Zed defies credit crunch, announces aggressive Middle East expansion
Dubai communications agency Zed is unveiling an ambitious business strategy for 2009, and says it is not satisfied with its performance in 2008 – its best year yet both in terms of revenue and creative awards.
The DIFC-based agency walked away from the UAE Web Awards in December after scooping thirteen trophies – one of the biggest medal tallies ever garnered by a single agency – including 7 Golden Awards and a Special Award from Microsoft.
Robert Mitchell, Managing Director of Zed, said: “We’re not resting on our laurels. 2009 is going to be a crucial year. We’re raising the bar for more creative awards and for more growth.”
Part of Zed’s immediate 2009 strategy will be to expand into Abu Dhabi and Doha, taking its staff numbers from 35 to well over 50.
Mitchell explains: “Our clients want a seamless and fully integrated offering from us. It makes sense to offer all our services to all our existing clients, particularly in Doha and Abu Dhabi.”
Zed is aggressively expanding in the teeth of worldwide economic doom and gloom, but Robert Mitchell is optimistic and predicts a healthy future for the region: “Dubai in particular will become the agency hub for many of tomorrow’s global brands. The region is ideally situated at the crossroads of East and West, and it’s the perfect base to manage global business from. Above all, there is a growing and talented, multicultural and multi-lingual creative talent base here.”
As the recession bites, Zed argues that in terms of communications agencies, smaller is better. Says Robert: “Often boutique agencies like us actually have an unfair advantage. We are more nimble: we can react more quickly and offer a sharper and demonstrably more creative offering. This is what people want now and will want more of in 2009.”
Robert continues: “The future of communications belongs to smaller, faster, multi-disciplined creative agencies. Agencies like Zed Communications.”
