LONDON: Snap Inc. has launched the first cohort of its Snap Maher Academy in Saudi Arabia, a four-week Arabic-language training program aimed at developing marketing talent and strengthening the Kingdom’s digital advertising ecosystem.
The inaugural class brings together 50 participants from major organizations, including the Saudi Tourism Authority, Riyadh Air, stc Group and Zain Group.
Snap said the selection reflects the program’s focus on established players in the Saudi market rather than a broad open enrollment, positioning it as a selective professional development initiative.
“Snap Maher Academy reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s digital economy and the marketers shaping it,” said Abdulla Alhammadi, Snap’s managing director for Saudi Arabia.
The academy runs over four weeks with 16 hours of structured training, ending with a certification.
Delivered by Snap’s regional experts in marketing, account management and creative strategy, the curriculum is designed to help participants move beyond short-term, conversion-focused campaigns toward broader, full-funnel strategies that connect brand awareness with measurable business outcomes.
The launch comes as digital advertising investment accelerates across the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia among the fastest-growing markets in the region.
Major platforms, including Meta, Google and TikTok, have all expanded their local operations and partner training programs in recent years, as brands and government-backed entities race to build more sophisticated in-house marketing capabilities.
Snap said it intends for the academy to become a recurring initiative, with future cohorts expanding the program’s reach across the Kingdom’s marketing ecosystem.
