Latest news with #MENA-based
Campaign ME
17 hours ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
How MENA consumers shop during Father's Day
Ahead of Father's Day on June 21, MENA-based gifting marketplace Flowwow and Admitad, affiliate marketing platform, have released insights into shifting gifting habits in the MENA region, based on over 55,000 online purchases. Admitad analysts studied the behaviour of online shoppers in MENA countries (with the UAE and KSA analysed separately) during the 'calm period' of June 20–22, 2023 and May 20–22, 2024 and 'the peak period' June 20–22, 2024. In Saudi Arabia, 25 per cent more gifts for men on Father's Day were purchased online, choosing thoughtful and family-oriented options, the study reveals. Online orders during the 2024 Father's Day period across MENA rose 16 per cent year-over-year, with Saudi Arabia leading at a 30 per cent rise. According to Flowwow's market study, Father's Day 2024 saw a 129 per cent increase in gift orders year-over-year, with gross merchandise value (GMV) up 121 per cent. The overall trend of gifting to men continues to grow, showing a more than 20 per cent year-over-year increase, the study reveals. Looking ahead to 2025, Flowwow forecasts a 30 per cent increase in Father's Day sales in Saudi Arabia, with strong demand for gift sets including hamper boxes and gourmet sets, as well as themed Father's Day cakes and premium chocolates. From material to meaningful Customers in Kuwait and UAE spent the most on gifts for dads, with the highest average order values (AOV) at $114 and $57.2 respectively. They were followed by Jordan ($38.6), Egypt ($31.6), and Saudi Arabia ($29.1), where spending was more modest. The average order value for gifts dropped by 3.4 per cent to $73.75, approximately 12 per cent lower than other major holidays like Mother's Day or International Women's Day, which the report suggests is due to a preference for personal and meaningful options over costly gifting in MENA. 'Father's Day is becoming more meaningful in the MENA region, especially in Saudi Arabia, where gifting for men is growing alongside a strong cultural appreciation for fatherhood. It's not just about fathers any more, people are celebrating all the important male figures in their lives, including stepdads, and grandfathers, showing that their presence truly matters to families across the GCC,' said Slava Bogdan, CEO at Flowwow. New e-commerce trends on Father's Day According to research by Flowwow and Admitad, Google Trends confirms the rising relevance of Father's Day in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East. The search volume for Father's Day-related content – such as quotes, greetings, cards, and gift ideas – surged more than 30 times this week from June 15. Google Shopping data also shows a peak in gift-related searches ahead of the celebration, indicating that more people are preparing for the holiday with purposeful intention. 'Father's Day is quickly becoming one of the key drivers of e-commerce growth in Saudi Arabia and in the MENA region. Between June 20 and 22, we saw a 16 per cent year-over-year increase in orders across the region, with Saudi Arabia as a digitally advanced country showing the strongest growth – a 30 per cent surge in order volume during the holiday period,' said Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad. According to data from Admitad, the best-selling gift categories for men in MENA include home and tools (30 per cent), electronics (22 per cent), and automotive accessories (9 per cent). In Saudi Arabia, customers favoured electronics and gadgets even more, accounting for 28 per cent of all sales. Overall, family-oriented holidays like Father's Day are becoming more significant in the GCC gifting market. Flowwow claims. Consumers are making emotional and meaningful purchases as they search for ways to connect more deeply with loved ones – often choosing simple, thoughtful gifts or shared family experiences over expensive items.
Campaign ME
13-06-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Next Creative Leaders 2025 invites entries from rising female talent
The One Club for Creativity has extended the deadline for its annual Next Creative Leaders competition to Monday, 30 June 2025, giving more time for rising female talent to apply. The free-to-enter initiative celebrates emerging female talent in advertising and design, offering a global platform for visibility, leadership, and long-term career growth. Now in its 10th year in 2025, Next Creative Leaders was developed in partnership with The 3% Movement and remains the only no-cost portfolio competition of its kind. It is open to copywriters, art directors, designers, associate creative directors, content creators, and newly promoted creative and design directors with less than one year in the role. Creative teams who are producing standout work are also encouraged to submit. Entrants are evaluated on four to six pieces of creative work, alongside a written reflection on how they – and their ideas – are pushing the industry forward. Judges look for work that demonstrates leadership, impact, and advocacy in areas such as diversity and mentorship. Winners receive a one-year individual membership to The One Club, free access to professional panels and mentorship events, and a complimentary ticket to a One Club development conference. Their work will be showcased on The One Club's website and social channels, with further media coverage and potential speaking opportunities at NCL events. Winners may also be invited to join juries across other One Club programmes. 'The One Club created its own inclusion and diversity department nearly 20 years ago, and has steadily increased programming around gender equity in the workplace,' said Kevin Swanepoel, CEO, The One Club. 'Next Creative Leaders is an important part of our programming because it identifies, elevates, and gives voice to those who are making a real difference, those who are opening the door and inspiring the next generation of creatives who follow in their footsteps.' This year's jury includes MENA-based creatives Enas Rashwan, Nayaab Rais, Ali Rez, and Rana Sadek. For more information visit the website:
Broadcast Pro
03-06-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Milo Productions and Italia Film partner to bring ‘Time Hoppers: The Silk Road' to MENA
Through this agreement, Italia Film will handle the exclusive theatrical distribution rights of the film across MENA. Canadian animation studio Milo Productions Inc. has announced a new distribution partnership with Italia Film, the independent film distributor in the Middle East and North Africa, to bring its upcoming animated feature Time Hoppers: The Silk Road to theaters across the MENA region, expanding the reach and the presence of the universe in key markets.. Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is a 3D animated adventure aimed at children and families, taking audiences on an educational journey through history. The film follows four children who travel back in time to discover the scientific breakthroughs that shaped the modern world, all through the lens of the Silk Road. Along the way, they encounter legendary figures such as Ibn Al-Haytham, pioneer of optics; Al-Khawarizmi, father of algorithms; Maryam Astrolabi, a trailblazing woman in astronomical instrumentation; and Mansa Musa, the famed West African emperor known for his immense wealth and support of science and culture. Italia Film, which holds exclusive distribution rights for major Hollywood studios including Disney, Marvel, LucasFilm, and 20th Century Studios in the region, will handle the theatrical rollout of Time Hoppers across MENA. The company's extensive expertise in the family entertainment market is expected to ensure a strong reception for the film when it debuts in October 2025. Milo Productions Inc. CEO Michael Milo said: 'We are incredibly happy that our team has been able to bring a children's feature to screens around the world. It is a great testament to the diversity of voices in Canada and what they can accomplish.' Flordeliza Dayrit Chief Creative Officer at the company and the movie's writer and director added: 'Our goal was to make a time travel action adventure that is super fun and funny while still having a positive message that shows children all civilizations have played a role in advancing modern science.' The production was made possible with support from several Canadian funding bodies, including the Shaw Rocket Fund, Canada Media Fund, Creative Export Canada and the Alberta Media Fund. Italia Film General Manager Nasser Modad stated: 'By working with a trusted leader like Italia Film, Milo Productions aims to ensure that Time Hoppers reaches as many MENA-based families as possible, inspiring them to explore the past, celebrate their rich and diverse histories, and imagine what the future could hold for them. Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is slated for release in major theaters across the MENA region this October, 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for the Time Hoppers Universe in new markets.'
Fintech News ME
27-05-2025
- Business
- Fintech News ME
PayTabs Unveils Saudi-Built AI Payment Platform
PayTabs Group, a MENA-based payment orchestration company, has announced the launch of its upgraded AI-powered payment orchestration platform. Developed over four months in Saudi Arabia, the platform is expected to surpass SAR 325 billion in transaction processing, supporting the Kingdom's financial inclusion and digital transformation goals. Among its recent initiatives, PayTabs launched the AI Payment Acceptance Booster to reduce transaction declines and began a Data Warehouse project aimed at providing real-time financial analytics and risk management services. A key component of its orchestration layer is the PayTabs Moderator Platform, developed for banks, financial institutions, and large corporations to enhance operational efficiency. The AI-powered orchestration platform enables unified oversight of the payment ecosystem through plug-and-play APIs and secure local hosting within Saudi Arabia. This setup is designed to improve compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency across finance and other industries. PayTabs' infrastructure has already been deployed in North African countries such as Morocco, GCC markets like the UAE, and CIS countries including Azerbaijan. The company says its technology is scalable across emerging markets and positions Saudi-developed fintech solutions for broader global application. Commenting on the launch, Abdulaziz Al Jouf, CEO and Founder of PayTabs, said: 'The launch of our Saudi-built, AI-powered payment orchestration platform represents a bold step forward, not just for PayTabs but for Saudi Arabia's vision of AI leadership. With scalable AI-powered infrastructure, PayTabs is poised to deliver Saudi technology across emerging markets, equipping businesses and financial institutions with the agility to compete globally.' Since July 2024, PayTabs has been implementing its AI strategy across all operations, introducing an AI-driven CRM, automated customer support, and AI-powered KYC/KYB onboarding. AI is also being used in fraud prevention, marketing, transaction monitoring, and sales functions. This internal transformation includes restructured workflows, revised engineering priorities, and new approaches to customer support and sales. A structured change management process is being applied across departments as the company transitions to an AI-centric model. By July 2025, PayTabs aims to extend its AI-powered services to over one million clients. The company is also preparing for IPO and further market expansion, as it positions itself for long-term growth in the digital economy.
Hi Dubai
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Yalla Group Reports Strong Q1 Growth as Revenue and User Base Climb
Yalla Group, the leading MENA-based online social networking and gaming platform, posted robust financial results for Q1 2025, reporting significant gains in revenue, profit, and user engagement despite seasonal headwinds. The company recorded AED308.2 million (US$83.9 million) in revenue for the quarter ending 31 March, marking a 6.5% increase from the same period last year. Net income rose 17% year-over-year to AED133.7 million (US$36.4 million), with non-GAAP net income reaching AED143.6 million (US$39.1 million), reflecting a strong 46.6% non-GAAP net margin. Yalla's Average Monthly Active Users (MAUs) surged to 44.6 million, a 17.9% increase from Q1 2024, signalling sustained growth and deepening user engagement across its platforms. Founder and CEO Yang Tao attributed the strong performance to the company's focus on enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. 'Despite seasonal factors such as Ramadan, we outperformed expectations, highlighting the resilience of our business model,' he said. Tao also emphasized Yalla's increased use of artificial intelligence in user behaviour analysis and data management, noting it has significantly improved decision-making and user retention. Group President Saifi Ismail echoed the optimism, pointing to the company's organic growth and minimal marketing spend. 'Our performance underscores the strength of our brand and the scalability of our platform,' he said, adding that continued investment in AI and data analytics is central to Yalla's long-term strategy. As the region's digital landscape evolves, Yalla Group remains focused on delivering sustainable growth through innovation, efficiency, and a user-first approach. News Source: Emirates News Agency
