Eye on the Prize: 50 Must-Watch Marketing Leaders List
By Ashutosh Zutshi
Saudi Arabia’s marketing landscape is being reshaped by leaders uniting creativity, data, culture, and technology. This list highlights leaders driving brand growth, enhancing CX, and setting new standards for marketing innovation.
Marketing in Saudi Arabia is at a turning point, where creativity, data, culture, and technology come together to drive growth and innovation. Leaders across sectors, banking, entertainment, tourism, tech, retail, and media, are not just building strong brands but reshaping how people connect with them.
This list highlights the changemakers whose strategies inspire and influence. They’re driving bold storytelling, digital transformation, customer experiences, and campaigns that resonate globally while staying rooted locally.
These are the marketing leaders to watch, learn from, and be inspired by as they shape the future of marketing in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Abdulmohsen AlMulhem | Chief Marketing, Customer Experience & CSR Officer | Bank Albilad
Abdulmohsen AlMulhem leads the bank’s strategic marketing and CSR initiatives, focusing on enhancing customer experience and brand reputation. His expertise bridges innovative marketing strategies with social impact, advancing Bank Albilad’s leadership position in Saudi Arabia’s retail banking sector.
Adeel Ahmed | Senior Director Brand | Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee
Adeel Ahmed has over 17 years of experience in brand, marketing, and commercial business leadership. He oversees the strategic and creative direction of the Team Saudi brand, shaping its identity, promoting athlete stories, and celebrating the journeys and achievements of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Dr Adham Bakr | Group Marketing Director | Al-Inma Medical Services Co.
Dr Adham Bakr is a results-driven marketing strategist with over a decade of experience in healthcare marketing, advertising, and communication. He specialises in data-driven marketing strategies, omnichannel growth, and market positioning that deliver measurable business outcomes.
Ahad Hamza Nihal | Marketing Director | SALA Entertainment
Ahad Hamza Nihal has nearly two decades of proficiency in entertainment, retail, malls, fashion, F&B, hospitality, etc. He is recognised for transforming businesses, driving profitability, and fostering long-term value through strategic partnerships with a committed passion for innovation in customer engagement.
Ahmad M. Alammary | Chief Creative | MDLBEAST
Ahmad M. Alammary leads creative direction for one of the Middle East’s premier music and cultural festivals, MDLBEAST’s Soundstorm. His visionary leadership combines bold design and authentic storytelling, fueling MDLBEAST’s rapid growth and cultural relevance across international markets.
Ahmed Nour | Marketing Director | Majid Al Futtaim
Ahmed Nour leads marketing initiatives for VOX Cinemas and entertainment brands in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He is responsible for developing and executing strategic marketing campaigns that sustain and enhance brand equity, increase customer footfall, and meet commercial objectives.
Albandari AlMutairi | Marketing & Corporate Communication Director | Advanced Electronics Company
Albandari Almutairi leads the Marketing Communications Department, managing personnel, scheduling, resources, and the annual marketing budget. She tracks and monitors the execution of marketing communication plans and KPIs, ensuring the effective deployment of marketing strategies to meet corporate objectives.
Ameerzeb Amjad | Strategy – Tourism Commercial Development | The Royal Commission for AlUla
Ameerzeb Amjad is a market strategist known for turning national visions into financially sustainable, investable ecosystems. He leads the Commercial Development and Investment Promotion function at AlUla, helping transform one of KSA’s iconic cultural landscapes into a globally relevant tourism economy.
Bady Ammar Dokhan | Product Lead | Ninja
A creative strategist on a mission to connect people, empower teams, and unlock business potential with AI, Bady Ammar Dokhan is currently the Product Lead at Ninja, a quick commerce powerhouse in Saudi Arabia. He previously led product efforts at MRSOOL, Haraj, Dukan, and machinestalk.
Bandar Adnan Abdulmajeed | Chief Brand and Marketing Officer | Amsa Hospitality
Bandar Adnan Abdulmajeed has extensive experience in retail, hospitality, F&B, and entertainment. He is recognised as a leader who has spearheaded more than 2,000 events, launched and rebranded over 30 brands, and established marketing departments for major companies.
Baraa Hussein | Director of Brand Management | Mobily
Baraa Hussein has led innovative marketing communication initiatives and successfully managed large-scale projects. He directs the in-house creative studio, oversees the planning and execution of complex marketing campaigns, and elevates brand credibility through research and social media monitoring.
Dalya Katoah | Chief Marketing and Demand Officer | Golf Saudi
Dalya Katoah has 18+ years of experience leading global brand strategies, content ecosystems, and multi-market marketing initiatives. In her role, she works on embedding golf into Saudi Arabia's culture, creating pathways for local talent, and ensuring women's golf is a visible and celebrated part of the national story.
Driss Moutawakil | Chief Marketing & Revenue Officer | SAT
Driss Moutawakil leads the Marketing, Revenue, and CX division, positioning SAT as the preferred provider for intercity bus transportation. He drives marketing initiatives aimed at optimising passenger load factors and revenue through a sophisticated revenue management system and dynamic pricing strategy.
Elie Berberi | Regional Director – Integrated Communications | Burson
Elie Berberi leads integrated (360) communications projects, overseeing advisory, planning, and execution. His work covers strategic communications, digital marketing, and immersive experience design, brand and creative strategy, content production, paid media, and data-driven measurement and reporting.
Emmanuel Dunseath | Digital Marketing Director | Red Sea Global
Emmanuel Dunseath supports the digital, communications, and marketing teams to position The Red Sea and AMAALA luxury tourism destinations as key parts of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He has also led successful campaigns for organisations like the UN, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Dubai Tourism, and Red Sea Global.
Fahad Almaghrabi | Chief Marketing Officer | PLAYHERA
Fahad Almaghrabi is a marketing and commercial leader driving brand growth, digital transformation, and customer engagement across gaming, esports, technology, telecom, and entertainment. At PLAYHERA, he leads partnerships and high-impact campaigns to position the company at the forefront of gaming and esports.
Faisal Algain | Head of Growth and Client Engagement | dentsu KSA
Faisal Algain leads business development, client relationship management, and growth initiatives across creative, media, and CXM service lines. With over 20 years of experience, he has a track record of building and growing brands in Saudi Arabia, having worked with companies like Unilever, Clorox, IKEA, and Samsung.
Firas K. Kandalaft | Director, Marketing Middle East | Lucid Motors
Firas K. Kandalaft has experience in automotive marketing, having previously held senior marketing roles at Bentley Motors and Audi Middle East. His expertise in brand positioning and experiential campaigns underscores Lucid’s mission to transform the region's automotive landscape through sustainability and technology.
Ghadah Alajlan | Executive Director, iz Youth | Alinma Bank
Ghadah Alajlan leads the iz Youth initiative, a comprehensive digital banking experience designed specifically for young individuals. In her role, she oversees the creation and enhancement of a comprehensive digital banking experience that caters to the unique financial needs and lifestyles of youth.
Hussain Abdrabalnabi | Executive Director of Marketing and Digital | Alat
Hussain Abdrabalnabi promotes the idea of 'augmented humanity,' focusing on technology that supports and improves human experiences. With 20+ years of experience in the GCC market, he works on creating practical, customer-focused solutions that meet expectations and support business growth.
Ian Bradley | Vice President Global Communications | Riyadh Air
Ian Bradley plays a key role in shaping Riyadh Air’s communications and global narrative ahead of its 2025 maiden flight. He focuses on media and influencer relations, partnerships, and creating a customer-focused airline experience centred on Riyadh, supporting Saudi Arabia’s aviation goals.
Ibrahim Abuaqel | Product Director | Tamara
Ibrahim Abuaqel currently leads Tamara’s Payment vertical, focusing on availability, risk management, and cost efficiency to deliver a premier payment service. He drives the vision and roadmap, enhancing payment experiences while positioning the firm as a regional market leader in payments.
John Speers | Joint Managing Director Middle East | MSQ
John Speers has earned over 70 awards for excellence in marketing and communications and won 3 Effies in travel, the benchmark for global marketing effectiveness. In his current role, he leads travel marketing and strategy, combining advanced data, analytics, AI, and human-centred marketing principles.
Julian Morbidelli | Director of Loyalty | Cenomi Centers
Julian Morbidelli focuses on loyalty and rewards strategies at Cenomi, enhancing customer engagement and retention through innovative digital programs across 21 locations in 11 cities. He has extensive experience in loyalty, having previously served as General Manager for Saudi Arabia at The ENTERTAINER.
Julie Samaha | Director of Ecommerce | Tamini Markets
Julie Samaha leads Tamimi’s eCommerce business, overseeing B2C and B2B operations and marketplace partnerships to drive digital growth and innovation in grocery retail. She is also closely associated with the click-and-collect service, enabling customers to order online and pick up groceries in under two hours.
Katie Purcer Golding | Chief Marketing Officer | Saudi Research and Media Group
Katie Purcer Golding oversees marketing across SRMG’s portfolio, which includes brands such as Asharq Al-Awsat, Arab News, Asharq News, Asharq Business with Bloomberg, and many more. She is also involved in promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the media and broadcast sectors in the Middle East.
Khaled Hasan | Senior Director – Digital | Tawuniya
Khaled Hasan leads digital growth initiatives, focusing on ecommerce, digital marketing, and performance marketing strategies. He has 10+ years of experience in digital growth leadership, specialising in app performance, CRM, marketing automation, paid social campaigns, analytics, and digital transformation.
Khaled Tash | Group Chief Marketing Officer | SAUDI AIRLINES
Khaled Tash oversees Saudi Airlines’ marketing strategy, brand growth, network expansion, fleet development, and enhanced passenger experience initiatives. He also has over two decades of experience in marketing and communications across sectors, including aviation, FMCG, and real estate.
Lancy Harb | Director of Marketing & Communications | Cartier
Lancy Harb leads Cartier’s marketing and client engagement strategy across the MEA, CCA, and South Africa. With expertise in digital marketing, business development, and procurement, she brings experience working with high-profile clients and executing strategic marketing initiatives across diverse markets.
Matt Raumer | Executive Director – Marketing & Communications | Qiddiya
Matt Raumer leads marketing, communications, placemaking, and CX across Qiddiya’s real estate, spanning residential, retail, office, hospitality, education, sports, and entertainment. He has co-created iconic mixed-use lifestyle destinations globally and achieved multiple record-breaking sales across the APAC region.
May Kanounji | Chief Executive Officer and Board Member | Blooming Wear
May Bahjat Kanounji, with over two decades of experience in operational strategies and customer-centric marketing, brings a unique blend of marketing expertise and business leadership to her role. In 2020, Forbes recognised her as one of the top 50 most impactful marketing and communications executives.
Mazroua Al-Mazroua | Chief Marketing & Experience Officer | KAFD
Mazroua Al-Mazroua leads the development and strengthening of KAFD’s brand, driving growth, exploring new market opportunities, and boosting global demand for its services. His expertise lies in combining marketing, innovation, and CX to shape KAFD as a premier business and lifestyle destination.
Michele Urano | Omnichannel Director | Nahdi Medical Co.
Michele Urano leads the Omnichannel division, overseeing a team of 50+ specialists, managers, and department heads. He focuses on continuously enhancing the Guest experience across all digital touchpoints, including ecommerce, loyalty, and eHealth/virtual clinics, serving a network of 1,000+ pharmacies and polyclinics.
Moeen Hameedaldeen | Marketing Director | American Express
Moeen Hameedaldeen is a marketing professional with extensive leadership experience across the corporate communications and marketing sectors. He has held key roles, including Marketing Director at American Express Saudi Arabia and Marketing and Corporate Communication Director at Riyadh Airports.
Mohamed Hegazy | Group Chief Experience Officer (CXO) | almatar
With 17+ years of experience, Mohamed Hegazy brings expertise in customer behaviour, market trends, and strategic innovation to his role as CXO at Almatar. He leads a team dedicated to improving customer experience, driving growth, retention, and loyalty through effective, practical strategies.
Mohammed Alzughaibi | eCommerce Director | Jarir Bookstore
Mohammed Alzughaibi drives the digital transformation of Jarir’s eCommerce division, focusing on growing online sales and enhancing CX. By blending technical expertise with business and marketing insight, he manages projects that optimise digital platforms and operations, supporting regional retail leadership.
Musaid Y. Bin Khamees | Chief Growth Officer | tamam
Musaid Y. Bin Khamees leads the company’s growth strategies with a creative and business-focused approach. He brings extensive leadership experience across marketing, business development, and digital transformation, guiding tamam’s vision to deliver impactful digital services and solutions in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Nicola Cope | Executive Director of Brand Marketing | Diriyah Company
Nicola Cope works on Diriyah’s brand marketing strategy, balancing the preservation of its rich cultural heritage with a forward-looking, innovative vision. She focuses on authentic storytelling, highlighting Diriyah’s history and culture through design, technology, and international engagement.
Nora Hethlain | Marketing and Communications Senior Director | The Helicopter Company
Nora Hethlain brings 15+ years of experience in marketing, communications, and branding across industries. She manages brand identity aligned with business strategy, oversees marketing budgets and plans, and leads PR, social media, and media relations to enhance the company’s brand presence.
Omar Awad | Marketing Director | Savola Group
Omar Awad is a marketing leader with extensive experience in driving growth, building brands, and navigating complex multicultural markets. At Savola, he combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise to deliver impactful campaigns and brand initiatives in highly competitive and dynamic markets.
Rami Rihani | Chief Marketing Officer | IKEA
Rami Rihani has 17+ years of experience in marketing, ecommerce, and customer experience within retail and consumer products. He has contributed to initiatives like the “Green at Heart” campaign, blending IKEA’s Swedish colours with Saudi Arabia’s green to showcase the brand’s connection to the Kingdom.
Robert Kellner | Acting Chief Marketing Officer | NEOM
Robert Kellner manages NEOM’s central marketing department, overseeing a team of 50+ across campaigns, branding, events, partnerships, strategy, and digital content. He is responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies that enhance brand awareness, engagement, and growth at regional and global levels.
Ryan O’Donnell | Executive Director- Marketing & Communications | New Murabba
Ryan O'Donnell, with experience in brand management and digital marketing, leads strategic marketing initiatives for New Murabba, positioning it as a premier global destination. He oversees brand development, investment attraction, digital marketing, insights, events, destination marketing, and real estate marketing.
Saed Basseet | Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer | Nana
Saed Basseet oversees Nana’s integrated Marketing and CX strategy, focusing on brand growth, customer acquisition, and retention. He manages all marketing functions, including performance marketing, brand, communications, and CRM, while promoting a customer-centric approach throughout the organisation.
Simon Shaw | Chief Commercial Officer & Marketing Officer | King Salman Park Foundation
Simon Shaw oversees the marketing and brand communications for King Salman Park. Previously Global Chief Creative Strategy Officer at Hill & Knowlton and Chief Creative Officer at Burson, he has extensive experience guiding international clients in communications, marketing strategies, and impactful brand activations.
Sven Koerbitz | Senior Director of Product – Growth | talabat
Sven Koerbitz oversees product strategy and execution at talabat, part of Delivery Hero, to grow and retain users across the MENA region. He focuses on product discovery, data analysis, and recommender systems to prioritise key growth opportunities and deliver personalised experiences that boost customer loyalty.
Talha Iqbal | Director of Sales & Marketing | Radisson Hotel Group
Talha Iqbal has over 13 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working across various hotels in Riyadh. At Radisson Blu, he leads the sales and marketing efforts, focusing on driving growth, enhancing guest experiences, and delivering results through effective strategies and initiatives.
Tamer Shaalan | Senior Director of Product Management | Jahez International Company
Tamer Shaalan oversees multiple product lines at Jahez, leading product managers and collaborating with engineering, marketing, sales, and support. With experience in FoodTech, eCommerce, Fintech, and Retail, he brings a user-centric, data-driven approach to align business goals with customer needs.
Tiago Rocha da Silva | Chief Commercial Officer | Zain KSA
Tiago Rocha da Silva has 18+ years of experience in Telecom, Digital, and Fintech, both in consulting and executive roles. At Zain KSA, he oversees consumer marketing, customer care, sales & distribution, communications, commercial planning, and PMO, driving growth and improving customer engagement.
Waleed Al Akel | Commercial Content Lead | Footballco
Waleed Al Akel oversees the creation and strategic development of commercial content designed to captivate football fans and drive brand partnerships. He leverages expertise in sports media, content marketing, and digital storytelling to create compelling narratives that extend Footballco’s reach and commercial impact.
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