New capabilities include span across strategy, insights, acquisition, activation and evaluation through its IP tool SPORTS Evaluator

Dubai, 18 February 2016

On the heels of launches in the US, Russia and Africa, Starcom Mediavest Group (SMG) is continuing to globally strengthen and roll out its sports marketing capability SPORTS at SMG with the latest addition in the MENA region.

With client demand growing within the region for on the ground sports marketing expertise, SPORTS at SMG, headquartered in Dubai, will offer fully integrated sports marketing capabilities for brands. Leveraging SMG's number one market position, the division's capabilities will include audience insights, strategic development, investment, management and evaluation.

"In an increasingly fragmented landscape sports is still the number one driver of audiences in big numbers across multiple platforms, devices and multiple markets. New technologies are enabling rights holders and sports media vendors alike to evolve their offering to brands significantly. Helping our clients understand and invest in optimal ways in those spaces can deliver far greater effectiveness in investment and ROI," says Robin Clarke, MD EMEA SPORTS at SMG. "This is a key strength of our company."

"SPORTS at SMG in the MENA region will ensure our clients understand the landscape, the opportunities and the routes to high value ROI from investing in sports at local, regional and global levels. As part of a world class media network, we are armed with the best supporting capabilities in digital, content, social, data and media planning/buying to do just that," says Raed Kablawi, Head of MENA, SPORTS at SMG.

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About Starcom Mediavest Group
Starcom Mediavest Group architects connected human experiences to create value for our clients through precision marketing, content and technology solutions.  Ranked the number one global network by Ad Age and RECMA, SMG partners with the world's leading marketers and more digital disruptor brands than any other agency network. With 8,000 employees and 110 offices worldwide, SMG's network includes our three global agency brands Starcom, MediaVest and Spark; content brands LiquidThread, MRY and Relevant24; and ad tech units, RUN, Audience On Demand and more.  In 2014, SMG was named the top media network at Cannes, Eurobest, Dubai Lynx and Festival of Media Global. In 2015, the agency (www.mena.smvgroup.com) has also been named Media Agency of the Year at MENA Cristal and Dubai Lynx.

Among its regional clients are Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Emirates NBD, Almarai, du, Saudi Telecom, Savola, Tiffany & Co., adidas, Diago and Mondelez. SMG MENA is the top media shop in the region in terms of billings by RECMA, the leading independent global monitoring and ranking source. SMG is part of Publicis Groupe [Euronext Paris FR0000130577, CAC 40], one of the world's leading communications groups.

© Press Release 2016