DDB Worldwide Announces the Merger of Its Three Units in Dubai

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Feb 16, 2011, 11:00 ET

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DDB Worldwide, one of the world's leading integrated communication groups, announced that its three former units in Dubai – Brandcom Middle East, TD&A.DDB and Gulf Promoaction – have merged to form one unit, DDB FZLLC, in which DDB Worldwide holds a majority stake.

Simultaneously DDB Worldwide announced its acquisition of a minority equity stake in Promoaction DDB, its long-time affiliate in Saudi Arabia.

In Dubai for the launch of DDB FZLLC, Chuck Brymer, President and CEO of DDB Worldwide Communications Group, said: "Dubai is an increasingly important place to be in the marketing communications industry, and it was clearly suboptimal for DDB to be operating through multiple units. Through this new single unit, in which we, DDB Worldwide, have a majority stake, we send a clear message to our clients, our staff, and our business partners that we are serious about our presence, operations, and growth in the Middle East and Africa region. The acquisitions in Dubai and Saudi Arabia add to our earlier investments in the region, in Egypt and South Africa."

Patrick Ehringer, DDB's President, Middle East and Africa, said: "While we had three excellent units in Dubai before, we needed to build a regional Centre of Excellence to support our clients and growing business through all communications disciplines. DDB Dubai will be just that, and will not only continue to produce inspired, innovative work for our clients, but will also mentor and support our wide network of affiliates across MEA. In this venture, our office here in Dubai will have full access to and full support from all of DDB's global resources."

Najam Khawaja, Chairman of both DDB Dubai and Promoaction DDB in Saudi Arabia, said, "As the chairman of affiliates of DDB for two decades, I am very pleased that we can look forward to building DDB's unique brand, culture and business in both UAE and KSA as equity partners."

About DDB

DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc (www.ddb.com) ranks among the top five consolidated advertising and marketing services global networks, according to Advertising Age. Consistently one of the most awarded networks globally for creative excellence, DDB was Campaign's 2009 Global Network of the Year, the 2010 Spikes Asia Network of the Year, 2010 Eurobest Network of the Year, 2010 Campaign Asia Pacific Creative Network of the Year, and captured both the Cyber Grand Prix and Film Craft Grand Prix at the 2010 International Advertising Festival in Cannes. With more than 200 offices in over 90 countries, the DDB Group helps grow the value and influence of leading brands around the world. DDB Worldwide is part of Omnicom Group Inc. (OMC).

SOURCE DDB Worldwide