Ziad Ghorayeb Appointed Regional Managing Director at Isobar MENA as Karim Khalifa Departs

Isobar MENA has announced that Karim Khalifa is stepping down as CEO of both Digital Republic and Isobar MENA - a position he has held for the past three years. Ziad Ghorayeb has been appointed to the role of managing director MENA, managing the Egypt and GCC operations based out of Dubai, effective 1st March 2019.

Ziad has over seventeen years’ experience in the industry across leadership roles, most recently as head of product at Initiative MENA. His expertise lies in digital integration, strategy and content and he will be responsible for building Isobar’s regional capabilities and cementing their position as an agency that delivers digital transformation, powered by creativity. His focus will be on regional expansion with an emphasis on developing Isobar’s product offering to grow the agency.

Karim joined Isobar after the acquisition of Digital Republic by Dentsu Aegis Network in May 2016. He will formally step down as CEO on 30 April 2019 having remained on the board in an advisory capacity during the transition period.

Karim Khalifa, CEO of Digital Republic linked by Isobar and Isobar MENA, said: “Few words can express what a pleasure it has been establishing and building Digital Republic linked by Isobar into the business and strong regional agency that it is today. As we approach our tenth birthday, I feel extremely proud of what we have achieved with a group of very talented people, a supportive parent company and a dynamic culture. As an entrepreneur at heart, the time has come for me to move on to a new adventure. The company has all the right ingredients and solid foundations and I have no doubt that the future will be bright as the business evolves under Ziad’s strong leadership.”

Tarek Daouk, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network MENA, said: “I want to thank Karim for his dedication and invaluable contribution to the company’s establishment and success over the years. From the start he has had a bold vision for Isobar and his drive and leadership has ensured that Dentsu Aegis’ acquisition of Digital Republic has been an outstanding success.

“I am delighted to appoint Ziad as Karim’s successor. He has a deep understanding of Isobar’s market proposition and is a perfect fit to our culture and values. His experience working at the intersection of platforms, digital, data and creativity will empower our vision to drive digital transformation. I have every faith that he will continue the business’s success and lead Isobar into its next phase of development.”

Ziad Ghorayeb, regional managing director of Isobar MENA, said: “I am excited to be joining Dentsu Aegis Network and look forward to leading Isobar as they drive experience-led transformation programs in MENA. With businesses trying to survive and thrive in the age of disruption, Isobar comes in with a distinctive industry leading proposition to solving business challenges through digital marketing, commerce, and a transformation consulting offering. I’m looking forward to working with the brilliant teams across the region and partnering with our clients to remodel their brands through innovative experiences.”