07 April 2010
Shopper marketing agency opens MENA office and releases first MENA Checkout Study of Regional shopping needs and behaviour

Dubai - United Arab Emirates TBWA/RAAD - the Middle Eastern arm of global advertising agency TBWA (Omnicom Group) - today announces the formation and integration of a MENA office for sister Omnicom Group company, Integer™.

Established in 1993, headquartered in Denver, Colorado and with offices throughout the US, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the Integer Group, is one of the world's largest Shopper marketing agencies and a key member of the TBWA global marketing services portfolio.

The Integer Group resides at the intersection of branding and selling and creates strategic marketing solutions for clients in categories including; P&G, PepsiCo, Kellogg's, GlaxoSmithKline, Blackberry, Johnson & Johnson and McDonald's.

Integer will bring MENA clients a proven methodology that balances the needs of brands and retailers ensuring that all parties, especially the shopper, will derive value and benefit.

TBWA/RAAD Group Managing Director, Reda Raad, said; "In line with our policy of service diversification, Integer adds a new layer of expertise and strategic capability to our regional offering and helps us deliver even greater ROI to our clients." He continued "we are delighted that we are already working with Carrefour, the region's leading Hypermarket retailer."

Leading Integer's MENA office will be Managing Director Marcus Evans. Evans comes to Integer with 20 years of agency experience and additional expertise in CRM and digital. Evans has a broad experience of international business having work in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

In synchronization with the launch of Integer's MENA office, the agency has conducted its first 'MENA Checkout Study', which surveyed 2,400 respondents from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

"The results revealed some interesting insights", explains Evans, "For example, when asked how their shopping behaviour had changed in recent months, 61% of UAE respondents reported spending less whereas this figure was only 45% in Egypt".

"What was abundantly clear from all 3 countries. was that Shoppers are hungry for relevant information, continued Evans, "and Shoppers are very happy to give personal details in return for information on offers and promotions over 60% would provide their email address and nearly half would give their personal mobile number."

Evans commented, "We are in a great position to offer Integer's global knowledge and expertise focused through a deep understanding of local markets. The MENA Checkout study shows that, a there are more similarities than differences in the behavioural trends in US and MENA shopper behaviour. Crucially, what the study also identifies are the key differences in regional and local attitudes and behaviour that allows us to adapt and configure our strategic and implementational approach".

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About TBWA/RAAD
Established in 2000, TBWA/RAAD is based in the Emaar Square offices in the shadow of Burj Khalifa and operates with a network of 14 full service agencies across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA). TBWA/RAAD has three main divisions - advertising, digital and public relations.  The Dubai office acts as a central co-ordinating hub for the 14 full service agencies.

For further media information and interview requests, please contact:
Marcus Evans
Integer MENA
Tel: +971 4 425 8918
E-mail: marcus.evans@integerme.com
James Thomas
Ketchum Raad Middle East PR office
Tel: +971 4 425 8990
E-mail: james.thomas@tbwaraad.com

© Press Release 2010