We Knew What Job-Ready Digital Marketers Looked Like. So We Built a Way to Get People There.
OUR STORY
It Started With a Hiring Problem
Before Talentdu, we ran a digital marketing agency. We worked with over 100 clients, scaled globally, and faced the same challenge every growing agency faces: finding good people.
We'd hire graduates from top universities with strong GPAs and polished CVs. But within weeks, the gaps would show. They understood theory but couldn't build a campaign. They knew definitions but froze in front of clients. Digital literacy, soft skills, real-world judgment. These weren't things they'd been taught.
So we'd train them for months. Some worked out. Many didn't. Each time, we'd lost time, energy, and budget, and they'd lost momentum in their careers.
The pattern was clear: the industry didn't have a people shortage. It had a preparation shortage.
What Was Missing
The gap wasn't between smart and not smart, or educated and not educated. It was between classroom-ready and job-ready.
Universities provide essential foundations in theory and frameworks. But employers also need people who can execute on day one. That middle layer, the practical, experiential, "here's how the real world works" training, was missing.
So we built it.
The Ecosystem We Wished Existed
In 2024, we launched our flagship program, the Professional Digital Marketing Associate Diploma (PDMA), in partnership with LAU's Academy of Continuing Education, with added certifications from Meta and Google. Every module is taught by industry experts. Students work on real case studies, build portfolios, and graduate with three globally recognized credentials.
From there, we expanded into a full ecosystem:
Talentdu University: Accredited diploma programs for career changers and serious learners.
Talentdu Academy: Specialized courses in performance marketing, AI tools, and content strategy.
Talentdu Connect: A talent marketplace connecting trained marketers with employers.
Talentdu Corporate: Training programs to help teams upskill and stay current.
What We Believe
Talent isn't just found. It's built. Education should lead somewhere: to a job, a client, a career. The MENA region has no shortage of ambitious people who want careers in digital marketing. They just need the right preparation.
That's what Talentdu is here to provide.
Guided by Global Experience
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Chaker Khazaal
Chairman
Chaker Khazaal is an award-winning author of six novels, an acclaimed reporter, and an entrepreneur with a global footprint. He holds a BA in International Affairs from York University and was ranked first on Arabian Business Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Arabs Under 40 list.
As Executive Chairman of OBCIDO, Chaker leads community partnerships and CSR initiatives, bringing a strong blend of business insight, storytelling, and a clear commitment to widening access and opportunity.
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Hiba Yazbeck
Advisory Board Member
Hiba is a global finance executive and sustainability entrepreneur currently serving as Head of Finance & Accounting, North America at MAHLE, overseeing approximately $3.5 billion in budgets. She is Founder & CEO of Shifting Gaia™, an ESG-focused marketplace, and holds an MBA from Warwick Business School. A Stage IV cancer survivor, Hiba is also a recognized philanthropist and health advocate. -
Nora Al-Jindi
Advisory Board Member
Nora is an educator, strategist, and consultant with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of academia and business. She serves as Marketing Program Director at Dar Al-Hekma University in Saudi Arabia and is a Yale World Fellow (2021) and MISK 2030 Leader. Nora is passionate about bridging the gap between education and industry to empower young talent. -
Nadia Michel
Advisory Board Member
Nadia is a Houston-based creative strategist and bestselling author of 40 Lessons, a book for entrepreneurs seeking creativity and momentum in business. As founder of Mined and Matter, she provides CMO-level leadership to startups and ambitious teams, shaping brand positioning, marketing foundations, and digital strategy. Her career spans editorial leadership and global experience across the U.S. and Middle East.
Driving the Mission Forward
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Omar Kandil
Founder & CEO
Omar is the co-founder and CEO of OBCIDO Inc., a global digital marketing agency serving 100+ clients including Fortune 500 companies. A bestselling author of Winning the Slow Race and MBA candidate at LAU, he founded Talentdu after experiencing firsthand how difficult it is to find job-ready marketing talent. Talentdu is the ecosystem he wished existed when building his own team.
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Maya Al Hassanieh
Sales & Operations Executive
Maya supports Talentdu's growth by streamlining operations and strengthening client relationships. With a background in marketing, data analysis, and strategic coordination, she brings a results-driven approach to sales execution and operational efficiency. Maya combines analytical thinking with clear communication to ensure smooth workflows and high-quality service delivery. -
Lilian Shmait
Digital Marketing Trainer
Lilian holds an MBA in Marketing and brings hands-on experience across community management, content development, paid media, and creative design. Her passion lies in marketing strategy and exploring AI's role in shaping digital marketing. She believes great marketing is built through continuous learning, testing, and real-world application. -
Hussein Harb
Digital Marketing Trainer
Hussein is a Performance Marketing Manager at Publicis Groupe, where he leads the team on the Royal Commission for AlUla account. With five years of experience in digital advertising, he specializes in building and scaling high-impact marketing strategies using data-driven insights and streamlined processes. Outside of work, he's an avid chess and football player.
Start building your marketing career today.
Join hundreds of learners developing the skills that drive today’s digital world. Whether you want an accredited program or a flexible course, Talentdu gives you everything you need to learn, certify, and grow.