Grey Group MENA has named Marc Chalhoub the network’s new chief creative officer.
Chalhoub, who will be based in Beirut, fills the position left vacant by last year’s departure of Philippe Skaff, who had the dual role of CEO and chief creative officer. Eric Hanna, previously CEO of MediaCom MENA, replaced Skaff as CEO in November last year.
“I am really excited to have Marc on board,” said Hanna. “His experience and understanding of the region, commitment to the creative process, passion for excellence and, most importantly, collaborative spirit will guide the group creative product towards new heights.”
Chalhoub will take on his new role on 2 April and joins from production company MC Films, which he established after leaving his position as regional executive creative director of Leo Burnett in 2005. “Grey has always been synonymous with creative excellence so I am excited to be a part of such a talented team,” said Chalhoub. “Having had the opportunity to engage with the ad world from the outside since 2005, I am very clear about the challenges and opportunities to expand Grey Group’s creative credentials in the region and beyond.”
The appointment is part of Grey’s refreshing of its creative offering, with a number of other changes expected to take place across the network. Grey moved its regional headquarters from Beirut (where Skaff had been based) to Dubai in November last year, with Hanna responsible for 250 staff across offices in Beirut, Riyadh, Doha, Kuwait, Casablanca, Tunis and Algiers. Grey is part of WPP.