Edelman expands reputation and brand offering in the United Arab Emirates

Edelman, a leading global communications marketing firm, today announced three senior appointments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of its reorganization into Brand and Reputation units, following the recent acquisition of Dubai-based DABO & CO – now Edelman DABO. 

Edelman DABO now houses the new Brand unit, while the remainder of the Edelman UAE business will make up the new Reputation unit. The two units will share a number of centralized offers including digital communications, creative, strategy/planning and experiential. 

Tod Donhauser, former managing director of Edelman South Africa, has been appointed CEO of Edelman UAE, overseeing both the Brand and Reputation units. Jacob Drake, former director of the Edelman UAE Corporate practice, has been named managing director, Reputation. Jason Leavy, former managing director of Edelman DABO, will realign his responsibilities as managing director, Brand. Camilla and Lucy d’Abo, the founders of DABO & CO, will round out the Edelman UAE Executive Committee. All appointments are effective immediately. 

Robert Holdheim, CEO of Edelman South Asia, Middle East & Africa, said, “This reorganization represents the culmination of a long-term plan for the transformation of our UAE business The establishment of this structure will enable us to absorb new capabilities and talent, integrate these with our existing offering, and make our model more client centric”

Donhauser’s appointment follows the naming of Jordan Rittenberry as managing director of Edelman South Africa and transfer of Nicola McAlpine, former GM of Edelman UAE, as a global client lead based in New York. Prior to moving to Johannesburg, Donhauser was the practice lead for the Public Affairs and Technology practices in Washington, DC. Donhauser will continue to report to Holdheim in his new role.

Donhauser said, “We are significantly expanding our offering by investing in new areas, and our structure will maximize the delivery of our talent on behalf of our clients. I am excited to be joining our sixth largest market by revenue at such a pivotal time.”