Sheikh Maktoum Meets WPP CEO to Boost Dubai’s Media Hub

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE, met today with Mr. Mark Read, the CEO of WPP. WPP is one of the world’s biggest marketing and communication companies.

During the meeting, Sheikh Maktoum shared the UAE’s plan to become a top global center for media and creative industries. He talked about how the UAE’s strong business environment, modern infrastructure, and focus on the future are attracting many leading companies from around the world — especially in advertising and marketing.

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They also spoke about how the UAE is creating a welcoming place for businesses by having clear rules and quickly using new technologies. This helps build a space where creativity, talent, and new ideas can grow.

The meeting highlighted how important Dubai’s media and creative sector is for the city’s larger economic plans, especially the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. As Dubai moves toward a future full of innovation, companies like WPP play an important role in helping businesses connect with customers and grow both locally and globally.

It was also mentioned that Dubai is working hard to become a smart, digital-ready city. Thanks to its tech-friendly systems, wide variety of talented people, and services that make doing business easier, Dubai is an ideal location for global marketing firms like WPP. Sheikh Maktoum said that Dubai and the UAE will continue to support WPP as it grows its presence in the region.

WPP, which earned £14.7 billion in revenue in 2024, owns many famous agency brands like Ogilvy, VML, GroupM, and AKQA. As of the end of 2024, WPP had more than 108,000 employees working in over 100 countries. The company’s work covers four main areas:

1. Communication – including advertising, branding, and public relations

2. Customer Experience

3. Commerce – like retail and shopper marketing

4. Technology Services – focusing on data, analytics, and digital tools

The meeting was also attended by several top UAE officials:

• His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs

• His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism

• His Excellency Malek Al Malek, Chairman of TECOM Group

• Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing

This meeting showed the UAE’s strong commitment to growing its creative industries and supporting global companies that want to grow in the region.