In September last year, Lineveldt took up his creative position at Saatchi & Saatchi and he has been a major part of the agency’s continued growth in the region.

“Our focus as a region is on producing the very best creative work for our clients, and compelling content solutions that create loyalty beyond reason. Marc’s immense talent and strong creative leadership will ensure that we continue to deliver on this objective,” Saatchi & Saatchi’s former regional CEO Elias Ashkar said of Lineveldt’s appointment.

Prior to joining Saatchi & Saatchi, Lineveldt was executive creative director at rival Fortune Promoseven, where he helped the agency win a host of industry accolades, such as the Cannes Lions, Lynx and Cleos.

He arrived in the region from his native South Africa, where he had previously worked at Ogilvy Cape Town.

He has been a formidable part of the advertising giant’s expansion into the Middle East and the agency this year has Beirut, Damascus, Amman and Baghdad in its sights.

Under Lineveldt, the agency has worked with international and high-profile clients such as Dubai Metro, Procter & Gamble, Red Bull, Novartis, SAMBA, Federal Foods, Mall of the Emirates, Atlantis and Cadbury.