Digital communications agency resists lure of Dubai
Qatar:WPP-owned full-service digital communications specialist, XM London has chosen Doha as the launch pad for its regional expansion and will open an office there by the end of this year.
Chris Brown previously senior account manager transfers from XM London to become XM Doha country manager.
The move consolidates the agency's existing Qatari business, which is currently handled by XM London and includes websites for HH Sheikha Mouza Al Misnad, the wife of the Emir of Qatar, the Qatar Foundation and The Doha Debates.
The company is also working for the Virginia Commonwealth University of Qatar, Weill Cornell Medical University and Qatari charity, Reach Out to Asia.
Simon Campbell, XM London managing partner and COO told GMR that he expected the Doha operation to generate 15% of total revenue within its first year of operation.
Campbell added that, as a fledgling market, Qatar offered exceptional opportunities for future growth.
"Qatar is a new and dynamic market but with a strong infrastructure already in place. It's very accessible for other destinations across the region and is still relatively uncluttered in terms of creative agencies. In fact we regard it as the regional hub for new business," he said.
XM London was founded in 1994 and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP in 2003. Other XM London clients include: HSBC, Harvey Nichols and Buckingham Palace websites.
XM Doha's own website goes live in December.
WPP is one of the world's largest communications services groups whose companies include J. Walter Thompson Company, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, MindShare, Mediaedge:cia, Hill & Knowlton and Wunderman.
© Gulf Marketing Review 2005
