ProjectX, a brand-tech company that is part of Abdul Latif Jameel, and focused on enabling brands to drive growth and achieve better results through technology, has announced a strategic representation with mFilterIt, an ad fraud prevention and brand safety solutions company.Through this collaboration, ProjectX will leverage mFilterIt’s tech capabilities to innovate comprehensive ad tech solutions that safeguard the digital landscape for its brands. This includes ad traffic validation, brand protection suite, global e-commerce intelligence, Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), Value-added Services (VAS), and anti-fraud solutions. Additionally, ProjectX will actively promote mFilterIt’s innovative suite of tools and services to brands in the MENA region with whom it works. This collaboration will encourage further trust, innovation, and transparency in the digital landscape across various industries. Ramzi Dargham, CEO of ProjectX said: “ProjectX combines the right methodology and technology needed to build and transform brands for future success. We provide tailored advisory services, including growth-focused strategies and tech stack recommendations based on a data-first approach. Through our collaboration with mFilterIt, we look forward to creating a transparent digital ecosystem for the MENA region’s clients.”Amit Relan, CEO of mFilterIt, said: “As we witness the ever-evolving landscape of the digital world, it becomes imperative to fortify our defenses against potential threats. Our agreed representation by ProjectX represents a significant step towards creating a more secure and transparent digital ecosystem. Together, we aim to empower businesses and protect their online assets, fostering a climate of trust and reliability.” With its focus on protecting the digital integrity of enterprises across platforms, mFilterIt empowers brands across industry domains, Telcos, and VAS aggregators by building customer trust and transparency with the help of its proprietary AI/ML-based technology. The organization, along with the parent group works with more than 600 clients across 75 countries.

In a LinkedIn announcement today, Sarah Thomas bids farewell to her consultancy role with the corporate marketing & communications team at Abdul Latif Jameel. With a sense of gratitude and accomplishment, she expressed her profound enjoyment of every moment spent collaborating with the team.Thomas commended the team, lauding them as some of the warmest and brightest individuals she's had the privilege to work with. During her tenure, she delved deep into Abdul Latif Jameel's unwavering dedication to decarbonization and the imperative pursuit of achieving net-zero emissions.As a passionate marketing and communications leader boasting over 16 years of expertise across various sectors including health & wellness, education, fintech, family office, retail, and agency, Thomas emphasized her commitment to crafting unforgettable brand experiences, driving revenue growth, and spearheading dynamic marketing innovations.In her farewell address, Thomas extended her heartfelt appreciation to key figures including Paul Stokes, Lindsay Johnston, Moones Ben Romdhane, Bashar Al Khatib, and Abir Ben Bechir for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout her journey with Abdul Latif Jameel.

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its annual list of the Top 100 Arab Family Businesses for 2024, highlighting the long-standing conglomerates transforming through expansion and investment in the region. To construct this list, Forbes Middle East only considered businesses owned or run by Arab families. The conglomerates were ranked on their size, value, performance, business activity, age, legacy, and extent of the business’ geographic and sector diversification.  GCC families are the most successful in the family business space, with 34 of the 100 firms originating from Saudi Arabia, 28 from the UAE, and seven businesses each from Kuwait and Qatar. Combined, these four Gulf countries constitute 76% of the list.  The Saudi Arabia-headquartered Abdul Latif Jameel reigns in the first place, with the UAE’s Al-Futtaim Group and Egypt’s Mansour Group rounding up the top three. Of the top 10, the billionaire-owned Mansour Group is the only non-GCC-based entry. In May 2023, U.S. Major League Soccer awarded a $500 million franchise to a group led by Mohamed Mansour to launch a football club in San Diego, California, by 2025. Group Chairman Mohamed Mansour, alongside brothers Youssef and Yasseen, had a combined net worth of $5.8 billion as of February 2024, making them the richest Arab family featured on this year’s list.  From traditional real estate to hospitality investments, the family businesses on this list have stood the test of time, with six being established in the 1800s and 26 established before 1950. Just six were established in the 2000s, all of which were formed due to a split or sale of an earlier business or consolidation of pre-existing assets to form a holding group. For instance, Morocco’s O Capital Group was founded in 2021 when Holding Benjelloun Mezian merged with FinanceCom in the same year. In contrast, Oman-based Towell Group is the oldest family business in the ranking, with roots dating back to 1866.  Backing sustainable operations with substantial capital has been a consistent priority for several of the 2024 listees. For example, AlNowais Investments Group has over 1,230MW of clean energy projects in Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Togo, either in operation or under construction. Meanwhile, Alfardan Group signed an MoU with Electronics Recycling Factory to develop environmental sustainability and encourage e-waste recycling in June 2023. Similarly, the Safari Group and the Knauf Group agreed in December 2023 to invest in and build a new state-of-the-art plasterboard production facility that will significantly reduce energy and water consumption.  

As part of its continuous commitment to broaden its business horizons and bolster its contribution to Vision 2030 Abdul Latif Jameel unveiled a significant milestone, introducing "Jameel Motorsport". The establishment of Jameel Motorsport marks a strategic leap in the company's 26-year journey dedicated to fostering the growth of motorsports. This initiative underscores Abdul Latif Jameel's enduring dedication to the development and expansion of its role in the dynamic motorsports’ landscape.Jameel Motorsport will merge Abdul Latif Jameel's diverse experiences and initiatives in the field under one unified entity. This includes a sustained involvement in sporting events like the Saudi Toyota Championship and Rally Jameel, as well as a longstanding commitment to nurturing emerging talents—a journey that commenced with the sponsorship of Captain Abdullah Bakhashab in 1997.By establishing Jameel Motorsport, Abdul Latif Jameel reaffirms its dedication to advancing social and economic development through sports. The company is committed to playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of motorsport both within the Kingdom and on a global scale. This commitment extends to providing support for high-profile sporting events and actively engaging in the discovery and cultivation of promising young talents.A recent testament to this commitment is the launch of the GR Saudi Driving School in collaboration with the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF). This initiative led to the formation of the "GR Saudi" team, which showcased remarkable achievements in the current season of the Saudi Toyota Championship. Now integrated into Jameel Motorsport's initiatives, this development underscores the company's ongoing efforts to foster talent and contribute significantly to the motorsport landscape.In the upcoming months, the Rally Jameel, organized under the Jameel Motorsport umbrella, is set to hold its third edition with a groundbreaking inclusion—welcoming women participants from all over the world. The event has garnered a record number of applications, showcasing the remarkable enthusiasm and determination of women from across the globe to partake in this rally. This milestone also underscores the Kingdom's steadfast commitment to fostering and encouraging women's active participation in the sports arena.On this occasion, Hassan Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel said, "We take immense pride in our role within the collective and unwavering endeavors of diverse public and private entities in the Kingdom, resulting in noteworthy accomplishments in the realm of sports. Having actively participated in 26 competitions spanning six different motorsport disciplines, the launch of Jameel Motorsport marks the beginning of a new chapter in our journey. Building upon our rich experiences, our aim is to consolidate and elevate the cumulative efforts of the past. The achievements we celebrate today are largely attributable to the genuine support extended by various stakeholders. I particularly acknowledge our fruitful collaboration with the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, under the leadership of His Excellency His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Federation’s Board of Directors. This partnership has been instrumental in our accomplishments and exemplifies the strength of collaboration in advancing the motorsport landscape."The realm of motorsport events offers extraordinary prospects for both young men and women. With the introduction of Jameel Motorsport, Abdul Latif Jameel is directing its endeavors towards cultivating the field and nurturing talent. This involves collaborative efforts with existing partners and the establishment of new partnerships, all geared towards shaping the future of motorsport not only in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also on a global scale.Currently, Saudi Arabia enjoys a leading position on the motorsport events calendar, benefiting from huge investments in sports, infrastructure, events and tourism. It has succeeded in attracting large numbers of fans of motor sports and racing, as well as boat sports and gaming, which is evident from the level of participants and applicants in the events held over the past few years. In light of this success, the launch of Jameel Motorsport comes as a prominent platform to enhance Saudi energies and talents in these fields. It aims to direct and enhance Abdul Latif Jameel’s efforts in developing the capabilities and skills of Saudi talent to enable future generations to achieve their latent abilities and hold the highest positions in national and international forums in line with Vision 2030.