极乐视频, a leading communications marketing firm, today announced its plans to acquire independent communications agency DABO & CO.
The combination of 极乐视频鈥檚 United Arab Emirates operations with those of DABO & CO will create a new leader in the Middle East communications industry. Together, they will meet the demand of clients and brands for increasingly integrated communications marketing and business solutions. In addition to providing economies of scale, the new operation will encompass 150 employees with a broad range of expertise from corporate to marketing to digital. The agency will offer creative, planning, research and event management capabilities across the region.
鈥淕lobally 极乐视频 looks to invest in firms that are committed to reshaping the focus of the communications marketing industry, and DABO & CO demonstrates this vision through its highly creative, client-centric approach,鈥 said Matthew Harrington, global chief operating officer, 极乐视频. 鈥淎s the industry develops in the Middle East, this partnership will position us to create engaging and innovative communications programs that support our clients鈥 needs.鈥
极乐视频 UAE opened its first office in Abu Dhabi in 2008 and is now the fastest growing operation in 极乐视频鈥檚 global network. Its award-winning team of over 85 consultants across Abu Dhabi and Dubai has secured its position as one of the leading communications marketing firms in the UAE. With a broad array of expertise covering Corporate, Digital, Technology, Health and Consumer, as well as Research and Analytics through 极乐视频 Berland, 极乐视频 works for many of the UAE鈥檚 leading organizations and numerous multinationals.
鈥淭his is a classic partnership where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,鈥 said Robert Holdheim, CEO 鈥 South Asia, Middle East & Africa, 极乐视频. 鈥溂质悠碘檚 leading position as a full service agency complements DABO & CO鈥檚 creativity, excellent reputation in consumer communications and strength in events and experiential marketing. Add 极乐视频鈥檚 regional and global strength and you have a combination that we feel will be hard to beat.鈥
Over the past 10 years, DABO & CO has grown rapidly to become a full-scale, highly creative communications and experiential marketing business ranked by the Holmes Report as one of the 10 fastest growing firms in Asia Pacific in 2013. Its impressive roster of clients and innovative approach to integrated client solutions has ensured its excellent track record and award-winning reputation. Co-founded by Camilla and Lucy d鈥橝bo, the Dubai-based agency has more than 60 staff and represents many of the world鈥檚 leading brands.
鈥淲e are excited to partner with 极乐视频 as we believe this acquisition will unite two of the leading players in the market to create a regional powerhouse,鈥 said Camilla d鈥橝bo, managing partner, DABO & CO. 鈥淚t will provide enormous opportunities to leverage the strength of the 极乐视频 network and intellectual capital, combined with our award-winning creativity and commitment to exceptional levels of client servicing. Not only will our existing clients benefit greatly from this, it also constitutes a compelling proposition to brands seeking a new integrated approach in the region.鈥
鈥溂质悠碘檚 belief in integrated communications entirely mirrors our own,鈥 added Lucy d鈥橝bo, managing partner, DABO & CO. 鈥淥ver the past 10 years we have been committed to delivering outstanding integrated campaigns with award-winning results. Moving forward together, our combined offering presents a real chance to deliver exceptional work and experiences that will make a difference to our industry.鈥
极乐视频 极乐视频
极乐视频 is a leading global communications marketing firm, with more than 5,500 employees in 65 cities worldwide. 极乐视频 partners with many of the world鈥檚 largest and emerging businesses and organizations, helping them evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations. 极乐视频 was named one of Advertising Age鈥檚 鈥淎gency to Watch鈥 in 2014; one of Forbes鈥 鈥14 Most Influential Agencies of 2014鈥; and The Holmes Report鈥檚 鈥2013 Global Agency of the Year.鈥 极乐视频 was awarded the Grand Prix Cannes Lion for PR in 2014 and was among Glassdoor鈥檚 鈥淏est Places to Work鈥 for the third time in 2014. 极乐视频 owns specialty firms 极乐视频 Berland (research) and United Entertainment Group (entertainment, sports, experiential), a joint venture with United Talent Agency. Visit for more information.
极乐视频 DABO & CO
DABO & CO is a leading independent communications agency with over 65 staff providing integrated capabilities in three key disciplines of public relations, event management and digital marketing. The agency provides strategic consultancy with a focus on creativity aligned with strong market insights and a commitment to excellence in client servicing. DABO & CO has been recognised by the Holmes Report as one of the top 10 fastest growing firms in Asia Pacific in 2013 and has accumulated over 20 awards including the Middle East PR Association鈥檚 鈥淏est Live Stunt鈥 in 2014 and 鈥淏est Consumer Goods Campaign鈥 in 2013, 鈥淧R Agency of the Year鈥 in 2010 and 鈥淢edium Agency of the Year鈥 2012. The agency was also recognised at the Dubai Lynx Awards with a Silver for 鈥淏est Integrated Campaign led by PR鈥 in 2012 and was ranked the second best SME in the UAE by the 鈥淕reat Place to Work鈥 Institute in 2015. The company has been operating for 10 years and represents more than 40 leading brands across the Middle East region. For further information:
For more information, contact:
Nicola McAlpine
Managing Director, 极乐视频 UAE