About Mana Creative
A small senior core, a network of specialists, and a team built around the brief, not around the agency.
Mana Creative was founded in 2021 by James Horsman, formerly head of film and content at Brunswick Group Dubai. He led the firm's film and content work across campaigns, brand reputation, government communications, and IPO programmes, working closely with the strategy and messaging team that defines Brunswick's reputation. Before Brunswick, James worked with Bloomberg, Jaguar Land Rover, and Marks & Spencer.
The team has grown around him deliberately; senior strategists, writers, and producers in Dubai, with specialist collaborators across the UK, EU, and US brought in when the brief calls for them. Every engagement is led by a partner from the first call.
How we work
Most agencies have an overhead problem. Layers of account managers, junior creatives, and process tax sit between the brief and the work. The model is built for scale, not for clarity.
Mana works the other way. The senior people who pitch the work are the senior people who deliver it. The team that makes the film is small enough to fit in the same room. There is no account ladder, no junior re-brief. The partner you meet on day one is the partner who signs off on the cut.
This means we take fewer briefs. It also means we deliver them with a level of craft and judgement that larger shops cannot match at our price.
Where we work
Mana is based in Downtown Dubai. Most of our work is in the UAE and GCC. We've shipped projects to four countries. When a brief calls for a director or specialist outside the region, we draw from a network across London, New York, and the EU.
Who we work with
Ambitious organisations that take their communications seriously. Listed companies, scaleups, and family offices. Federal entities, ministries, and regulators. Foundations, museums, and galleries. The connecting thread is that the work has to hold up to scrutiny. The audience reads it carefully, and the message has to last.
Recent partners include Careem, the UAE Space Agency, Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, Christie's, Waddington Custot, and PLXSUR.
What clients say
"In an industry where most videos are instantly forgettable, Mana Creative delivered something unforgettable. If you're looking for a creative partner who can elevate your story with insight, imagination, and precision, look no further."
Colin Judd, VP Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Careem