Explore the Fast Company Middle East’s Most Innovative Companies 2024 list, featuring 55 winning entries reshaping businesses and industries. We’ve selected the companies making the most significant impact with their initiatives across 27 categories, including the most innovative design, sustainability and cleantech, manufacturing, real estate, and retail companies.

A world overflowing with noise demands clarity. These companies help businesses tell their stories and drive results by crafting compelling narratives, designing iconic brands, and executing impactful campaigns. From strategic branding to creative advertising and PR, they navigate the complexities of modern marketing to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Carma

For delivering real impact across the media industry

Media intelligence provider CARMA develops tools that leverage generative AI to create solutions such as AI-powered content, dashboard insights, and advanced AI functionalities integrated into their analysis workflow. Its use of AI coding within the analysis process has saved over 500 hours in just three months. Their latest methodology combines traditional media analysis, social listening, and primary research data to assess brand reputations. It is also committed to sustainability, sourcing 43% of its energy from renewables and aiming for 100% across its 21 offices by 2030.

Leo Burnett Middle East

For making creativity a force for good

Advertising is one of the most powerful tools that can leave a lasting impact on people and shift cultures and norms. Leo Burnett Middle East’s campaigns, such as The Protective Rhymes, The Homecoming, and The Hidden Room, covered important issues like children’s body safety, adoption, and living conditions of domestic workers. In collaboration with the NBA, it launched the Nets for Change initiative, which repurposed abandoned fishing nets to create basketball nets, empowering young female athletes while helping restore marine habitats. Its focus on combining societal impact and commercial success ensures that its innovative campaigns are economically sustainable, delivering long-term value for both brands and society.

MCN MENA

For a smarter future through inclusivity

MCN fosters a culture of innovation centered on talent, diversity, and sustainable growth. Campaigns such as Fixing the bAIs, which created inclusive AI datasets, and Selfless Shelves, which empowered Lebanese women entrepreneurs, drive social impact while enhancing client partnerships. Sustainability commitments include a pledge to net zero by 2040 and active participation in Ad Net Zero UAE. By prioritizing environmental, social, and economic sustainability, MCN balances people, planet, and profit, creating both creative and measurable impact.

Memac Ogilvy

For empowering brands to navigate social media and influencer marketing

Memac Ogilvy & Mather LLC is breaking conventions and innovating in the media space, creating its own guide for navigating the ever-evolving landscape. Its Influencer Shield service helps brands navigate social media and influencer marketing while activating customized data analytics for each campaign. Its Be Moved a Thousand Ways campaign for Saadiyat Cultural District analyzed data from 30 countries, generating over a billion impressions. Memac Ogilvy’s AI Thought Leader Platform, an AI influencer, acts as a mentor, embodying brand personalities and offering advice. Through Red Academy, they support youth in MENA’s communications industry, training 350 students, 60% of whom are women, and promoting diversity.

Publicis Media

For harnessing the power of data to simplify the complex media environment

Publicis Groupe has driven growth through a $10 billion investment in technology and data, optimizing media strategies across channels and markets. Leveraging 650 billion daily bid impressions and data from 2.3 billion global profiles simplifies media complexity, ensuring smarter, more efficient growth for brands. Its proprietary tools optimize campaigns, enhance budget efficiency, and uncover new audiences. This has led to a 70% client retention rate, a 19% revenue growth, and a 40% reduction in programmatic video CPMs. Additionally, its carbon calculator helps offset the environmental impact of client campaigns.

Saatchi & Saatchi Middle East

For revitalizing the power of creativity for business impact

Saatchi & Saatchi Middle East set themselves apart by creating innovative and meaningful campaigns for clients ADNOC, Pfizer, and AIQ. Their collaboration with SAUDIA addressed health risks during Hajj with the world’s first sanitizing prayer beads. They’ve successfully tackled cultural taboos with the Taboo Totes menstruation campaign and the Sound Affects fundraising initiative. The agency integrates AI to streamline operations and empower its team members. It enhances team engagement and curates personalized training paths. Environmentally, Saatchi promotes responsible production practices and minimizes environmental impact.

TBWA\RAAD

For weaving advanced technology into its storytelling

TBWA\RAAD has reimagined the traditional agency model by creating account squads and cross-functional teams tailored to each client. Its global platform, NEXT, blends emerging technologies with creativity to craft impactful campaigns. In collaboration with Core42, they became the first agency to integrate JAIS, the world’s leading Arabic language model. In 2023, they launched Collective AI, a platform merging human creativity with technology backed by partnerships with Adobe, OpenAI, and Microsoft.