Latest news with #ME&T
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
Strategic Planning Leader of The Year 2024: Tahaab Rais, Publicis Groupe ME&T
The Gold winner of Strategic Planning Leader of The Year 2024 for Campaign's Global Agency of the Year Awards is Tahaab Rais, Chief Strategy Officer and Film Director, Publicis Groupe ME&T. Since joining Publicis Groupe in 2022 as its first regional chief strategy officer working across the Middle East and Turkey (ME&T), Rais has transformed the network's ME&T operations into a strategic powerhouse, delivering a +6.6 per cent organic revenue growth in the hard commercial reality of 2024's challenging economic climate. By introducing new models of thinking, Rais has reimagined how strategy should work – from '4P' a proprietary strategic thinking model, to 'OPEN' for democratised strategic and creative thinking, to 'The A.I. Strategist' a suite of AI tools, to 'Collabs' for synergies between brands, and a novel measurement framework called the '7 Dimensions of Effectiveness' – these initiatives have evolved how Publicis Groupe ME&T delivers proactive and evolved strategic thinking for clients in the region. Saudia Airlines 'Rihla' (meaning 'journey') was shot across three countries. Besides co-writing and directing the moving narrative film, Tahaab also handled camerawork in Mecca amongst 2 million pilgrims. NBA's 'Jump' tackled female basketball exclusion in India, while repurposing neglected fishing nets, demonstrating strategy that solves multiple problems simultaneously. Meanwhile, 'ProtecTasbih' – self-sanitising prayer beads – proved that strategic innovation can emerge from addressing pilgrims' practical needs. Rais' 'Duvet Days' initiative gives strategy team members the opportunity to take days off during weekdays, in lieu of overtime hours worked, to allow for rejuvenation and self-care. This is combined with breakfast or lunch delivered to their homes. Judges called Rais 'a visionary leader who redefines what strategy means in today's ever-evolving landscape. A clear towering strength of impact across his agency.' Shortlisted: Sophia Durrani, MG OMD Celia Garforth, Special This content was first published on Campaign UK.
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
Head of Agency of the Year 2024: Bassel Kakish, Publicis Groupe ME&T
The Gold winner of Head of Agency of the Year 2024 for Campaign's Global Agency of the Year Awards is Bassel Kakish, chief executive officer, Publicis Groupe ME&T. The metrics speak volumes of Kakish's three-year leadership of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey (ME&T): 84 per cent of employees find work meaningful, staff turnover has been slashed to 12 per cent (down 9 per cent over two years), and diversified capabilities now represent 66 per cent of revenue. His 'Growth Club' initiative – a workplace community spanning 80+ participants across 11 agencies and seven markets – achieved an 85 Net Promoter Score with 68 per cent monthly attendance. Meanwhile, 'The Strategy Garage' boasts 97 per cent retention and 33 per cent talent acquisition growth, with an 11:3 female-to-male ratio demonstrating conscious inclusion and support for female strategy talent. When regional conflict escalated, Kakish's business continuity plan seamlessly relocated Lebanese staff to Jordan, maintaining operations without missing a beat. This human-centric crisis management epitomises his leadership philosophy. Commercial vindication is undeniable: 76 per cent new business win rate, €62m in new revenue across Middle East and North Africa, and market share leadership surpassing Omnicom, making ME&T the only region besides North America where Publicis significantly outpaces competition. Strategic partnerships tech platforms position the agency at AI's forefront, while the socially conscious creative work made under Kakish's leadership, from NBA's basketball equality campaign to Anghami's child protection initiative, proves purpose can be a strong multiplier for profit. His colleagues' testimonials reveal a leader who reliably answers calls no matter the time of day or night, solves problems collaboratively, and genuinely prioritises people over processes. In Kakish's hands, 'talent-first' is competitive advantage. Judges applauded Kakish for turning Publicis Groupe ME&T into 'a real powerhouse.' Shortlisted: Tom Otton, Create. Group Tyler Turnbull, FCB Natalie Bell, MG OMD Sam Stuchbury, Motion Sickness This content was first published on Campaign UK.
