Gambit

UAE

Gambit Communications has set itself apart as one of the most dynamic and high-performing PR agencies in the Middle East. In just five years, it has built a reputation for delivering creative, commercially impactful work while maintaining a strong culture and an independent, values-driven approach to business.

The agency’s fifth year was its most successful yet, achieving a 39% revenue increase, retaining 100% of both retainer and project clients, and winning major accounts, including Uber, Omniyat, Western Digital, Essilor Luxottica Group, Samsung Electronics and RAKBank. At the same time, it expanded its team by 21%, making strategic senior and international hires to enhance its capabilities. Gambit has already won multiple Agency of the Year titles, including the MEPRA Medium Agency of the Year 2023 and PRCA Medium Agency of the Year 2024.

Founded and led by managing director Jamal Al Mawed, Gambit has developed a model that prioritises long-term client relationships, strategic thinking, and creativity. The agency’s commitment to quality over quantity is reflected in its decision to turn down over 100 tenders that did not align with its values. This approach has resulted in a client portfolio that includes some of the world’s most recognisable brands, such as Porsche, BMW, Amazon, McLaren, and Mandarin Oriental, many of which have deepened their engagement with Gambit over time.

The agency’s creative work has been a key factor in its success. Its campaign for Middle East Film & Comic Con harnessed grassroots PR to drive a 7.5% increase in ticket sales and a 13.5% rise in visitor revenue, while its campaign for Mall of the Emirates’ WhatsApp shopping service led to a 90% surge in orders and a 30% boost in average transaction value. At the MENA Young Lions, Gambit’s teams won gold for the second consecutive year, earning the right to represent the region at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity.

Beyond its client work, Gambit has been an influential force in the PR industry. Its team has led training sessions for PR professionals, spoken at high-profile events, contributed thought leadership to industry publications, and taken an active role in judging awards. Al Mawed sits on the MEPRA Strategy Board and advises the American University of Sharjah’s College of Arts & Sciences Mass Communication Programme.

Internally, Gambit has maintained a culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. It introduced mental health initiatives in response to the war in Gaza, implemented flexible working policies, and continued to invest in team training. It also took a firm stance on ethical business practices, refusing to work with industries that did not align with its principles.—DM