikTok brand collaboration in Jordan for UNICEF.
Speaking about his appointment as Business Lead at Leo Burnett Middle East, Abdulhadi said, 'What drew me back to agency life is the energy, the pace, and the people. Leo Burnett has always stood for bold, iconic thinking, and with the right team, I believe we can build work that delivers on both creative ambition and business impact.'
In his new role, Ali will also focus on strengthening Leo Burnett's client relationships, growing its strategic offering, and championing talent across the board.
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