Aric Wood & Riad Makdessi
DOHA: Despite the ongoing blockade, local and international companies are continuing to expand their operations and investments in Qatar. ADabisc, a leading Qatari communications agency, announced yesterday to have established a new joint venture (JV) with the US-based design consultancy XPLANE. The partnership marks XPLANE’s first foray into the Middle East, with Qatar leading its strategic expansion plan in the region.
The new venture, XPLANE M.E., will launch with an initial office in Qatar, in partnership with ADabisc, delivering people-centered design solutions to help businesses solve the most complex organizational and communications challenges.
XPLANE is based in Portland, USA, and has offices in San Francisco, Amsterdam, and now in Doha. Combined with ADabisc’s market-leading capabilities in advertising, communications, and entertainment, the entity will provide a full suite of services for its clients to engage with the complete spectrum of consumers, employees and partners.
Aric Wood, CEO of XPLANE, said: “We are delighted to bring our design-centric expertise to the Middle East, while at the same time tapping into the brilliant opportunities that Qatar offers as one of the region’s fastest growing economies. The country stands in the spotlight of business innovation and continues to excel in its vision of diversified development. We are thrilled to have chosen ADabisc as our partners in global expansion.”
Riad Makdessi, Managing Partner at ADabisc, said: “We are extremely proud of our venture with XPLANE. For over a decade now, ADabisc has helped some of Qatar’s leading brands to establish recognition and responsiveness with their intended audiences. Driven by a design thinking philosophy, we are passionate about transforming challenges into opportunities.”
