Growth and expansion as the driving force behind new roles

Dubai, August 28, 2016

As a result of recent successes and to stimulate further regional expansion, Omnicom Media Group MENA has announced a number of promotions and changes to OMD's management structure in the Middle East. They are as much a celebration of past achievements as they are a step forward towards future business growth.

Nadim Samara has been promoted from managing director to the newly created position of CEO of OMD UAE. At OMD for more than 15 years, he has risen from media planning executive in Saudi Arabia, taking positions in the UAE, Germany, the USA before returning to Dubai as general manager in 2012. Under his stewardship, OMD has strengthened its product offering, secured many local, regional and international clients, and won numerous awards and titles. Besides managing the sizeable UAE operation, he will also ensure the regional HQ continues to develop its product offering and maintain its cutting edge in the areas of talent, innovation, analytics, data and performance.

Wissam Najjar, until now the managing director of OMD Levant, is relocating from Beirut to Dubai to take the newly created role of regional managing director for the Lower Gulf, Levant and Emerging Markets. He will assume the additional responsibilities of the network's operations in Kuwait and Qatar, as well as its expansion into new markets in MENA. Najjar is also a veteran of the OMD network, with roles in several markets in both investments and general management. This promotion celebrates his performance in stimulating the success of both clients and teams, and his steady hand during a testing period for the Levant region.

Both Samara and Najjar continue to report to the CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA, the holding of OMD.

Rachid El Khazen, until now Director-Investments of OMD Lebanon, is being promoted to the position of general manager, taking over from and reporting to Najjar. El Kazen steps into his new role as OMD enjoys a strong position in the local market. His experience, integrity and reputation of problem solver make him the ideal successor to Najjar. His task will be to continue increasing the sophistication of the portfolio of services and performance of the agency on its accounts.

"The OMD network is bursting with talent so it is hugely gratifying to see Nadim's, Wissam's and Rachid's accomplishments being rewarded with promotions and new assignments," commented Elie Khouri, CEO of Omnicom Media Group MENA. "While our market and industry are in the midst of a transformation, we see this as an opportunity to grow further. We have always focused on innovating and being future-ready. This is yet another expression of this aspect of our personality."

These new promotions are effective from September 1.

-Ends-

For more details, contact:
Mr Eric Mirabel
Regional Executive Director-Marketing, Omnicom Media Group MENA
Tel: +971 4 450 0484 . E-mail: eric.mirabel@omnicommediagroup.com

About Omnicom Media Group MENA:
Omnicom Media Group MENA is the holding of OMD, PHD and Resolution in the Middle East. Omnicom Media Group is the media services division of Omnicom Group, Inc. (NYSE: OMC). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries. Omnicom Media Group also includes a number of specialty media communications companies, including Accuen and Annalect. Consistently named one of the UAE's best employers since 2012, ranking third in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Group has also been recognized by the Great Place to Work Institute as Asia's second best multinational workplace in 2016. Omnicom Media Group MENA was ranked among the top 5 at the Arabia CSR Awards 2013 in the medium-sized businesses category, and the company reports its sustainability activities in accordance with the GRI G4 Guidelines. Its first report was awarded 'Best First Time Sustainability Report in Asia' at the 2015 Asia Sustainability Reporting Awards.

www.omnicommediagroupmena.com

© Press Release 2016