Marketing agency in the UAE
HighGround is based in the UAE. We run social media, influencer campaigns, content and events for brands in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and across the Emirates.
Top platforms in the UAE
Share of population reached by ads · DataReportal 2026
The UAE is one of the most connected markets in the world and one of the most mixed. Residents come from more than a hundred countries, so the same campaign often needs to speak to Emiratis, Arab expats, South Asian communities and Western residents at once. Content has to be clear, visual and respectful of local culture.
Where UAE audiences are
Absolute ad reach: Facebook 9.70M, YouTube 8.37M, Instagram 8.05M, Snapchat 5.13M, X 2.85M. TikTok reports 12.5M adult users but no population share, so it is listed here rather than charted.
Platform figures are advertising audience reach from DataReportal's Digital 2026 report (data from late 2025). Percentages are of the total population.
Influencer rules in the UAE
The UAE's media sector is regulated by the National Media Authority, established in December 2025. Anyone promoting third-party products or services on social media, paid or unpaid, needs an Advertiser Permit. It became mandatory on 31 January 2026. Resident permits are free for the first three years and then AED 1,000 a year. Visiting creators need a three-month visitor permit, arranged through a licensed UAE agency. Businesses should check that the creators they work with hold a valid permit. Our influencer rules guide has the details.
Key dates
- Dubai Shopping Festival: 4 December 2026 to 17 January 2027.
- Eid Al Etihad (UAE National Day): 2 December.
- White Friday: late November.
- Ramadan 2027: expected around 8 February to 9 March 2027, then Eid al-Fitr.
- Eid al-Adha 2027: expected around 16 or 17 May 2027.
Islamic dates are astronomical estimates and depend on moon sighting. See the full 2027 GCC marketing calendar.
Gaming in the UAE
Dubai's Program for Gaming 2033 aims to make the city one of the top ten gaming cities in the world, with 30,000 new jobs. Abu Dhabi's AD Gaming, now part of the Department of Culture and Tourism, hosts more than 70 gaming companies. Our team has worked with Abu Dhabi Gaming, e& and Pixoul Gaming in the past.
What we do in the UAE
Social media management, influencer marketing, content production, events and mall activations and gaming marketing for brands across all seven emirates.
FAQ
Questions we get asked
Where is HighGround based?
HighGround LLC is based in the United Arab Emirates and works with brands in all seven emirates, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the rest of MENA.
What is the best social media platform for brands in the UAE?
There is no single answer. Facebook, YouTube and Instagram each reach more than 70% of the population, and TikTok reaches more than 12 million adults. The right mix depends on your audience. Younger audiences lean to TikTok and Snapchat, and B2B buyers to LinkedIn.
Do I need an influencer to have a UAE Advertiser Permit?
Yes. Since 31 January 2026 the Advertiser Permit is mandatory for anyone promoting third-party products or services on social media in the UAE, whether paid or not. We check permits before booking any creator.
Tell us what you sell and where you sell it
Send a short brief: your brand, your market and what you want people to do. We come back with questions or a first plan.