The Interactive Advertising Bureau MENA (IAB MENA) has unveiled its newly elected Board for the 2026–2027 term following its General Assembly held on 27 January 2026. The announcement marks a new leadership chapter for the organisation as it continues to strengthen the digital advertising ecosystem across the region.
The new Board brings together 15 organisations spanning agencies, technology platforms, publishers, and sales houses. These include Publicis Media, Omnicom Media Group, Havas Middle East, MCN, WPP Media, Amazon, ByteDance, Google, Snap, The Trade Desk, Multiply Media Group, Choueiri Group, MBC Group, Rotana Media Services (RMS), and W Group—reflecting broad representation from across the industry.
As part of the transition, Michel Malkoun, Chief Growth Officer at Choueiri Group, stepped down from his role as Chair after completing the maximum number of consecutive terms. The newly formed Board subsequently elected Nisrine Ghazal, Vice President – Digital at Rotana Media Services, as Chair, and Elie Milan, Chief Performance Officer at Publicis Media Middle East, as Vice Chair.
Reflecting on his tenure, Michel Malkoun said, “Serving as Chair of IAB MENA has been a privilege and a meaningful chapter in my professional journey. Over the past years, we have strengthened the organization’s governance, expanded membership, elevated industry standards, and reinforced IAB MENA’s role as a trusted voice for the digital ecosystem across the region.”
He added, “These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our Board, members, and team. As I step down in line with the term limits, I am confident the newly elected Board will build on this strong foundation. I extend my full support and wish Nisrine Ghazal and Elie Milan every success in leading IAB MENA into its next phase of growth and impact.”
Commenting on her appointment, Nisrine Ghazal said, “I am honoured to take on the role of Chair of IAB MENA and grateful for the trust of the Board. Building on the progress achieved to date, the organisation is entering its next phase of growth and industry influence.”
She further added, “Guided by the collective input of IAB MENA members, my focus will be on strengthening collaboration across publishers, agencies, and technology platforms, and on advancing standards and initiatives that meaningfully support the market. I look forward to working closely with the Board, the Vice Chair, and the Executive Director to ensure IAB MENA continues to serve the entire ecosystem and help shape a sustainable future for digital advertising in the region.”
Elie Milan, newly elected Vice Chair, said, “It’s an honour to serve as Vice Chair and to build on what Michel and the Board have achieved. The focus now is on strengthening trust and accountability across our industry, publishers, agencies, and platforms working together on delivering clear value and impactful standards that drive the MENA ecosystem forward. IAB MENA has the right members around the table to make meaningful progress, and I’m looking forward to contributing to that.”
During the General Assembly, Executive Director Ian Manning shared an overview of the organisation’s achievements over the past year, highlighting the expansion in the quality and quantity of member resources. He also outlined IAB MENA’s 2026 roadmap, which includes deeper focus on industry challenges, increased member engagement, and content-led events supported by leading global speakers.
Members also contributed insights as the association continues its evolution—from addressing local market needs to playing a central role in setting industry standards that promote trust, sustainability, and long-term success across the digital advertising landscape in MENA.
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