Latest news with #HazemElZayat
Web Release
17-04-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Red Academy Expands Impact at AUB: Memac Ogilvy Equips Students with Future-Ready Communication Skills
News Business and Economics By Editor_wr On Apr 17, 2025 Memac Ogilvy, the leading creative agency in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, successfully concluded the third edition of its Red Academy program at the American University of Beirut (AUB), bringing together 80 students from the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB) for hands-on training with top industry leaders. Building on the success of previous programs, this year's initiative featured a series of three in-depth workshops led by Memac Ogilvy's industry experts, culminating in a final presentation day judged by a professional panel. The program, which ran from April 7-16, engaged participants in progressively challenging assignments designed to bridge classroom theory with real-world application. Over three intensive sessions, participants explored critical aspects of modern communications, including 'The Power of Copy,' 'Using Data and Creativity to Deliver Impactful Customer Experiences,' and 'The Rise of the Attention Economy & the Value of Impact.' Each session provided participants with practical knowledge and hands-on experience to prepare them for careers in the rapidly evolving communications landscape. The program featured experts from Memac Ogilvy, including Christian Safi, Creative Director for Lebanon/KSA; Hazem El Zayat, Chief Experience Officer for MENA; and Mario Morbi, Chief Strategy Officer for MENA, who shared their expertise and guided students through real-world communications challenges. Commenting on the successful partnership, Samer Abboud, Memac Ogilvy's Regional Chief Growth Officer for MENA, said: 'Our communications industry continues to be a vital pillar in Lebanon's economy, driving innovation, job creation, and international recognition for Lebanese talent. Through the Red Academy, we're bridging the critical gap between academic theory and professional practice, equipping students with practical skills for today's digital landscape. Our commitment is to develop talent who can navigate complex business challenges and drive growth. Despite regional challenges, we remain invested in preparing these future marketing leaders who will strengthen Lebanon's position in the global communications arena.' Echoing a similar sentiment, Dr. Yusuf Sidani, Dean of the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business, stated: 'This has been an engaging and valuable initiative—one that many OSB students have actively taken part in over the past two years. The fact that The Red Academy is returning for a third edition is a strong testament to the impact it's had and the value it continues to bring to our students. By blending creative insight with real-world application, this partnership offers a unique learning experience that aligns well with our mission to transform business thinking and prepare future leaders.' Following the final presentations on April 16, top-performing students were awarded internships with Memac Ogilvy's Advertising, Public Relations, and Social Media departments, providing them with further opportunities to develop their professional skills. The Red Academy program continues to reflect Memac Ogilvy and AUB's shared vision of fostering talent development and preparing students for successful careers in an increasingly competitive and dynamic industry. Comments are closed.
Campaign ME
20-02-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Ogilvy One and Progress partner to create AI-powered digital experiences
At a partner event in Dubai, Ogilvy One and Progress shared exclusive insights on using AI to enhance customer engagement. Ogilvy One, known for its next-generation business, brand, and customer value services, teamed up with Progress, a leader in AI-powered digital experiences and infrastructure software, to shed light on how Gen AI technology can be used to design impactful digital experiences. The event featured several high-level discussions, attended by industry experts and marketing professionals. 'The partnership between Ogilvy One and Progress is a powerful example of the potential that can be unlocked by integrating digital transformation and cutting-edge AI technology,' said Hazem El Zayat, Chief Experience Officer MENA at Memac Ogilvy. Journeys defined by customers Frans Riemersma, author and martech influencer, began the session underlining the power of AI in predicting future consumer actions, going beyond just customer behaviour. He demonstrated how to build business use cases that utilise data, content and features, and how to maximise the personalisation of customer journeys through marketing technology backed by AI. 'Marketers today have access to more data than ever before, but the real challenge lies in turning that data into actionable insights,' said Riemersma. He raised the case for marketers to transition from tech-centric to customer-centric strategies to enhance ROI and decision-making. He also emphasised that building flexible, integrated martech stacks tailored to funnel stages and customer journeys is key for competitive advantage. 'Today, with AI, brands can not only predict customer actions but also anticipate their needs, preferences, and emotions. By integrating AI into every step of the customer journey – from content creation to real-time personalisation – marketers can curate experiences that feel both immediate and meaningful,' he said. 'We must continue to leverage the power of technology to build authentic, emotional connections at scale, ultimately driving loyalty and long-term success.' People-centric experiences Another key highlight from the event included Ogilvy One's in-depth case study on how personalised, predictive, data and behavior-driven communications can significantly impact customer engagement. The study explored how historical customer behaviour patterns, leveraging previous transactions with customer first-party data, and aligning communications with on-sale SKUs resulted in highly personalised, automated follow-up messages across multiple channels, can ultimately drive higher online and offline sales. 'Today, the customer journey is more dynamic and interconnected, making AI and automation essential for brands to stay competitive,' said Ramiro Millan, Senior Director of Partnerships at Progress. People-centric digital experiences start with a simple idea: put people and their needs at the center of development. It's about more than just personalising content — it's about truly understanding where, how, and why users engage with apps and websites. Designing with this context in mind ensures that digital experiences are relevant and meaningful. But relevance alone isn't enough. Accessibility is crucial, too. 'By combining our insights on customer engagement with Progress' innovative solutions, we create more meaningful, personalised experiences for our clients, which go beyond just meeting customer expectations,' said El Zayat. By combining Ogilvy One's expertise in customer engagement with Progress Sitefinity's advanced AI-powered content management and automation capabilities, the partnership hopes to enable brands to harness data, personalise interactions, and drive long-term customer loyalty and business growth.
