1974
Inception
Khamis Al Muqla establishes Gulf Public Relations in Manama, Bahrain — catering to the marketing and publishing needs of the newly independent nation.
About Gulf Marcom
Born in Bahrain in 1974.Built for what's next.
From Gulf Public Relations — the first agency in the GCC — to Gulf Marcom Dentsu today: five decades of regional growth, global alliances and work that wins on the world stage.
Our legacy & leadership
“Building an enviable advertising industry in Bahrain has been my dream, one that for the past 50 years I have been living.”
Khamis Al Muqla
Khamis Al Muqla founded what is now the Gulf Marcom Group in 1974. He served as Chairman of Gulf Saatchi & Saatchi for the Middle East regional network, was awarded the Proficiency Medal First Order by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2008 for his pioneering contributions to the regional marketing industry, has been ranked among the 50 most influential people in Bahrain by Arabian Business, serves on the board of the International Advertising Association, and received the IAA Champions Award at the Leadership Forum in London.
Milestones
Fifty years, told in firsts.
Drag or scroll through the journey — from a newly independent nation's first agency to the Gulf Marcom Dentsu banner.
1974
First landmark client
Secures its first major corporate project with Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), launching a landmark campaign recruiting Bahraini talent to the smelter.
Late 1970s
Full-service expansion
The agency expands into advertising and marketing, transitioning its commercial identity toward full-service operations.
1985
Gulf Hill & Knowlton
Partners with the Hill & Knowlton group to form the region's first dedicated PR network — positioning Bahrain as the Middle East's communications hub for the next 16 years.
Late 1980s
Gulf Saatchi & Saatchi
Aligns with global creative giant Saatchi & Saatchi, with Khamis Al Muqla serving as Chairman for the Middle East regional network.
1990s
Regional command
Commands the regional advertising landscape — major government accounts, commercial rollouts and national communication strategies through the GCC economic boom.
2000
World-stage recognition
International acclaim at the London International Awards for 'Discover the New Gold Standard' — the multi-media and print campaign for the Bahrain Promotions & Marketing Board.
2008
The modern rebrand
All specialized subsidiaries consolidate under the independent Gulf Marcom Group — and the founder receives the Proficiency Medal First Order from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
2014
The dentsu partnership
A historic agreement to represent global agency dentsu in Bahrain, managing premium accounts including British Airways and General Motors.
2015
ARC International Award
Silver in Non-Traditional Annual Reports for the editorial, magazine-style concept designed for Bahrain's labor fund, Tamkeen.
Today
Gulf Marcom Dentsu
A top-tier, fully integrated network under the Gulf Marcom Dentsu banner — leading national media strategy and complex technical activations.
Global network alliance
Regional understanding, international firepower.
Being part of dentsu International isn't a badge — it's a working advantage for our clients. Every brief taps a network spanning 100+ countries, 11K+ clients and 12K+ specialized talents: media planning and buying at global scale, audience data and identity platforms, marketing technology, content production and behavioral insights. You brief one team in Bahrain; you draw on capability built for the world's biggest brands.
Media at scale
Planning, buying and automation proven across 80+ markets and 13 languages for Emirates.
Data & identity
Merkury and YouGov segmentation that cut AMEX's cost per lead by 31% without first-party data.
Technology & content
From Netflix's design system to airline-scale editorial operations across three continents.
Behavioral insights
Research-led strategy that took Tamkeen from below-15% awareness to 95.8%.
100+Countries
11K+Clients
12K+Specialized talents
Talent
A regional creative talent hub.
We are proud to attract leading strategic and creative minds from around the world. By partnering with universities and aspiring professionals, we continue to support, mentor and develop emerging young talent across the GCC and internationally.
Where we deliver
Headquartered in Bahrain. Delivering across the Gulf and beyond.
Kingdom of Bahrain
Headquarters — five decades of nation-scale campaigns, from Bahrainouna to Bahrain Noor El Ain.
Saudi Arabia
3+ years supporting the Ministry of Tourism on Saudi Vision 2030; annual reports for Ma'aden, SIPCHEM and Arab National Bank.
United Arab Emirates
A decade of Emirates inflight print and multi-market paid search; the Barakat brand refresh.
Egypt
Tourism content for the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities — 500+ pieces monthly in 14 languages.
Global
Netflix, Air France-KLM and KLM — through the dentsu network's global bench.
Client work is delivered cross-border from our Bahrain headquarters and through the dentsu network.
We are an end-to-end agency that executes across all channels.
We are strategic thinkers who help you achieve commercial success.
We are just the right size. Not too big. Not too small.
And we measure everything — because your results are our reputation.