Gambit Communications has kicked off the year with the announcement of six new hires, as it continues its expansion following further multinational client wins and an awards’ season that saw them win five ‘agency of the year’ titles.
One of its most recent wins has been its appointment as the new PR agency for Samsung Gulf Electronics, following an extensive multiple-agency pitch process.
The win sees Gambit take on Samsung’s public relations remit across the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, managing PR operations across multiple business units including smartphones, TVs, home appliances and others.
Jamal Al Mawed, Gambit Communications’ Founder and Managing Director said: “Samsung is at the forefront of so much of the technology we use in our daily lives,and is literally shaping the future with its transformative ideas and technologies. It is both an honor and a proud responsibility for us to help tell those stories in the region.”
With regards to its new additions, they come from the UAE, UK, Palestine, India and Jordan, and are based across Dubai and Riyadh, adding further fuel to the agency’s roster following prestigious client wins over the past few months including Uber, Deloitte, Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, OMNIYAT and Essilor Luxottica Group.
The new team members include:
- Shalaka Paradkar, Senior Content Strategist: Architect turned award-winning communicator, Shalaka brings 23 years of experience at the region’s leading agencies and media houses to the Gambit team. As a sustainability and tech specialist, she has led comms content for global leaders, including Amazon Devices, DHL, KPMG, Proofpoint, Sony, and Wasl. A former journalist and editor, she has worked with Khaleej Times, Gulf News, and ITP.
- Hope Smith, Account Manager: Headhunted from the UK, where she specialized in retail, leisure, and entertainment venues, Hope has worked on high-profile projects with renowned brands such as STABILO, Eldon Square, Gravity Max and Thorpe Park as well as BMW, MINI, Panasonic and Bell UK, bringing her expertise to a wide range of industries.
- Nadine Al Natour, Junior Account Executive: Nadine is a Palestinian Mass Communication fresh graduate from American University of Sharjah with fantastic academics including graduating with Cum Laude honors and being recognized on the Dean’s List and Chancellor’s Distinguished List. She joins the agency’s Riyadh team handling brands such as Uber, Aramex and MAF Shopping Malls.
- Hana Sabri, Junior Integrated Communications Executive: Hana is a Palestinian graduate of the American University of Sharjah with a BA in Media Communications and a minor in Luxury Marketing. A successful internship at Gambit last summer earned her an immediate job offer upon her graduation last month. Hana was the valedictorian of her graduating class and has a passion for design and photography.
- Mohammed Mardood, Account Executive: Mohammad is an Emirati national and a graduate of Masar Godolphin, an esteemed program conducted under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology from HCT. An accomplished flat racehorse trainer, Mohammad further showcases his expertise as a racing analyst on the Dubai Racing Channel.
- Ahmad Ramadan, Junior Account Executive: Ahmad is a fresh graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology, with a bachelor’s degree in Global Business Management. With over three years of experience in events, sales, and marketing, Ahmad is a huge automotive enthusiast and joins Gambit to work on brands such as McLaren and Lexus.
Gambit Communications picked up 36 major awards during 2024, including winning the MENA Young Lions for the second successive year, and being named agency of the year five times including Medium Agency of the Year and Homegrown Agency of the Year at the MEPRA Awards 2024, and Medium Agency of the Year at the PRCA Regional Awards 2024 to name a few.
The Dubai-born independent communications agency is on an upward trajectory. It currently handles a range of multinational brands including Samsung, Uber, Acer, BMW, Amazon Payment Services, Porsche, Mandarin Oriental and more.
