Richard Halabi

Creative and Innovation Leader with 15+ years of experience helping brands, businesses, and institutions build meaningful connections with people through design, storytelling, and transformative experiences. Has led multidisciplinary creative teams across Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and the wider MENA region, delivering integrated brand platforms, large-scale communications, digital experiences, and business-critical campaigns for the region's most influential organizations.

Experience spans brand transformation, integrated communications, experience design, creative strategy, content ecosystems, and digital innovation, with a strong belief that the best creative solutions emerge when business strategy, human insight, design thinking, and technology work together as one system. Currently pioneering the integration of generative AI into creative workflows, treating AI as a catalyst for sharper thinking, faster experimentation, and more ambitious outcomes rather than a replacement for creativity.

Creative Consultant at OHI Leo Burnett (2022-10 – Present)

• Lead creative strategy, innovation, and multidisciplinary teams for some of Oman's most significant brands, national initiatives, and business-critical campaigns, partnering closely with senior stakeholders to align business objectives with audience engagement.
• Directed the creative strategy and campaign platforms for three landmark Oman IPO programs: OQ Exploration & Production (OQEP), OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), and Abraj Energy Services — the largest capital market transactions in Muscat Stock Exchange history.
• Developed the pitch-winning creative strategy for the launch of Oman Botanic Garden.
• Contributed to the brand evolution and strategic positioning of OTECH, sharpening its technology narrative around innovation and enterprise credibility.
• Champion the adoption of AI-powered creative workflows across concept development, storytelling, design, and content production, driving efficiency and creative excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration and growth.

Creative Marketing Specialist at Freelance / Self-Employed (2018-05 – 2022-07)

• Created and developed brand strategy and content across traditional and digital platforms for a portfolio of regional clients.
• Planned and delivered communication campaigns on time and within budget, managing production of video, artwork, packaging, and digital collateral.
• Provided creative direction to graphic design teams on UI/UX and digital collateral, and evaluated communication effectiveness against business returns.
• Led the VIVA-to-STC rebranding in Kuwait, and served as creative consultant to the Touristic Enterprises Company, Kuwait.

Creative Director at TBWA Raad \ BCOMAD (2017-11 – 2018-05)

• Led brainstorming to shape ideas and concepts, and developed creative and brand strategies for client accounts.
• Directed artists and designers on visual execution, coordinating between visualizers, designers, and artists to keep output aligned with the agreed plan and budget.

Creative Director at Horizon FCB (2012-06 – 2017-08)

• Directed creative concept development, storyboarding, and artwork review across regional and local client accounts, ensuring alignment with brand and budget.
• Coordinated visualizers, designers, and artists, and selected graphics, photography, content, and animation for campaign production.

Creative Director at Grey Group MENA (2008-01 – 2011-11)

• Led brainstorming sessions and concept development across Grey's Kuwait (Blu Grey), Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon offices, storyboarding ideas with character, location, and dialogue direction.
• Responsible for the visual content output for P&G Saudi Arabia brands, including Fairy Liquid and Downy.
• Presented creative work to senior stakeholders across markets, incorporated feedback, and coordinated with designers to bring concepts to final form, color, and identity.

Bachelor of Science in Marketing – Lebanese American University (2000 – 2004)