Following a hard-fought review and pitch against the MENA region’s major media players, UM Dubai has successfully landed the regional media planning and buying account for Sun & Sand Sports.

Effective immediately, UM Dubai will handle integrated media duties from its MCN Hive headquarters for the sports retail giant’s 90 brands across the entire MENA region.

Sun & Sand Sports offers world-famous brand names such as Timberland, Columbia, Arena, Vans, Dunlop, and Kettler, among many others, across various sports categories via its network of more than 100 stores in six markets across the Middle East. Within 30 years, it has become the most popular sporting retailer in the region. Currently, it is the largest retailer and wholesaler of sporting goods across the Middle East.

“UM Dubai’s passion and insight into the Sun & Sand Sports brand, and clear understanding of our business shone through the pitch process at all points and were key factors in our decision to appoint the agency as our media partner,” said Mohamad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman of Sun & Sports. “With a first-class digital capability and the network’s scale and footprint providing improved marketing efficiencies, we are delighted to be working with UM Dubai and look forward to a fruitful and long term partnership.”

Kudos to the Dubai office for harnessing the strength of the UM network and the power of curious thinking in order to land such an impressive client.

Well done!