GoWit and Publicis Media Middle East partnership to focus on retail media across MENA and Turkey

AdTech specialist, GoWit, and Publicis Media Middle East, part of the French multinational advertising and communications holding company Publicis Groupe, have announced a commerce and retail media partnership across MENA and Turkey.

The tie up brings together GoWit’s AI first retail media technology, GoWit One, with Publicis Media’s regional scale, advertiser demand, and expertise.

Tony Wazen, CEO, Publicis Media Middle East, says: “Retail media in MENA and Turkey is entering a more mature phase, where long-term value will depend not only on technology, but also on strong operating models, governance, and execution discipline. Our partnership with GoWit reflects our focus on helping build a more structured and scalable environment for brands and retailers across the region”.

Emrah Adsan, Co-Founder and CEO at GoWit, says: “This partnership brings together world class demand and next-gen retail media technology. Together with Publicis Media, we’re building a truly unified and intelligent retail media ecosystem for MENA and Turkey.”

“This collaboration reflects our ambition to lead the evolution of commerce and retail media across high growth markets,” adds Mazen Mroueh, Head of Retail Media & Partnerships at Publicis Media.

“By combining advanced AI powered technology with our regional scale and commercial expertise, we are enabling retailers to unlock new revenue streams and empowering brands to drive measurable growth. It is a strategic step toward building a more consolidated, connected, and sustainable retail media ecosystem across MENA.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Retail media will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.