We believe in convergence. Our multidisciplinary practice draws upon different backgrounds in marketing, architecture, advertising, graphic design, multimedia, and story telling. Our employees work together integrating cultural understanding and trends to develop holistic creative, emotional expressions that inspire and excite. Our creative energy positively influences business success.

Grace Yacoub – CEO and Founder

Grace is a brand expert whose creative vision has seen her build many new brand propositions. She has directed pioneering integrated communications programmes, advised on strategic positioning, and implemented campaigns for major regional and multinational companies including Pepsi, Tijari, General Mills, Oracle, Tabreed, HSBC, Etisalat, NBD, QTel, QNB and Salem. After 10 years in New York and Europe working with Leo Burnett and DMB & B, Grace founded Zaman, the first UAE-based branding consultancy. For 12 years, she has led Zaman and helped focus the region’s understanding of branding as essential to an organisation’s growth in the global arena.
 

John Eccles – Brand Director

John’s combination of strategic talents and passion for business-focused communication and design make him a pivotal member of the Zaman team. His long-term planning and organisational skills, marketing channels awareness, understanding of distribution, and team management skills are all vital attributes. John started his career with Citibank in London before moving to Sainsbury as a category manager. He joined Zaman Dubai in 2000 and has led projects with such leading companies as Qatar National Bank, Al Futtaim, NBD, Hepworth and Al Jaber, developing their strategic brand outlooks.

Dejana Cvetkovic – Creative Head

Dejana has 15 years grounding in visual communications. Her repertoire as a Creative Director covers branding and identity design as well as developing marketing materials and advertising concepts. The array of clients she has worked with includes healthcare brands Parke-Davis, GlaxoSmithKline and La Roche. She owned and grew a design studio for 8 years, and her jewellery design pieces have been marketed through Belgrade Museum of Fine Arts Gallery. 

Ivana Plavec – Creative Head of Branded Environments

A Belgrade University of Architecture graduate and interior design specialist, Ivana delivers dynamic solutions that translate brand strategies into functional and captivating environments. She has implemented a major re-branding plan for Allied Group showrooms and seasonal changes for world-class brands such as Chanel. Her concepts were the cornerstone of several Dubai boutiques, including Ounass, and Azza Fahmy Jewellery in Emirates Towers.

Ranjith Ramadasan – Design Director

Ranjith's career originally started out as a reporter with NewsToday in India. It was at the newspaper, that Ranjith found his creative passion and moved to one of India's hottest interactive agencies D'zine Garage, to become a copywriter, and later a graphic/web designer. After successfully creating award-winning online work for clients such as Citibank, Gaitonde, Hexaware etc, he moved to Dubai and had his stints with McCann/FP7 and Adworx, while becoming a full time print designer working with clients such as BP/Castrol, Fila, MoneyGram, The Executive office etc. Ranjith joined Zaman in 2005 and since then has been involved in major branding projects executed by Zaman for a variety of clients and industry segments. 

Hani Baghdan – Senior Graphic Designer

An accomplished graphic designer, Hani attended the highly regarded Lebanon American University of Technology, where he achieved a degree in Graphic Design. Prior to joining Zaman, he worked for 2 years as the sole designer in a branding consultancy in Dubai, where Rotana Hotels and Ansbacher were among the clients he worked with extensively. 

Lucas Surtie – Art Director

Lucas has worked as a graphic designer in several progressive Australian advertising and design studios. Complementing his digital expertise with a keen interest typography and illustration, he has designed solutions across a range of media including print, web and video. His award-winning work has been featured in various exhibitions and design books, with publishers including Taschen and Collins.

Muhammad Billal – Print Finisher

Billal is a finishing artist who's trained as a graphic designer as well as layout and retouching specialist. A technical perfectionist with strong press and pre-press know-how, finalising is a stroll in the park for this whiz.

Subhas Warrier – Media Manager

With more than 18 years media planning experience, Subhas has a wealth of knowledge on Asia’s key markets. He has helped regional brands achieve high levels of recognition through shrewd strategic media placements, and managed media plans for a range of clients including automobile and financial companies. He successfully implemented Air Arabia's first online campaign in the Middle East and India, and was instrumental in introducing consumer awareness planning principles to major Unilever brands in Indonesia.

Firas Soweid – Event & Production Manager

Firas has more than a decade’s experience managing production schedules in agencies and production houses. He ensures Zaman’s clients receive the highest quality within the agreed timeframes. A linguist with excellent contacts and strong relationships with key production houses, his extensive project management skills are complemented by a rock-solid understanding of graphic design and video production.