#1 Marketing & Advertising Podcast in MENA – Your go-to source for cutting-edge insights on marketing, digital advertising, and the future of AI in the marketing landscape.
Join us as we explore innovative marketing strategies, advertising tactics, and the latest technologies shaping the industry. From the use of AI in marketing to practical approaches for branding and digital advertising, each episode brings you valuable knowledge from industry-leading experts and successful entrepreneurs. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, our podcast covers everything you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.
Discover actionable insights, deep dives into marketing case studies, and expert tips on utilizing technology, AI, and data to supercharge your campaigns. We bring you the best strategies from the MENA region and beyond, keeping you updated with trends and strategies that matter.
Give us a follow and turn on notifications to stay informed and stay ahead.
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#1 Marketing & Advertising Podcast in MENA – Your go-to source for cutting-edge insights on marketing, digital advertising, and the future of AI in the marketing landscape.
Join us as we explore innovative marketing strategies, advertising tactics, and the latest technologies shaping the industry. From the use of AI in marketing to practical approaches for branding and digital advertising, each episode brings you valuable knowledge from industry-leading experts and successful entrepreneurs. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, our podcast covers everything you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.
Discover actionable insights, deep dives into marketing case studies, and expert tips on utilizing technology, AI, and data to supercharge your campaigns. We bring you the best strategies from the MENA region and beyond, keeping you updated with trends and strategies that matter.
Give us a follow and turn on notifications to stay informed and stay ahead.
In Part 2, the conversation with Richard Fitzgerald dives into the heart of culture, storytelling, and the next era of media in MENA.
From the rise of podcasting and AI-driven publishing to the cultural impact of content creation in the region, Richard breaks down what it takes to stay relevant, build trust, and create meaningful narratives in the age of automation and short attention spans.
In Part 1 of this episode, Ibrahim sits down with Richard Fitzgerald, CEO of Augustus Media and founder of Lovin Dubai, to unpack the evolution of digital publishing and how he built one of the Middle East’s most influential media brands.
Richard shares his journey from traditional advertising into digital-first storytelling, offering a rare look inside the economics, culture, and strategy behind successful modern media in MENA.
Podcasting isn’t just growing in the Middle East. It’s exploding.
In this episode of Below the Fold, host Ibrahim sits down with Lama Osman, Co-founder & CEO of Podheros, to unpack how audio has become one of the most powerful tools for brand storytelling and connection in MENA.
From conversational AI to branded podcasts and WhatsApp channels, Lama shares her insights on what’s fueling the region’s audio revolution—and how brands can ride the wave.
What does it take to build a brand from scratch—with no investors and no shortcuts?
In this episode of Below the Fold, we sit down with Mustafa Koita, founder of Koita Milk, to explore his remarkable journey from defense to dairy. From bootstrapping with his life savings to scaling into 9 countries, Mustafa’s story is packed with lessons in persistence, creativity, and staying true to quality.
In this episode of Below the Fold, we sit down with Deepesh Trivedi, CEO of UIB.ai and former Meta & WhatsApp leader, to unpack how business messaging, conversational AI, and WhatsApp marketing are reshaping customer experience and brand growth in 2025.
From his 15+ years at Meta, helping scale WhatsApp Business across APAC, to leading UIB.ai’s conversational AI platform, Deepesh shares insider insights on AI-powered messaging, multi-channel commerce, and how brands can win with automation.
How do you turn influencer marketing into a real growth engine?
In this episode of Below the Fold, we’re joined by Tatum Greig, Founder and Head of Influencer at Bees & Honey, the Middle East’s only influencer-first creative agency.
With 8+ years of experience in creator marketing, Tatum shares how she’s built ROI-focused strategies that help brands connect with audiences that matter—locally and globally—while building long-term brand fame.
From selecting the right creators to measuring beyond vanity metrics, Tatum unpacks the data-led approach that’s redefining influencer marketing in MENA.
Brand building isn’t about hype—it’s about meaning.
In this episode of Below the Fold, we sit down with Mohammad Aljuhani, a leading voice in Saudi’s innovation scene, to unpack what it really takes to build brands that stand out and endure in today’s crowded landscape.
Drawing from his experience across startups, ecosystem design, and strategic advisory roles, Mohammad shares why most brands in MENA are focused on awareness—when they should be investing in clarity, consistency, and emotional connection.
The loyalty landscape is evolving—are you keeping up?
In Part 2 of our conversation with Paula Thomas—founder of Let’s Talk Loyalty and affectionately dubbed “The Oprah of Loyalty”—we unpack 5 winning strategies for brands that want to build stronger, smarter loyalty programs in 2025 and beyond.
From zero-cost emotional connection to loyalty tech integrations and real-world case studies, Paula brings two decades of wisdom to help brands rethink retention and customer engagement.
How do you build traction without burning cash?
In this episode of Below the Fold, we sit down with serial founder and Founder Connects creator Rony Hage to unpack zero-budget marketing strategies that actually work for early-stage startups.
Drawing from over a decade of experience in both the U.S. and UAE startup scenes, Rony breaks down the most common mistakes first-time founders make with ads, growth, and customer targeting—and shares the lean tactics that move the needle without spending a dime.
What’s next for e-commerce in MENA—and what are we still getting wrong?
In this wide-ranging episode of Below the Fold, global commerce leader Oliver White joins us for a refreshingly honest conversation on e-commerce, omnichannel transformation, and the future of digital retail.
Co-hosted by Jad Sfeir, this episode dives into everything from cultural resistance in legacy retail to the real risks of over-engineering e-commerce operations.
With over 20 years in commerce across the UK and Middle East—helping brands like Sephora and Chalhoub Group navigate transformation—Oliver unpacks hard lessons, painful truths, and the trends you actually need to pay attention to.
In this special episode of Below the Fold, recorded live at the Emirates NBD FinTech Summit, we sit down with Saud Al Dhawyani, Chief Platforms Officer at Emirates NBD, to explore how the UAE’s leading bank is building next-gen digital infrastructure—while staying first in innovation.
From Open Finance and AI to fintech partnerships and regulatory collaboration, Saud shares how Emirates NBD is transforming banking from the inside out—platform by platform, product by product.
🎙️ Hosted by: Naveen Bharadwaj, CEO of Trescon
We’re back with Part 2 of “Top 10 Media Trends in 2025” with Dana El Zein.
If you thought Part 1 was packed with insights—you haven’t heard anything yet.
In this episode, Dana El Zein (Director of Digital & Media, ex-Meta) returns to explore the next wave of trends that will shape digital marketing, media planning, and brand strategy across MENA in 2025.
From creator-led storytelling to CTV and podcast advertising, we dive into the shifts marketers need to embrace now to stay competitive.
Digital media is shifting—fast. Are you ready for 2025?
In this special two-part edition of Below the Fold, we sit down with Dana El Zein, Director of Digital and Media and former Meta strategist, to unpack the biggest trends transforming how brands connect, convert, and grow in the MENA region.
With 15+ years leading digital strategies for global brands and startups alike, Dana brings sharp insight into what’s working—and what’s next.
📍This is Part 1 of our two-part deep dive into the trends that will redefine marketing in 2025.
$14 billion in payment fees. One startup bold enough to change that.
In this special episode of Below the Fold, recorded live at the Dubai FinTech Summit, Harry Gill, Founder and Chairman of Pay10, shares how his UAE-based fintech became the first to go live under the Central Bank’s Open Finance framework—unlocking faster, cheaper, and more inclusive digital payments across the region.
From real-time settlements to building a full-stack payment ecosystem, Harry breaks down what it takes to innovate inside strict regulation—and why Open Finance could unlock $10 billion in savings for UAE merchants alone.
🎙️ Hosted by: Shadi Dawi
In this episode of Below the Fold, we dive into the world of Connected TV (CTV) advertising and why it’s on the verge of exploding in the MENA region.
We were joined by two industry experts:
Yann Colléter, author of The Streaming Lab, MENA’s go-to newsletter for everything streaming
Ahmed Murtadha, an expert media buyer with years of experience in CTV across the UK and UAE
Together, they break down the landscape of CTV in MENA, the difference between OTT and CTV, which platforms are leading the charge, and how advertisers should think about targeting, CPMs, and future trends.
1 billion underserved. 1 powerful mission.
In this special episode of Below the Fold, recorded at the Dubai FinTech Summit, we dive into the future of inclusive finance with two founders on a mission to change how the Muslim world accesses credit.
Maxim Chernuschenko, CEO of Fingular, and Saad Ishfaq, CEO of Shareeq Neo, share how they’ve teamed up to launch a Sharia-compliant neobank model—built to serve blue-collar workers, migrants, and underbanked communities across Qatar, the GCC, and beyond.
🎙️ Hosted by: Andreas Frangeskides and Shadi Dawi
How do you regulate innovation—without killing it?
In this special episode of Below the Fold, recorded live at the Dubai FinTech Summit, we sit down with Justin Baldacchino, Managing Director of Regulatory, Banking, Risk, Compliance, Innovation, and Technology at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), to unpack how Dubai is building one of the world’s most progressive regulatory environments for digital assets and next-gen finance.
From real-world sandboxes to tokenization pilots, Justin shares how DFSA is enabling innovation without compromising trust.
🎙️ Hosted by: Naveen Bharadwaj, CEO of Trescon
The most innovative startups can’t scale if no one will insure them.
In this special episode of Below the Fold, Joseph Ziolkowski, CEO of Relm Insurance, joins us in studio at the Dubai AI Festival to share how his firm is rewriting the rules of insurance—specifically for emerging tech sectors like blockchain, AI, Web3, and space.
Hosted by: Carlo Oehl
From Bermuda to the DIFC, Relm is enabling high-risk, high-growth companies to access the coverage they need to unlock licenses, secure funding, and scale globally.
In this episode, host Ibrahim sits down with two e-commerce heavyweights: Jad Sfeir, Director at Chalhoub Group and a seasoned retail leader, and Andy Kazandjian, Head of E-Commerce at Bad Marketing. Together, they break down the strategies brands need to succeed in today’s digital-first world.
From reducing customer acquisition costs to launching products without stock, this episode is full of real-world tactics for anyone in the e-commerce or retail space. Jad offers insights from his leadership role at Chalhoub Group, one of the region’s most prominent luxury retail players, while Andy brings hands-on performance marketing knowledge from scaling high-growth DTC brands.
When you deliver 75 million packages a day, innovation isn’t optional—it’s survival.
In this special episode of Below the Fold, recorded live at the Dubai AI Festival, Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Middle East & Africa, shares how one of the world’s largest logistics networks is transforming through AI, automation, and purpose-led technology.
From electric aircraft and AI-powered warehouse robotics to the launch of Ubuntu Academy—DHL’s initiative to train thousands of young Africans in digital supply chain skills—this conversation unpacks what it takes to lead global logistics into a smarter, greener future.
#1 Marketing & Advertising Podcast in MENA – Your go-to source for cutting-edge insights on marketing, digital advertising, and the future of AI in the marketing landscape.
Join us as we explore innovative marketing strategies, advertising tactics, and the latest technologies shaping the industry. From the use of AI in marketing to practical approaches for branding and digital advertising, each episode brings you valuable knowledge from industry-leading experts and successful entrepreneurs. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, our podcast covers everything you need to know to stay ahead of the competition.
Discover actionable insights, deep dives into marketing case studies, and expert tips on utilizing technology, AI, and data to supercharge your campaigns. We bring you the best strategies from the MENA region and beyond, keeping you updated with trends and strategies that matter.
Give us a follow and turn on notifications to stay informed and stay ahead.
