The “Expat Power 50” recognises the expatriate community’s contribution to the exponential growth of the GCC countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. According to Andrew White, editor of Arabian Business, the people on the list “have established themselves as key figures across a range of industries and sectors crucial to the ongoing development of the Gulf region”. The editorial team at Arabian Business spent six months compiling the list, comparing and contrasting over 500 people from across the Gulf region.
Ashkar joined Saatchi & Saatchi in 2008 to help build their reputation as a creative hothouse in the region, and believes that this latest announcement will raise their profile with local and regional clients.
Ashkar said: "This came as a surprise knowing the kind of world class talent and skills that this region attracts from around the globe. The timing of it could not have been better knowing that we are in the process of restructuring and strengthening our resources and our capabilities in the MENA region.
“Making it to the list of the 50 most influential expatriates in the GCC region is something that we should be able to leverage in attracting the best talents around, as well as to raise our profile vis-a-vis current and potential clients.”
Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai made headlines earlier this year when the Agency won the tender to market the Dubai Metro, the Gulf’s first underground metro system. Other clients in the region include; Procter & Gamble (Pampers, Ariel, Crest, Head & Shoulders, Olay), Red Bull, Novartis, SAMBA and Federal Foods.
Elias Ashkar began his career with Procter & Gamble before taking on a global marketing role with Mattel, based in Los Angeles. He then came to the Middle East to run JWT/TMI for six years in charge of Saudi Arabia, in addition to other broader regional responsibilities. In 1990, Ashkar moved to Pepsi Cola International as Vice President, in charge of marketing and business development across the Middle East and Africa.
He subsequently joined the Coca-Cola Company, spending eleven years running its businesses across a range of countries including Iran, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the countries of Central Asia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Guillermo Vega, multi-award winning CCO of Saatchi & Saatchi London, is a man in a hurry. His career includes setting up and growing W+K Sao Paulo from 3 to 100 employees in 4 years. He talks about learning to be patient, the Super London way.
Tide 2021 Superbowl spot: Saatchi & Saatchi New York
Publicis Groupe hires Natalie Lam
Daniel Lobatón is the first chief creative to be promoted from within at Saatchi & Saatchi New York.
Launched in 2012, Team One’s The Legacy Lab™ is a thought-leadership platform exploring the dynamics of long-term brand building in a short-term world. The Legacy Lab has researched influential brands including The Bluebird Cafe, It Gets Better Project, Girls Who Code, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, The Championships, Wimbledon and Taylor Guitars among others, and publishes many of its learnings online.…
Saatchi & Saatchi London has hired Guillermo Vega, the former ECD of 72andSunny New York, as its Chief Creative Officer. Joining on October 1, Vega will lead the agency’s creative department and build on its existing creative success. His appointment completes the Saatchi & Saatchi London management team, alongside Sam Hawkey (Chief Operating Officer), Richard Huntington (Chief Strategy Officer) and…
Cannes Lions 2018 saw Saatchi & Saatchi offices around the network pick up a total of 17 awards. The wins were split across Saatchi & Saatchi New York, Saatchi & Saatchi LA, Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand, Saatchi & Saatchi Germany and F/Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi Brazil. Winning clients were Tide, National Down Syndrome Society, Toyota, Elanco, Sadia and the…
SKS365, a leading international betting company, has chosen Saatchi & Saatchi Italy, led by CEO Simone Masè, to handle the creative account for its sports betting and gaming brand, PlanetWin365.
Today Saatchi & Saatchi announces taking the pledge, and joining Free the Bid as a global network.
Publicis One Croatia today announces the appointment of three award-winning creative talents to Saatchi & Saatchi, promoting growth and creative excellence goals in Croatia and throughout the Adriatic. The three new appointments, who have extensive creative experience, will spearhead a re-energizing process of the agency in Croatia. Appointed are Ivan Tanić, who joins as Creative Director, Nebojša Cvetković as Art…
Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand has been appointed as Tourism Fiji’s global brand agency of record, following a selection process and creative pitch that began in mid 2017. Saatchi & Saatchi will lead the creation of a revitalised brand platform and global campaign to attract visitors to Fiji from all over the world, focusing on key markets – Australia, New…
Kraft Heinz China recently appointed Saatchi & Saatchi Shanghai as their lead creative agency in China for all Kraft Heinz brand categories. Saatchi & Saatchi Shanghai won this business after a fierce multi-way pitch against other agencies over the past months. Saatchi & Saatchi Shanghai will lead creative services for all brands under the Kraft Heinz China umbrella. This covers…
Saatchi New York’s “It’s a Tide Ad” campaign for Super Bowl LII got the stamp of approval from a group of top advertising creatives today, winning the Super Clio, honoring the game’s best work.
Saatchi & Saatchi London have been named ‘The Best and Bravest Agency on the Planet’ by Contagious Magazine after topping their 2018 Contagious Pioneers agency rankings. The list recognises the top ten agencies round the world who consistently set the standard for creativity, innovation and excellence in marketing. The Contagious Pioneers list is based on an analysis of the Contagious I/O intelligence…
