Donavon Wood

Donavon is a charismatic and relationship-centric brand man whose mantra in both business and in life is to find ways and means to make things happen; rather than reasons or excuses for why they may not. Passionate about experiential warfare, Donavon is all about the communication of brands through tangible processes and believes strongly in reporting on the outcome and achievements of every touch point. Donavon’s extensive international career has spanned some eighteen years with more than a decade of those years spent working in the Middle East Events, Exhibition and Trade Marketing industry.

Starting out as an energetic and highly driven sales executive and evolving into an impassioned creative partner wholeheartedly focused on expanding brands and developing powerful and long-standing partnerships with blue-chip and Governmental brands such as Maserati, National Electronic Security Association, Autodesk Middle East, General Motors, Etihad, Financial Times and Dubai Properties Group along the way.

Working with Donavon is a unique and memorable journey of both professional and personal experience: It’s a special blend of deep-set pedigree coupled with well-honed interpersonal skills that translates into meaningful and sustained conversation as well as profound professional engagement.

Leon Gifford

Leon Gifford is a driven, enterprising & pragmatic brand marketer that has a passion for ‘connecting the dots’, together with providing strategic leadership and direction across Activate the agency’s network as well as working on key clients and new business.

Truly focused on expanding on his own knowledge base with a passion for the events industry; Leon takes a very hands on approach to project delivery and can always be found on site with his sleeves rolled up delivering high end experiential gems such as Autodesk University, Etihad Airways CEO roadshow & Rubicon Oil Baron’s social.

With over 19 year’s experience in the Middle East region, Leon spent 15 of those years serving in senior positions for Toshiba and Targus Group International.

His primary focus has been in Sales & Marketing management, spearheading all ATL & BTL marketing initiatives which has provided an excellent foundation for understanding the importance for clients in spending marketing budgets wisely, communicating with the right audiences to enhance brand perception and achieve productive results.

Co - founding Activate in 2015, Leon strives to consistently deliver value for all involved in the chain, by being honest about the capabilities of the agency and ensuring that those capabilities are aligned with the desired results of its clients.