An Interview with Manal Naboulsi
An Interview with Manal Naboulsi
In today’s fragmented media landscape, how should “premium” be defined for luxury brands, particularly in terms of context, environment, and real-world presence?
Premium today is not about the format, it’s about the environment and the meaning it carries. For luxury brands, premium is defined by where you show up, how you show up, and what that presence signals.
It’s the difference between visibility and desirability. A placement in high-value environments, whether that’s Sheikh Zayed Road, DIFC, or curated luxury destinations, transfers immediate equity to the brand. In markets like the UAE, where audiences are highly exposed and discerning, context becomes critical. It filters perception, protects brand integrity, and ensures every exposure feels intentional.
In a fragmented landscape, premium is ultimately about curation. Fewer, more impactful touchpoints that reinforce exclusivity, relevance, and brand codes.
Out-of-Home has long delivered scale and visibility, but its ability to reinforce brand stature and trust is increasingly recognised. How do you see its role evolving within a luxury media mix?
OOH is moving from a channel of amplification to a pillar of brand legitimacy. For luxury, it plays a unique role. It anchors the brand in the real world.
In a digital-first ecosystem, where everything is fast and fleeting, OOH brings permanence, credibility, and presence. When a luxury brand dominates key city landmarks, it signals leadership and cultural relevance, not just visibility.
In the UAE specifically, OOH has become one of the most powerful channels to drive both awareness and perception among high-value audiences. We are seeing a shift from scale to impact, where fewer, high-impact placements shape the narrative, and the rest of the ecosystem amplifies it. OOH is no longer supporting the strategy; it is increasingly setting the tone for it.
When evaluating premium media for luxury brands, what does success look like beyond reach, particularly in terms of brand perception, attention, and long-term equity?
Success in luxury is never just about how many people you reach, it’s about how you are perceived by the right people.
We look at quality of attention, contextual alignment, and the ability to create memorability. Does the placement create a moment? Does it stop you? Does it feel inherently part of the brand’s universe? These are the real indicators of effectiveness.
A study conducted in Q4 2025 at Publicis Media Luxe in the UAE reinforces this. A single premium OOH placement delivered up to 21 points uplift in desirability among high-net-worth audiences, across both English and Arabic segments. More importantly, repeated exposure compounded the effect, driving over 15 points incremental gain in positive intent, while significantly reducing negative perception, particularly among Arabic audiences.
This reinforces a key truth for luxury: success lies in sustained, high-quality exposure. Premium media builds equity over time, shaping perception, reinforcing aspiration, and ultimately driving long-term brand value far beyond immediate reach.
