Digital Ads That Kept Cool While Everyone Else Melted
Every year, UAE businesses brace for the summer slump. Tourists jet off, expats escape, and malls get quieter. But at UAE Digital Advertising, we saw an opportunity. Instead of scaling back, we launched the “Don’t Let the UAE Summer Slow Down Your Digital Advertising” campaign—and proved that brands can thrive even when footfall dips.
This wasn’t just a seasonal push. It was a wake-up call to rethink summer marketing, backed by data, tech, and some seriously sharp strategy.
Reaching the Ones Who Stayed Put
Not everyone leaves for the Alps or Amalfi. A huge segment of UAE’s population sticks around—working professionals, families, and small business owners. We targeted these stay-at-home audiences with:
- Social media ads on Instagram and Facebook
- Mobile-first display banners via Google Display Network
- Streaming ads through Connected TV
The result? Brands stayed front-of-mind for residents as they scrolled, streamed, and scouted summer deals from their phones and sofas.
Chasing Sun-Seekers Abroad
What about those sunning themselves in Greece or sipping chai in Karachi? That’s where geo-targeting came in. Our campaign used programmatic tech to reach UAE expats and frequent visitors who had left temporarily but still checked their apps, emails, and socials.
We served up:
- Travel-back promotions
- Loyalty offers
- Sneak previews of upcoming launches
And we did it across platforms like YouTube, Meta, and native content partnerships. Even outside the UAE, our clients’ brands travelled with their audiences.
Mobile Ads to Beat the Heat
With everyone sheltering indoors and glued to screens, we knew mobile was king. Our creatives were optimised for:
- In-app placements (games, news, entertainment)
- TikTok and YouTube Shorts
- Audio streaming platforms
The campaign’s tone? Bright, breezy, and made for thumb-stopping. Think ice cream colours, breezy copy, and calls-to-action that actually got clicks.
Campaign Impact? Hotter Than July
Here’s what our summer campaign achieved:
- 46% increase in mobile engagement over the season
- 2.1x lift in retargeting success with returning residents
- Cost-per-click reduced by 28% compared to previous year
- Reach extended to 9+ countries, thanks to geo-targeted creatives
Digital advertising didn’t just fill the gap—it outperformed traditional channels by miles. If you're still clinging to out-of-home-only media in the UAE’s summer? You’re probably sweating more than your ad budget.
What This Means for UAE Brands
Summer may feel like a quiet season for foot traffic, but online behaviour doesn’t slow down. If anything, it's more focused. People are scrolling longer, shopping smarter, and engaging more with digital platforms.
By using tools like our Campaign Creator and tailoring strategy to the season, brands can stay relevant—even when the mercury hits 50.
Looking for ideas? Browse our latest case studies or deep-dive into industry articles to stay inspired.
Let’s Make Your Next Campaign Summer-Proof
Don’t sit the season out. Whether your audience is chilling in Sharjah or vacationing in Vienna, we’ll help you reach them—wherever they scroll.
Check out all our Digital Solutions
Want to talk strategy? Contact Us today and let’s heat up your results, not your stress levels.
Your audience isn’t taking a break from the internet—so why should your brand?