Leo Burnett Saudi Arabia has named Tarek Akil as Business Lead, placing him at the helm of its Riyadh operations.
With more than 20 years of experience, Akil has built campaigns across Egypt, North Africa, the Levant, and the Gulf. He previously handled top brands such as Vodafone, Pampers, Ariel, Trident, SODIC, Emirates NBD, and Almarai.
Now, Akil will focus on deepening client-first thinking through integrated brand strategies tailored for the Saudi market.
The move also marks Akil’s return to Publicis Groupe Middle East, having worked at Saatchi & Saatchi on Cadbury’s regional portfolio. His appointment aligns with growing demand for unified marketing services amid the momentum of Saudi Vision 2030.
Adel Baraja, CEO of Publicis Communications KSA, praised the decision. “Tarek brings strategic clarity and a sharp client-first thinking approach that’s crucial in today’s competitive environment,” he said.
In his new role, Akil will lead efforts to expand the agency’s offering using Publicis Groupe’s Power of One model. This model connects data, creative, media, and technology to deliver holistic solutions under one roof.
Akil expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity. “I’ve joined an incredible team at Leo Burnett Riyadh,” he said. “I’ve always admired Publicis Groupe’s bold ideas and client-first thinking. Now I’m proud to contribute to that journey.”
Leo Burnett continues to scale its impact in Saudi Arabia by merging creativity with business transformation.
The agency sees Akil’s leadership as vital to driving forward its next chapter of growth and brand innovation.
