Media veteran to further accelerate the growth and innovation of the Groupe’s media agencies  

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 April 2023 – Publicis Groupe, a leading global advertising and communications company, has announced the appointment of Tony Wazen as CEO of Publicis Media, effective 1 May 2023.  In this newly created role, Tony will lead the media agencies of the Groupe in the Middle East, focusing on innovative approaches to drive growth and ensure client success for the long term. 

Bassel Kakish, CEO of Publicis Groupe Middle East & Turkey said, “Tony is a true visionary and leader in the media industry, and we are thrilled to have him take on this new role. His extensive experience in strategic thinking and in-depth brand communication will be a valuable asset to our clients, and his focus on innovation and growth will help us stay ahead of future challenges and opportunities.”

Under his guidance, Tony will be instrumental in propelling Publicis Groupe’s ongoing transformation journey forward. This includes prioritising talent development and driving the continued growth and evolution of its media business and future-proofing its products and services to ensure that they remain competitive and relevant in today’s evolving landscape.  

“Harnessing the power of Publicis Media to drive personalisation at scale, create value and deliver winning solutions to clients will be the raison d’être,” commented Tony Wazen, CEO of Publicis Media ME. “We are driven by a common purpose, shared behaviours, and a relentless focus on our client’s business to drive growth in a platform-powered world. Through our scaled capabilities across strategic investments, insights, analytics, data, technology, commerce, performance marketing and content, we are dedicated to being the trusted transformative partner, guiding clients on their business transformation journey.”

Tony’s leadership and strategic thinking have been well demonstrated throughout his over 15+ years of experience with Publicis Groupe, which began when he joined Optimedia in 2008. He grew to lead the agency until 2019 to join Digitas where he played a pivotal role in its rapid growth, making it a key pillar agency for the Groupe in the region. Bringing two decades of expertise in marketing and communication planning, Tony has led successful transformations and effective developments for numerous global, regional, and local clients. 

With Tony at the helm, Publicis Media is poised for continued growth and success across the Middle East. His focus on driving innovation and achieving client success will ensure that the Groupe retains its leadership position within the industry.