Snapchat Launches Free Marketing Academy in Saudi Arabia

Some of Saudi Arabia's biggest brands just got a free masterclass in the future of digital marketing.

Snap Inc. launched the Snap Maher Academy in Riyadh, bringing together 50 carefully selected marketing professionals for an intensive four-week training program. Participants from organizations like Saudi Tourism Authority, Riyadh Air, and the Ministry of Culture are learning strategies that go far beyond quick sales tactics.

The academy represents something rare in corporate training programs: it's designed specifically for Arabic-speaking professionals and completely free to participants. Over 16 hours of instruction, attendees learn how to build marketing campaigns that create lasting customer relationships, not just one-time conversions.

What makes this program special is its focus on what marketers call "full-funnel strategies." Instead of chasing immediate sales, participants learn to guide potential customers through every stage of their journey, from first discovering a brand to making purchase decisions. It's a shift that helps companies grow sustainably rather than burning through ad budgets on short-term wins.

The first cohort includes professionals from tech giants like stc Group and Zain Group, food delivery platforms like Jahez and TheChefz, and government entities shaping Saudi Arabia's economic future. Each participant was selected based on their role in advancing the Kingdom's digital economy.

Snap's regional experts are teaching the program themselves, combining practical skills with real-world applications. Participants can immediately use what they learn in their day-to-day work, making the training far more valuable than typical corporate seminars.

The Ripple Effect

This academy does more than train a few dozen marketers. It strengthens Saudi Arabia's entire digital economy by building expertise that will spread through major organizations and influence how brands connect with millions of consumers.

As these professionals return to their companies with new skills, they'll train their teams and reshape how marketing works across the Kingdom. The program supports Saudi Arabia's broader economic development goals while giving local businesses the tools to compete globally.

Abdulla Alhammadi, Snap's Managing Director for Saudi Arabia, emphasizes that growth comes from showing up in ways that are both relevant and measurable. By investing in local talent, Snap is helping build a more competitive and resilient marketing ecosystem that will benefit the Kingdom for years to come.

The success of this first cohort will determine how the program scales to train even more marketing professionals across future sessions.