At a time when growth is hard to come by in traditional markets, the Gulf offers something rare: scale, ambition, excitement and clients hungry for transformation.

In this episode of Waypointers, partner Jim Houghton sits down with colleague, MD Gary Whyte to explore the opportunity and discuss why it’s not always a straightforward play for agencies; missteps can easily happen for businesses that don’t do their homework.

Gary shares practical lessons from working with independent agencies across Dubai and the wider GCC region including a highlight; taking fast-growing local agency Create Group on a journey that culminated in Gary and his team advising on their sale to Stagwell earlier this year.

Whether you’re considering acquisition, expansion or partnership, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating a market where growth is very much on the table, but local knowledge is key.

This episode kicks off a new Waypoint series focused on the Middle East, offering advice for anyone looking to enter the market or take their existing operations further.

A Market That’s Scaling Fast

GDP in the region is growing at double the rate of many developed economies. Client budgets are expanding, and agency leaders aren’t talking about survival, they’re grappling with how to manage aggressive growth. If you’re chasing scale, this is a region you can’t afford to ignore.

The Challenges Behind the Headlines

Rapid growth comes with real operational pressure, especially around working capital, as well as long payment cycles. Faced with this kind of headache, Gary explains why some founders are choosing to partner with global buyers to unlock the next stage, and what smart agencies are doing to stay ahead.

Why Local Knowledge Wins

Expat-led teams still dominate in many cases, but the real success stories blend global thinking with deep regional insight. Understanding cultural nuance and building local capability is proving critical, not just to operate, but to compete at scale.

Deals Are Getting Done

From Stagwell/Create to Elevate/RISE Group and M&C Saatchi S&E/DUNE I 23, M&A in the region is accelerating, with family offices, networks, and global players all active. Gary breaks down what’s driving recent activity, and what buyers and sellers need to prepare for, from regulatory approval to market-specific dynamics.

Follow the link for a view on how to unlock the region’s potential.