Member Interview with Maan Majali

We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Maan Majali, Creative Consultant, Prelude Media

What’s your golden rule?

'The story leads. Everything else follows.' In any and every project, the story is the foundation and the beating heart, not the visuals, not the tech, not the trend. A strong story creates clarity, builds trust, and drives emotional connections. The story anchors the message and gives the creative execution meaning and purpose.

Who has been your biggest influence?

It’s not necessarily a marketing-focused influence...and I've been influenced by various people throughout my life and career. However, most recently, Lex Fridman has had a real impact on me. His humility, curiosity, depth, and ability to create space for meaningful conversation definitely inspire my own approach. In my world, I often have to immerse myself in complex subject matters across different industries, and his style reminds me of the value of listening deeply, understanding context, and staying genuinely curious about everything while I am at it. I highly recommend giving his podcast a listen if you haven't already.

What is your most hated business expression?

Let's think outside the box. (I'd say crush the box and throw it out)

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

Like many creative entrepreneurs, I’ve had my share of ideas that gathered dust on a shelf, or confined to an 'ideas' folder on my Google Drive. But a project of mine that's currently in stealth mode feels different, inspired by a real need, designed for the creative and marketing community in the MENA GCC region. It’s in the works and coming soon.

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Sir Alex Ferguson. Not just because I’m a Man United fan (the current pain), but because I can’t think of another leader in any field who led a team with that level of consistency and success for over a quarter of a century.

What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?

The pace of creative AI development/deployment vs responsible adoption. Too much is being overlooked: IP-related issues, the potential erosion of human-led/emotional creativity in order to meet demands, and the impact on how we as humans think and create. I'm all for using AI to aid my productivity, to refine my writing and articulate my ideas clearer. But for creative thinking and ideation, I prefer traditional divergent and convergent creative processes. We’re approaching a crossroads: do we prioritise speed and efficiency at the cost of authenticity, "originality", and cognitive depth? AI may be faster, but it isn’t cheaper; we just don’t see the hidden costs, from energy consumption to its potentially irresponsible use. Whatever direction we take, I hope the creative marketing world doesn’t forget: it’s the human touch that makes the work that much better.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

I'm relatively new in the UAE, but I have around 20 years of experience across news, media, creative and marketing industries. Being a part of TMS, I think, will keep me connected to a thriving, like-minded community of leaders. I believe it will help me stay sharp and informed, exposed to new ways of thinking, and grounded in what actually matters in this industry. I also think it’s less about networking only, and more about surrounding myself with industry peers who can motivate me to do better, to think clearer, and stay ahead. Ultimately, for me, it's all about being inspired and also inspiring others (wherever and however I can).

Why does marketing matter to you?

As someone who’s commercially minded, I see marketing as the foundation of business success, and in the world/industry we operate in, it’s the ultimate form of storytelling. When done right, it's a vehicle to tell informative and inspiring stories that moves people, builds trust, and drives action.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

I’m a bit obsessive when it comes to clarity...and I have a serious appetite for information. Friends and colleagues know the drill: if I’ve gone quiet, I’ve probably disappeared down a rabbit hole and won’t re-emerge until I’ve cracked it. Could be learning a new sport like boxing, perfecting side-swings or double-unders on a jump rope, or some niche topic I suddenly need to understand for whatever reason. I will fall asleep to YouTube videos on it. I don't like gaps in knowledge; they bother me more than they should.