National airline of the UAE, Etihad Airways, has announced the appointment of Cheil Network to assume global and social marketing duties. The network’s new responsibilities will include driving creative and strategy across all digital and social channels, in addition to support with performance-based marketing, analytics and reporting.

Digital specialists, The Barbarian Group, that work within Cheil’s global network will drive the digital and social marketing duties for the airline.

In a press statement, Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ senior vice president marketing, says, “Digital is at the core of our marketing and Cheil’s strong global team demonstrated a perfect blend of creative ambition and strategic thinking, with ideas that reflected our brand values and personality. They will also bring a high level of sophistication to our performance marketing through their analytical skills and understanding of the latest industry technology. That makes them the right agency partner for the next phase of Etihad Airways’ growth.”

Lotta Malm Hallqvist, Cheil’s global vice president, says, “We want to work with innovative brands that are poised for global growth in the next decade. Etihad Airways is one of those brands. We look forward to elevating the airline to be the top digital and social brand in its category by delivering strategically informed, inspirational creative work.”