ow do you walk away from a top-tier corporate career as a CEO at WPP, the world's largest advertising company, to start from scratch?
In this episode of Dubai Stars, Anthony Joseph sits down with Nick Walsh, the Founder and CEO of Migrate. Nick shares his 25-year journey, from his first job in London to being sent to Dubai in 2008 (right as the financial crisis hit) and climbing the ranks at agencies like Ogilvy, Geometry, and VML.
Nick reveals the exact moment he decided to leave it all behind to launch Migrate, a company built to help the world's best independent agencies grow and expand across the Middle East.
This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of marketing.
We dive deep into the real differences between the UK and Dubai work cultures, why "agile" independents will beat "giant" networks, and how AI is really being used to win.
If you're in marketing, advertising, or are an entrepreneur looking to scale in the MENA region, this is a must-watch.
💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A 25-year corporate career can be the perfect launchpad for entrepreneurship.
- The future of marketing is agile, specialized, and independent.
- Persistence and a clear vision are the most critical skills for success.
- Dubai's multicultural talent pool is a unique creative advantage.
- You must de-risk your entry into the Middle East; don't come in "heavy-handed."
Share this episode with a friend who’s in marketing, advertising, or building their own business.
🎙️ GUEST: NICK WALSH
Nick Walsh is the Founder & CEO of Migrate, a Dubai-based company that helps independent agencies grow and expand across the Middle East. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Nick had a 25-year career in advertising, holding CEO roles at major WPP agencies like Geometry and VML.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/1nickwals...
Website: https://migrate-group.com/
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