Publicis Groupe Middle East Appoints John Nolan as Head of Sport and Commercial Investment MENA

Publicis Groupe Middle East has announced the appointment of John Nolan as head of sport and commercial investment MENA. In this newly created role, he will lead the Groupe’s commercial investment and sports marketing initiatives in the region, driving innovative content partnerships, sponsorships, and revenue growth opportunities for clients.

His remit includes developing strategic partnerships with sports federations, broadcasters, and content owners, as well as leading sports sponsorship and activation strategies. He will also focus on enhancing client investments in sports marketing, maximising commercial opportunities, and leveraging digital tools to drive measurable impact.

He will also oversee the investment in content for APEX globally and chairing the Global Content Investment Council. In both capacities, he will report to Tony Wazen, CEO of Publicis Media ME.

Bringing over two decades of experience in content and sports marketing, John has played a pivotal role in shaping major sporting events and commercial ventures worldwide. He has worked in various capacities in Sports Television, Rights and Event Management for major events including Formula 1, World Rally Championship, the Olympics, NBA, NFL, MLB, and the Premier League. John is also a member of BAFTA and the Royal Television Society.

Tony Wazen, CEO of Publicis Media Middle East, commented, “The sports industry and the content partnership at large presents a tremendous growth opportunity, and John’s expertise will be instrumental in accelerating our momentum in this space.”

John Nolan added, “I am thrilled to be part of the team at Publicis Groupe in MENA, it’s such an exciting time for the Sports industry in the region. The intersection of sports, media, and technology is evolving rapidly, and Publicis Groupe is uniquely positioned to drive innovative, data-driven solutions for brands, rights holders, and fans.”