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Imagination Middle East welcomes new Head of Strategy, Christophe Castagnera

07 September 2022
Head of Strategy, Christophe Castagnera

Head of Strategy for EMEA, Christophe Castagnera, is relocating to take on a newly created role as Head of Strategy for Imagination Middle East. Castagnera’s unique skill set and world-class leadership will be used to spearhead Imagination’s global presence and develop the company’s consultancy offer in this rapidly growing region of business.

Castagnera will be based in Dubai with a remit including the newly expanded Riyadh and Doha offices. He will focus on strategic development and nurture trusted relationships with key client partners to harness the opportunities that are flourishing in the region due to the growth in experience design and connected experience consultancy, particularly on large-scale transformation projects.

He will work across an exciting, high-profile client portfolio comprising both governmental and private sector businesses, including KSA, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait.

Having worked at Imagination since 2005, Castagnera’s move is a natural next step in his professional career. His cultural insight, commercial and business acumen and creative vision combined with his experience in design-thinking methodologies will support the Middle East team’s goal to continue delivering innovative and impactful solutions for clients while understanding the diverse culture and vision of the region.

Adel Noueihed, Regional Managing Director, Imagination Middle East, said: "The Middle East is home to some of the most ambitious experience design projects in the world. Christophe has been a key factor in the success of our consultancy offer and we both agreed the time was right for him to relocate to the region. This will mean our local strategy function has the key leadership in place to continue to go from strength to strength while key clients will benefit from the proximity of talent. Christophe is also being tasked with bringing some of our best practices to the region such as our innovation lab and training and development programmes. We are delighted that Christophe has decided to join us here in the Middle East."

Christophe Castagnera, Head of Strategy, Imagination Middle East said: “Imagination is renowned for creating strategic, innovative experiences, pushing the boundaries at every opportunity. I am proud to have been at the heart of many such programmes and now is the moment to fully focus on supporting our clients in the Middle East to achieve their strategic vision. The region is driven by a dynamic, younger population combined with the ambition of brands and governments, and underpinned by a rich and diverse heritage. These are the factors that make this new role such an exciting opportunity”

Castagnera joins the growing team to widen and accelerate the talent and diversity of the growing regional offer which now spans three offices. He will work alongside Adel Noueihed, Regional Managing Director, Imagination Middle East and a host of other new senior joiners including Maher Abou Arraj, Finance Director, MENA, Lucia Nash, People & Culture Manager, MENA and Sarah Mattar, Legal Counsel, MENA.

Christophe Castagnera, Head of Strategy, Middle East

Christophe Castagnera

Head of Strategy, Imagination Middle East

Christophe has 24 years of experience in experience design, brand and marketing engagement for clients and agencies. He works across our offer of Consulting, Destinations, Live and Content and develops through-the-line strategies to develop & communicate destinations ranging from Retail Developments to Theme Parks.

He has a vast array of sector experience, from automotive and tourism to FMCG, luxury and technology.

He understands Brand communications strategy of the highest level, for example, the development of the Global Brand Campaign Strategy for Rolls-Royce. Regionally he was Involved in the Marketing Activation for the Al Wasl Development in Dubai, MDL Beast and Expo 2020, including integrated communications, brand positioning, messaging, channel planning and the measurement framework.

CORE SKILLS

  • Consulting in experience blueprints and business models

  • Destinations and placemaking strategy

  • Customer experience design & journeys

  • Data analytics and reporting

  • Primary research including qualitative and quantitative

  • Integrated marketing & communications planning

  • Project management (communications and events)

  • Budgeting / financial planning

  • Digital content management and research

EXPERIENCE

  • Christophe works across our offers, including, Consulting, Destinations, Live and Content and develops through-the-line strategies to communicate destinations ranging from Retail Developments to Theme Parks.

  • He understands Brand communications strategy of the highest level, for example, the development of the Global Brand Campaign Strategy for Rolls-Royce Ghost through; Insights and research planning, client discovery and strategy workshop, development of a creative platform proposal and integrated communications plan.

  • Regionally he was Involved in the Marketing Activation for the Al Wasl Development in Dubai, the Strategic development of MDL Beast programme of experiences and cultural activations across KSA.

  • He also worked directly for Expo 2020 client team on a long-term consultancy basis, developed Connected Experience Strategy for integrated communications, brand positioning, messaging, channel planning and measurement framework.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business (BSC) from Aston University, UK

  • IPM Diploma and Member (Institute of Marketing)

  • Member of the IPA Master Certification & Effectiveness Council

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

  • 24+ years experience