Leo Burnett Middle East Saudi Appoints Ali Abdulhadi as Business Lead

Leo Burnett Middle East has appointed Ali Abdulhadi as business lead for their Saudi Arabia office, where he will oversee client partnerships, creative output, and team development across key accounts.

Currently based in the Eastern Province of the kingdom, Ali brings close to two decades of experience across the MENA region, having worked with over 100 brands in industries spanning automotive, FMCG, tech, aviation, and beyond. His career includes senior leadership roles at agencies and start-ups, and a portfolio featuring clients such as Mercedes-Benz, UNICEF, Samsung, and Nestlé.

Adel Baraja, CEO, Publicis Communications KSA, “Ali’s appointment comes at a time when our clients are looking for deeper integration and faster delivery. His mix of agency and start up leadership, along with hands-on experience across the region, makes him well positioned to support the evolving needs of the business.”

Ali has led marketing transformation efforts, regional launches, and campaigns that delivered measurable business impact. His career is also marked by a series of regional firsts, including the first Arabic Discovery page on Snapchat with Layalina and the first TikTok brand collaboration in Jordan for UNICEF.

Speaking about his appointment, Ali commented, “What drew me back to agency life is the energy, the pace, and the people. Leo Burnett has always stood for bold, iconic thinking, and with the right team, I believe we can build work that delivers on both creative ambition and business impact.”

In his new role, Ali will also focus on strengthening Leo Burnett’s client relationships, growing its strategic offering, and championing talent across the board.