John Antoniades Appointed CEO of SMG MENA Dubai

John Antoniades Appointed CEO of SMG MENA Dubai

Dubai and London (June 27, 2012) – Global media agency network Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) announced the elevation of John Antoniades to Chief Executive Officer of SMG, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In his new role effective September 1, 2012, Antoniades will focus on growing SMG MENA organically and extending market leadership in the region through new business opportunities while driving the reputation and product leadership regionally and on a global stage.

August 5, 2012 3:19 by nado99

Global media agency network Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) announced the elevation of John Antoniades to Chief Executive Officer of SMG, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In his new role effective September 1, 2012, Antoniades will focus on growing SMG MENA organically and extending market leadership in the region through new business opportunities while driving the reputation and product leadership regionally and on a global stage.

Currently based in London, Antoniades will report to Matt Blackborn, President, Emerging Markets, as well as Alex Saber, Chairman of VivaKi’s MENA region, and will be relocating to SMG’s regional headquarters in Dubai.

“John’s breadth of experience makes him an ideal candidate for this role,” said Matt Blackborn, President, Emerging Markets. “He offers a unique blend of local and multi-national client experience that will only help propel our business forward and drive our focus.”

Antoniades most recently served as Director of Multi-National Client Operations EMEA. In this role he led the consolidation of Honda in EMEA and was asked to head its regional account operations. In addition, he earned a place on the London Board and SMG’s Global Management Group and is a key member of the network’s Global Product Committee.

“MENA is one of the fastest growing markets in the world and is critical to SMG and our clients’ success,” said Antoniades. “I am honored by this new opportunity and look forward to building upon the amazing work the existing leadership team has already achieved through leveraging our ‘center of excellence’ capabilities.”

In 2007, Antoniades led the inaugural GSK pitch in the CEE and grew the partnership to 46 markets around the world. Before that, in 2006, he was client services director EMEA under Iain Jacob, SMG’s President, Dynamic Markets. Antoniades’ first leadership position abroad was Managing Director of MediaVest Italy in 2003. He joined Mediacentre UK (later MediaVest) in 1995 as a media planner.

With operations in eight markets employing more than 300 multi-discipline specialists in the Arab world, Starcom MediaVest Group MENA is one of the largest brand communications groups and the biggest media agency in the region. Beyond growing double-digits since its launch in 2001, the network is also one of the most awarded in the region having won multiple honors regionally and internationally. SMG MENA’s outstanding endeavors have marked many milestones for the region in terms of global awards: in 2004, the group was the first in the Middle East to ever obtain a Cannes Media Lions Award, a major accolade granted for its stellar work on P&G’s Bonux. More recent accolades include Dubai Lynx Media Agency of the Year 2009 and 2010, MENA Cristal Media Agency of the Year 2012, and first media agency to win a Gold at Media & Marketing Awards, Festival of Media Awards and Internationalist Awards. Last but not least, the office is the only MENA media agency to win at Cannes Media Lions in 2009.

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About Starcom MediaVest Group

Starcom MediaVest Group is the Human Experience Company. Our dream is to grow our clients’ business by transforming human behavior through uplifting, meaningful human experiences. These brand ‘experiences’ are brought to life by distinct, strategic point-of-views—Truth and Design and Space for Ideas– created and owned by SMG’s two global agency brands: MediaVest and Starcom, respectively.Ranked one of the largest brand communications groups in the world, Starcom MediaVest Group (www.smvgroup.com) encompasses an integrated network of human experience strategists, investment specialists, content creators and digital experts. With nearly 7,200 employees in 110 offices worldwide, SMG partners with the world’s leading companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft, P&G, Samsung, and Microsoft.

About Starcom MediaVest Group:

Starcom MediaVest Group MENA (

www.smvgroup.com) is one of the largest brand communications groups in the region. SMG MENA encompasses a passionate and integrated network of 300 specialists in media strategy and investment; consumer research; response media; sports and event marketing, branded content and digital communications.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Paris based Publicis Groupe, SMG MENA is present in eight markets spanning the Arab world, from Dubai to Morocco, and is backed by a global network of 110 offices in 67 countries. Its client roster boasts many leading local, regional and multinational companies. SMG MENA focuses on creating human experiences which are simple, meaningful and in real time.

The network has enjoyed annual double-digit growth since it launched in 2001. Among its clients are Procter & Gamble, Emirates Airlines, Samsung, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Saudi Telecom, GlaxoSmithKline, Tiffany & Co. and Kraft Foods.

SMG MENA has been named the top media shop in the MENA region in terms of billings by RECMA, the leading independent global monitoring and ranking source.

Web Site:

www.smvgroup.com

For further information, please contact:

Nisha Primlani

Regional Director – Marketing & Communications | VivaKi

Email:

nisha.primlani@vivaki.com

Telephone:

+971 4 3676404

Mobile

: +971 55 9900027

Claire Ballard