Visiting Saatchi and Saatchi executive leaves his lovemark on the region

Richard Hytner, Chairman & CEO, Saatchi & Saatchi Europe, Middle East and Africa, reaffirmed the company's "Nothing is Impossible" passion, commitment to the region and joy in working to transform client brands into Lovemarks - or brands that "inspire loyalty beyond reason".

"We have fun every day working in the spirit of 'One team One dream'. We are in the 'ideas' business, not the advertising business, so our goal every time we sit with a client is to deliver them world-changing ideas that help their brands connect with consumers wherever they are - on screen, online and in store," said Hytner.

Hytner praised Middle East co-CEOs Vikram Naidu, based in Dubai, for his strategic and operational expertise, and George Assad, based in Riyadh, for his admanship and sharp entrepreneurial skill.

"The Middle East is a major strategic region of growth for the agency. We look to this duo to continue working together with their complementary talents to lead and inspire a level of performance, energy and creative ideas that make this region a model for Saatchi & Saatchi offices across the world," Hytner added.

Recent Middle East successes include winning the Qatar Airways account and the Fromageries Bel cheese business in the MENA region, the latter extending to most parts of the globe as well. As a result of this growth, the network's office in Jeddah - its second in Saudi Arabia after Riyadh - has recently been expanded. Moreover, the network will shortly open an office in Kuwait.

Led by its two co-CEOs, the regional team will continue to offer exciting, fresh and unconventional ideas that drive clients' businesses and excite the market. They also will direct the implementation of integrated programs to bring big campaign ideas into the store environment in a creative, relevant and effective way that offers shoppers a consistent brand experience.

Top EMEA executives from Saatchi & Saatchi London, along with Middle East executives from Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE gathered for two days of meetings that marked three months since Naidu and Assad were appointed co-CEOs for the region.