Mark Blackmore

1 Billion Followers Summit: A Celebration of Purpose, Passion, and Voices That Matter Attending the One Billion Followers Summit was a powerful reminder that authentic voices shape how we connect, grow, and inspire. From HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s unexpected entrance, symbolizing the UAE’s commitment to creativity and innovation, to HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presenting awards to some of the world’s most impactful creators, and the profound insights shared by His Excellency Mohammad Al Gergawi on leadership and the future of media , it was a celebration of resilience, storytelling, and possibility. Jay Shetty reminded us to stop being consumed by others’ opinions and go after what we truly want Maye Musk showed us that reinvention has no age limit, sharing her journey of raising three children while building her own legacy. Tucker Carlson’s humor and storytelling left the audience inspired, his honesty and wit stood out. And it was great to see Anas Bukhash, representing Arab creators, adding his perspective on vulnerability and human connection in the digital world. What struck me most was the energy of young creators, fearless entrepreneurs and content creators, shaping the future of media and redefining success. This summit reminded me that success today isn’t about titles or wealth, it’s about the impact we create, the communities we build, and the stories we tell. What stories will you share in 2025? 🚀 #OneBillionFollowersSummit #Leadership #Storytelling #DigitalTransformation #PurposeDrivenGrowth #Authenticity

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Arab brands succeeding on the global scene (e.g. Al Jazeera - Emirates - Elie Saab) and branding efforts all over the Middle East, are topics worth exploring and celebrating. I am planning to do this, and appreciate any help in naming other brands or sharing experiences; on this front. Please write

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🌟 The MENA region is a buzzing hotspot of young talent who innovate and disrupt, and dare I say, despite genrative AI and what comes with it, this may be one of the most interesting periods in the creative industry of our region. 👯 This industry has always been driven with #passion and #people. There is nothing else to it. 💌 This is the industry that speaks of commitment, hardwork, and the constant quest to innovate. Its an industry about #people and cultures that are welcoming and uplifting. 🏆 Each year, during awards season, the talents in the industry come back stronger – and as of late, we've seen much needed focus on #Empathy, #Sustainability, #Diversity and #Inclusion at work. I’ve been lucky to be a judge at Campaign Middle East Awards for the past couple of years. I feel even more fortunate to have been appointed Chair of Judges this time round. 💫 To all the creatives and clients stepping up this year, bring your most zealous #people forward. Lets celebrate the strategy teams, the creative teams, the account handling teams who work - with little breaks- to bring #creativity to us. #Marketing #Advertising #PR #CorporateCommunication #Sustainability #Agencies #Creativity #Teams #CorporateCulture #CampaignAOTYME

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Sir Martin Sorrell's insights, shared in this podcast, offer a forward-thinking and relevant perspective for both marketers and young professionals. His emphasis on agility, control, and first-party data highlights the evolving landscape of marketing, where rapid adaptation and ownership of data are crucial for success. His take on agility is particularly resonant—it’s easy to discuss but harder to implement, especially given the volatility in today's world. He also stresses the importance of taking back control at a time when technology is overtaking traditional methods, which aligns with the ongoing shift toward digital dominance. His reflection on personal mentors and the values he's adopted throughout his career provides young professionals with a roadmap for leadership and growth. Additionally, his involvement in the Athar Festival of Creativity signals that Saudi Arabia is becoming a key player in the global creative industry, this message feels empowering for the region’s emerging talent. Sir Martin's advice is a balanced blend of strategy and personal philosophy, perfect for those in the creative field and young marketers looking to make their mark. Athar Festival #MarketingStrategy #DigitalTransformation #AgilityInBusiness #CreativeIndustry #Leadership #SaudiCreatives #Mentorship #AtharFestival #TechAndCreativity https://lnkd.in/dGAugtFt

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Who are content creators marketing to in the UAE? It should be no surprise that the UAE boasts one of the world’s highest GDP per capita rates. The UAE is home to a population comprising of over 200 nationalities, making it an ideal testing ground for brands to target diverse demographics within one market. This, paired with the unique purchasing power of a territory like the UAE, with consumers generating a strong appetite for luxury and premium goods, is the perfect storm and foundation to launch successful creator campaigns with strong ROI. Influencer sectors such as real estate, luxury fashion, beauty and wellness are highly effective at reaching an affluent audience, directly influencing high-value purchases. In terms of receptivity to creator marketing, 81% of residents have reported finding social media influencers a useful source of information on fashion and food, with 84% looking to creators for information on travel. Given such a high proportion of residents utilising social media regularly, and such high percentages of those actively using social media looking to creators for information and opinions, the UAE has a unique and motivated audience receptive to social media marketing. Interestingly, residents also widely use AD blockers when browsing on their mobiles, which limits the opportunity for other forms of more traditional digital marketing to target audiences. Given this, working with creators gives brands a solution and an excellent opportunity to still reach target audiences within the UAE (given 98% of residents are reported to use social media here). The UAE has a truly unique audience, with seemingly unlimited opportunities to work with creators as long as the territories cultural nuances are respected and taken into consideration - which is something that I’ll be diving into soon. Until then, I’d love to hear opinions from local marketing professionals and creators on the status of creator marketing here - do you feel there is room for improvement? I'd love to connect! #dubai #uae #dubaiinfluencermarketing #uaemarketing #creatormarketing #influencerstrategy #socialmediamarketing 

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What does success mean to you? ✨ Exceeding financial goals? Industry recognition? Being a force for positive change? Flexibility and freedom? I recently put my thoughts on ‘success’ to paper for Campaign Middle East, to address certain gender imbalances within our industry and how I came to discover my own definition of success. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/dzfSkjdH #JWI #creativeagency #womeninadvertising #success #campaignme

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Even as many other countries prepare to hunker down through the next few years of economic turbulence, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain set on expansion. Fuelled by a period of large-scale economic development, the #KantarBrandZ Most Valuable Emirati and Saudi Brands have collectively grown their brand value by 93% over the last five years, and are today worth $97 billion. This year, the overall value of the top 20 most valuable Saudi Arabian brands has grown by 7%. Leading Saudi brand success stories from this year's ranking include: 🥇alrajhi bank becomes the number one most valuable Saudi brand for the first time 🔹Saudi insurer Tawuniya is the top riser, growing its brand value by 76% to $1.2 billion 🔹Three new entrants to this year’s Saudi brand ranking include: the recently rebranded Saudi bank BSF at No. 15, cooperative insurance company Al Rajhi Takaful at No.18 and the petroleum and transport services company Aldrees Petroleum & Transport Services Company (Official) at No.19 Discover how the top Saudi brands are positioned for future growth in the new report released today (link in the comments)👇

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Carlsberg Group Middle East partners with M&C Saatchi Group for creative and strategic services across key brands in the GCC. read more: https://lnkd.in/dKFXTqeA Scott Feasey | Dario Cavalcanti de Albuquerque | Dorothea Drews #CreativeAgency #BrandStrategy #GCCMarket #FMCG #Marketing #Partnership #Adtechtoday

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The strategic efficacy of brand visual characters in marketing 👉 https://bit.ly/3KtmUMJ Sameh Al Tawil سامح الطويل, chief creative director and managing partner at Hive Innovative Group, Dubai, discusses the importance of brand visual characters, and offers a deep dive into his agency’s work for LikeCard’s Cards' Monster. 🗣 "Brand visual characters, often realised as mascots, are essential in sculpting and amplifying the identity and emotional appeal of a brand. These characters, whether depicted as humans, animals or inanimate objects, serve as central figures in marketing narratives, embodying the ethos, values and strategic goals of the brand. They transform abstract corporate identities into relatable and engaging personas that resonate deeply with consumers." #branding #brand #rebrand #design #strategy #transformmagazine

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Dubai Stays Ahead of the Storm: How they’re Minimising Bad Weather Impact ☔️ Dubai recently faced some wild weather, with record rainfall causing flight disruptions and city-wide challenges. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, authorised a series of initiatives, demonstrating the city’s commitment to its people. Here are some highlights: Citizens First: A committee addresses requests from citizens, prioritising repairs and home rehabilitation. Residents Supported: Collaboration between government and property developers provides alternative housing, food distribution, and pest control – all FREE for affected residents! Swift Action: Dedicated committees involving key departments ensure fast and efficient support for everyone impacted. I am impressed by Dubai’s resilience in the face of this challenge. The city’s quick and decisive actions have minimised the impact of the bad weather and ensured that those affected receive the support they need. #Dubai #UAE #Weather #Community #Support #Resilience

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🌍 Understanding Cultural Nuances in Branding 🌍 Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, making it a unique market for brands. Successfully navigating this landscape requires a deep understanding of cultural nuances and local sensibilities. Brands that invest in cultural insights are more likely to create authentic connections with their audience, leading to stronger brand loyalty. At Vowels, we prioritize cultural awareness in every branding strategy we develop. How do you incorporate cultural insights into your branding efforts? #Branding #CulturalStrategy #DubaiBusiness #VowelsAgency

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"In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the UAE, niche content focused on specific industries and themes provides the ideal circumstances to foster a community of like-minded individuals," writes Tala Mukaddam, Business Lead, Brand & Podcasts at Create Group. #Podcasts #agency #industrylearning

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Full episode is LIVE! 🎙️ Do you wonder what separates the dreamers from the achievers? For me, it’s always been about the continuous pursuit of big, bold visions. Over the years, my journey with Mystic has been filled with ups, downs, risks, and rewards – but that continual pursuit to keep pushing forward is what’s brought me to where I am today. I recently had the chance to reflect on my experiences in a conversation with Walid on his latest podcast, where we dive deep into an entrepreneur’s journey – out now! Whether you're chasing your own dreams or looking for some inspiration, there’s something valuable in this conversation for everyone. What do you think? #News #Podcast #Agency #Marketing #Advertising #Entrepreneurship #Success #Growth

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prhub.ae's Daniil Dymshits sets the expectations right for those asking whether PR has a direct impact on sales in the MENA region. Daniil shares hands-on advice, cultural and economic insights, and practical tips for PR practitioners to enhance the impact of their efforts. Read the full article for free on the link below. #PR #Impact #PracticalTips #Insights

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Bassel Kakish, CEO of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey said, “Through this collaboration with Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), we’re working to democratise these insights and break down barriers for women entrepreneurs so they can elevate their brands and drive meaningful growth.” Nadine (Halabi) de Francesca, Head of Business Development and Operations at Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) said: “Such workshops will equip women-led MSMEs with the knowledge to make impactful, informed decisions for their brands, ultimately driving both personal and professional growth.” Read the full article with the link below. #news #marketing #workshops

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What if we used the Michelin Star rating system and cooked up the most unforgettable brand experiences? My article explores just that. Give it a read and let me know your thoughts.

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Empowering CEOs worldwide to navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence. 🚀 Let's unlock your brand's full potential together! #CEOInsights #PersonalBranding Heidrick & Struggles JP BrandPlus

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More than 150 industry leaders gathered for a morning of insightful keynotes, informative panel discussions, productive networking, as well as high-profile meet-and-greets at the Campaign Middle East Breakfast Briefing: The Future is now event held at the Grand Plaza Mövenpick in Media City on Friday, 13 September. Here's a detailed wrap-up of the key trends and challenges, including the future of digital advertising, artificial intelligence, the evolution of search and user behavior in our modern era, how AI can make a marketeer’s life easier, and solving for day-to-day marketers challenges. Click on the link below to read the top insights from: - Google's Marie de Ducla - Amazon's Wassim El Jammal, - MiQ's Wassim Mneimneh, - Publicis Media's Vanessa Abi Faris - Nestlé MENA's Utku Hasdemir, - Publicis Media's Richard Hartley - Pixis' Neel Pandya - Turbostart's Ravi Rao, - Omnicom Media Group (MENA)'s Christos Solomi, - Platformance.io's Waseem Afzal, - Digital Rocket 's Tamer A.., and - Stellantis Middle East & Africa's Viral Patel #Events #CampaignBreakfastBriefing #AI #DigitalAdvertising #SearchTrends #UserBehaviour

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