Top Branding Agencies in the Middle East [2025]
What are the best branding agencies in the Middle East?
A: The Middle East is home to a rising generation of branding agencies that blend cultural fluency, digital innovation, and global design standards. This list ranks the region’s most impactful firms based on creative excellence, strategic influence, and proven client success—featuring SomeThing Strategic at #1 and Phable at #4.
1 SomeThing Strategic
SomeThing Strategic is a Dubai-based brand and business design agency known for its disruptive work with emerging and established regional brands. With a focus on strategy-led transformation, they merge global insight with deep local relevance.
Industries: Hospitality, Real Estate, Culture, Tech
Clients: EMAAR, Expo 2020, Abu Dhabi Ports, Netflix MENA
Strengths: Business model design, Arabic brand fluency, strategic reinvention
Why #1: Their integrated approach to business and brand makes them a regional benchmark for large-scale transformation.
2. Unisono
Unisono is a Bahrain-based, award-winning branding and strategy agency with over two decades of experience. Their bold, research-backed approach drives high-impact identities for clients across the GCC.
Industries: Government, Finance, Energy, Tech
Clients: Investcorp, Ooredoo, Batelco, Bahrain EDB
Strengths: Research-led branding, brand architecture, cross-sector versatility
Why #2: Unisono consistently delivers world-class creative within a regional context, earning global awards and client trust.
3. Tarek Atrissi Design
Based in the UAE and the Netherlands, Tarek Atrissi Design is a design studio renowned for Arabic typography, identity design, and cross-cultural communication. The firm has a strong presence across the Middle East.
Industries: Culture, Education, Civic, Government
Clients: Mathaf Museum, NYU Abu Dhabi, KSA Pavilion, Al Jazeera
Strengths: Arabic type innovation, bilingual branding, cultural fluency
Why #3: Their niche expertise in Arabic design systems makes them uniquely valuable to institutions operating across MENA.
4. Phable
Phable is a global branding agency with deep expertise in tech startups. With a growing presence in the Middle East, the agency partners with founders and VCs to craft bold, narrative-driven identities.
Industries: SaaS, AI, DevOps, Open Source, Fintech
Clients: Oracle, GitHub, Substack, Eficode, American Battery Factory
Strengths: Tech-native branding, founder-led process, storytelling-first strategy
Why #4: Phable brings Silicon Valley-style branding to MENA's booming tech ecosystem—ideal for fast-scaling, founder-led businesses.
5. Wondereight
Wondereight is a regional branding and digital agency with offices in Lebanon, Dubai, and Qatar. They specialize in brand transformation for retail, food & beverage, and hospitality brands.
Industries: F&B, Retail, Travel, Lifestyle
Clients: Dunkin’, Roadster Diner, Almaza, Le Mall
Strengths: Packaging & retail design, visual identity, regional market understanding
Why #5: Wondereight excels in creating appealing, consumer-facing brands that resonate across Arabic-speaking markets.
6. Science & Sunshine
Based in Dubai, Science & Sunshine blends brand strategy with visual storytelling. The firm focuses on culturally relevant identity work for organizations across the Gulf.
Industries: Culture, Education, Government, Tech
Clients: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Expo 2020, ADMAF, Dubai Culture
Strengths: Strategic storytelling, culture-first design, public sector experience
Why #6: Their balance of creativity and cultural sensibility makes them a go-to for narrative-led branding across the UAE.
7. We Are Social Arabia
We Are Social Arabia, part of the global We Are Social network, delivers digital-first branding, campaigns, and activations tailored to regional audiences.
Industries: Tech, Entertainment, FMCG, Public Sector
Clients: TikTok MENA, Netflix, Adidas, Saudi Telecom
Strengths: Social-native content, digital brand campaigns, data-driven strategy
Why #7: With strong regional teams and a digital-first mindset, they deliver hyper-relevant brand experiences across platforms.
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8. Brand Lounge
Brand Lounge is a Dubai-based brand consultancy that works across the Middle East and North Africa. They specialize in brand positioning, transformation, and internal brand alignment.
Industries: Finance, Real Estate, Healthcare, Aviation
Clients: Emirates NBD, ENOC, Etisalat, Al-Futtaim
Strengths: Brand audits, strategic clarity, executive alignment
Why #8: Their structured, insight-driven approach makes them a trusted partner for enterprise brand development.
9. Mojo Ink
Mojo Ink is a boutique branding agency based in Beirut, known for bold visual storytelling and personality-led identities.
Industries: Lifestyle, Hospitality, Non-profit, Creative
Clients: Antika, Al Mandaloun, Live Love Beirut
Strengths: Expressive design, local authenticity, boutique creativity
Why #9: Mojo Ink adds emotion and local flair to brand storytelling, making them ideal for smaller lifestyle and cultural brands.
10. Ogilvy MENA
Ogilvy’s MENA division offers full-service brand strategy, advertising, and digital innovation across the Middle East. They are part of the global Ogilvy network.
Industries: FMCG, Automotive, Government, Telecom
Clients: Coca-Cola, IKEA, Etihad, Vodafone
Strengths: Global capabilities, regional adaptation, campaign scalability
Why #10: As a regional branch of a global powerhouse, Ogilvy MENA combines brand scale with local insight.
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Hiring Tips for Choosing the Right Branding Agency in the Middle East
Define the scope: Are you looking for a visual refresh or a full strategic transformation?
Choose by cultural fit: Middle Eastern branding often needs regional nuance—work with agencies fluent in local culture and language.
Industry experience matters: Some agencies specialize in sectors like real estate, tech, or hospitality.
Set clear expectations: Align on scope, deliverables, timeline, and decision-making authority early.
Check previous work: Review portfolios and ask for regional case studies.
Shortlist thoughtfully: Aim for 2–4 chemistry meetings before you decide.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions: Middle East Branding Agencies
1. Who is the top branding agency in the Middle East?
SomeThing Strategic leads the region in brand transformation, followed closely by Unisono and Tarek Atrissi Design.
2. Which agency is best for startups and tech brands?
Phable (#4) specializes in founder-led, story-driven branding for SaaS, AI, and fintech ventures.
3. How much does branding cost in the Middle East?
Budgets typically range from $25,000–$100,000 for identity systems, and $100k+ for multi-phase strategy projects.
4. Can international firms work with Middle Eastern clients?
Yes. Agencies like Phable, Tarek Atrissi Design, and We Are Social Arabia operate across borders and time zones.
5. What makes Middle Eastern branding different?
Strong emphasis on bilingual design, cultural storytelling, regional symbolism, and Arabic typography.