Memac Ogilvy Jordan has merged with Amman-based independent outfit Advize.
The new entity, called Memac Ogilvy Advize, is majority owned by WPP, with the collaboration effectively doubling the size of both parties. Each agency had had around 27 members of staff, and the two offices are set to move into new joint premises within the next few weeks.
Advize, which was founded by Mohammad Kamal in 2004 and had a reputation as one of the most creative agencies in Jordan, had previously been affiliated with Grey, but that affiliation came to an end on 7 January. Wisam Suheimat, who had moved on two occasions from the Ogilvy network to manage Advize/Grey, has been named as the managing director of the new agency.
The merger follows Memac Ogilvy Jordan’s winning of the advertising account for Arab Bank at the tail end of last year, with plans underway to introduce PR, digital and activation to the Amman offering.
Suheimat said: “There are many exciting brands in Jordan that have regional and even global reach, and through the strength of the network and the multi-disciplined approach to managing brands, the agency will aim to raise the bar for both the local advertising and communications industry as well as raise the profile of brands that are coming out of Jordan on a regional and global level.”