
Magic Mango MENA appoints Chief Marketing Officer to lead Dubai expansion
With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising, Farook brings a powerhouse portfolio of regional and global brand experience to the Mango playhouse.
His career has spanned high-impact roles across Sri Lanka and the UAE, most recently, leading key portfolios such as Al Habtoor Motors, Arabian Centre Mall, Flora Food Group and VinFast Global. Previously, he managed marquee clients such as Unilever Sri Lanka, Axiata, Ceylon Tobacco Company, British American Tobacco (UAE and London),
Farook's strategic acumen has been instrumental in securing breakthrough business wins, including his recent win in public relations (PR) and key opinion leaders (KOL) businesses across the MENA region for VinFast Global.
His past achievements include building a consumer engagement unit for Unilever, embedding activation and events as a core pillar of campaign planning, and leading brand growth across diverse sectors including FMCG, tech, and automotive.
Co-founders Sugibun Sathiamoorthy and Shehantha Fernando welcomed Farook into this new chapter, saying, 'Roshan is not just a brilliant marketer, he's a builder, a connector and someone who believes in creating meaningful brand stories that deliver results. His leadership in Dubai is central to our goal of building a truly global creative powerhouse.'
S R Vickneswaran, Director, Magic Mango MENA, added that Farook's entry to Magic Mango MENA, with a multifaceted outlook on trade and industries in UAE, would certainly enhance current skillsets and enable its efforts to spread its wings in the region and beyond.
Ralston Joseph, Group CEO of Magic MANGO MENA, said, 'With Roshan at the helm in Dubai, we are not just expanding — we're evolving. His insight into the region, combined with our collective hunger to do meaningful work, will push us into exciting new territories — both geographically and creatively.'
Magic Mango's Dubai office, already buzzing with projects across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, is set to become the agency's hub for cross-continental creativity and client partnership.
The move aligns with the agency's strategic vision to grow beyond borders while staying rooted in its people-first, quality-over-quantity philosophy.
Commenting on his appointment, Roshan Farook, Chief Marketing Officer, Magic Mango MENA, said, 'I'm truly grateful to the ExCo board for their trust and confidence in me. My focus is to drive meaningful impact in the UAE and the new markets we are preparing to enter. With the exceptional energy and talent within the team, I am confident that Magic Mango MENA will not only meet expectations but consistently exceed them.'
With eyes set on Europe and Africa by 2026, Magic Mango Group intends to continue defying conventions, proving that purpose, passion and a bit of 'magic' can turn an idea under a mango tree into a global force.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Post
9 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Sri Lankan equities are an Asian frontier market money gusher!
Matein Khalid Sri Lanka is one of the most fascinating and drop-dead gorgeous countries I have ever visited, the island once known as Serendip by ancient Umayyad Arab sailors/ruby merchants and Ceylon by the colonial Dutch and British who once ruled the island, an emerald tear drop in the Indian Ocean. I have a special bond with Sri Lanka because my late mother, an artist, used to spend her summers painting in the exquisite resort of Nuwara Eliya when I was a teenager in the early 80's before the ghastly 26-year civil war devastated this magic land. So I was thrilled when my friend Ruchir Desai, fund manager of Hong Kong's Asian Frontier Capital (AFC) tripled his weight in Sri Lanka from 5% to 14%. When I last met Ruchir for coffee at the Ritz DIFC terrace (oops, it should have been tea), he told me that he expected the Commercial Bank of Ceylon shares to rise 50% in the next 12-months. As an investor in bank stocks (note Citigroup, one of my fave New York money center banks in the past year, is now trading at 88.72, up 37% in the past year). I passed this invaluable financial intel Ruchir gifted me to the three Sri Lankan ladies I have adopted as my sisters. Thank you Sheila, Anola and Naufarah! It is so nice to hear good news from Sri Lanka as I was last there on the eve of its 2022 political crisis, rupee meltdown, petrol lines and IMF bailout. ADVERTISEMENT Sri Lankan equities are priced inexpensively at 8X earnings, down from 14X three years ago. As Ruchi puts it, the combination of cheap valuations, accelerating earnings growth and political stability after the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President is a fantastic combination and a compelling argument to allocate money now to this exciting Asian frontier market. The IMF program is rock solid, the external debt restructuring is over and the central bank governor in Colombo, whom Ruchir regularly visits on his company calls to SL is one of the most respected monetary mandarins in Asia. After five difficult years, the growth cycle has finally begun in Sri Lanka with a stable GDP, rising EPS/margins, the proverbial sweet spot for equities outperformance. Colombo is on the eve of a historic valuation rerating and I do not intend to miss this frontier market Xanadu in 2025, thanks to Ruchir, my Asian frontier market sherpa. I can attest from personal experience that tourism, banking and logistics are quintessential growth industries in Sri Lanka. Strangely enough, I was a student of Raj Rajaratnam when he was a finance TA at Wharton two decades before he became a star technology hedge fund manager at Galleon and Sri Lanka's only billionaire in New York before his fall from grace in a sordid insider trading scandal. While I preferred to stay at the historic Galle Face Hotel, I was stunned by the number of young Indian and Chinese tourists who crowded the casinos in the five star steel and concrete hotel monstrosities on the Colombo seafront. Hopefully, the government's current focus on fiscal consolidation and reform momentum continues to deliver a multi-year bull market in Sri Lankan equities as the Field Marshal, Shaz Speed and Aurie have delivered in Pakistan since the exit of Imran Khan. Ruchir is also my jungle guide for Pakistan, Central Asia, Iraq and Vietnamese equities in addition to SL. I must rename my friend the bionic $6-Million Man LOL. My 2-paisa suggestions to the Colombo stock exchange. One, you need to do everything in your power to boost liquidity before I can seriously help you attract Gulf family office money or institutional capital to SL. Two, the emerging debt market's heavy hitters in New York do not take kindly to investing in the bonds of a country named the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as it sounds eerily similar to Zohranomics LOL. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.


Gulf Today
15-06-2025
- Gulf Today
Natalie Jayasuriya speaks about her tryst with fashion
It was during COVID-19 that Natalie Jayasuriya, born in the UK to Sri Lankan parents, identified an opportunity in the online fashion market. Recognising a gap, she launched FROKME, a multi-vendor platform and her own brand FROK, a label that not only catered to a growing demand for fashion and style, but also supported Sri Lanka's local apparel industry, which was struggling during the crisis. Her commitment to empowering local vendors and artisans has been a cornerstone of her philosophy. Since its inception, FROK has grown beyond Sri Lanka, launching in India in 2023 and expanding to the UAE in 2024. Natalie has also opened her first boutique in Colombo, FROKME, cementing her status as a fashion entrepreneur. is now online in the UAE. 'Fashion can intersect with social service in several ways, both directly and indirectly,' says AI. 'Directly, fashion can be used as a tool for social service, such as through ethical and sustainable fashion practices that benefit workers and the environment. Focusing on fair labour standards, environmental sustainability, and responsible sourcing, can directly benefit workers and the planet.' Lisa Maynard-Atem, award winning entrepreneur has this to say about the social role of fashion: 'When we think about social justice, sustainability, and fashion,' she says, 'they may seem like parallel, rather than intersecting, worlds. But are they truly so separate? I believe they are inextricably linked. Fashion has become a daily avenue for us to express not only who we are, but also what we stand for. And in the quest for sustainability, it becomes clearer that addressing social justice issues isn't a by-product; it is a foundational step.' Natalie Jayasuriya speaks to Gulf Today about her rendezvous with fashion Tell us about your journey into fashion and what inspired you to launch FROK. I realised fashion was a language I could use to tell stories. FROK was born from a desire to dress women like me — driven, dynamic, and constantly on the move — without compromising individuality or impact. My pieces are vibrant and definitely for the woman who wants to stand out! As a Sri Lankan-British entrepreneur now operating in Dubai, how have your multicultural roots influenced FROK's aesthetic and brand values? Massively. I grew up straddling cultures, which gave me a deep appreciation for bold contrasts and unique blends. FROK reflects that — its east meets west, tradition meets edge. Our prints, silhouettes, and styling are a celebration of heritage with a modern-day hustle twist. How has your background in dance and the arts shaped your creative process as a fashion designer? Dance taught me discipline, perfection, and presence — all of which influence how I run any of my businesses today. I am not a fashion designer, but Creative Head of FROK. When creating anything new it's not just about making someone look good — it's about commanding space. You've supported local Sri Lankan artisans and vendors all through your journey. Tell us why that's so important to you. Because that's where the soul is. Sri Lanka is rich in craftsmanship, and working with local artisans allows us to keep those traditions alive while also creating employment and visibility. It's not just fashion — it's impact. Why did you choose Dubai as a chapter in your fashion journey? Dubai is bold, diverse, and unapologetically fast-paced — just like FROK. The energy here is magnetic, and I knew the city would not only appreciate our aesthetic but push us to grow in ways we hadn't imagined yet. Dubai has been like a second home to me since I was a child and it was an obvious choice to me, even though I know it will be a very hard market to tap into. What challenges have you faced as a female entrepreneur and how have you overcome them? There have been many — navigating cultural expectations, funding hurdles, and constantly having to prove your worth. But I've learned to lead with clarity, resilience, and a killer work ethic. I don't wait for a seat at the table — I build my own.


Campaign ME
30-05-2025
- Campaign ME
Magic Mango MENA appoints Chief Marketing Officer to lead Dubai expansion
Advertising agency Magic Mango Group has appointed Roshan Farook as Chief Marketing Officer to lead its Dubai operations starting June 2025. With this move, the agency aims to signal a bold new chapter in its global journey, combining Sri Lankan ingenuity with international ambition. With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and advertising, Farook brings a powerhouse portfolio of regional and global brand experience to the Mango playhouse. His career has spanned high-impact roles across Sri Lanka and the UAE, most recently, leading key portfolios such as Al Habtoor Motors, Arabian Centre Mall, Flora Food Group and VinFast Global. Previously, he managed marquee clients such as Unilever Sri Lanka, Axiata, Ceylon Tobacco Company, British American Tobacco (UAE and London), Farook's strategic acumen has been instrumental in securing breakthrough business wins, including his recent win in public relations (PR) and key opinion leaders (KOL) businesses across the MENA region for VinFast Global. His past achievements include building a consumer engagement unit for Unilever, embedding activation and events as a core pillar of campaign planning, and leading brand growth across diverse sectors including FMCG, tech, and automotive. Co-founders Sugibun Sathiamoorthy and Shehantha Fernando welcomed Farook into this new chapter, saying, 'Roshan is not just a brilliant marketer, he's a builder, a connector and someone who believes in creating meaningful brand stories that deliver results. His leadership in Dubai is central to our goal of building a truly global creative powerhouse.' S R Vickneswaran, Director, Magic Mango MENA, added that Farook's entry to Magic Mango MENA, with a multifaceted outlook on trade and industries in UAE, would certainly enhance current skillsets and enable its efforts to spread its wings in the region and beyond. Ralston Joseph, Group CEO of Magic MANGO MENA, said, 'With Roshan at the helm in Dubai, we are not just expanding — we're evolving. His insight into the region, combined with our collective hunger to do meaningful work, will push us into exciting new territories — both geographically and creatively.' Magic Mango's Dubai office, already buzzing with projects across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, is set to become the agency's hub for cross-continental creativity and client partnership. The move aligns with the agency's strategic vision to grow beyond borders while staying rooted in its people-first, quality-over-quantity philosophy. Commenting on his appointment, Roshan Farook, Chief Marketing Officer, Magic Mango MENA, said, 'I'm truly grateful to the ExCo board for their trust and confidence in me. My focus is to drive meaningful impact in the UAE and the new markets we are preparing to enter. With the exceptional energy and talent within the team, I am confident that Magic Mango MENA will not only meet expectations but consistently exceed them.' With eyes set on Europe and Africa by 2026, Magic Mango Group intends to continue defying conventions, proving that purpose, passion and a bit of 'magic' can turn an idea under a mango tree into a global force.