Who Are the Top 10 Brand Positioning Experts in Dubai Right Now?
Introduction
Why Dubai Is a Branding Powerhouse in 2025
In 2025, Dubai continues to dominate the branding landscape in the MENA region. Its mix of multicultural audiences, economic innovation, and digital transformation makes it a prime location for strategic branding. As businesses across industries compete for consumer attention, Brand Positioning Experts in Dubai have become essential partners in shaping compelling identities and value-driven market strategies.
Whether you’re a startup in need of affordable brand strategy services in Dubai, a luxury brand seeking refinement, or a B2B tech firm exploring strategic brand consultants in the UAE, expert guidance is the key to differentiation.
This article explores:
- The top 10 brand positioning experts in Dubai right now
- What makes each expert stand out
- How to choose the right brand strategy consultant for your needs
- Common pitfalls and expert tips
- SEO-based answers to your most searched brand consultancy questions
Why Brand Positioning Matters in Dubai
Branding ROI & Trends in 2025
- Brands that invest in strategic positioning see a 33% increase in revenue (Lucidpress)
- UAE’s branding industry grew 41% YoY, driven by demand for digital-first positioning
- 71% of consumers in Dubai prefer brands aligned with regional values (YouGov)
Local Challenges for Positioning Agencies
Dubai’s unique ecosystem presents several challenges:
- Cultural Diversity: Crafting a message that resonates across ethnicities, languages, and values
- Regulatory Restrictions: Agencies must comply with advertising standards set by UAE authorities
- Short-Term ROI Expectations: Many businesses look for quick results instead of long-term brand equity
- Client Education Gaps: Not all founders understand the value of emotional brand positioning, voice, or narrative clarity
Top branding companies in Dubai must solve these challenges while balancing local relevance with global appeal.
Selection Criteria for Top Experts
The experts and agencies listed here were selected based on:
- Client Results: Demonstrated success in brand trust building, recall, and visibility
- Innovation: Integration of AI, behavioral psychology, and data-driven brand audits
- Specialization: From luxury and tech to personal branding and corporate storytelling
Thought Leadership: Consistent presence across social media, press, or workshops in Dubai’s branding industry
Top 10 Brand Positioning Experts in Dubai
1. Red Marrow
- Specialty: Personal branding for celebrities, influencers, and entrepreneurs.
- Bio: A celebrity stylist turned branding coach, Kelly helps individuals unlock their full potential through curated storytelling.
- Notable Work: Worked with top fashion brands and global keynote stages.
- Key Differentiator: Her “7-Step Personal Brand” framework is widely adopted in the UAE.
2. Octopus Marketing
- Website: thttps://www.octopusmarketing.agency/
- Specialty: Branding for tech entrepreneurs and female founders.
- Bio: Known for fusing tech fluency with emotional storytelling, Robyn is a LinkedIn and Instagram personal brand strategist.
- Key Differentiator: Known for transforming shy professionals into visible digital leaders.
3. Salmanul Faris
- Company: dExito Branding
- Specialty: Corporate and personal brand strategy
- Notable Work: Helped over 200 SMEs across UAE and India with clarity-first positioning strategies.
- Key Differentiator: Combines storytelling with identity archetypes.
- Website: brandwithsalman.com
4. Sharmila Subramaniam
- Specialty: B2B and tech positioning
- Bio: With a background in consulting and UX, Sharmila excels at simplifying complex B2B brands into customer-friendly narratives.
- Notable Work: Led the rebrand of a GCC logistics giant in 2024.
5. Shaguffta Patel
- Specialty: Luxury branding for hospitality and fashion
- Bio: Former luxury retail strategist turned agency founder. Shaguffta’s work blends sensory branding with ROI-focused positioning.
- Notable Clients: Boutique hotels, fine dining, fashion brands.
- Contact: https://shagufftapatel.com
6. Thruptha MP
- Company: Identity Envy
- Specialty: Startups and brand naming
- Key Differentiator: Expert in merging cultural psychology and minimal design for modern brands.
- Notable Work: Advised on 50+ brand launches across MENA.
- Website: identityenvy.com
7. Lakshmi Venugopal
- Specialty: Branding for wellness, education, and social impact
- Bio: Lakshmi focuses on cause-led brands, with an emphasis on voice, purpose, and positioning beyond profit.
- Key Differentiator: Uses empathy-led interviews and co-creation.
8. The Portal Agency
- Specialty: Tech and e-commerce brand strategy
- Notable Work: Helped scale multiple SaaS brands with differentiated content-led positioning.
- Key Differentiator: Data-first creative frameworks
- Website: https://theportalagency.com
9. Icetulip
- Specialty: Multilingual branding for Gulf-wide campaigns
- Bio: Lebanese-UAE hybrid agency known for full-stack branding with strong execution in Arabic and English markets.
- Key Differentiator: Cultural adaptation and multilingual brand architecture
- Website: https://icetulip.com
10. Generator Design Agency
- Specialty: Corporate and retail brand strategy
- Bio: A creative-led studio based in Dubai Design District. Known for branding that looks good and works even better.
- Notable Work: Retail, F&B, events, government sector.
- Website: https://generator.ae
Expert Tips on Positioning in the UAE
Kelly Lundberg: “Your voice is your superpower. Whether you’re a founder or influencer, your positioning begins the moment someone Googles you.”
Thruptha MP: “Don’t default to trends. Define your brand tone and personality and let it guide your visuals.”
The Portal Agency: “Don’t separate branding from content. Positioning lives in every page, caption, and campaign.”
Common Mistakes
- Copying global brands without market fit
- Overinvesting in visuals and ignoring voice
- Forgetting customer-centric branding and feedback loops
Misalignment between founder vision and audience perception
How to Choose the Right Brand Positioning Partner in Dubai
Key Questions to Ask
✅ Have you worked with brands in my industry?
✅ Can I see real-world brand strategy case studies?
✅ How do you handle localization and UAE compliance?
✅ Will I get a full brand audit, naming strategy, and tone guide?
Hiring Tips
- For startups: Choose someone who offers flexibility and clearer brand messaging
- For luxury: Prioritize agencies with high-end case studies
- For tech: Look for strategic branding firms for tech companies in Dubai
For personal branding: Robyn or Kelly may be ideal
FAQs
1. How do I choose a brand positioning expert in Dubai?
Look for industry fit, emotional insight, and proven results. Consider whether they offer tools like positioning matrixes and brand narrative design.
2. What does a brand positioning consultant do?
They define your brand’s identity, value proposition, and voice. Services may include brand persona development, tone creation, and customer behavior analysis.
3. How much does brand positioning cost in the UAE?
- Freelancers: 4,000–12,000 AED
- Boutique agencies: 15,000–30,000 AED
- Premium firms: 40,000+ AED for full-scale strategy, design, and rollout
4. What are the benefits of hiring a branding agency in Dubai?
You gain market differentiation, customer alignment, faster brand recall, and more consistent brand messaging across channels.
5. Who is the best branding expert in Dubai for startups or luxury brands?
- Startups:Octupus, The Portal Agency
- Luxury:Red marrow, Shaguffta Patel
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