Assembly Global, the global omnichannel media agency under Stagwell, has appointed Ravi Rao as Chief Executive Officer for its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations. The appointment strengthens the agency’s regional leadership as it continues to expand its presence and investments across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
In his new role, Rao will lead the agency’s growth strategy, market expansion, and operational performance across the region. He will work closely with Zubair S. Siddiqui, Chief Operating Officer, and Kinloch Magowan, Managing Partner, to enhance client delivery, refine commercial strategies, and support team development. The leadership structure aims to drive scalable operations and a high-performance model suited to the fast-evolving MENA media landscape.
Commenting on the appointment, Rick Acampora, Global CEO of Assembly, said: “MENA prioritizes speed and reliability. Ravi’s appointment strengthens our ability to execute, scale operations, and deliver stronger outcomes for clients across the region.”
Rao brings more than 30 years of experience leading agencies across MENA, North Africa, and South Asia. His career includes senior leadership roles such as CEO of GroupM MENA and CEO of Mindshare MENA, where he oversaw business transformation and market expansion initiatives.
Speaking about his new role, Rao said: “This market favors agile yet disciplined teams. My focus will be on building interconnected operations, strengthening delivery capabilities, and reinforcing client confidence as the region’s media landscape continues to evolve.”
Assembly’s regional hubs support both regional and multinational brands across multiple markets. The agency recently received the Digital Agency of the Year 2025 recognition at the Campaign Middle East Agency of the Year Awards, reflecting its continued growth and performance in the region.
