M&C Saatchi Sponsorship has appointed Simon Bowthorpe as its Global Chief Marketing Officer, with his remit providing a major focus on opportunities in the GCC.

Bowthorpe will be responsible for leading and integrating the marketing and communication efforts of M&C Saatchi Sponsorship, concentrating on business development in the entire MENA region as well as Central and Eastern Europe.

The appointment is effective immediately and he will report to Daniel Sanchis, M&C Saatchi Sponsorship’s co-founder and worldwide Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to joining M&C Saatchi, Bowthorpe worked for MCN Middle East Communications Network, where he served as Managing Director of UM Qatar and Kuwait and FP7/KWI. Prior to this, as Managing Director of both UM and FP7 in Qatar, Bowthorpe drove significant growth and digital transformation of the business.

During his time with MCN, Bowthorpe was instrumental in securing accounts such as Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Airways and paved the way for UM to take on the media planning and buying duties for Ooredoo Group.

He has held senior leadership roles at media, creative and events agencies, starting his career at Grey and Young & Rubicam.

“Simon is a results-focused advertising and media leader. With his ‘client focused business solutions mentality’, he brings industry-wide international new business expertise and has a proven track record across different disciplines” said Sanchis.

“As the lead on Marketing, Communications and Global Business Development, I have a clear goal: to make M&C Saatchi the most important sponsorship management and customer experience design company in the world. My remit is to drive our commercial and revenue growth in key regions such as the GCC and beyond while enhancing our corporate reputation, brand identity, social and digital media strategies, event creation and business development capabilities. I will also be focusing on the correct use of data and technology to ensure measurable return on investment for our Middle East clients,” said Bowthorpe. — SG