Snap Inc. has officially opened the virtual doors for its pioneering AR Ramadan Mall. Building on the success of two previous editions, the AR Mall returns with a creative makeover for 2024. For the first time, users will be able to explore luxury pop-up boutiques, enjoy an impressive new design for Eid, and visit directly from the Apple Store. Hosting 11 leading brands across five shopping verticals including beauty, fashion, auto and F&B, the AR mall will come to life through a 360 degree multi-level virtual marketplace.Elevating the traditional shopping experience through the power of AR, users can engage with their favourite retailers in an immersive way. Browsing the Mall’s offerings from the comfort of their homes, Snapchatters can also share products directly with friends and family on the platform. Snapchat is the number one app of choice for staying connected, and the AR Mall serves as a digital extension of cherished moments during the Holy month, a time when coming together matters most. The distinctive pop-up boutiques available throughout the Mall is a first for 2024, mirroring real life luxury brand concept stores which spotlight dedicated product ranges - highlighting Snap’s dedication to create more innovative shopping encounters.Last year, the AR Mall achieved an average play time of 26.3 seconds and a 33% increase in visitors from the first edition in 2022. Promised to create an even more unforgettable journey for 2024, shoppers are invited to experience the transformed AR Mall with many surprises in store.Mohammed Bouarib, Senior Creative Strategist for Snap Inc. MENA, added: “The third edition of the Snap AR Ramadan Mall promises to be our most ambitious yet. It is believed that E-commerce will grow by 8% in the next five years with the MENA region leading this growth, and the updated 2024 Mall showcases how brands can creatively connect with shoppers online. With over 85% of MENA Snapchat users interacting with Lenses each day, our commitment remains to create experiences that defy expectations using our pioneering technology.”“From just four brands participating in our first edition, we are thrilled to now be partnering with 11 leading brands across the region, all bringing unique shopping adventures directly to the highly engaged audience on Snapchat. With the introduction of new technologies, enhanced experiences, and even greater opportunities for engagement such as the newly introduced Eid design and our Apple store takeover is paving the way for transformed online shopping. The increase in users last year demonstrated an appetite for immersive retail experiences, and we look forward to inviting new Snapchatters to the Mall this year”.The full list of brands found inside the Snap AR Ramadan Mall this year include:  Luxury:  Caroline Herrera  Givenchy  Fashion:  MAX  Rifi   Beauty:  Arabian Oud  AlMajed Oud  Faces  Food and beverage:  Domino’s Pizza  Lipton  Cadbury  Automotive:  BYDFurther embracing the spirit of Ramadan, the 2024 AR Mall will showcase a second design for Eid Al Fitr celebrations, illuminated with crescents and stars. Merging digital and physical worlds, Snap’s AR Mall provides an experience like no other.Users can enter Snap’s AR Ramadan Mall through the organic lens explorer and carousel feature on Snapchat between March 11th to April 14th.

Snap Inc. has confirmed its participation at the prestigious Web Summit Qatar 2024, bringing to life the story of its deeply engaged GCC community that have chosen Snapchat as their go-to platform to authentically connect with those who matter most to them. To support the region’s ambitious digital transformation goals, Snap Inc. will showcase how its creators and partners from the industry are using augmented reality to push the boundaries of creativity and engage their audiences. The technology company is gearing up to unveil an AR journey that brings to life three immersive experiences; a money-can’t-buy creator masterclass; as well as a fireside chat with EMEA President, Ronan Harris.Today, over 85% of MENA daily users interact with lenses everyday on Snapchat and Snapchatters open the platform more than 45 times a day on average in the GCC. As a key player in the ecosystem, Snap Inc.’s strategic presence in the region including markets like Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia gives it the responsibility to empower not only their GCC community, but also local businesses and partners alike. Through its augmented reality technology, Snap Inc. continues to support the ambitious digital transformation agendas taking shape in the region, enabling partners to innovatively connect with their audiences and drive results. This is helping governments meet their digital transformation goals, including Qatar’s 2030 National Vision, which remains focused on more diversified economies led by the power of technology.“It is very exciting to see a major tech event such as Web Summit Qatar debut in the region for the first time. This is a pivotal milestone in the burgeoning technology landscape of the GCC and a testament to the remarkable growth the technology ecosystem has been witnessing. At the heart of this dynamic landscape is Snapchat, deeply rooted into the daily lives of GCC locals'. Snapchat holds a special place in the region by being the platform of choice for the GCC community to stay connected with their family and friends,”“With our highly engaged audiences and our disruptive augmented reality technology, we believe we have a responsibility to support our community, creators and partners to stay ahead of the game with the ongoing digital transformation taking place in the region. Web Summit Qatar promises to be a nexus of innovation, collaboration, and inspiration, amplifying the impact of technology in the GCC region and we at Snap Inc. are looking forward to taking part in this dialogue.” said Hussein Freijeh, Vice President of Snap in MENA.A host of curated AR experiencesA range of engaging activities throughout the summit will showcase the transforming role of AR as a communications tool in both the physical and digital world. On ground experiences will feature an AR wall to demonstrate Snap’s relationships with Creators, showcasing AR lenses from AR Creators across the region through Snapcodes and live AR experiences. Snap BillboARds will also display best-in-class AR experiences from partners across different industries such as sports and fashion. Finally, a dedicated photo booth will offer visitors a chance to discover the future of AR.In conversation with Ronan HarrisDesigned to be different from the start, Snapchat’s mission has always been to offer an alternative to the norm. Attendees can join Ronan Harris, President of EMEA Snap Inc. in an exclusive fireside chat titled ‘Snapchat: Where Relationships Have Real Influence’ as he discusses the growing role of Snapchat in the lives of the GCC populations and how the company’s innovative augmented reality technology is pushing the boundaries of communications to drive real results for brands and creators.A masterclass to support budding and established creatorsCreators looking to upgrade their content game will have the opportunity to take part in an exclusive masterclass, offering insights and best practice for content creation. Leading creators will join Julie B, Head of Talent Partnerships in EMEA to share their experiences, tips and tricks for thriving on Snapchat, from monetizing creativity to launching successful businesses and maximizing features. These sessions will provide practical scenarios that resonate with both seasoned creators and those who are starting their journey on Snapchat.

Snap Inc. in MENA has announced the appointment of Rasha El-Ghoussaini as the new Head of Agency.Rasha has had a remarkable career at Snap Inc., spanning over 18 years with a significant impact on the company's growth and strategy. Having served as the Head of Industry, she has gained valuable experience working across various verticals. Her tenure since May 2017 highlights her commitment and contributions to shaping Snap Inc.'s strategy in the region.With her recent appointment as the Head of Agency in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, Rasha is set to leverage her extensive experience to formulate, build, and execute strategic partnerships within the Agency ecosystem. Her responsibilities will likely include cultivating relationships across the Agency landscape, engaging with leadership figures, and enhancing capabilities across the networks."As a long-standing member of the UAE leadership team, I've had the privilege of working closely with Rasha El-Ghoussaini over the past 6 years and I am excited to see her take on this pivotal role as Head of Agency. Her wealth of experience and proven success in driving business growth and fostering strategic partnerships makes her the perfect person to take our Agency business to the next level." said Jake Thomas, Head of UAE at Snap Inc. in MENA.Rasha El-Ghoussaini expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating: "I am honored and excited to take on the position of Head of Agency at a time when the agency landscape in the MENA region is experiencing remarkable growth and transformation. I look forward to leveraging my experience and passion for building strategic partnerships to drive continued innovation and growth across the agency ecosystem.”