Instinctif Partners, one of the leading strategic reputation advisory firms in the MENA region, is opening a new office in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, from which it plans to further expand into the exciting Abu Dhabi market. Instinctif Partners has more than 12 years of experience in the Middle East and North Africa, with a team of over 60 consultants across Dubai and Riyadh. Instinctif Partners is renowned for supporting some of the most influential private and public sector clients with reputation management, IPO communications, investor relations, corporate reporting, ESG and sustainability, and public affairs.“We are honoured to have advised clients in the region for over a decade from our local offices in Dubai and Riyadh, and now look forward to building on this success with our newly launched Abu Dhabi office. We’re looking forward to working even more closely with government clients and corporates, listed across all UAE exchanges,” said Samantha Bartel, MENA CEO at Instinctif Partners.“I am delighted to expand our capabilities in the MENA region with the opening of a third regional office in Abu Dhabi,” said Julian Walker, Group CEO at Instinctif Partners. “Our Abu Dhabi office will enable us to support clients seamlessly across several sectors and industries in the capital through exceptional client service, deepening our footprint in this dynamic region. This commitment to meeting our clients where they are, is reflected in the quality of our work and caliber of our team.”Jim Donaldson, Non-Executive Chair at Instinctif Partners, further emphasized: “Abu Dhabi is of strategic importance to our growth in the Middle East. Our new office will strengthen our in-market capabilities, adding depth to the insights we provide our clients. Instinctif Partners’ growth is tied to the success of our clients, which is why we take a client-first approach globally.”Late last year, Instinctif Partners launched its MENA Public Policy practice, to act as a bridge between the public and private sectors and advise governments on their ambitious development agendas. “This latest strategic phase of our growth ambition for the region has been long in the planning,” adds Bartel. “Fresh from our winning Large Consultancy of the Year at the PRCA MENA Awards 2024, we are reinforcing our sustained impact and commitment to excellence.”

8020 Communications, a specialist PR and digital marketing agency focused on the aviation, travel, and mobility sectors, has named Jim Donaldson as its first non-executive director. Donaldson, a highly respected figure in the communications industry, brings a wealth of experience to the role.Donaldson previously served as the CEO of FleishmanHillard's UK and Middle East operations until January 2024. He is a recognized leader, having been awarded the prestigious PRovoke Media Individual Achievement SABRE award this year. He also holds non-executive positions at Instinctif and Woodrow.At 8020 Communications, Donaldson will collaborate closely with founder and CEO Marc Cornelius and the senior leadership team. His expertise will be instrumental in accelerating the agency's growth and capitalizing on its strengths within the aviation, travel, and mobility industries. He will play a key role in shaping strategies for expansion, development of new services, international growth, and talent development.Founded in 2008, 8020 boasts a team of 18 specialists who deliver impactful PR and digital marketing campaigns for a diverse range of clients, including B2B, B2C, and corporate audiences. Their impressive track record includes Etihad Airways, Port of Dover, Expedia, Jetcraft, Textron Aviation, American Express Global Business Travel, and Scott Dunn.“I've had the pleasure of knowing Jim for many years," said Cornelius. "His proven ability to build high-performing teams and foster environments where agencies excel is truly impressive. We're incredibly fortunate to have someone of his caliber and extensive experience guide us through this exciting next chapter for 8020.""We share a common vision of delivering exceptional client experiences, fostering positive and stimulating work environments, and recognizing the immense potential for specialized agencies like ours, particularly in this era of consolidation among larger players," Cornelius continued. "The road ahead is bright, and we're thrilled to have Jim join us on this journey."Donaldson echoed Cornelius' enthusiasm, stating, "Marc and I go back a long way, having started our careers together at Burson-Marsteller in the early 1990s. Our paths have crossed numerous times since then, and I'm incredibly impressed by the team he's built, the agency's reputation, and the impact they've made over the past few years. I'm excited for this opportunity to collaborate again and contribute to the continued success of this fantastic agency."The appointment of Donaldson follows the recent addition of Julia Farish, who joined 8020 Communications from IHG Hotels & Resorts to bolster their hospitality expertise.