Dubai: MarTech giant Mitgo Group is launching a new cutting-edge business division - fintech services for affiliate publishers. According to conservative estimates, affiliate marketing spend reached $14.4 billion in 2023 and will exceed $15.7 billion this year. In the next three years, Mitgo plans to become a conduit for more than 7% of that transaction volume, which can be valued at more than $1.5 billion given the sector's growth. The first step in this direction is the acquisition of UAE-based embedded finance platform Embedded, whose team has extensive experience in fintech and will complement Mitgo's technology stack needed to enter a new market.The new division will include a set of solutions from the field of embedded finance. It will allow millions of publishers across the globe with a specific focus on currently underbanked audiences in MENA, APAC and LATAM regions to withdraw their earnings instantly instead of the standard waiting period of 60-120 days (that currently is a benchmark in affiliate marketing). They will also get access to loans, reduce transaction costs, reduce exchange commissions, improve transaction speed and get many other benefits. Last year, Mitgo Group has already successfully tested similar financial solutions within its businesses.Access to obtaining loans and other lines of financing will be one of the main advantages for publishers, as currently it is extremely difficult for them to open a credit line in standard financial organizations as the existing solutions on the financial market often don't recognize specifics of publishers' business. It causes a lack of availability of financial products for publishers, who're mostly SMBs.Mitgo Group's 15 years of experience in the affiliate marketing market while working with more than 100,000 active partners, as well as unique algorithms using AI and machine learning allow the company to accurately assess such borrowers and build a low-risk but very profitable loan portfolio from them.The embedded finance solutions allow leaders of the financial industry - major banks, payment systems, e-wallets and others - to expand their portfolio of customers and niche products in areas and countries which were previously too expensive and risky for them to enter.Mitgo Group's new business direction will become a guide to the vast world of affiliate marketing for selected partners from the circle of largest fintech organizations. In the coming years, the company plans to establish cooperation with the leading players of this market - global payment schemes and the world's largest financial institutions. With the help of the company's experts, they will have access to previously undiscovered potential, including millions of users and tens of billions of dollars worth of transactions that previously passed under the radar of financial organizations.“On top of other viable opportunities, our future partners from the financial industry will get both an excellent test site on the basis of a new market and a vast system of distribution of financial products among the audience of publishers: cashback-services, media buyers, loyalty programmes, BNPL services and many others. With our help, they will be able to offer a suitable set of solutions to hundreds of millions of their users around the world”, states Alexander Bachmann, founder and CEO of Mitgo Group.The new business direction will be led by Oleg Chanchikov, CEO and founder of Embedded, which is going to be acquired by Mitgo. Oleg has more than 20 years of experience in the IT and financial markets. He previously held senior management positions at Visa and other major financial and IT organizations.“The entire world, including global players in the financial market and international organizations such as the UN and World Bank, work to empower SMBs and make financial services more accessible for them. Embedded finance solutions help the market to grow not just from the top-down approach when a bank offers pre-defined products to the clients, but also from the bottom-up when the industries themselves use financial products to solve the needs and the problems in their core business. I believe, together with Mitgo Group, we will not just change the way the MarTech industry uses financial products but introduce revolutionary solutions that will change the whole market”, - states Oleg.

Liminal Custody Solutions (Liminal), a digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider in the APAC and MENA region has announced the appointment of Amir Tabch as its CEO for the Middle East region. Tabch, a seasoned financial services executive and fintech pioneer, brings over two decades of experience in leading and scaling businesses across traditional and digital asset markets.Mr. Tabch joins Liminal Custody Solutions from Copper Securities (formerly Securrency Capital) in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). As Chairman and CEO, he played a pivotal role in establishing the company, securing regulatory approvals, and driving high-profile fundraising activities. Prior to that Mr. Tabch held senior leadership positions at SC Meta Markets, Emirates Investment Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank, where he honed his expertise in global markets, multi-asset trading, and regulatory compliance. "We are thrilled to welcome Amir to Liminal Custody Solutions," said Mahin Gupta, Founder of Liminal Custody Solutions. "His extensive experience in navigating complex regulatory environments, coupled with his proven track record of building and growing successful businesses, will be invaluable as we expand our global footprint and solidify our position as the trusted partner for digital asset custody in the Middle East." "I am excited to join Liminal Custody Solutions at this pivotal time in the digital asset industry," said Mr. Tabch. "The Middle East represents a tremendous opportunity for growth, and I am confident that Liminal's innovative custody solutions and commitment to regulatory compliance will be instrumental in unlocking the full potential of this market. I look forward to working with the Liminal team to build a robust and secure infrastructure for institutional investors in the region." Mr. Tabch's appointment is part of Liminal's strategic expansion in the Middle East and expansion of its custody offerings. The company announced the grant of an In-Principle Approval (IPA) by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to operate as a custody provider for Virtual Assets. The company also recently welcomed Satya Venkata Chalapathi as Vice President of Risk & Compliance and Ajit Thakur as Head of Custody Operations to its regional team. Their combined expertise in digital asset security and operational excellence will further strengthen Liminal's capabilities in the region.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced a strategic partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) for the upcoming edition of the event, which takes place from 6-9 May 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.The renowned global organisations have been appointed as ‘Knowledge Partners’ for the regional trade show, providing in-depth insights and opportunities for the thriving segments of business events and travel.According to the ICCA statistical forecast, which charts the history and performance of the International Association Meetings Industry from 1963 to 2022, 10,602 business events were recorded worldwide last year, of which 9,009 (85%) were in-person. This represented an astounding 349% increase from the previous year when only 2,007 in-person events occurred. Interestingly, the Middle East accounted for the highest percentage of in-person delegates (94%) in last year’s official figures.The business travel industry is also experiencing significant growth, as evidenced by statistics from the 2023 GBTA Business Travel Index™ Report, which found that the global business travel industry rebounded faster than expected in 2023. Pent-up demand following the pandemic and healthier economic conditions than forecasted were highlighted as significant contributing factors for this shift. The report also stated that global business travel spending rose by 47% to $1.03 trillion last year and is expected to grow to nearly $1.8 trillion globally by 2027.Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “All of the latest research suggests that the business events and business travel sectors are going from strength to strength. These sectors have always been important verticals at ATM, and the official partnership with ICCA and GBTA for the 2024 edition will take our offering to the next level. By collaborating with these respected industry leaders, ATM aims to deliver even more value and innovation to its attendees and exhibitors.“With a focus on these two vital sectors, ATM is committed to offering a world-class event that provides a platform for networking, education, and business opportunities for professionals from around the world.”During ATM 2024, ICCA will deliver seminars covering a range of topics for the MICE industry, while GBTA will outline the prevailing trends in the business travel sector at the show. These seminars will give the industry valuable insights into recent research, innovations, and best practices.Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said: “ICCA proudly announces our collaboration with ATM as we celebrate the exciting inclusion of business events as a foundational segment in future editions. Envisaging a dynamic future, we see global business events seamlessly integrating with ATM's rich tapestry of opportunities. With ICCA joining as a Knowledge Partner for the MICE segment, we are collectively positioned to redefine the landscape of collaboration, innovation and success in the interconnected realms of business. We look forward to working together in 2024 and beyond.”Catherine Logan, Regional Senior Vice President EMEA and APAC, GBTA, added: “Although one of the smaller global business travel markets, the MEA region has huge potential for growth and recovered more than any other region in 2022, reaching 95% of pre-pandemic business travel spending. Business travel spend in the region is forecast to exceed this figure in 2023 and reach USD$30.6 million and continue its growth trajectory going forward.”The theme for the 31st edition of ATM is ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’. With exhibitors from the fields of aviation, accommodation, hospitality, attractions, technology and more, ATM 2024 will explore how innovators in the travel and tourism space are working to attract greater levels of funding to further increase the sector’s overall contribution to global GDP. Last year’s event welcomed more than 40,000 attendees, the largest number recorded to date.

Dubai: Team Lewis, a Global B2B, consumer and technology agency, has launched its 25th international office in Dubai. The UAE agency has launched with global client accounts including BlackBerry, which will be led by Maha Ayash. Prior to this, Ayash was an Account Director at Four Communications.  Expanding to Dubai seems like a strategic move, especially with a seasoned professional like Maha Ayash at the helm. BlackBerry as a client is no small feat either. It's fascinating to see how agencies like Team Lewis navigate the global landscape, connecting with clients across various industries.Ayash has worked with clients across sectors including mobility, business advocacy, sustainability and aerospace, and is fluent in English and Arabic. Yvonne van Bokhoven, Executive Vice President for EMEA and APAC, Team Lewis, said: ‘‘The UAE and MENA region are lynchpins for many global industries. The opening of this office is an important step on our journey. Our clients asked us to open in this geography due to the significant market opportunities, and we responded.” She added: “Maha is a talented specialist consultant with an international mindset. I’m excited about working with her to deliver world-class services for our clients in the UAE and beyond.”Ayash said: “I am thrilled to join Team Lewis. I look forward to building a talented team to deliver integrated services to our current clients, as well as diversifying our client portfolio.”Team Lewis now has 650 employees across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Liminal Custody Solutions (Liminal), the fastest-growing digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider in the APAC and MENA region, is thrilled to announce a significant rebranding initiative that underscores its commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer-centricity. This strategic move aims to reshape and elevate the brand’s identity, ushering in a new era of secure, compliant, and automated digital asset custodial solutions. Positioning the company as a "custody and wallet expert", the rebranding signifies Liminal's expansion beyond wallet infrastructure. This exercise ensures that the brand remains at the forefront of digital asset custody, delivering enhanced services to clients and partners. The digital asset industry is pivoting towards custody as the need for security and risk mitigation emerges as a top consideration. Liminal has recognised the necessity to expand its services to stay on top of these shifts. With its new outlook, Liminal has dedicated itself to building comprehensive layers that encompass compliance, security, and regulatory readiness.  Commenting on the new look, Mahin Gupta, Founder of Liminal, said, "We anticipate a mature, compliant, and standardized web3 ecosystem across the APAC and MENA regions, which will attract institutions to build on Web3. This rebrand aligns with our long-term vision of offering secure, compliant, and efficient custody solutions. Every aspect of our roadmap reinforces this commitment. We are now better positioned to serve this mission by offering improved services and demonstrating our dedication to a compliant, secure, and innovative web3 ecosystem."  As a part of this transformative initiative, Liminal has unveiled a vibrant new colour palette that symbolizes abundance and strength. Additionally, a more robust and visually appealing solid colour logo, paired with improved typography, is anticipated to enhance brand visibility and recall significantly. This comprehensive effort extends across the entire spectrum of the brand, encompassing the website, product user interface and user experience, marketing collateral, and all brand-related materials. Although the name "Liminal" remains unchanged, the rebrand introduces fresh design elements and vibes. The redesigned website, in particular, will adopt a more product-centric approach, enabling customers to access vital information swiftly while adhering to web3 design standards that aim to deliver a more meaningful B2B/SaaS experience. This strategic approach ensures a seamless transition for existing customers, emphasizing trust-building and continuous satisfaction. Liminal is poised to expand its footprint in the coming year. With expectations of faster regulatory clarity in the APAC and MENA regions, the company is set to launch regulated custody operations in four regions in the next quarter, providing businesses with a secure, compliant, and regulated custody layer. This will enable businesses to focus on delivering the promises of web3 to end users. Further sharing upcoming expansion plans of the company, Gupta added, "We are poised for expansion and engagement, with a particular focus on APAC and MENA regions. Currently, we are looking at Hong Kong, Indonesia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Nigeria and Taiwan. Our dedicated local teams will be delivering tailored solutions and building business relationships within these markets."

Liminal Custody Solutions (Liminal), the fastest-growing digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider in the APAC and MENA region, is thrilled to announce a significant rebranding initiative that underscores its commitment to innovation, excellence, and customer-centricity. This strategic move aims to reshape and elevate the brand’s identity, ushering in a new era of secure, compliant, and automated digital asset custodial solutions. Positioning the company as a "custody and wallet expert", the rebranding signifies Liminal's expansion beyond wallet infrastructure. This exercise ensures that the brand remains at the forefront of digital asset custody, delivering enhanced services to clients and partners. The digital asset industry is pivoting towards custody as the need for security and risk mitigation emerges as a top consideration. Liminal has recognised the necessity to expand its services to stay on top of these shifts. With its new outlook, Liminal has dedicated itself to building comprehensive layers that encompass compliance, security, and regulatory readiness. Commenting on the new look, Mahin Gupta, Founder of Liminal, said, "We anticipate a mature, compliant, and standardized web3 ecosystem across the APAC and MENA regions, which will attract institutions to build on Web3. This rebrand aligns with our long-term vision of offering secure, compliant, and efficient custody solutions. Every aspect of our roadmap reinforces this commitment. We are now better positioned to serve this mission by offering improved services and demonstrating our dedication to a compliant, secure, and innovative web3 ecosystem." As a part of this transformative initiative, Liminal has unveiled a vibrant new colour palette that symbolizes abundance and strength. Additionally, a more robust and visually appealing solid colour logo, paired with improved typography, is anticipated to enhance brand visibility and recall significantly. This comprehensive effort extends across the entire spectrum of the brand, encompassing the website, product user interface and user experience, marketing collateral, and all brand-related materials. Although the name "Liminal" remains unchanged, the rebrand introduces fresh design elements and vibes. The redesigned website, in particular, will adopt a more product-centric approach, enabling customers to access vital information swiftly while adhering to web3 design standards that aim to deliver a more meaningful B2B/SaaS experience. This strategic approach ensures a seamless transition for existing customers, emphasizing trust-building and continuous satisfaction. Liminal is poised to expand its footprint in the coming year. With expectations of faster regulatory clarity in the APAC and MENA regions, the company is set to launch regulated custody operations in four regions in the next quarter, providing businesses with a secure, compliant, and regulated custody layer. This will enable businesses to focus on delivering the promises of web3 to end users. Further sharing upcoming expansion plans of the company, Gupta added, "We are poised for expansion and engagement, with a particular focus on APAC and MENA regions. Currently, we are looking at Hong Kong, Indonesia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Nigeria and Taiwan. Our dedicated local teams will be delivering tailored solutions and building business relationships within these markets."

Incubeta MENA, a well-known digital agency, has recently implemented strategic changes in its senior management to further solidify its position as a leading digital agency in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As part of these changes, Katerina Bazalova has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Creative for the EMEA and APAC regions.Incubeta MENA, a well-known digital agency, has recently implemented strategic changes in its senior management to further solidify its position as a leading digital agency in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. As part of these changes, Katerina Bazalova has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Creative for the EMEA and APAC regions.Katerina previously served as the Regional Director of Business Operations, where she was responsible for overseeing regional operations related to SEO, Social Media, and Creative. In her new role, Katerina's primary focus is to drive growth for Incubeta by developing world-class, client-centric creative solutions on a global scale. Her aim is to maintain Incubeta's reputation as an expert client partner. She has already assembled an exceptional team that shares Incubeta's passion for creating bold, impactful, meaningful, and memorable work. Before joining Incubeta, Katerina held senior positions at Geometry MENA and Cheil Worldwide in London, UK, and she will continue to advance Incubeta's global and regional creative solutions.Upon her promotion, Katerina Bazalova expressed, "I feel honored to be a part of this challenging yet incredibly inspiring and invigorating industry. I am excited to lead and bring about changes in our products and industry culture alongside the best professionals in the field."In addition to Katerina's promotion, Incubeta has also welcomed Dominic Honess as the Regional Business Director. In his new role, Honess will oversee the company's client portfolio, with a specific focus on enhancing Incubeta's offerings in the areas of Media, SEO, and Social. With 14 years of experience in the digital industry, Honess brings extensive global expertise, having held prominent positions in multiple markets at UM and Mindshare UK.These changes are in alignment with Incubeta MENA's regional business strategy, aimed at fostering long-term growth within the MENA region. The strategy involves cultivating a diverse leadership team with a deep reservoir of experience and a strong drive to fuel the company's growth

Dubai: Publicis Groupe Middle East announced today that Ajit Ramaswami, CEO of MSL ME, a regional strategic communications agency, has taken on a new role as a strategic advisor and corporate practice head for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. In this new capacity, Ajit will be focused on identifying and driving strategic initiatives that support MSL’s growth objectives across key thriving markets within APAC.   “For nearly two decades, Ajit has been the driving force behind the successful transformation and expansion of MSL across the Middle East,” said?Bassel Kakish, CEO of Publicis Groupe ME&T.?"It’s an exciting time for him to be leveraging his deep expertise to unlock new opportunities in a dynamic new business landscape. I wish him the best in this new role, and I have every confidence that he will continue to propel the Publicis Groupe ‘power of one’ vision forward across APAC and beyond.”    Ajit is a communications veteran with 27 years of experience in the Middle East and India, delivering strategic communications to multinational and regional organisations across a diversity of industries including financial services, telecom, FMCG, technology, tourism, public affairs and family businesses. He joined MSL ME and Publicis Groupe in 2004 and was appointed CEO in 2008. During this time, he was instrumental in securing prestigious accounts for the agency including DU, Samsung, key P&G brands and TAMM for the Groupe.“Ajit is a seasoned and well-respected practitioner who knows how to drive transformative results for both the business and our clients,” said Margaret Key, CEO at MSL Asia, Middle East and Africa. “Having worked together for the last few years, I know the value he will bring to this region, and I am excited to see how we can partner together to further accelerate MSL’s growth agenda.” Under his stewardship, Ajit has built MSL’s credentials as the go-to consultant for industry verticals such as Professional Services, Technology, Media and Telecommunications while making significant advances in key growth areas in Healthcare, Automotive and Utilities. He is credited for establishing a proprietary framework for Brand Resilience and C-Suite profiling and establishing the agency’s reputation as a Crisis & Incidence Management leader. “I’m incredibly proud of the past 19 years with Publicis Groupe ME and MSL for the Middle East, but I am also excited for the opportunity to tap into a dynamic and booming market such as Asia-Pacific,” said Ajit?Ramaswami.?"I am grateful to Publicis Groupe ME’s leadership for enabling a culture of opportunity where this has been possible and to our valued clients who have entrusted us as their partner over the years. Lastly, I am immensely proud of my exceptional team, who I know will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional client results.”In this new role, he will work closely with the MSL APAC leadership team to provide strategic counsel to strengthen their offering with a focus on the corporate practice, introduce new, measurable solutions for clients and expand the network’s footprint across key markets and industries.   

Dubai: YouTube continues to maintain a formidable position in the online video advertising market, as confirmed by recent insights from WARC Media Platform. The platform is actively seeking ways to foster deeper connections with viewers, creators, and brands through its multi-format video strategies.YouTube has surpassed Netflix to become the largest TV streaming platform in the United States. Accounting for 22.9% of over-the-top (OTT) viewing in March 2023, YouTube dominates as the go-to channel for catching up with sports news among US Gen Z viewers. Additionally, YouTube claimed the title of the most popular platform for music and podcast listening in the US last yearAd investment with YouTube is projected to rise by 4.0% in 2023, reaching a substantial $30.4 billion. This marks a significant turnaround from Q4 2022 when ad revenue experienced an 8.8% decline due to a shift in investment towards retail media and search. Growth is expected to resume in 2023 at more than double the rate recorded in 2022. WARC Media forecasts an accelerated revenue growth of 10.3% for YouTube in 2024, reaching an estimated $33.5 billion by year-end.With a strong emphasis on Shorts and Connected TV (CTV) engagement, YouTube is spearheading innovations such as unskippable 30-second ads and "pause experiences" on TV, enabling marketers to effectively engage audiences across various screens while achieving their performance and brand-building objectives.Key Takeaways from WARC Media Platform Insights:1. Commerce brands are anticipated to spend $4.1 billion on YouTube ads in 2023, representing a 4.6% increase from 2022. While retail remains YouTube's primary category for ad investment, growth from other sectors has proven to be more challenging. However, certain categories are expected to experience double-digit spending increases in 2023, notably technology and electronics (+13.9%) and toiletries and cosmetics (+12.1%), while figures elsewhere show more modest growth.2. YouTube advertisers have the opportunity to reach approximately half of all internet users worldwide. With over one billion hours of video watched daily on the platform, YouTube maintains its position as the world's most popular online platform. Its adult advertising reach is estimated at an impressive 2.07 billion people, nearly double that of TikTok and Instagram individually. While YouTube Shorts (60 seconds or less) provides marketers with opportunities to engage new audiences, its daily viewer total of 50 billion still trails behind Instagram Reels' 140 billion daily views. Notably, the under-18 demographic spends an average of 60% more time on TikTok than on YouTube content.According to Kantar research, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is a pivotal growth area for YouTube, particularly in domains such as live shopping, Shorts, and gaming. In Latin America, YouTube demonstrates cost-effective brand impact compared to other video platforms.These remarkable insights demonstrate YouTube's unwavering position as a leading force in the online video advertising market, presenting abundant engagement opportunities for brands, creators, and viewers alike.

Dubai: HAYVN, the Abu Dhabi based digital asset focused financial institution, today announced the strengthening of its APAC coverage team. The company will leverage its expertise in the digital asset market to offer a range of services to clients in the APAC market, which is known for its accelerating adoption of digital assets.Heading up the Asia initiative is Ovidiu Olea, HAYVN’s new Director of Client Coverage, APAC. Ovidiu brings a wealth of foreign exchange, payments and digital asset experience from a career spanning stints in London, Frankfurt, and Hong Kong.Christopher Flinos, HAYVN CEO, stated, “The Asia Pacific region is central to our plans to deliver cryptocurrency payment solutions to businesses globally. A strong Asia Pac franchise is critical considering the scale and penetration of digital assets throughout the region. With the addition of Ovidiu, we will leverage his global and regional experience and expertise to help clients navigate the digital asset landscape.”Ovidiu Olea added, “By joining one of world's leading digital asset institutions, I am looking forward to further strengthening HAYVN’s growing market share in the APAC region. HAYVN’s move to reinforce its APAC presence is a clear signal of its focus in the Asian region, and my goal is to further cement that within this region”.Regulated in Abu Dhabi, Australia, The Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands HAYVN is the trusted partner of governments, corporates, and family offices as well as individuals globally.