logo
Dentsu CEO vows to help shape Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 through innovation

Dentsu CEO vows to help shape Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 through innovation

Arab News17-02-2025
DUBAI: Japanese marketing and advertising firm Dentsu Group is expanding into Riyadh as it seeks to support the Kingdom's transformation, according to its CEO.
Speaking to Arab News Japan, Hiroshi Igarashi said his firm is in alignment with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 diversification initiative.
Through Dentsu Sports International in the Middle East, the company aims to reshape the Kingdom's sports and entertainment landscape, delivering fan-centric experiences through sponsorships, digital engagement, and analytics.
'Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a global hub for media, sports, and technology. Our 'One Dentsu' model aligns with Vision 2030's focus on efficiency, innovation, and collaboration,' Igarashi said.
The 'One Dentsu' model, led by Deputy Global Chief Operating Officer Takeshi Sano, integrates media, creative and digital services for tailored business impact.
Igarashi told Arab News Japan that the company is a growth partner focused on digital transformation, not just acting as a service provider.
He said it was important to leverage global expertise in digital marketing, brand building and data solutions to empower local and international brands.
'Saudi Arabia is setting new standards, and we bring global best practices combined with local insights,' Igarashi said.
He highlighted how Dentsu's Japanese roots, built on trust and precision, resonate with Middle Eastern business values: 'We merge Japanese craftsmanship with global agility to drive lasting success.'
The CEO added: 'We prioritize measurable results over media scale, offering clients a strategic edge in a fast-evolving market.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Economy Grows 3.9% in Q2 on Broad Sector Gains
Saudi Economy Grows 3.9% in Q2 on Broad Sector Gains

Asharq Al-Awsat

time16 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Economy Grows 3.9% in Q2 on Broad Sector Gains

Saudi Arabia's economy grew by 3.9% in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to flash estimates released by the General Authority for Statistics. The non-oil sector, a key pillar of the kingdom's economic diversification drive, expanded by 4.7% year-on-year, underscoring continued progress in reducing reliance on hydrocarbons. Oil activities also posted solid gains, rising by 3.8% on an annual basis, reflecting the resilience of the energy sector despite global market uncertainties. Government activities grew modestly by 0.6% over the same period. Oil activities made the largest contribution to quarterly real GDP growth, adding 1.3 percentage points, followed by non-oil activities, which contributed 0.9 percentage points. Government activities and net taxes on products each trimmed growth by 0.1 percentage points. However, when measured annually, non-oil activities emerged as the main growth engine, contributing 2.7 percentage points to the overall GDP increase. Oil activities accounted for 0.9 points, while government activities and net taxes added 0.1 and 0.2 points, respectively. The figures highlight the resilience of the Saudi economy and its growing ability to generate momentum from multiple sources, as authorities push ahead with Vision 2030 reforms aimed at reducing dependence on oil revenues. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently revised up its growth forecast for Saudi Arabia, projecting the economy will expand by 3.6% in 2025 — 0.6 percentage points higher than its April estimate — buoyed by stronger oil receipts and accelerating non-oil activity. The Fund also raised its 2026 forecast to 3.9%, from a previous estimate of 3.7%.

Barq marks first year with 7 million users and SR73 billion in transactions, powering Saudi Arabia's digital shift
Barq marks first year with 7 million users and SR73 billion in transactions, powering Saudi Arabia's digital shift

Saudi Gazette

timea day ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Barq marks first year with 7 million users and SR73 billion in transactions, powering Saudi Arabia's digital shift

In a scene that reflects the Kingdom's rapid shift toward a cashless economy, Barq, the digital payments application, has recorded exceptional performance in its first year of operation. The number of its users has surpassed 7 million, representing 150 nationalities from around the globe. The app has encompassed a wide range of digital payments and money transfers, contributing effectively to advancing the Kingdom's non-cash economy objectives. In its first year, Barq issued more than 6.5 million digital payment cards, enabling users to conduct their transactions with ease and security. The app offers banking services through an advanced digital platform tailored to meet the needs of individuals as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing innovative payment solutions under a license granted by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Since its launch in July of last year, the app has processed over 500 million financial transactions, with a total transaction volume reaching SR73 billion, cementing its position as the fastest-growing digital wallet in the Kingdom and one of the leading success stories in the digital financial transformation aligned with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals. Barq has also strengthened its international presence through strategic partnerships, facilitating payments for visitors and residents from outside the Kingdom. This initiative supports the digital tourism sector and contributes effectively to the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Program and Vision 2030, by fostering a digitally empowered society and an innovation-driven economy. With a clear vision for empowering individuals and businesses, Barq continues to shape the digital payments landscape in the Kingdom, playing a vital role in realizing the Vision 2030 aspiration of building a thriving cashless society.

Middle East air cargo capacity rises 1.5% despite falling demand
Middle East air cargo capacity rises 1.5% despite falling demand

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Middle East air cargo capacity rises 1.5% despite falling demand

RIYADH: Middle Eastern air cargo capacity grew 1.5 percent year on year in June, even as regional demand contracted by 3.2 percent due to geopolitical tensions and airspace disruptions. The rise in available cargo space, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, came amid route disruptions over parts of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon. These factors drove the region's second consecutive monthly contraction in cargo volumes, according to the International Air Transport Association's latest air cargo market report. The performance reflects a broader slowdown in global air cargo, with IATA's mid-year forecast projecting 0.7 percent volume growth, down from 11.3 percent in 2024. The slowdown is attributed to rising protectionism, including new US tariffs and the rollback of de minimis exemptions on low-value imports, which could dampen e-commerce-related air freight. 'The June air cargo data made it very clear that stability and predictability are essential supports for trade,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's director general. 'Emerging clarity on US tariffs allows businesses greater confidence in planning. But we cannot overlook the fact that the 'deals' being struck are resulting in significantly higher tariffs on goods imported into the US than we had just a few months ago,' he added. IATA reports a 0.8% year-on-year (YoY) increase in global #aircargo demand and a 1.7% monthly rise in capacity for June 2025, signaling modest recovery amid geopolitical and trade uncertainty. Regional breakdown and details — IATA (@IATA) July 31, 2025 While the full economic impact of these trade cost barriers remains to be seen, Walsh said governments must step up efforts to make trade simpler, faster, cheaper, and more secure through digitalization. The Asia-North America and Africa-Asia trade lanes each contracted by 4.8 percent, while Middle East-Europe declined by 4.5 percent. In contrast, trade between Europe and Asia expanded by 10.6 percent, maintaining 28 consecutive months of growth. 'Overall, air cargo demand grew by a modest 0.8 percent year-on-year in June, but there are very differing stories behind that number for the industry's major players,' Walsh said. Trade tensions dragged North American traffic down 8.3 percent and left European growth at 0.8 percent, but Asia-Pacific defied the trend with a 9 percent expansion. 'Meanwhile, disruptions from military conflict in the Middle East saw the region's cargo traffic fall by 3.2 percent,' added Walsh. Despite the challenging backdrop, some fundamentals remain supportive. Global industrial production rose 3.2 percent year on year in May, and goods trade increased by 3.5 percent. Jet fuel prices in June were 12 percent lower than a year ago, easing cost pressures for carriers. While the global Purchasing Managers' Index recovered to 51.2, signaling expansion, new export orders remained in contraction at 49.3. Adding to the complexity of the regional dynamic, Middle East airlines are simultaneously expected to post the world's highest net profit margin in 2025 at 8.7 percent, according to IATA's June industry forecast presented at its 81st annual general meeting in New Delhi. The region is projected to generate a net profit of $6.2 billion, up from $6.1 billion in 2024, and is expected to earn $27.20 per passenger, outpacing all global peers despite demand volatility and regional instability.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store