Sir Paul Judge

President, Chartered Institute of Marketing

Sir Paul Judge is President of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, the leading international professional marketing body with some 47,000 members worldwide.
Sir Paul is a well known advocate of professional standards within the marketing profession and has extensive experience of senior business leadership in both the private and public sector. Sir Paul studied at Cambridge and then gained his MBA from the Wharton Business School. He worked for Cadbury Schweppes for thirteen years before initiating and leading the buyout of their food companies to form Premier Brands Ltd which was successfully sold in 1989. He was then Chairman of Food from Britain, responsible for promoting the UK food and drink industry overseas, and a director of WPP Group plc and of Boddington Group plc. He was more recently Master of the Worshipful Company of Marketors and Chairman of the Royal Society of Arts, Teachers TV and the Marketing Standards Board. He is currently an Alderman of the City of London, Chairman of the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising and a director of Abraaj Capital of Dubai as well as of a number of public companies in the UK, US and South Africa. As well as his marketing credentials, Sir Paul is also well qualified to support The Institute's educational role. He is President of the Association of MBAs, Chairman of the Enterprise Education Trust and of St Dunstan's College, Deputy Chairman of the American Management Association in New York and a Member of the Advisory Boards for HEC in Paris and for the Athens University of Economics and Business. He was the key benefactor of the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge and has honorary degrees from Cambridge, Westminster and City Universities.

Mazen Nahawi

President, News Group International

Mazen Nahawi is the president of News Group, an organization focused on serving the communications and PR industry. The company includes several strategic businesses, including Media Watch, the first provider of monitoring solutions in the Middle East and North Africa and Salience Research, an agency dedicated to public relations measurement. Mazen started his career 15 years ago as a journalist at Dar Al Khaleej, the UAE's main privately-owned publishing company. He then worked as a senior manager at a regional public relations firm before founding Media Watch in 2002. His deep belief in using actionable and measurable information as a catalyst for modernization and progress in emerging markets is the driving principle behind his work. in 2007 Mazen launched the Middle East PR Measurement Summit. Now entering its fourth year, the event is a major gathering of global PR and measurement professionals. The summit plays an important role in encouraging regional PR towards adoption of measurement best practice and methodology.A life-long resident of the UAE, Mazen lives in Dubai with his wife and six children and step children.

Ziad Rahhal

Head - Regional Advertising Sales, Yahoo!

Ziad Rahhal, currently heading Yahoo's regional advertising sales team, has been a well known name in the region's digital arena for over 6 years. With a background in print media, Ziad launched his online career with Maktoob.com and moved to Yahoo! ME when they entered the market in 2009. He stands out as one of few digital professionals who has experience in both online and offline advertising. Having serviced clients and agencies throughout the Middle East, Ziad has been instrumental in educating and implementing award-winning online strategies and activations for numerous sectors. With his long-standing experience, he has built a good rapport with his clients and fellow industry professionals. Ziad is always looking for the next idea to push the online advertising industry forward.

Sunil John

CEO, Asda'a Burson-Marsteller

Sunil John has been at the heart of the public relations business for nearly two decades of which the last 15 were in the Middle East. During this time he has shaped ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller to be the benchmark of public relations consultancy, advising regional governments, international brands and global and local companies. He has been instrumental in creating the specialised practice team structure in ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller with six areas of expertise - corporate affairs, financial communications, consumer marketing, healthcare, technology and public affairs - all successfully building blue-chip client businesses in the region and internationally. The success of the company has been widely acknowledged, notably in 2006 when it was named "PR Agency of the Year" by Campaign Middle East. Recently, ASDA'A B-M was named the Middle East & Africa PR Agency of the Year at the 2009 International Business Awards. Sunil has been twice listed on the "Arabian Business Expat 50" of the Most Influential Non-Arab Expatriates in the Middle East. He is the only PR Industry figure to be on the list, which has been released in 2009 and 2010. Sunil is the UAE National Chair of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA). He is also Vice President of the IPRA Gulf Chapter

David Ingle

Head of Digital, UK & Middle East

David joined H&K in March,2009 and is leading H&K's digital practice in the UK and across the Middle East and is responsible for leading the delivery of H&K's digital services to clients. David's client work includes leading H&K's Middle East team looking after Research In Motion (RIM) and advising clients (twofour54, GM , TDIC, P&G, Britvic and Mashreq Bank ) on digital PR, social media strategy and engagement Prior History David has two decades' experience in marketing and communications roles gained from working in-house, at global agencies as well as running his own business. Prior to H&K David was EMEA COO at Waggener Edstrom and was responsible for building WE's presence across Europe overseeing its growth and was responsible for creation of its EMEA digital practice and its alliance network. Before that David ran his own PR firm and was at Edelman where he was Director of Technology practice servicing its growing stable of international clients. David's varied and broad experience spans business-to-business, business-to-consumer, corporate and internal communications activities working with leading blue chip clients such as Microsoft, GE Healthcare, Sony, AMD, NVIDIA, Ericsson, GSK, British Telecom, and UK's Department of health Other Information David is a British national and a qualified mechanical engineer. He has continued his education at the Institute of Directors and INSEAD. David is a qualified in PRINCE2 Project management practitioner.

Isa AbdulRahman

Director of National Communications, Bahrain Economic Development Board

Mr. Isa AbdulRahman has more than 19 years of experience in Marketing, Public Relations, the ICT industry, Customer Services, Account Management, Sales, Project management, Product Development, Product Management, Business development, Organizational Development and Business Process improvement. He was a member of the Kingdom of Bahrain Technical ICT committee, which is responsible to drive the e-Government program for the Kingdom, with the aim of full e-government transformation and improvement of government services. Isa is a public figure as he produced and presented various TV and Radio Shows for Bahrain Radio and TV Corporation. Prior to his current role as the Director of National Communications with Bahrain Economic Development Board, he used to be the Director of Marketing and Awareness for the Bahrain eGovernment Authority and prior to that he used to be a member of Bahrain Telecommunication Company (Batelco) Senior Management Team. He is a leading and an ex board member of Al Ahli Sports Club and a founding member of Bahrain Internet Soceity. Isa holds a Master Degree in Business Administration & Marketing with distinction from University of Glamorgan, Wales, UK.

Ramzi Raad

Chairman & CEO, TBWA\RAAD

For more than forty years, Ramzi has been a pioneer of the advertising industry in the Middle East and North Africa. Ramzi graduated from the American University of Beirut and began his advertising career in 1967. During the following 12 years he helped to expand the first Middle East regional agency network, firstly into Kuwait and Bahrain. Then, with the eruption of the Civil War in his native Lebanon, he was the first Lebanese ad man to move to the Gulf where he settled in Dubai in 1975. In 1982, he moved to Paris and two years later transferred to London. In 1986 he returned to Dubai which has since remained his base of operations. In 1988, Ramzi was voted President of the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) and during his Presidency, the first Advertising Awards Program in the region was launched (1990). The first meeting for the IAA World Executive Committee in the Middle East was hosted in Dubai, and the Chapter led large delegations to the IAA World Congress in Sydney, Australia (1988) to Advista Arabia in Cairo (1989), and the Asian Advertising Congress in Lahore, Pakistan (1989). He was then named Vice President/Area Director of the International Advertising Association for the Middle East and Africa in 1991. Ramzi is a Founder of the GCC Advertising Association, the Middle East Research Forum and the Middle East Advertising Agencies Association. He has lectured on Middle East Advertising in London, Zurich, Sydney, Lahore, Cairo, Bahrain, New Delhi and Mexico. Beyond the field of advertising, Ramzi served as the Middle East Consultant for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (1988-2000) and the Dubai Press Club which is owned and managed by the Government of Dubai (1999-2000). Ramzi founded TBWA\RAAD Middle East in September 1999, which quickly entered the Middle East Ad Agencies Top 5 League, with a network of agencies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Algeria and Morocco. The network he leads also encompasses Ketchum Middle East (PR), and Tequila Middle East (CRM). He is also a Board member of Omnicom Media Group (OMD & PHD). In 2009, Ramzi was named on the list of the 'World's Most Powerful Arabs', and in 2010 was presented with the prestigious Dubai Lynx Advertising Person of the Year Award.

Rebecca Hill

Executive Director, Middle East Publica Relations Association

Over 20 years Rebecca has held various communications roles with James Capel, IMI, the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development and Standard & Poor's handling internal and strategic communications, issues & crisis management, brand management and strategic communications. She currently runs the Middle East Public Relations Association.

Majdi Al-Sahhaf

Director Marketing & Corporate Communications
Saudi Industrial Property Authority

Majdi A. AL-Sahhaf a has a Masters of Art in International Communications from the School of International Service at the American University, Washington DC and Bachelor of Art in Public Relations from King Saud University of Saudi Arabia. He has completed many professional training courses in banking, credit analysis, and management. He has also attended international conferences and training seminars related to his field of expertise. In 2009 he completed the Saudi Oxford Advance Management and Leadership Program at Oxford University, UK. Working for the Public and Private sectors for more than twenty years, he has an established track record in management, banking, finance, sales, and relationships management. His responsibilities are to develop and implement marketing strategies to promote investment in the industrial sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, create media relations locally and internationally, enhance public awareness of MODON www.modon.gov.sa and the great role that it plays in developing the industrial sector in KSA. Moreover, develop and manage the corporate social responsibility program at MODON, and organize world class events related to industrial property development and investment opportunities. His work achievements include master planning and orchestrating the inauguration of the flagship project of Sudair Industrial and Business City. Successfully raised funds for the Global Competitiveness Forum in a very short time with limited resources. www.gcf2008.org (SAGIA). Managed the inauguration of four economic cities in one year under the patronage of H.M King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz with an attendance of more than 450 VIPs in total (SAGIA). Supervising 600 correspondent banking relationships in 80 countries spanning 6 continents (Saudi Hollandi Bank). Managed the PR aspect of the Kingdom World Exhibition which was touring 20 countries in five continents for the promotion of Saudi Arabia (Ministry of Information). Established for the first ever live coverage of Hajj by CNN (Ministry of Information). Successfully delivered the turnover of SAR 90 million in (food products) sales annually (Nashar Trading Co.). Promoted the Yanbu Al Saniyiah Commercial Center and the sales of the residential lands (SAUDI ARABIAN PARSONS LTD). Majdi is an active member of many professional groups.

Rob Sherwin

Managing Director, Regester Larkin

Rob Sherwin leads Regester Larkin's business across the Middle East, based in Abu Dhabi. Advising the management of both international and local companies, both private and public, Regester Larkin helps companies to protect and capitalise on their reputation. Prior to joining Regester Larkin, Rob spent 10 years with Shell International (including 5 years working in the GCC) and was then appointed as the UK Government's Middle East Energy Adviser.

Yousef Tuqan Tuqan

CEO, Flip Media

With over 12 years of regional experience, Yousef Tuqan is one of the most respected and sought-after online marketing consultants in the Middle East. Since building his first websites in his bedroom in 1996, he has gone on to work with a number of leading agencies, and has developed and executed online marketing initiatives for some of region's leading brands, including Emaar, Jumeirah, Nakheel and Emirates.
A regular contributor to regional publications and conferences on Internet strategy and marketing, Yousef has been one of the most vocal and visible evangelists for the role of the Internet in the marketing mix. In his role as CEO at Flip Media, Yousef is responsible for strategy and delivery at the largest interactive agency in the Middle East, with a team of over 150 digital specialists across 8 offices worldwide.

Maria Sillanpaa

Founding Director, Sustainability Advisory

Maria is an internationally recognised corporate responsibility and sustainability leaders and practitioner. She has worked exclusively in this field for over 20 years in pivotal roles at The Body Shop International, KPMG and AccountAbility. Maria has made pioneering contributions especially in the areas of strategy development, stakeholder engagement, supply chain, reporting and assurance. A selection of her clients includes AVIVA, BBC, BSkyB, The Co-operative Group, The Gap Inc, ING Bank, Nakheel, Nike, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Sainsbury's, Shell, Siemens, Westfield, The Body Shop International. Maria's publications include the seminal The Stakeholder Corporation - A Blueprint for Maximizing Stakeholder Value, endorsed by global leaders from prime ministers to Noble Laureates. Her recent number three ranking in CSR International's global top 100 leaders advisory category reflects her profound and continuing impact in this field.

Amy Morgan

Founding Partner, Director of Strategy, Unisono

As a co-founder and Managing Partner of Unisono, Amy Morgan has built a regional reputation as an admired strategic leader. With a passion for entrepreneurship and building international brands, Amy's key strengths lie in the ability to identify and grow brand potential, helping brands innovate and maximize return on investment. Having actualized a 200% growth less than four years since its launch, Amy is known to have transformed Unisono through intuition, intelligence and dedication into one of the most talked-about and respected branding and communications agencies throughout the region. Having created a number of award winning brands as well as visioning and delivering some of the most memorable and successful brand launches in the region including VIVA Bahrain, Unisono is perceived by network agencies as key competition and revered by the creative fraternity and business community as a refreshing source of inspiration. Amy's roots as a Strategic Business Analyst and her unflinching dedication as an entrepreneur towards realizing her vision and creating meaningful value, have been at the heart of her achievements and the core of Unisono's reputation as a holistic and independent consultancy. Owing to her enthusiasm for strategic thinking and her inherent passion for her subject and charisma, Amy has been a highly sought after speaker on the subject of branding and communications. Having chaired the Regional Brand Leadership Summit in Dubai with representation from leading brands from around the world including Microsoft, Cocoa Cola, HP, eBay and Sony Ericsson, Amy has a developed a reputation as an enlightening and entertaining speaker. This reputation has been further built through several conferences and speaking events, most recently Amy received praise for her feature presentation on the Power of Branding given to senior businesswomen, entrepreneurs and prominent members at the Gulf Hotel Prestige Club. Amy graduated from Manchester University in 1995 with joint honours in philosophy and politics. Working with Prudential as a Business Analyst on several major cross organization change management initiatives, she developed a keen interest in communications and strategy. Amy then moved to an online telecoms commodities exchange - Mloop, where she progressed from Business Analyst to Head of Communications and Environment. This start-up experience founded in Amy a passion for visioning and entrepreneurialism that lead her in 2001 to co-found Tap, London - a holistic branding and design consultancy before she moved to the Middle East in 2003. In the next three years, Amy acquired a thorough understanding of the Middle East market while working as a Strategic Consultant for a range of clients including Sabic-SMO, Projects Corporation and Saatchi and Saatchi. In 2006, she set out to pursue her dream with the launch of Unisono, a company that speaks for her passion, knowledge and vast experience.