Saatchi & Saatchi welcomes Co-CEO's Middle East

Says Hytner: " Our 'Ideas Company' purpose is to provide our clients with ideas that can transform their brands, reputations and businesses. We believe that in Vik and George we have inspirational players, Co-CEO's who can make it happen in the Middle East. For they share the Saatchi & Saatchi spirit of 'One Team, One Dream' and 'Nothing Is Impossible!', and are passionate and restless in what they do.

Vikram Naidu, now promoted to Co-CEO Middle East and whose particular focus will be on Business Strategy & Operations, has been with the company for 10 years. He's a 20-year Finance/Operations professional with an excellent track record with the company which propelled him to the post of COO Middle East for the last three years, where he's well reputed for making tough calls and bringing out the best in people. He brings to the table outstanding regional financial performance along with strong business strategy acumen and good people chemistry. In his commercial business focus, he's renowned for balancing the interests of Agency and Client
alike.

George Assad, with a 16-year successful performance record in the Saudi and, by extension, the GCC advertising industry, accedes to his new role as Co-CEO Middle East, Network Integrated Business, from a brilliant 18-month tenure with Saatchi & Saatchi as CEO, Saudi Arabia. By virtue of his experience in integrated marketing communications, his entrepreneurship and his regional networking, he's regarded as capable of widening the scope of the agency's services in the Middle East toward holistic communication in line with Saatchi & Saatchi's global transformation into the "Ideas Company". On-screen, on-line and in-store will be his mantra. George will also have particular responsibility for integrating the offices as well as our businesses within the region.

"We find the complementary skills of Vik and George, and their proven professional team play, as real catalysts for change, change that is focused on enhancing the value we bring to our clients," says Hytner.

The appointment of Vik and George also combines with the talents of Ed Jones, the regional Creative Director and Robert Mitchell, Managing Director of S&S Dubai, to make one of the most formidable teams operating in the Ideas and Communications business in The Middle East.