Bukhash Brothers, founded by Anas and Harith Bukhash in 2014, became one of Dubai’s first licensed influencer marketing agencies. Now a Golden Stevie® award-winning full-service digital marketing firm, they specialize in culturally authentic localization for global brands. The siblings believe that SME programs are the foundation of any strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Can you take us back to the beginning? What inspired the launch of Bukhash Brothers?
Anas Bukhash (AB): Bukhash Brothers officially launched in 2014, but the journey started well before that. Through my own career and personal network of celebrities, athletes, and influencers, I found myself often helping friends negotiate contracts. That’s when I realized there was a serious gap in the market — people needed guidance, structure, and credibility in this growing space.
We then became the first licensed influencer marketing agency in the UAE. Not everyone had the know-how, the funding, or the right licensing. We saw an opportunity not just to lead, but to pave the way for others. Today, we’re proud to be a digital marketing agency that works across diverse sectors, always grounded in the same values we started with.
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From your early days as one of Dubai’s first licensed influencer marketing agencies to now serving major clients across the region, what were the key milestones in your growth trajectory?
Harith Bukhash (HB): One of our earliest milestones was becoming the first officially licensed influencer marketing agency in Dubai — this positioned us to shape the industry from the ground up. From there, we focused on building credibility by aligning with brands that were willing to take bold steps with us, whether through disruptive campaigns, local-first strategies, or storytelling that resonated beyond trends.
Another key moment was when we expanded our scope to offer full-stack creative and strategic marketing services, including branding, production, social media, and influencer marketing. Today, we’re proud to work with global brands, rising startups, and public sector clients across the region. Every step has been in trust, consistency, and a deep understanding of culture while having a global mindset.
How has Dubai’s position as a regional hub enabled you to create culturally authentic, localized content for international brands that resonates across different Arab markets?
HB: Dubai is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of tradition and innovation — it’s a melting pot. The city’s energy helps us create work that feels fresh while staying true to local values. While we are a local based agency, we know how to mask your gaps. We are unique: We are the bridge between the local and the global markets.
At BB, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. We sit with people, ask questions, and dive deep in community behavior before creating. We want to understand the “why” and the “how” before digging in. So whether we’re working with a global brand or a regional F&B brand, we craft narratives that are hyper-relevant and rooted in context. Dubai gives us both the platform and the perspective to do that at scale.
Winning the Golden Stevie® Award for Most Innovative Marketing Agency is no small feat. What innovations or strategies do you think set you apart?
HB: We’re proud of the team we’ve built, it took time, and a lot of effort to get here. It’s one thing to hire talent, it’s another to build a consistent, creative team that works in sync. That’s where we cracked it.
Winning that award was a proud moment, it validated the creative risks we’ve taken and our creator-driven, strategic model. Dubai has given us so much. We’re proud to serve this city and to reach a point where we work with global brands, all while staying grounded in consistency, ambition, and meaningful impact.
Why do you think SME programs are essential for fostering entrepreneurship and empowering the next generation of business leaders in the region?
AB: I genuinely believe that SME programs are the foundation of any strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. They don’t just offer resources, they build confidence, clarity, and assurance, especially for those who may not have all the know-how to start. In a region full of ambition and potential, these programs give young entrepreneurs the right guidance and access to real expertise, turning ideas into meaningful businesses.
Dubai SME is a great example of an organization that’s been instrumental in supporting that growth. At Bukhash Brothers, we appreciate the support we received from the Dubai government early on; it played a key role in helping us grow with purpose and stay true to our vision.
Looking at your journey from startup to award-winning agency, what advice would you give to young Emirati entrepreneurs?
AB: My advice is to try. Prepare as much as you can, but know that you can’t have it perfect without at least giving it a shot. In the UAE, we’re lucky, Dubai has such an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s motivating, and honestly, contagious. Use that energy to your advantage. Be patient and stay consistent.
A lot of people want quick success, but real growth takes time. You’ll face challenges, that’s part of the process. What matters is how you respond, how you adapt, and how you stay true to your purpose. Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or admit what you don’t know.
What’s next for Bukhash Brothers in 2025 and beyond?
AB: We want to keep doing what we do best; Bridging global brands with our region in a way that feels real. Localization isn’t just about language, it’s about understanding the culture, the mindset, and the tone that speaks to people here.
At Bukhash Brothers, we’re focused on leading that space, helping international brands connect with our audience in a way that’s honest, respectful, and impactful. We want to do our job as best as we can.
