Noor means ‘light’ in Arabic
Ogilvy Noor is the world’s first bespoke Islamic Branding practice, offering expert practical advice on how to build brands that appeal to Muslim consumers, globally.
Noor means ‘light’ in Arabic – and perfectly encapsulates our aim to illuminate and bring to life the world of the Muslim consumer today.
We combine decades of experience and best practice in marketing successfully to Muslim consumers globally, with pioneering up-to-the-minute research conducted to shed light on the lives, needs and desires of the new Muslim consumer today. We then turn these insights into practical guidance for your brand and market.
Ogilvy Noor is led by a team of experts based in key Muslim markets in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
Our core team
John Goodman, Regional Director
Ogilvy & Mather South and South East Asia
John is an Ogilvy veteran having worked in London, Prague, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo and Bangkok during his 21 years with the agency. His experience crosses all core communications disciplines, and he has worked with almost every major international client on the Ogilvy roster. In 1999 he became a Muslim and is currently studying for a distance learning MA in Islamic Studies at the University of Wales. John is the President of Ogilvy Noor.
Shelina Janmohamed, Vice President, Ogilvy Noor
Based in London, Shelina is a recognised expert in Muslim marketing, the author of novel ‘Love in a Headscarf’ that has been published in eight languages, and an award-winning blogger. Shelina brings fifteen years of global blue-chip marketing experience with her, as well as ongoing dialogues with young Muslims from across the Muslim world. With her unique British-Muslim perspective and commercial background she hopes to increase understanding and awareness of Muslim consumers and their increasing importance in today’s world. Shelina is also the author of Ogilvy Noor’s website, blog and AdCritique. Shelina has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world, and more specifically one of the UK’s 100 most influential Muslim women. The UK’s Institute of Practitioners in Advertising awarded her ‘Woman of Tomorrow’, one of ten future female leaders of the British advertising industry.
Agha Azfar Ali, Chief Executive Officer
Ogilvy & Mather Pakistan
Based in Pakistan, initially Agha joined O&M Pakistan as GM for Karachi and gradually rose to the position of CEO and is successfully managing a diverse work force of around 140 people, in two cities, across three departments namely Client Service, Strategic Planning and Creative. Although his association with Ogilvy Pakistan is only of a few years but his experience in the advertising world spans over a period of more than 17 years.
Will Taylor, Director of Strategy
Ogilvy Public Relations, Indonesia
Will Taylor is Director of Strategy for Ogilvy Public Relations, Pulse Communications, Ogilvy Noor and Ogilvy Social. He is based in Jakarta and directs communications strategy for domestic and international companies and NGOs within Indonesia and the region. Current clients include well-known brands in the technology, heavy machinery, education, finance and sports sectors.
Prior to joining Ogilvy, Will worked in Indonesia as an independent brand and strategy consultant, helping companies develop their corporate identity. Clients included: EF; Austindo, a privately-held agriculture and food group; and The Coral Triangle Center. He also worked for a ministry of the Indonesian government.
Before moving to Indonesia, Will was Vice President of Marketing for EF, in London and Boston, covering the United States, Europe and Russia. He began his career in film development, production and distribution, starting at Sony Pictures in LA, before developing Arenaplex, an independent production company in NY. At Arenaplex he wrote and co-produced the feature film, The Billabong Odyssey.
Will is a graduate of Dartmouth College (BA) and Insead (MBA)
Sabrina Malik, Account Director
Ogilvy One, New York
When Sabrina initially joined the NY team from the UK, she was the Account Director for the Pfizer Corporate Reputation and Pfizer Oncology accounts, responsible for leading these accounts and partnering with clients to create strong integrated marketing programs across portfolio brands. Since joining the Nestlé teamin 2011, Sabrina has been leading the Very Best Baking and Wonka Ice Cream accounts. During her time at Ogilvy, she has developed strategic plans, and integrated digital, TV and print communications in response to rapidly changing technologies and client business objectives. Specifically, Sabrina has led the launch campaign of Wonka Ice cream in the West Coast, the development of awareness campaigns such as “Cancer: It’s Personal”, which involved TV commercials, consumer and healthcare print ads, a highly viewed Discovery channel program,and the creation of a multi-audience Web site and relevant apps,as well as SEO strategies to fully support the initiative among the public at large.Sabrina joined the New York office from Ogilvy London, where she worked on global and local UK accounts for smoking cessation, heartburn and vitamins. Work included multi-brand strategies, global print and digital initiatives such as social media, web sites, videos and search.She began her advertising career at Saatchi & Saatchi in London. Sabrina was born in Rugby, England, and enjoys travelling. In her spare time, she works with an NGO that provides holistic support (health/education/self-management) to the poorest people in South Asia and Africa.
Q Akashah, Account Manager
Ogilvy Public Relations, Singapore
Q is with the Corporate & Finance practice at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Singapore. Her current clients include AIA Singapore, Sim Lian Group and UBS. She regularly helps facilitate media coaching, messaging and storytelling sessions.
Formerly working across both the Corporate & Finance and Public Affairs practices, she has worked on an extensive range of companies and brands including UPS, Pfizer, World Islamic Economic Forum, Iskandar Investment, Qatar Airways, CIMB Group, Friso and Allianz Global Investors.
Capitalising on her research background, Q played an integral role in the analysis of research findings and development of key messages for the Working Mothers Forum 2009 survey and the annual award-winning UPS Asia Business Monitor in 2008 and 2009.
Q continues carving a niche for herself in the Islamic finance space, developing the award-nominated CIMB Islamic media workshop and two consecutive WIEF conferences in Singapore.
She has special interest in crisis communications, gaining experience with the Dutch Lady melamine contamination issue, the Lehman minibond saga for CIMB-GK and H1N1 case for CIMB Group. She was also in the team which developed a crisis manual for the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame in 2010.
Vaquas Alvi, Business Unit Director
Ogilvy Action, Dubai
Vaquas has worked in the communications industry for over 17 years, of which 10 have been with Ogilvy in Pakistan and Dubai. He understands different cultural nuances and is an ardent student of comparative religion. His colleagues often consider him as a cultural adviser on Islamic affairs. He has a strong perspective on the way Islam is being projected and stereotyped. His projects have taken him the length and breath of Pakistan, the GCC, North Africa and the Levant which has contributed to honing his marketing practices with Muslim consumers.