Assembly names Ravi Rao, ex-GroupM and Mindshare leader, as MENA CEO to drive expansion, partnering with regional execs amid investments in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt operations.
Assembly, the global omnichannel media agency under Stagwell, has appointed Ravi Rao as Chief Executive Officer for its MENA operations, bolstering leadership to sustain rapid regional expansion. The move aligns with increased investments in client partnerships, market presence, and operational infrastructure across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Rao assumes responsibility for growth execution, market penetration, and operational efficiency, collaborating closely with Zubair S. Siddiqui (COO) and Kinloch Magowan (Managing Partner) on client delivery, commercial tactics, and team development. His mandate emphasizes seamless cross-market scaling and a high-performance model suited to MENA’s dynamic demands.
Global CEO Rick Acampora highlighted the strategic fit: “MENA prioritizes speed and reliability. Ravi’s appointment fortifies our execution, scalability, and client outcomes across the region.” Rao, with over 30 years steering agencies in MENA, North Africa, and South Asia—including stints as GroupM MENA CEO and Mindshare MENA CEO—brings proven expertise in transformation and competitive scaling.
“This market favors agile yet disciplined teams,” Rao stated. “I’ll prioritize interconnected operations, robust delivery, and client confidence in a complex landscape.” Assembly’s MENA hubs serve regional and multinational brands, recently earning Campaign Middle East Digital Agency of the Year 2025 amid double-digit growth.
