AdTech 2.0

Emine Yilmaz Butun is a visionary leader with 19+ years of expertise in strategy, finance, innovation management, digital transformation, and corporate finance. As the founder and CEO of AcceleratEMEA, she specializes in driving innovation, mentoring startups and scale-ups globally, and advising corporates on scaling innovation, governance, and business model transformations. Her career spans key roles in Fortune 100 companies like AIG, GE, MetLife, and Philips, where she led M&A integrations, digital transformations, and financial planning. Emine is also a co-founder of multiple startups in health tech, ed tech, and e-commerce. A CPA and part-time lecturer. A frequent speaker and a moderator at global summits, Emine empowers organizations, innovators, and the ecosystem to adapt and thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

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With over 15 years of experience in media, advertising sales, creative direction, and content production across the Middle East, I’m passionate about helping brands tell their stories in fresh and impactful ways. I focus on creating tailored advertising and marketing campaigns that blend creativity with smart strategies, helping businesses achieve their goals and stand out in today’s ever-evolving media world.

Specializing in ad technologies, with a focus on development and implementation across app, web, and connected TV platforms. Expertise in monetization, audience data, and digital buying strategy within the MENA advertising landscape. Working across tech, brand, and agency roles, driving the launch of innovative ad solutions and optimizing cross-screen brand activations through premium ad experiences.

With nearly 20 years of experience in advertising and media, Amine currently leads Marketing operations for Procter & Gamble (P&G) in the Middle East. As a Former GAM vice president and board member of advertising associations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Amine has made significant contributions to the industry. He is an award-winning advertiser recognized across several continents for his innovative and impactful campaigns.

Richard, the visionary CEO and Founder of Augustus Media, has established himself as a media expert in the UAE and KSA. Augustus Media, under his leadership, has become a leading modern media company, publishing the Lovin’ local news and lifestyle brand in 20 cities and broadcasting the Smashi TV streaming service. With over a decade of experience in media advertising, Richard has held key positions in agencies across Ireland, England, and the UAE. Since launching Augustus Media in 2015, Richard has driven the company to remarkable success, winning the Best SME Company at the 2018 MENA EFFIE Awards and Most Innovative Media Company 2023 by Fast Company Middle East.

Ribal El Halabi has been in the Marketing & Advertising industry for 11 Years. He has worked across various client industries such as Luxury Automotive, Luxury Hospitality, Entertainment, Banking, and Real Estate. His current role is focused on bridging Modern Luxury Principals with the ever evolving digital landscape for Jaguar Land Rover. Aside from Advertising, Ribal is into Fitness, Web3, and Blockchain.

Vikrant has over 17 years of experience in Media Planning, Content Strategy & Planning, Social Media Management, Influencer Marketing, Activation & Events, Gaming & Creative production. Vikrant has been a part of the media industry since 2007 where he joined as Account Executive and worked his way up to lead content teams across agencies in MENA. He has a proven ability to collaborate with internal and external teams to inspire and nurture creative potential, while delivering outstanding results that have won multiple industry awards & meet both business objectives and consumer needs. His experience cuts across both B2C & B2B verticals and includes brands like Coca Cola, Huawei, Perfetti, Colgate, Netflix, Nestle, Ford, Mercedes, Michelin, Chevron, GE, AGDM & Landmark Group. Vikrant helps clients think platform-up and push boundaries into white spaces that create impact & deliver shareability. He believes in balancing Art & Science to drive measurable growth for our partners.

Agnieszka is an established media expert, having worked for the most prominent international networks: Paramount, WBD, OSN, Network TEN and MBC Group, across Europe, MENA and APAC. She specializes in operations and strategic project delivery, most recently leading Korea and Japan streaming platforms launches. Based in Dubai, she advises TMT companies, like JAY, on the regional market entries.

Juliette is the Founder and Director of Pineapple Audio Production, which specialises in the production of podcasts. Our expertise in podcast production has been instrumental in crafting over 1500 episodes for top-tier clients, including global brands and media powerhouses. Clients have included Heart, Grazia, CNBC, Marie Claire, Aramco, The Telegraph, Metro.co.uk and the chart-topping ‘Love Island: The Morning After’ podcast for ITV. Previously, as an award-winning, high-achieving audio producer, I created station sound, imaging and trails for the Heart network’s biggest national campaigns for a weekly audience of 9 million. Clients included Sky (the biggest UK commercial radio partnership at the time), Netflix, Disney, Santander, Sony and Sainsbury’s. AWARDS AND HONOURS: . Radio Academys 30-Under-30 Award in 2016, and 2018 . Honorary Life Member of the Student Radio Association 2019 . Rising Star Award by The Times and We Are The City 2019 . Non-exec Advisor on the board of the Student Radio Association 2020-2024 . Business UK Music and Entertainment Company of the Year for Wiltshire 2023 . Corporate Livewire Innovation and Excellence Audio Production Company of the Year 2024 . Corporate Livewire Global Audio Production Company of the Year 2024

Mustafa Alrawi is a journalist and writer bridging the Middle East and the West through dynamic, insightful storytelling. As Group Director Editorial Partnerships at IMI Media, Mustafa Alrawi is a respected industry leader. With a decade at The National in Abu Dhabi, he demonstrated exceptional newsroom leadership. Although no longer on staff, he remains a columnist. Previously at CNN Business Arabic where he managed a large team and commercial opportunities, he excels in content creation. Mustafa’s global event coverage and contributions to international publications highlight his journalistic impact.

Husain is currently leading Global Partnerships developing digital strategies for Google’s strategic partners in MENA and SSA. Prior to Google, Husain was heading business development in the Emerging Markets and then Public Private Ventures at Careem. Husain started his first 5+ years of his career in Boston Consulting Group supporting clients across industries in their strategic planning, focusing on financial services and the public sectors. Husain holds an MBA from INSEAD and BSc in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Economics from Columbia University.

Aya is a seasoned broadcasting host and media and marketing strategist who’s been in media for over 9 years. She’s worked on projects globally, with industry giants like Samsung and even Disney. She’s spent the last 5 years delving into Crypto, and the last year or 2 in its Web3-Tech Marketing & PR space. Recognizing the need for bold campaigns, she’s founded Azintafy, which dials in on guerrilla Web3 Marketing & PR tactics on top of usual Mar-PR case studies. She’s also a rising voice in the online blockchain community, building her diverse KOL profile across top platforms. Known to work both “in front and behind the camera”, Aya is always at the forefront of digital transformation-either building stellar campaigns behind the scenes or sharing insights front and center to audiences beyond.

Jad Abou Mitri is a dynamic media and advertising professional with extensive experience in sales, business development, and strategic growth across the GCC. As Shahid Growth Senior Manager at MBC Media Solutions (MMS), he leads advertising initiatives for Shahid in the UAE and GCC while also spearheading Samsung CTV ads across MENA. He works closely with top media agencies, business owners, and direct clients, driving impactful campaigns and maximizing revenue. Previously, at DMS (Choueiri Group), Jad managed direct sales and boutique agency relationships, unlocking new business opportunities and significantly expanding client portfolios. His strong industry connections, negotiation skills, and expertise in data-driven advertising solutions have been key to delivering high-value deals and impactful media strategies.

Vinit Mehta is a leading voice in AdTech, Streaming, and the Attention economy, with 22+ years of leadership experience scaling B2B SaaS, media tech, and e-commerce businesses across the US, India, and the Middle East. He is on the board of Adsolut Media, Asia’s fastest-growing video ad network after YouTube, where he is spearheading global expansion by partnering with CTV OEMs, FAST channels, OTT platforms, Streamers, and content owners to optimize video ad monetization across live and VOD content. As Managing Editor at Streaming in India/The Streaming Lab, the market-leading research and insights platform for streaming, he drives thought leadership on the future of digital video and ad-supported monetization models. Viniit is also Founder & CEO of Mehtta Ventures Dubai, a strategic investment advisory focused on the attention economy, backing AdTech, streaming, and gaming startups. Previously, he led Brightcove and Endeavor Streaming’s subcontinent operations, helping publishers, broadcasters, and OTT platforms scale direct-to-consumer streaming, monetization, and distribution. A 2X startup entrepreneur turned investor, Viniit has built and scaled multi-million-dollar businesses, launched ad-driven video platforms like TABBIE and KIVI, and remains an active angel investor in related fields.

I am a digital marketing professional based in Dubai with experience in both Canada and the UAE. Currently, I work at Bayut, where I oversee marketing initiatives for the Saudi market, focusing on performance marketing and strategic growth.

Mohammed Jaradat, Jaguar Land Rover Marketing Communications and Digital Lead. Been serving the luxury brand for the past 10 years, before which, had the opportunity to serve other local and international brands all focused media and digital marketing.

+15 years across Snap Inc., LVMH, L’Oréal, entrepreneurial and startup roles in the Middle East & North Africa, Europe and East Asia. Mohammed is a results-driven at the intersection of consumer insights, strategy, and innovation. He specializes in product innovation, disruptive technologies, and growth acceleration with a focus on driving new revenue streams and elevating brands’ positioning.

With over 17 years of experience in MENA, I’ve had the opportunity to lead digital transformation in various industries including destination marketing, tourism, telco, automotive, FMCG, retail, and governmental entities. This experience has honed my skills in strategic planning, performance marketing, data analytics, and consumer insights. I have led on the commercial transformation of Shahid and other digital assets that successfully delivered significant business and people growth. Beyond commercial strategy, I am intrigued by the psychology of people, which led me to pursue life coaching certificates. This additional experience has deepened my ability to lead with empathy, resulting in transformative results within my team.

Rami Saad is a seasoned ecosystem builder with over 20 years of experience across global and regional digital media and advertising industries. He is currently the Co-Founder & CBO of Halo AI, an advanced networking platform powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to connect brands with micro-influencers seamlessly. A former Director of Product and Revenue Partnerships at Snap, Rami led global content expansion efforts, bringing localized content, including Arabic language programming, to Snapchat users worldwide. His expertise in crafting Go-To-Market strategies and navigating local nuances has driven significant engagement and ad revenue growth across diverse markets in MENA, Europe, and Asia. Previously, as the leader of DMS (Choueiri Group), Rami revitalized its value proposition, introduced cutting-edge ad tech, and increased ad spend by 60% for platforms like MBC’s Shahid and Anghami. Earlier in his career, as Managing Director Digital at Publicis Media, Rami established MENA’s first digital media agency in 2006. He built capability teams across performance marketing, content, and data analytics while managing top-tier clients like P&G, Emirates, Adidas, and Richemont Group. Rami is passionate about storytelling and its value in connecting ecosystems. Outside of work, he enjoys running, surfing, meditating, and continuous learning.

Amine Mansour is a seasoned Analytics and AI leader with over 12 years of experience transforming organizations through data-driven strategies. Currently heading Analytics and Data Science at Alshaya Group, his expertise spans luxury and retail sectors, where he has deployed innovative models, customer analytics, and omnichannel strategies. A passionate advocate for AI and Data Science’s transformative potential, he holds a Master’s degree in Communication Systems Engineering from EPFL and has led influential roles at Richemont and Cartier.

Christian Eid, aka Abou Banat – a cultural reference meaning “father of daughters”, is the CEO of DUCKLIFE, an adventurous marketing and creative agency scaling at with the pace of its clients and delivering growth through creativity. A career-long entrepreneur, Chris has notably been a brand builder, marketeer, investor and advisor aimed at helping brands achieve their potential.

Andrew Raso is the Founder and Global CEO of Online Marketing Gurus, which has 300+ digital marketing professionals in Australia, the U.S., Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE; won 40+ global and regional industry awards; and provides 1,000 SMBs and global brands SEO elevation, pay-per-click campaigns, social advertising, and website design and development services.

Zaheer Adenwala, Chief Operating Officer at Ketto, has over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. His expertise spans product development, technology, market research, digital marketing, and analytics. Zaheer earned his MBA with a focus on Marketing/Marketing Management from the National University of Singapore. A dynamic leader, he is known for his hands-on approach and problem-solving mindset, inspiring his team to excel in challenging scenarios. Under his guidance, Ketto has achieved significant milestones, from launching innovative projects to advancing fundraising initiatives. Zaheer’s unwavering determination and strategic vision are pivotal in transforming ambitious goals into tangible achievements, making him a driving force behind Ketto’s success in leveraging technology for social impact. His leadership fosters a culture of growth, ensuring organizational and individual success.

I’m Jay, Yazle’s Managing Director overseeing operations across our Middle East and Asia offices. Having moved to the UAE in 2001, I’ve spent time on both agency and supply side, always in digital. In my free time I’m an amateur sportsman, holding an MMA black belt. Healthy body means a healthy mind. I also have 4 kids, who are crazy and beautiful all at the same time. 2025 aims to be a milestone in personal and professional growth. Im excited for the year ahead.

Mamta Varerkar has more than 19 years of experience in Branding, Advertising and Communications, and is the General Manager and Partner at Yellow. Mamta has also been an independent marketing consultant to several SMEs and startups helping them meet their marketing and business objectives. Mamta shares her experience working with startups in her podcast called: Startup Hustle Middle East, which includes stories of startups and VCs from the ecosystem.

Managing director for Adbreeze.com – A specialized digital advertising agency for e-com and B2B businesses in the GCC markets

Forbes 30 under 30 winner. Leads global agency strategy. Focus is to building innovative marketing teams for our portfolio—building a suite of proprietary research, strategy tools, and marketing execution services for modern consumer brands. Over 10 years of experience in digital strategy, growth marketing, and venture. Investor to fast growing commerce companies: Triple Whale, Varos, Canal.

Hi, I’m Ankita Bhatia Dhawan. With 20 years of experience in process automation, marketing, and technology, I’ve honed my expertise in using tech automation to create practical, impactful solutions that drive results. I’m the founder of Hiya Global Group, where I work with startups and small businesses, offering services like Marketing consulting, marketing automation, and process optimization. My approach is simple: make marketing more efficient by aligning the right processes, platforms, and people. I also co-host the podcast Marketing Engineered, where we explore how tech and automation can transform marketing strategies. Before starting Hiya Global Group, I was a passionate blogger and influencer back in the early 2010s—long before it became a career option. My blog is still live after 20 years, and I continue to share my thoughts and experiences on Instagram.

With over three decades of experience spanning various retail sectors including technology, automotive, and telecom, Stephan Davies embodies the essence of customer-centricity. Throughout his career, he has been focused on the human element of customer interactions, viewing each interaction as an opportunity to humanize brands. Stephan’s journey in customer experience has been marked by his relentless pursuit of service excellence, where every action he takes is aimed at serving others. As a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP), he holds professional recognition for his profound knowledge and expertise in the global customer experience discipline. Stephan’s mission at Al Masaood Automobiles is to empower individuals within the organization to recognize, take action, and harness the power of technology to create value for the people they serve – their customers – at every touchpoint. By instilling a culture of customer-centricity and continuous improvement, he aims to ensure that Al Masaood Automobiles remains at the forefront of delivering exceptional experiences that resonate with customers on a profound level.

Co-Founder & CEO of Quantum a leading Retail Media Technology company, Omar built a reputable ad technology company that is reshaping how consumers interact with brands by helping brands to connect online with offline marketing data. Hold a degree in both Marketing and Finance with academic training and experience in data science.

Anastasiya is an accomplished PR professional and business advisor who leads Dubai-based communications consultancy Sherpa Communications. With more than 16 years of expertise developing and executing all aspects of public relations and marketing campaigns, she provides senior counsel to brands of any size and structure helping them achieve business objectives and meaningful results through the strategic use of communication.