Guest bio
- Global client lead at WPP and VML, with more than 22 years leading global brands, agencies and client relationships.
- World president and chairman of the International Advertising Association, one of the youngest in its 87-year history.
- Was group CEO for New York and the Midwest at Wunderman Thompson, and earlier ran JWT in the Middle East and North Africa.
Sasan Saeidi is a global client lead at WPP and VML, with more than 22 years leading global brands, agencies and client relationships for companies including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Samsung, P&G, Volkswagen and Google. At WPP since 2017, he has been group CEO for New York and the Midwest at Wunderman Thompson and global chief business officer at VML; earlier he was regional CEO of JWT in the Middle East and North Africa and managing director of McCann in the region, with client leadership roles from New York and London to Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo. He is world president and chairman of the International Advertising Association, one of the youngest in its 87-year history. He has studied AI and business transformation at the University of Oxford, and is passionate about basketball, fashion and history.
Show notes
In this Advertising-special episode of Money Majlis, we sit down with Sasan Saeidi, global client lead at WPP & VML and the current world president of the International Advertising Association to understand the playbook of modern advertising.
Sasan’s journey - from New York’s Madison Avenue to the vibrant streets of Dubai - reads like the script of a modern-day Mad Men, but with a distinctly international twist.
Sasan shares what makes regional brands unique, and why understanding local consumers is more crucial than ever in a globalized world. He unpacks the anatomy of truly effective campaigns, drawing on his experience with iconic brands like Coca Cola, Mazda and KitKat. Sasan reveals the collaborative dance between client and agency, and why great advertising is never just about a clever idea - it’s about partnership, trust, and relentless curiosity. And about balancing technology with humanity.
We tackle the challenge of declining customer engagement and the rise of experiential marketing, discussing how brands can move beyond fleeting impressions to build lasting loyalty and emotional resonance. Can brands authentically balance purpose and profit? How do you navigate the risks of polarization in today’s divided world? Should agencies chase awards or results? Do creative campaigns drive higher sales? Is BX more important than CX? And what does it really take to connect with Gen Z and Gen Alpha?
Sasan offers a front-row perspective on how generative AI and data is reshaping creative work, on the future skillset for marketers, the war for creative and analytical talent, and why the human touch will always matter - even as machines get smarter.
Tune in for a masterclass in creativity, leadership, and the future of advertising with one of the industry’s most dynamic and insightful leaders.
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