Tara Salame, Senior Client Executive at Talon MENA, recently attended the OMD SENSE thought leadership event, held by OMD MENA in partnership with Talon MENA and SnapChat at the Museum of the Future, where she dove into generational insights, explored the future of audience behavior, and engaged with industry peers as a voice for the brand.

OMD SENSE at the Museum of the Future

This month, I attended one of the most insightful and well organized industry events held at the Museum of the Future, which, all things considered, felt like a fitting venue for a conference about what’s coming next in media and audience behavior.

The theme? Decoding Generation (H)uman. Translation: how Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha are rewriting the rulebook on attention, authenticity, and what it means to “connect.” Spoiler alert: they’re not interested in your polished brand manifesto unless it comes with memes, emotional depth, or a side of chaos.

The moment I arrived, it was clear the room was full of people trying to make sense of the shifting landscape: marketers, creatives, strategists, and the rest all there to decode how audiences think, act, and respond in a world that’s evolving faster than most of us can track.

Shifting the Focus from Platforms to People 

But then Rahaf Harfoush took the stage. Her keynote “The Hidden Forces Driving Our Digital Behaviors”  genuinely made me pause. She shifted the focus from the tools to the people using them and how Gen Z’s endless scroll is tied to identity, how digital habits aren’t just trends but emotional signals, and how even your TikTok “For You” page is basically a mirror of your inner child and unresolved tension. 

As someone in working OOH, where we’re usually focused on cutting through the noise with bold formats and visual impact, her talk was a needed reset. Turns out, it’s not about shouting louder. It’s about listening better.

Merging Strategy with Creativity, The Talon Way

And in true Talon MENA fashion, we didn’t just show up, we left a mark! Our generational capsule vending machine was a hit: part nostalgia bomb, part interactive therapy. Tamagotchis, Gameboys, glow-up serums… all lovingly packed and delivered with a wink. It was fun, yes, but also built on insight. 

I also had the chance to represent Talon on camera, which was both exciting and mildly terrifying. Grateful to the team for trusting me to speak not just about what we do, but why we do it. These moments matter. They shape brands, yes, but they also shape careers. This one definitely shaped mine.

This wasn’t just an event. It was a marker. For where the industry is going, for what Talon stands for, and for the kind of leaders we want to be. 

Tara
Senior Client Executive, Talon MENA

Our managing director, Chadi Farhat, was interviewed by Campaign Middle East, where he discussed Talon’s journey so far, its path forward, and how Talon focuses on data-led OOH planning strategies, technology, creative and executions.

“At Talon, we understand that achieving measurable results is crucial, and we know the key strategies to deliver those results effectively” he said.

Read the full article here

We’re excited to share our Managing Director, Chadi Farhat’s, perspective on the evolving world of OOH in his article “The Global Locals: Bridging Borders” for Campaign Middle East.

He discusses the strategies that we, at Talon MENA, employ to drive global OOH expansion for our clients while staying rooted in local insights. As the GCC and MENA regions shape their ambitious futures, he explores how tailored, data-driven, and creative approaches are key to delivering compelling results.

Read the full article here

Fiona Renner, Client Director at Talon International, recently went on an exciting trip to Dubai, and discovered the world of Out of Home (OOH) advertising in this region with the Talon MENA team. Her week-long adventure was full of learning, cultural discoveries, and building strong connections.

Exploring the World of OOH Advertising in Dubai with Talon International 

Recently, I went to Dubai to visit the Talon MENA team and deepen my understanding of the local market. Here’s a glimpse into my week in Dubai, the insights I gained and why such experiences are essential to thinking outside at Talon. 

Exploring the Local Culture and Office Dynamics 

Our Dubai office, located in Media City, opened its doors less than two years ago. Arriving just two weeks post-renovation, I found it to be a vibrant and fresh space on the ground floor of Building IV,  with lots of amenities like a shared office area, a coffee machine, and big windows that flood the space with natural light. The office is strategically positioned amidst Dubai’s lively media hub, near iconic landmarks like The Palm, and Dubai Marina and among the headquarters of technology and media giants like Google, Microsoft, Meta, BBC, and others. 

The team at Talon MENA is as dynamic as the city itself, it includes people from diverse nationalities who bring a rich set of skills and  perspectives. I brought a taste of London with me, sharing delicious treats like tea cakes, Penguins, and Biscoff chocolate bars—a small gesture Idid that turned out to be a conversation starter. 

The Power of Roadside Advertising 

Dubai’s advertising landscape is dominated by roadside billboards, particularly large-format classic locations. The city’s growing digital advertising scene is also making waves with the introduction of many new screens. 

One of the striking features of Dubai’s advertising infrastructure is its extensive network of billboards along major streets like Sheikh Zayed Road. This iconic highway sees a daily traffic volume of approximately 800,000 cars during peak seasons, ensuring significant exposure for Out of Home (OOH) ads. Luxury and ultra-luxury advertising on OOH media is prominent in Dubai. This differs from the use of roadside OOH in other cities, and highlights the high socio-economic status of Dubai’s residents.  

While I was there, I saw OOH campaigns from brands including Samsung, Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavali, Huawei, and high-end property development (Damac and Emaar). The OOH locations themselves are massive, some towering up to 16 meters high and one even stretching 200 meters long, perfect for capturing the attention of Dubai’s affluent residents and visitors. 

During my visits to various roadside and airport sites, I saw many OOH advertising formats, from dynamic digital screens to traditional back-lit paper sites. Different OOH formats can be used to achieve different marketing objectives and target audiences. 

Meeting Clients and Understanding Their Campaign Goals 

My time in Dubai included a visit to the Arabian Travel Market Expo, where I gained valuable insights into our clients’ objectives for international OOH campaigns. Meeting clients including Saudi Tourism and Dubai Tourism allowed me to delve deep into their campaign goals, whether it’s raising brand awareness or driving consumer engagement. Understanding their target audiences—whether tourists or local residents— is important in planning our strategies to meet their specific needs. 

Visiting Dubai Airport – DXB – with Wissam and Yasmine from JCDecaux 

One of the highlights of my trip was having exclusive access to Dubai Airport’s terminals, including T1 and T3. As an international travel hub, Dubai Airport serves millions of passengers annually,  each terminal is designed to meet the unique requirements of different airlines and travelers. T1 serves all other international airlines and is the busiest terminal due to the high volume of layovers and transit flights, T2 accomodates  low-cost airlines and cargo, T3 is exclusively for Emirates Airlines. It was nice to see how brands utilize airport advertising to reach a captive audience of global travellers. And what made this day better was the tasty lunch that followed our visit to one of the most renowned Lebanese restaurants. 

Words I learned 

Arabic and its dialects are spoken by approximately 422 million people worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken languages globally. And I had the chance to learn a few words while I was there such as: 

• Marhaba – Hello 

• Khalas – Enough, Finished 

• Burj – Tower 

• Habibi – My love, and can work for anything actually… 

• Eh – Yes 

• Laa – No 

Enhancing Talon’s Global Expertise 

Working in diverse markets like Dubai enhances my ability to offer informed and culturally relevant advice to our clients at Talon. This experience allowed me to stay up to date of the latest trends, technologies, and consumer behaviours in the OOH advertising space—knowledge that is crucial for crafting effective strategies that resonate across different markets and demographics. 

My experience in Dubai underscores the importance of being part of the Talon International team. These immersive experiences not only contribute to our company’s growth but also ensure that we remain at the forefront of the OOH advertising industry, delivering impactful campaigns that resonate globally. 

By embracing opportunities to immerse ourselves in different cultures and markets, we strengthen our capabilities to innovate and adapt, ultimately driving success for our clients and reinforcing Talon’s position as a leader in the global advertising landscape. 

Talon MENA’s Head of Marketing Rezarta Bytyci attended The Web Summit in Doha, below she shares her key takeaways from the event 

The Web Summit is the world’s largest technology conference, inaugurating its first Doha edition a few weeks ago. It signals a significant prioritization of the further development of digitalization, AI, and Start-Ups in the MENA region, involving several industries in the public and private sectors and the overall evolution of the market.   

The event hosted over 15,000 with attendees from 118 countries and Talon MENA was part of it. We attended a selection of great talks and panels, starting with the opening night whereby His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the State of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the Centre Stage audience on Opening Night and announced a substantial USD 1 Billion investment fund for start-ups in Qatar inviting entrepreneurs from the region and worldwide to the country.  

Among the 148 partners exhibiting on the event floor, we connected with our industry friends at Amazon, Snapchat, Invest Qatar, Qatar Airways, and more. 

AI and Digital Policy 

AI was one of the main topics covered throughout the summit, with several panel discussions that repeatedly highlighted the importance of AI being a tool for improvement rather than replacement. Many marketers already find AI helpful as a tool for various processes, and it is imperative to include it in our lives correctly and cautiously. We attended an exciting panel on AI and digital policies in the region where they discussed that incorporating digital policies will have to be built upon culture, history and language. We couldn’t agree more with our experience of how the MENA region differentiates from other markets. 

Transparency and accountability in the development of AI are key. As Basma Ammari, Director of Public Policy at META (MENA), stated, “transparency builds trust and gives people the level of control of what they see in technology.”  

Lars Gehrmann, Chief Digital Officer at Qatar Insurance Group, was confident that “AI is here to stay” and that it solves our current problem of overworking employees. He highlights that employees are being paid to think, so they are essential to using AI. 

The Websummit had a dedicated stage, the Panda Conference, for marketing panels on the ever-evolving topic of customer data and consumer habits in MENA. 

The panel discussion about “The consumer landscape of the Middle East” with the panellists Mai Salama from Creative Industry Summit, Abeer Alessa from The Bold Group, KSA and ANNA Germanos from META laid out a good understanding of consumer behaviour in the region. Smartphone penetration in the Middle East is at 90%. However, the online experience does not take away from any physical activities; in fact, there is a “fluid experience between offline and online for consumers whereby data helps customizing content and creating immersive experiences and leading to user-generated content, too”, as Abeer explained. Abeer also encouraged the industry to invest in AI to stay ahead. 

The revolution of AI was a consistent topic throughout the summit, whereby several industry experts mentioned its role and what it means for marketing. Concerns such as; will AI be dangerous while we rely too much on it? How can it be regulated? Can it replace human beings? 

AI will create many jobs that don’t exist yet… “it reminds me of WPP 20 years ago when we didn’t have social media managers, influencer managers, e-commerce writers or programmatic managers, … there will be different types of jobs and different types of people to manage the AI technology.” 

At Talon MENA, we are excited to see the region move towards developing data technology in the advertising space. We are interested in customizing ads and content for which many new tools are being developed. Developing infrastructure and a visionary road to digitalization of the region sounds very promising; we ensure we are a continuous part of these developments in the region and emphasize the consistent growth of OOH to keep in line with global standards. 

Mansour Wehbe, Client Director, Talon MENA.

With technology evolving, as it always has, we’re constantly seeing new ways of how it seamlessly integrates into our physical world. This evolution of blending online and offline experiences offers an exciting opportunity to dominate through digital OOH (DOOH) strategies and experiential activities.

DOOH is facilitating an even bigger role for online to play in the offline world, embracing a future where technology enhances our lives without overshadowing the genuine essence of the tangible world. Looking ahead, we envision a future in which the online world flawlessly operates in the background, enhancing our lives with AI and AR across other physical media platforms.

In this era, brands are expected to pioneer the fusion of both worlds’ touchpoints, impeccably creating concise consumer journeys from the smallest to the biggest screen out there, elevating their targeting game and widening their creative imagination.

Brands can delve more into dynamic advertising and its advantages over traditional/static OOH. Talon’s in-house effectiveness team, sit on a wealth of data, “Talon Benchmarks”, for instance showing the impact of dynamic DOOH led strategies.

There is a +15 per cent higher brain response when viewing dynamic ads and a +48 per cent higher effectiveness versus campaigns that aren’t dynamic.

For brands, DOOH creative must be tailor-made to the format and not the other way around. Each format has distinctive characteristics, and therefore, requires specific creative ideas for smart use for ideal impact on the audience. Copy is important. 60 per cent of DOOH copy is viewed longer than traditional static copy.

For special builds and experiential activities, which can bring online strategies into the real world effectively, there is a +35 per cent higher consideration from audiences. Special built DOOH, such as 3D (anamorphic) attracts +15 per cent more attention as opposed to 2D DOOH.

As technology evolves, so are consumer expectations and attention levels. With Talon as your OOH partner, brands can harness the exciting opportunities that blending online and offline experiences offer, dominating the busy landscape through DOOH strategies and experiential activities.

This article originally appeared in Campaign Middle East, read on page 81.

London, 22^nd February, 2024: Talon, the global independent Out of Home (OOH) agency, today announces the appointment of Sue Frogley as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the business globally as it targets further growth and expansion.

Frogley is an accomplished industry leader with over 30 years’ experience growing successful global media businesses. She will join Talon from Publicis Groupe, where she was CEO of its media arm in the UK for over six years. Under her leadership, Publicis Media UK grew into a £2bn+ billings operation, thanks to several new business wins across its media agencies Zenith, Starcom and Spark Foundry. Before that, Frogley was President of Global Client Solutions at Publicis Groupe and previously spent over 13 years at Dentsu (then Aegis Media), where she held several global leadership roles, most latterly as Global President of Commercial Operations.

This appointment follows a rigorous selection process.  Frogley will report to Stewart Easterbrook, chairman and joins Talon’s global board.  Eric Newnham, who has acted as interim CEO for the past few months, will revert to the role of Founder and strategic advisor to the board.

Frogley is the latest in a series of new senior hires, signalling Talon’s commitment to ongoing strategic growth worldwide. Last year, Stewart Easterbrook joined as Chairman, the appointments of Mike Saunter as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Henry Lucas in the newly created role of Group Chief Commercial Officer soon followed.

Frogley’s appointment follows a period of significant growth for Talon, which celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2023. Since Equistone Partners Europe, one of Europe’s leading mid-market private equity investors, invested in the business in July 2022, Talon has completed the acquisition of Evolve, the fast-growing, independent specialist OOH business, and the acquisition of Novus Media Canada Corp (now Talon OOH Canada).  

In her new role, Frogley will focus on further international growth, driving Talon’s digital capabilities and awareness of OOH as an effective, creative, data-driven media channel.

Stewart Easterbrook, Chairman, said: “Sue is a formidable and dynamic leader with a wealth of experience leading global media businesses.  I am thrilled to have someone of Sue’s calibre leading our business and look forward to working with Sue, and with our teams, to drive further growth in the scale and ambition of Talon.”

Sue Frogley said: “I have long admired Talon’s proposition, ethos and trailblazing spirit to challenge perceptions and drive growth in the OOH sector. Over the past 10 years, Eric has developed a talented team that has successfully built a unique and expanding global business that holds an enviable position in the industry. I can’t wait to get started and help unlock even more growth potential and shape Talon’s next important chapter.”

According to Statista, global Out of Home (OOH) revenue is projected to reach US$38.41bn in 2023, led by traditional OOH with a market volume of US$20.87bn in 2023. Meanwhile, in MENA, digital OOH (DOOH) is the format expected to drive growth over the next 5 years, more than doubling, from $288.28 million in 2023 to $616.27 million in 2028. This is a significant increase, bolstered by a hunger for DOOH and its capabilities in the region.   

In Talon’s Dubai office, we are dedicated to growing and nurturing the channel, providing a seamless experience for our clients. This year, we’ve been busy, showcasing our commitment to innovation, industry leadership, and global collaboration. In this blog, we are reflecting on the milestones achieved during the year and celebrating what is possible when you think outside. 

Talon’s International Summit in London 

Setting the tone for the year, Managing Director, Chadi Farhat, and Client Director, Mansour Wehbe, joined the leadership teams from Talon International, Talon Ireland, Talon Germany and Talon APAC, to discuss our progress, goals and plans for the year ahead. 

We’re constantly challenging ourselves and the industry to re-invent the possibilities of what OOH can be and we’re proud to be the largest independent OOH global network, expanding our reach from Dubai through our centralised experienced team. 

World Out of Home Organization MENA Forum in Dubai

 Next, we attended and presented at the World Out of Home Organization’s MENA forum in Dubai – the first in-person regional event to take place there. Over 200 delegates attended the event, drawn from the region’s major media owners, media agencies, marketers and suppliers, all major growth drivers in their respective markets. 

On the first day, Managing Partner, Adrian Skelton, hosted the panel “Qatar 2022 – How the World Cup Impacts a Country,” – reflecting on the results that the World Cup delivered and how OOH in Qatar was as good as any other World Cup event. “Quality, innovation and possibilities in Qatar are huge, and the standards of OOH quality is there.”  

Client Director, Mansour Wehbe, also participated in the panel “View from the OOH Buyer Side: Challenges & Opportunities,” highlighting that opportunities in OOH in the region lie in DOOH, considering that digital screens bring higher revenue due to higher inventory.  

For the second day, Group Chief Strategy Director Sophie Pinto Del Rio, and Managing Director Chadi Farhat, shared their expertise on “The Evolution and Impact of Data-driven Strategies in OOH.” During this keynote, Sophie and Chadi shared Talon Benchmark data showing that clients who used intelligent audience data see positive outcomes.  

The data shows that deploying intelligent data through technology are:  

• 4 times more likely to drive brand consideration  
• 15% more relevant to lifestyle vs. OOH benchmarks  
• 2 times more effective than social media at driving purchase intent.  

It was a fantastic opportunity to focus on the possibilities and appetite for the region comprehensively with our industry colleagues. 

Campaign Middle East’s Agency Guide

Following the successful MENA forum, we proudly unveiled our feature in Campaign Middle East’s agency guide. The guide offers the industry a 360-degree view of the OOH industry in MENA. We’re proud to be the only independent OOH industry featured, sharing our expertise and thoughts on effective OOH. 

Read the guide here.

Talon Turns 10  

Back in 2013, Talon was founded in the UK with a plan to revolutionise the world of OOH advertising. In 10 years, the business has grown substantially – securing our spot as a leader in OOH planning, creativity, effectiveness and technology. The business now spans over seven territories, including Talon MENA which was launched in 2022. 

We’re proud to be part of a business built on being the changemakers, the trailblazers, the provocateurs and the pioneers. Find out more about our decade in OOH.

Talon MENA – Members of IAB MENA

Proud members of IAB MENA since 2022, this year saw us actively participating in the development of the first DOOH whitepaper for the region. Contributing our expertise, knowledge and dedication to adding value to the market, “This State of DOOH in MENA,” highlights the key areas of DOOH that advertisers, measurement companies and media owners need to be aware of. 

The whitepaper is available for download here.   

Alongside this , Business Development Director, Rezarta Bytyci, also took part in a podcast with a panel of fellow experts from Amazon Ads, Publicis Media and Google to highlight the value proposition of DOOH from the buy-side & sell-side. The podcast covered topics such as the available formats, the benefits of cross channel planning and integrating with other channels, the measurement opportunity and some of the challenges and opportunities in growing DOOH in MENA.  

Listen to the podcast here.  

Talon x American University in Dubai (AUD)  

As the changemakers, the trailblazers, the provocateurs and the pioneers; nurturing young talent with aspirations of joining the industry is extremely important. 

This year, we visited AUD to deliver a lecture to marketing students, preparing them for OOH – OOH’s evolution and future. It was a very enlightening session, in which our team showcased the capabilities and sophistication of the OOH and how data and technology are fueling the efficiencies and effectiveness of this medium.  

Campaign Middle East’s OOH Guide  

For the latest OOH guide, our Client Director in MENA, Mansour Wehbe, provided an overview of global trends of OOH and DOOH with valuable insights through our experience of advising and servicing global campaigns for our MENA region clients.  

As the only independent OOH agency featured, Mansour shared his extensive knowledge of the trends that will drive OOH’s global evolution.  Read the issue here.

World Travel Market (London)

Rounding off the year, we attended the World Travel Market (WTM) event in London in association with Saudi Tourism Authority. For 42 years, WTM has been the most influential 3 days in the travel industry, providing a fantastic location for travel and tourism teams from around the globe to meet and build relationships. It was great to network, listen to some fantastic speakers and catch up with our own clients! 

Thinking Outside in 2024  

2023 has been another fantastic year of establishing ourselves as the independent OOH specialist agency of choice in MENA, taking MENA campaigns global.  In 2024, we look forward to continuing to grow and nurture the OOH channel, reimagining the industry to deliver greater value for our clients whilst inspiring people and caring for our planet – it all begins with thinking outside.   

We’d like to thank our clients, agencies and partners for their support, and we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.