Twice selected as one of the Middle East’s “Media & Advertising Industry’s Top 25 Talents to Watch” in Gulf Marketing Review magazine, Omar brings to his role passion, ambition and a wealth of experience.

He has previously held senior executive roles at Starcom MediaVest and OMD in Riyadh and Jeddah, and most recently worked for Universal Media in Jeddah overlooking Saudi Arabia and, latterly, in his native Lebanon, where he was responsible for a 40 percent boost in billings.

A banking and finance graduate, with minors in marketing and graphic design, from the Lebanese American University, Omar’s career has evolved from newspaper ads and TV spots monitoring in 2000, to fully leading on pitching, creating, managing and implementing bluechip client media strategies.

Mohan Nambiar, CEO of MEC MENA, said: “We are delighted to have someone of Koleilat’s caliber leading our Saudi office. The Kingdom’s market is hugely important to us, and it is vital that our operation there is in safe hands.

Koleilat said: “MEC is a great company and this challenging and exciting post is a genuine opportunity to test my skill set and put my experience to use. Saudi Arabia presents incredible possibilities in the media, and I look forward to returning re-acquainting myself with old colleagues, friends and contacts.”