OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Ads across MENA
The rollout will make ChatGPT Ads available to leading media agencies, brand networks and regional advertisers across these markets.
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OpenAI has announced the expansion of ChatGPT Ads across MENA including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Turkey, Jordan and Bahrain – giving businesses and media agencies a new way to reach people when they are actively exploring ideas, comparing options or making decisions.
People come to ChatGPT with a question, goal or task, not to scroll passively. Globally, 20% of conversations already show clear commercial intent, with many more taking place alongside a purchase or business decision. This creates a more conversational advertising environment built around what people have chosen to express in their own words.
The rollout will make ChatGPT Ads available to leading media agencies, brand networks and regional advertisers across these markets.
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OpenAI has also launched its regional self-serve platform, giving start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, and enterprise advertisers in approved categories a direct route to run campaigns that comply with OpenAI’s advertising policies. Advertisers can continue to buy through agency and technology partners.
Dave Dugan, VP of Ads at OpenAI, said: “MENA is home to a dynamic and ambitious advertiser community, from fast-growing local businesses to leading global brands and agencies. We’re excited to give them a new way to connect with people as they actively explore ideas and make decisions, through an advertising experience designed to be relevant, useful and trusted.”
The expansion comes as OpenAI appoints Mark Bambury as Head of EMEA Ads. Based in Dublin and bringing more than 15 years of experience in digital advertising, Mark will lead the company’s ads business across EMEA, including MENA, working with advertisers, media agencies and technology partners, such as ChatGPT Ads and the self-serve platform, to scale across the region.
His appointment reflects OpenAI’s ambition to build a team that combines global vision with a deep understanding of the region’s clients and markets.
For advertisers and agencies, ChatGPT Ads offers a way to reach highly engaged audiences, test campaigns and measure commercial outcomes. Over the past six weeks, the average cost per purchase has fallen by approximately 60%, while the average cost per thousand impressions has declined by nearly 20%.
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Trust remains central to the experience. Ads are clearly labelled and kept separate from ChatGPT’s answers. Advertising does not influence model responses, advertisers do not receive users’ private conversations, and users remain in control of their experience.
Supporting ChatGPT through advertising helps OpenAI maintain broad, free access to AI tools while giving businesses a relevant way to connect with potential customers. The regional expansion comes as OpenAI’s advertising business surpasses $1 billion in annual run rate less than 200 days after launch.
