DUBAI — Allison+Partners has expanded its global footprint with its first presence in the Middle East, after forming a strategic partnership with communications agency Orient Planet Group.

The partnership gives Allison+Partners – which has 30 offices across the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific – reach into the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain and Kuwait with Orient Planet’s offices, plus a wider affiliate network across the Arabian Gulf, Levant, Egypt and North Africa.

Orient Planet Group founder and managing director Nidal Abou Zaki, who founded the firm 19 years ago, will serve as the head of the agency’s operations in the region.

Andy Hardie-Brown, Allison+Partners’ co-founder and global vice chair, said: “After several years of global expansion, the Middle East is a natural next step for the continued growth of our agency. Dubai in particular is an important hub for the region, and feeder market into Europe, APAC and Africa.”

Allison+Partners co-founder and global president Jonathan Heit added: “We have found in Nidal and his team a group of professionals who truly understand the Arab world and who do great work. We know the team will be a perfect fit for our award-winning agency culture.”

Orient Planet Group offers public relations, public affairs, research, social media, creative and integrated marketing servicesto regional and international clients, with a particular strength in the energy and government sectors.

Abou Zaki said: “After nearly 20 years of continued growth and award-winning work in the Middle East, we are looking forward to joining the Allison+Partners network to build even further momentum in the region. Our team of high-performing communicators will be a great match for the passion and entrepreneurial spirit that the Allison+Partners team exudes.”