YKONE TAPS ARTIST ALI CHA’ABAN TO HEAD ITS CREATIVE TEAM IN THE MIDDLE EAST

With the opening in late 2021 of a 500 square meter studio in Dubai and offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, YKONE, the leading international influencer marketing agency in the fields of luxury and beauty, continues to expand its creative network in the Middle East which became a global hub for art and culture. Olivier Billon, founder of YKONE, announces the arrival of a new Creative Director, Ali Cha’aban, at the head of a team based between Riyadh and Dubai.

United Arab Emirates  – 08/06/2022: As a Lebanese-Saudi artist based in Riyadh, Ali Cha’aban has already received international acclaim for his creations displayed in some of the region’s finest galleries. Born in Kuwait, Ali Cha’aban uses his multicultural upbringing across the Gulf states as a key inspiration. His work has been exhibited in spaces such as Ayyam in Jeddah, Mark Hachem in Beirut, or the Galerie Nikki Diana Marquardt in Paris. Ali has also worked with international brands, including Nike in 2018.

Ali Cha’aban joins YKONE to accompany the agency’s development in Saudi Arabia. Known for using his art as a means of social commentary to shed light on Arabian identity and tackle socio-political issues, he commented “I am thrilled to be joining YKONE as a Creative Director in Saudi Arabia given the exciting projects going on. I want Ykone to be a platform for regional artists and influencers to take ownership of their identity and creativity in order to share with the world what the region has to offer. By educating and connecting content creators and brands, I want to create a tribute to the local culture, explore identities through heritage and geographies so they can cross-pollinate, to make sure the rich narrative that comes out of it is part of the global conversation. There is so much to learn and create from engaging and working with people in this country”. 

“It is a very daring move for YKONE to name an artist and influencer at the head of a creative team. This unusual decision reflects our desire to root our own creative process in the culture of the region. Ali Cha’aban uses his art as a vector of powerful messages, and that is precisely the nature of influencer marketing. Ali’s work is deeply connected to the traditions of the Middle East, and he will assist us in working with our clients to understand the cultures of the region,” underlines Olivier Billon, founder of YKONE.