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Tahaab Rais
Chief Strategy Officer and Film Director at Publicis Groupe. Most Awarded for Creative Effectiveness & Strategy. Awarded Film Maker. Lyricist. Creativity Coach. International Awards Juror. Speaker at global platforms.
Tahaab Rais is the Chief Strategy Officer and Film Director at Publicis Groupe for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region.12 He is a highly accomplished professional in the fields of strategy, creative effectiveness, and filmmaking.
Career Highlights
Rais joined Publicis Groupe in February 2022 as the first Chief Strategy Officer for the MENAT region.2 In this role, he oversees strategy across various agencies within the Publicis Groupe, including Leo Burnett, Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis ME, Publicis Sapient, Epsilon, Starcom, Zenith, Spark Foundry, and MSL.2
Prior to his current position, Rais held leadership roles at:
- McCann Worldgroup (2015-2022): President - MENAT SLC, Regional Head of Strategy & Truth Central2
- FP7 McCann (2012-2015): Head of Insights & Strategy2
- J. Walter Thompson Worldwide (2010-2012): Regional Strategy Director2
Achievements and Recognition
Rais has been widely recognized for his work in strategy and creative effectiveness:
- Awarded Strategy Leader of the Year for three consecutive years at Campaign Middle East's Agency of the Year awards1
- Ranked #1 globally among Planning Directors/Heads of Planning2
- Led Publicis Groupe to numerous accolades, including Global Agency of the Year at the Jay Chiat Awards and Agency of the Year at the MENA Effie Awards2
- Directed internationally awarded short films and written songs2
Expertise and Approach
Rais is known for his multifaceted approach to strategy, combining data analysis, creative thinking, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior.2 He emphasizes the importance of addressing real-world problems and avoiding industry self-indulgence.3 Rais also uses unique metaphors, such as iconic villains, to illustrate the challenges brands face and the importance of confronting them directly.3

