GroupM, WPP’s named, Ravi Rao, CEO at GroupM Middle East North Africa (MENA), the group said in a statement. He replaces Filip Jabbour, who was appointed in 2015 when GroupM launched in the region and has taken the decision to step down.
“Clients increasingly require services beyond media planning and buying, and I’m looking forward to creating more vibrant, next-generation solutions,” Rao said in a statement.
Rao is tasked with driving the strategy and growth of GroupM and its media agencies in the region as the group focuses on helping clients grow their business through unrivalled marketing advantage via talent, scale and technology.
He will be building on the work led by Jabbour over the last four years when GroupM’s media agencies won substantial new clients, the group said in a statement.
Rao began his career, after business school in Mumbai, by launching the first P&G brand, Ariel in India. He has been delivering in-depth knowledge of local markets and enthusiasm for harnessing new data technology. His role of delivering outstanding results for clients is balanced with ensuring the best talent is in place in the region, as well as driving global and product innovations.
Rao was previously, the CEO at Mindshare MENA. He has 30 years’ of market experience and 11 years within the GroupM network. His replacement at Mindshare will be announced in due course, said the group in a statement.
