Edelman today announced the completion of its acquisition of DABO & CO, a leading Dubai-based independent agency, further expanding and enhancing Edelman’s presence in the region.
The transaction, as announced with Edelman’s intent earlier this year, sees the launch of a new co-branded entity – Edelman DABO – and comes at a time when organizations in the Middle East are seeking increased integration in their approach to creative communications.
Edelman DABO combines consumer public relations and digital capabilities of both companies, and also features the creation of Edelman DABO Experiential and builds upon the creative track-record of DABO’s event management division. As a result of the integration, Edelman DABO now has a roster of more than 50 clients in the Middle East, making it a dominant player in the regional brand communications sector.
“The communications marketing landscape is evolving at a pace where yesterday’s innovation horizon is reached at a speed that was unimaginable even a couple of years ago. Our focus on building our leadership position requires us to be one step ahead of our clients’ evolving needs,” said David Brain, president and chief executive officer, Edelman Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa. “DABO & CO has been consistently able to deliver high levels of creativity in consumer communications and experiential activations, granting it national acclaim and making it an ideal addition to our existing business on the Middle East.”
“This acquisition leaves us perfectly positioned for dynamic growth,” said Robert Holdheim, CEO – South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Edelman. “We now have scale, local and regional expertise, and a business that is well balanced between brand communications and reputation management. This enables us to offer a uniquely compelling solution to clients seeking creative, integrated communications marketing support.”
The newly formed Edelman DABO will complement Edelman’s existing regional operations, which feature strong capabilities in Corporate, Digital, Technology, Health and Consumer communications. Edelman’s combined operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai now have more than 150 employees.
“We are delighted to have completed the acquisition process and to have revealed our new brand identity as an Edelman company,” said Lucy d’Abo, former managing partner, DABO & CO and now managing director, Edelman DABO Experiential. “In terms of both strategic vision and cultural fit, it was clear that Edelman represented the best partner for us and everything we’ve experienced to date has reinforced that view. We are now entering an incredibly exciting new chapter and believe that Edelman DABO will firmly establish itself as the leading brand communications agency in this region.”
Edelman DABO Experiential has made a number of senior hires recently in line with this strategic direction, including Stefano Milan, production director and Lynette Bond, business creation director. The 20-strong team is already working on projects for The Abraaj Group, Sharjah International Children’s Film Festival, ICAEW and GMG.
About Edelman
Edelman is a leading global communications marketing firm that partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Edelman partners with many of the world’s largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. Edelman was named one of Advertising Age’s “Agency to Watch” in 2014; one of Forbes’ “14 Most Influential Agencies of 2014”; and The Holmes Report’s “2013 Global Agency of the Year.” Edelman was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014 and was among Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work” for the third time in 2014. Edelman owns specialty firms Edelman Berland (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, experiential), a joint venture with United Talent Agency.
About Edelman DABO
Edelman DABO is a brand communications agency comprising 88 employees working across communications marketing, experiential and digital. It was formed in the wake of Edelman’s acquisition of award-winning independent agency DABO & CO, an integrated communications firm based in Dubai.