Makes three senior appointments to lead new units
Edelman, a leading global communications marketing firm, today announced three senior appointments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its reorganization into Brand and Reputation units, following the recent acquisition of Dubai-based Edelman DABO (formerly DABO & CO).
Edelman DABO now houses the new Brand unit, while the remainder of the Edelman UAE business makes up the new Reputation unit. The two units will share a number of centralized offers including digital communications, creative, strategy/planning and experiential.
Tod Donhauser, former managing director of Edelman South Africa, has been appointed CEO of Edelman UAE, overseeing both the Brand and Reputation units. Jason Leavy, former managing director of Edelman DABO, will realign his responsibilities as managing director, Brand. Jacob Drake, former director of the Edelman UAE Corporate practice, has been named managing director, Reputation. Camilla and Lucy d’Abo, the founders of DABO & CO, will round out the Edelman UAE Executive Committee. All appointments are effective immediately.
Robert Holdheim, CEO of Edelman South Asia, Middle East & Africa, said, “This reorganization represents the culmination of a long-term plan for the transformation of our UAE business. The establishment of this structure will enable us to absorb new capabilities and talent, integrate them with our existing offering and make our model more client centric.”
Donhauser’s appointment follows the transfer of Nicola McAlpine, former GM of Edelman UAE, to a global client lead role based in New York, and naming of Jordan Rittenberry as managing director of Edelman South Africa. Prior to moving to Johannesburg, Donhauser was the practice lead for the Public Affairs and Technology practices in Washington, DC. Donhauser will continue to report to Holdheim in his new role.
Donhauser said, “We are expanding our offering significantly by investing in new areas, and our structure will maximize the delivery of our talent on behalf of our clients. I am excited to be joining our sixth largest market by revenue at such a pivotal time.”
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.
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