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Dentsu Aegis Acquires Digital Republic to Extend Creative Capabilities in the Middle East
DUBAI – Dentsu Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of a majority interest in Digital Republic, one of the largest and most awarded independent creative and full service digital agencies in Egypt.
Digital Republic will become part of Dentsu Aegis Network’s digital agency Isobar, bolstering the agency’s capabilities in the market whilst also extending the network’s proposition in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Cairo, Egypt, Digital Republic quickly developed into an award-winning creative agency, opening a second operation in Dubai in 2012. The agency offers a full suite of integrated creative digital services ranging from content creation, campaign strategy and planning, to digital media planning and buying, social media solutions, technology and gaming development, video production and e-commerce solutions, among others. With a strong team of 80 specialists, Digital Republic services various international clients across the region including Unilever, McDonald’s, Reckitt Benckiser, Edita, Savola, Frico and more.
Following the acquisition, Digital Republic will rebrand to ”Digital Republic, Linked By Isobar,” adding to Isobar’s current offering in Dubai and furthering its global network in over 45 markets. Leveraging its combined experience, regional network and resources, the realigned agency will provide clients with integrated full-service digital offering across all media disciplines in MENA. As the two agencies transition towards operating as one brand in the market, the Isobar team will grow to over 100 people with a creative and technology hub in Cairo and client servicing and strategy teams distributed across the region.
“As a network, we are constantly striving to meet the demands of the marketplace and our clients. In order to remain at the forefront of the industry, we must continuously evolve our business,” said Michael Nederlof, CEO Dentsu Aegis Network MENA. “Our unique operating model differentiates us by offering brands a truly holistic and integrated full service agency under one roof. We have always been committed to building upon our digital creative offering and by integrating Digital Republic into Isobar we will be able to deliver competitive advantage in the region on a superior and broader scale.”
“This really is an exciting time for our team. Partnering with the global scale, exceptional consumer insight and trading power of Dentsu Aegis Network will greatly benefit our existing client base and team, also creating a whole host of new opportunities for us across MENA,” said Karim Khalifa, CEO and Co-Founder of Digital Republic. “The match with Isobar made sense to us because we share the same culture, values and a common passion for technology and innovation. We are looking forward to working together across the network to continue delivering unrivaled digital solutions for brands.”
Jean Lin, Isobar CEO said: “We are excited to welcome Digital Republic to the Isobar family. Their reputation speaks for itself and I look forward to accelerating our ambition to deliver Ideas Without Limits in the Middle East and North Africa. We continue to invest in emerging markets, having recently extended our footprint to Mexico and Vietnam. This allows us to deliver local expertise supported by the award winning brand-building experience and insight of the global Isobar network. Digital Republic’s services are aligned and complementary to Isobar’s and will be vital in delivering our Brand Commerce offering.”
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Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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