Certified Digital Marketing | Growth-Driven Marketing Director | From Malls, Media, Events to F&B | Expert in Real Estate, Hospitality, Retail, and Family Entertainment | 23+ Years Leading Saudi Brands Toward Vision 2030

Marketing with Measurable Impact. Strategy with Vision.
Marketing goes beyond just creating noise; it focuses on achieving measurable results where creativity meets strategy. 
I am Mazen Makarem, recognized as the leading digital marketing expert in Saudi Arabia (Favikon), with more than 23 years of experience across diverse fields, including hospitality, food and beverage, retail, and real estate. Marketing should be viewed as an investment rather than an expense.

Among my career achievements is reversing company losses into profits and implementing ROI-focused campaigns that generated millions of impressions and high-quality leads. I have spearheaded rebranding efforts that established strategic partnerships and assembled marketing teams that produced over SAR 2 million in new revenue.

My methodology connects strategic goals with performance indicators to align with Vision 2030 objectives. I assist organizations in creating scalable marketing systems that help them differentiate in the competitive Saudi marketplace. If you are in search of a marketing leader to propel measurable growth, let’s get in touch.

After 20+ years leading marketing, growth, and brand strategy across real estate, hospitality, retail, F&B, and large-scale projects, I’m now open to my next professional challenge.

I’m exploring Marketing Director / Head of Marketing / Growth Leadership roles where strategy, execution, and measurable impact matter, not noise.

My focus has always been clear:
• Building brands that perform
• Turning strategy into revenue
• Aligning marketing with business objectives
• Leading teams, not just campaigns

If you’re an HR leader, CEO, or business owner looking for a senior marketer who combines vision with execution, I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss.

And to my network:
If you know of relevant opportunities or can make an introduction, your support means a lot. 🙏
Even a comment or repost helps this reach the right people.

Thank you for being part of my journey.
Mazen Makarem
CDMP | Marketing Director
+966550570400

Mazen Makarem, CDMP

#1 Digital Marketing Leader in Saudi Arabia by Favikon | Marketing Director | Vision 2030 Growth Advisor | Helping Brands Scale with ROI & Strategy

Mazen CV

Ever notice how speed can feel like progress, but sometimes it is just noise? 
I have learned this the hard way. 
Every time I choose awareness over speed, I win myself back. 
That is not just a poetic line. 
It is a strategy for real growth.

Here is what happens when you slow down and get intentional:

You see the cracks in your plan before they become chasms. 
Rushing hides the risks. 
Awareness exposes them.

You spot the real opportunities. 
When you are not racing, you notice the small signals that lead to big wins.

You make decisions you can defend. 
Fast choices are easy to regret. 
Conscious ones build your confidence.

You build trust. People follow leaders who think, not just react. 
Your team, your clients, and your investors notice the difference.

You align with your purpose. 
Vision 2030 is not about shortcuts. 
It is about sustainable, meaningful progress. 
That only happens when you are present.

You win yourself back. Every. Single. Time.

So next time you feel the urge to rush, pause. 
Ask yourself: Am I moving forward, or just moving fast?

What is one decision you made recently where awareness changed the outcome? 👇 Share your approach below.

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Your feed isn’t just entertainment
It’s an instruction.

Media is not just a reflection of culture, it’s a shaper of it.
"Neil Postman"

Every headline we click,
Every clip we share,
Every story we repeat
Quietly redefines what feels normal.

It shapes how leaders think.
How teams behave.
How customers decide whom to trust.
And what society ends up rewarding.

Most of us don’t choose this influence.
We absorb it.

What are you consuming, and what is it shaping in you?
👇Let’s get real insights in the comments.

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Your Shelf Speaks Before Your Brand Does.
One pricing mistake can undo years of loyalty.

In supermarkets, customers don’t analyze prices.
They trust what they see.

When a discounted price appears under an incorrect product, the brain automatically fills in the blank:
Same category. 
Same shelf. 
Same deal.

That’s not persuasion, that’s cognitive shortcut exploitation.

At checkout, when the price changes, the emotion shifts instantly:
surprise → doubt → frustration.

And frustration is remembered longer than discounts.

This isn’t a cashier issue.
It’s a failure in visual merchandising and pricing integrity.

Neuro-marketing reality:
• The brain encodes price as fairness, not math
• Confusion triggers loss aversion.
• Loss-aversion kills repeat visits

Customers may still pay once.
They won’t trust twice.

Action (Strategic Advice)
If the discount is for Product A:
• Place it under Product A only
• Match SKU, size, and label
• Remove all visual ambiguity

Visual merchandising must reduce thinking, not create traps.

The real cost
Misleading pricing doesn’t increase revenue.
It increases:
• Checkout friction
• Brand skepticism
• Silent churn

Short-term tricks create long-term damage.
The strongest promotion in retail isn’t a discount.
It’s clarity.

Are you designing shelves to close a sale or to earn the next visit?
👇 Share your approach below.

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Your customer is not a walking wallet. 
She is your wife, your sister, and your friend. 

“The consumer isn’t a moron. She is your wife.” 
David Ogilvy nailed it decades ago, but most brands still treat consumers like faceless data points. 

I had to experience this lesson firsthand. 
Years ago, I launched a campaign for a construction brand. We had the budget, the reach, and the perfect targeting. 

But the results? Flat. 

We were talking to people, not to them. 

So I did something radical. 
I sat down with real customers. 
I listened. 
I asked about their dreams for their homes, their frustrations with the industry, and their hopes for their families. 

Suddenly, the campaign changed. We stopped pushing features. 
We started telling stories. 
We showed how our work made life better, safer, and more beautiful. 

The numbers soared. 
Engagement doubled. 
Sales followed. 

Here is what I learned:

Start with empathy. 
Imagine your customer is someone you love.

Ask questions. 
Listen more than you talk.
Speak human. 
Ditch the jargon. 
Use words that make people feel seen.
Show the impact. 
Connect your product to real lives, not just specs.

If you want loyalty, treat your audience like family. 
Not statistics.

How do you make your customers feel valued? 
👇 Share your approach below.

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Success isn’t just about where you arrive.
It’s about what stays intact along the way.

Titles, revenue, and recognition are easy to track.
Character isn’t.

The real metric of leadership is not what you gained,
But you refused to lose something while chasing it.

If progress costs your values, health, or relationships,
The price is higher than the reward.

Sustainable success is quiet.
It compounds without erosion.

P.S.: What’s the one non-negotiable you protect, no matter the goal?
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Most marketing failures don’t start with a bad strategy.
They start with avoidance.

People know what’s not working.
They just delay naming it

Leadership isn’t clarity in good times.
It’s decisive when information is incomplete.

That’s the real test.

Imagine building a skyscraper with no foundation. That is what happens when leaders see marketing as a cost, not an investment.

I have watched companies in Saudi Arabia pour millions into construction, then hesitate to invest in the one thing that brings people to their doors.

Why? Because the ROI of marketing is not always instant. It is not a quick win. It is a long game.

But here is the truth: Every brand that dominates its market today started by betting on marketing before the results were obvious.

They understood that visibility is not a luxury. It is survival.

When you treat marketing as an afterthought, you are building on sand. When you treat it as an investment, you are laying the groundwork for growth that lasts.

Vision 2030 is not about playing it safe. It is about bold moves and futurefocused thinking.

The most successful leaders I know are the ones who invest in marketing even when it feels risky. They know the payoff is worth it.

So, what kind of foundation are you building for your brand?

Share your perspective. Does your company see marketing as a cost or an investment?

As 2026 begins, 
I wish you and those you love a year filled with health, peace, and moments that warm the heart.

May the coming year bring calm after busy days, joy in the small things, and strength during challenges. 

May it be a year of balance, gratitude, and meaningful connections.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey, through conversations, support, and shared moments. 
They are deeply appreciated.

Happy New Year 2026.
Wishing you a year filled with light and kindness.

Warm regards,
 Mazen Makarem

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Certified Digital Marketing Professional

Certification in the Social Media & Online Media Expertise Sponsorship

ALESAYI HOLDING was established in 1945 by the late entrepreneurial founder Omar Kassem Alesayi, who started with a textile shop to build an empire of more than 65 subsidiaries worldwide. 

Alesayi's founder believed in the importance of individuals and their role in the community. His sons inherited this vision and made this entity one of the best national economic groups in the Kingdom. Alesayi is also a leader in the global markets in different sectors and investments.

Alesayi Holding Group is committed to its employees' growth by offering them many opportunities for career advancement within a culture that rewards quality performance and supports their path to success.

Alesayi Group always cares about the welfare of society through philanthropy and community services around the Kingdom.

Our Business Sectors:

•	Investments 
•	Consumer and Trading
•	Real Estate and Asset Management
•	Engineering and Technology
•	Electronics 


تأسست مجموعة العيسائي القابضة في عام 1945 من قبل مؤسس الأعمال الراحل عمر قاسم العيسائي ، الذي بدأ بتجارة النسيج و بيع الأقمشة  لبناء إمبراطورية تضم أكثر من 65+  شركة تابعة محلية و عالمية. 

بدأت قصة النجاح بإيمان المؤسس حول أهمية دور الأفراد اتجاه المجتمع ، ورث أبناءه هذه الرؤية و جعلوا هذا الكيان من أفضل المجموعات الاقتصادية الوطنية في المملكة، إضافة إلى تواجد اسم العيسائي في الأسواق العالمية بمختلف القطاعات والاستثمارات.

تؤمن مجموعة العيسائي القابضة بأهمية العاملين معها. و تقدم للموظفين العديد من الفرص الوظيفية، ضمن ثقافة تكافئ جودة الأداء وتدعم مسيرتهم نحو النجاح كما تلتزم مجموعة العيسائي دائمًا بتطوير المجتمع من خلال الأعمال الخيرية والخدمات المجتمعية في جميع أنحاء المملكة.

As the Marketing Manager, my main achievement was increasing foot traffic at The Hub Mall by 30% and boosting tenant sales by 18% through strategic marketing initiatives. This included launching high-impact digital campaigns, leveraging influencer partnerships, and optimizing brand positioning to attract both customers and investors. Adding on, I developed and executed business plans that transformed underutilized spaces into revenue-generating assets, increasing investor interest and overall profitability. Above all, I optimized vendor negotiations, reducing advertising production costs by 40%, allowing for reinvestment in high-ROI digital campaigns that strengthened the brand’s market presence.

Marketing Manager - Real Estate & Hospitality Management

As the Managing Director, my main achievement was establishing a full-service marketing agency that secured multi-million SAR contracts with top-tier clients like Lexus. This included developing integrated digital marketing strategies, creating compelling brand campaigns, and expanding the agency’s service offerings to meet diverse client needs. Adding on, I built and led a high-performing team, enhancing our capacity to deliver innovative solutions that improved client engagement and brand visibility. Above all, I positioned the agency as a trusted partner in the market, driving long-term collaborations and sustainable revenue growth. Managing Director - Marketing & Advertising Agency Dec 2022 - Feb 2024 · 1 yr 3 mos

Managing Director - Marketing & Advertising Agency

Established and led a full-service marketing department by recruiting and mentoring a team of ten, delivering integrated social media and design solutions that secured high-value contracts
Secured production and social media deals worth 2M SAR from new clients such as Lexus, Le Grand, and Luna Group, resulting in long-term contracts and strategic brand collaborations
Launched and managed the agency’s social media presence on Instagram and Facebook, significantly increasing brand visibility and generating inbound leads that contributed to overall revenue growth
Developed comprehensive full-service marketing packages that consistently resulted in higher-value contracts, improving client lifetime value and increasing client acquisition rates through innovative strategies Managing Director Marketing Dec 2022 - Feb 2024 · 1 yr 3 mos

Managing Director Marketing

As the Head of Digital Marketing, my main achievement was turning a 1M SAR loss at Funland Family Entertainment Center into a 500K SAR profit within a short period. This included implementing data-driven promotional strategies, optimizing pricing models, and launching engaging events that significantly increased visitor participation. Adding on, I executed marketing campaigns that generated 1.8M SAR in a single month and increased foot traffic across five mall locations, ensuring high tenant satisfaction and lease renewals. Above all, I leveraged digital and social media platforms to enhance brand awareness, making Funland a leading entertainment destination.

Head of Digital Marketing & Communications - Real Estate Management & Family Entertainment Manager

As the Head of Digital Marketing, my main achievement was leading digital transformation initiatives that resulted in a 40% increase in conversion rates. This included integrating data-driven marketing tools, implementing customer engagement strategies, and launching high-impact campaigns that boosted brand loyalty. Adding on, I played a key role in rebranding major hospitality and retail properties, leading to increased market appeal and revenue growth. Above all, my expertise in F&B marketing drove exceptional results, with Ruby/Almas Lounge achieving a 335% revenue surge and Liwan Garden experiencing a 200% sales increase within six months.

Head of Digital Marketing & Communications - Real Estate Management & FEC

As the Group Digital Marketing Manager, my main achievement was successfully launching 17 retail branches, driving brand expansion and market penetration. This included executing targeted marketing campaigns, developing strategic partnerships, and enhancing customer engagement through personalized promotions. Adding on, I managed seasonal product launches and VIP events that strengthened brand recognition and customer loyalty. Above all, I played a key role in shaping the digital marketing landscape for luxury retail and F&B brands, ensuring sustained revenue growth and competitive market positioning.

Group Digital Marketing Manager

Skills: Market Planning · Business Development · Marketing · Selling

Project Manager

Show Manager

Marketing Manager

Assistant-Market Research

Growth doesn’t come from posting more.
It comes from thinking better.

The community is built on trust, relevance, and genuine conversations about leadership.

There is no chance that this is happening.
It's the result of everyone thinking the same way,
And seeing things the same way.

Every follow, comment, and conversation makes it clear what you want:
Strategy over noise
It is crucial to prioritize leadership over strategy.
Taking action rather than merely discussing plans is essential.

The people who worked on this milestone own it.
Leaders who are involved on purpose.
Professionals who think carefully about new ideas.
Connections who care more about depth than volume.

Thank you to the 11,000 professionals on LinkedIn who shape this area with their trust, support, and meaningful interaction.

I'll keep sharing useful, honest, and real-life insights.
We get better when we learn together.

What should we talk about next?
👇 Let’s get real insights in the comments.

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Marketing isn’t a cost anymore. 
It’s the growth engine.

In 2026, Saudi businesses are shifting from awareness to accountability—turning marketing into a measurable driver of revenue across hospitality, retail, real estate, healthcare, and more.

This week’s newsletter breaks down how 7 sectors are making the shift.
👇 Which sector needs it most in 2026?
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How Saudi businesses are redefining marketing as a core revenue engine In 2026, Saudi Arabia’s most competitive sectors are no longer treating marketi

Open article: Marketing in 2026 Isn’t What You Say.                      It’s What You Deliver. by Mazen Makarem, CDMP • 3 min read

Marketing in 2026 Isn’t What You Say.                      It’s What You Deliver.

You Have 3 Seconds to Matter. 
Then You’re Ignored.

Not because your product is weak.
Not because your campaign lacks creativity.

But because you missed the micromoment.

In 2026, attention is decided in seconds.
People act fast. 
Decide faster. 
Scroll fastest.

The brands that win don’t run campaigns.
They appear exactly when a need arises.

A search.
A swipe.
A last-minute decision.

That’s the moment that converts, or disappears.

If you’re not designed for speed, relevance, and instant value, you’re invisible.

👇Let’s get real insights in the comments.
Are you building campaigns or capturing moments?

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Information Is Everywhere. 
Blindness Is Strategic.

“In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.” Donny Miller

As a marketing advisor, I see this daily.
Data is available. 
Signals are visible. 
Markets are talking.

Yet many organizations still operate on instinct, habit, or legacy thinking.
Not because insight is missing, but because facing it requires change.

In 2026, ignorance is no longer accidental.
It’s a decision to ignore customer behavior, market shifts, sustainability pressure, and performance truth.

Smart marketing is not about having more information.
It’s about having the discipline to act on it.

The real competitive advantage?
Leaders who choose awareness, even when it’s uncomfortable.
It's your turn now.
👇Let’s get real insights in the comments.

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Managing People Creates Output. 
Building People Creates Companies.

I learned the hard way that leading a team isn’t the same as building one.  

Most managers think their job is to keep people on track.  
To delegate.  
To review.  
To correct mistakes.  
But here’s what I realized after two decades of marketing leadership across real estate, F&B, hospitality, and retail.  

Managing people is about control.  
Building people is about growth.  

If you’re only managing, here’s what your team starts to feel:  
→ Watched, but not trusted.
→ Directed, but rarely inspired.
→ Tasked, but not challenged.  

The result?  
Mediocre output, high turnover, and a culture of compliance instead of innovation.  

But when you focus on building people, everything shifts.  
Here’s how I started making that change:  
Invest in skills, not just results.

↳ I sent team members to workshops even when it meant missing deadlines.  
Swap feedback for mentorship.

↳ Instead of pointing out errors, I asked: What did we learn? 
Could you let me know what you'll try next?  
Share the spotlight.

↳ When we landed a 2M SAR deal, the person who led the pitch got the recognition.  
Set goals beyond KPIs.

↳ Personal growth plans, not just performance reviews.  
Encourage risk-taking.

↳ I celebrated failed campaigns as much as successful ones if the lessons were clear.  

The impact?
→ Team members started proposing bold ideas.
→ They owned results, good or bad.
→ Retention skyrocketed.
→ Our campaigns got smarter, faster, and more creative.  

In my experience, great brands aren’t built by managed teams.  
They’re built by empowered, developed, and trusted people.  

If you want innovation, loyalty, and real growth, stop managing.  
Start building.  

Tag someone who builds people, not just manages them.

Are you managing people, or building them?
👇Let’s get real insights in the comments.

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2026 is the year marketing stops asking for budget approval,
And starts earning investment confidence.

This statement is not motivational.
It is structural.

For decades, marketing was evaluated as an execution function:
Campaigns, channels, visibility, short-term lift.
That era is ending.


💡Marketing Has Entered Its Capital Allocation Era

In 2026, marketing maturity is defined by how decisions are made, not how content is posted.

Advanced marketing organizations are built on five academic pillars:

● Strategic Intent
Marketing begins with market definition, value proposition architecture, and demand logic, not content calendars.
If the strategy is unclear, execution only amplifies confusion.

● Market Intelligence
Serious marketing is driven by research, segmentation science, pricing psychology, and behavioral insights.
Opinion is replaced by evidence.
Assumptions are stress-tested against data.

● Portfolio Thinking
Budgets are no longer “spend plans.”
They are portfolios of bets; balanced between brand equity, demand capture, innovation, and long-term growth.

● Governance & Measurement
Marketing earns confidence when it speaks the language of boards:
ROI, risk mitigation, lifetime value, brand valuation, and sustainability impact.
Not likes. Not reach.

● Enterprise Alignment
Marketing is not a department.
It is a system that aligns product, operations, finance, and growth narratives into one market truth.

👉 In this model, social media is a distribution layer, not the discipline.
Campaigns are outputs, not the strategy itself.

The marketers who will lead in 2026 are not better posters.
They are better thinkers, architects, and advisors.

Is your marketing practice operational or investment-grade?
It's your turn now.
👇Let’s get real insights in the comments.

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Marketing doesn’t fail because ideas are weak.
It fails because decisions are delayed.

Speed is strategy.

If you think Saudi marketing is about flashy billboards and celebrity faces, you are missing the real story.

It is about earning trust in a market where trust is everything.

Saudi consumers are not passive. 
They are proud, curious, and digitally connected like never before.

They spot inauthenticity a mile away. 
They reward brands that show up, listen, and adapt.

Vision 2030 is not just a government plan. It is a mindset shift. 
It is a call to build, innovate, and belong.

Marketing here is not about selling a product. 
It is about joining a movement.

If your brand is not inspiring Saudis to dream bigger, you are just another ad in the feed.

So, what does your brand stand for in the new Saudi Arabia?

I would love to hear your answer.

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