Talent nurture key aspect of PHD's continued success

Dubai, January 25, 2015

PHD UAE has promoted five senior employees as a result of a stellar performance in 2014 and to manage its next stage of growth. Last year was an exceptional year for the agency, particularly in terms of new business growth, the successful roll-out of fully integrated planning teams as well as ground-breaking work for its clients.

Ian Dolan has been promoted to the newly created position of strategy director. As a planning director for the last three years, he has provided strategic input on multiple successful pitches. In this new role, Dolan will contribute to the strategic direction on all accounts, driving business development as well as spearheading the creative and innovation agenda for the agency and its clients.

Charli Ursell has been promoted to digital director after consistently delivering exceptional performance to her clients. She has led on the development of initiatives regarded as 'best in class' globally by key clients.

Karen Doumet has been promoted to planning director following an impeccable track record with her clients. Not only her commitment and enthusiasm have earned her endless praise, she is nurturing the next wave of talent with the same ideals.

After several years of managing one of PHD's biggest accounts with consistent qualitative output, Nawal Nasreddine has also been promoted to planning director. Her ability to manage and thrive on change and challenges is a valuable asset for both agency and clients.

Rachel Maher has been promoted to marketing director following the creation and deployment of a rich program of initiatives and her contribution to business development activities and account wins. The highlight of 2014 was BrainScape, PHD's annual conference that explores the future of the communications industry.

The promotions reflect the agency's commitment to nurturing its talent and facilitating a rewarding work environment. As part of the Omnicom Media Group MENA, PHD was named the third best employer in the UAE by the Great Place to Work Institute in 2014. The agency has invested over 150 hours and 5% of revenues on innovative skill development programs for its teams. These initiatives have resulted in the professional growth of key talent, who will now lead the agency forward as it undergoes a fresh phase of expansion.

"As an organization, we have grown significantly over the past 12 months. These promotions are as much a reward for this performance as a promise of future success," said Elda Choucair, managing director of PHD UAE. "We endeavor to nurture our talent at PHD so that we, as a team, can continue to exceed the expectations of our clients, our partners and ourselves."

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About PHD:
PHD Worldwide is known globally as an innovator in communications planning and buying across broadcast, print, digital, mobile, social and emerging media. Built on a culture of thought leadership, PHD's philosophy is "Finding a Better Way." PHD is one of the world's fastest growing and most awarded media and communication agencies, with over 3,000 staff working in over 80 offices worldwide.

In the Middle East, it first opened in Dubai in 2005, creating a team for Abu Dhabi in 2008 and opening an office in Riyadh in 2010.  At the end of 2012, PHD was awarded 20 'Agency of the Year' accolades including Adweek's 'Global Media Agency of the Year', while the Cristal Festival named it        Media Network of the Year in 2013. Not only has its philosophy of "Finding a Better Way" proved effective for its clients, which include Arla, Bentley, Hyatt, Mashreq Bank, Porsche and SC Johnson, it has also contributed to PHD being named a Great Place to Work in the UAE three years in a row, ranking third in 2014.

PHD is part of the Omnicom Media Group (www.omnicommediagroup.com), a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC)

www.phdmedia.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ms Rachel Maher                                                     
Marketing Director, PHD UAE
T: +971 4 457 4507
E: rachel.maher@phdmedia.com

© Press Release 2015