Gaming Ecosystem Strategist & Speaker
I build industries, not just organisations. Fifteen years shaping the Middle East's gaming and creative economy — with a mandate to turn national vision into measurable impact.
About
I am a director-level executive with a fifteen-year track record of building gaming ecosystems, esports programs, and creative economy initiatives in Abu Dhabi — from the ground up, with direct accountability to national economic targets.
At Abu Dhabi Gaming, under the Department of Culture & Tourism, I serve as Director of Sector Enablement — leading talent development, community engagement, and esports across both Abu Dhabi Gaming and Sandstorm Comics. My primary KPI is GDP contribution, measured through gaming industry jobs created. Highlights include launching the region's first gaming bachelor's degree via Rubika, co-producing the regional launch of Call of Duty with Activision, and hosting the first Marvel Rivals tournament outside China. In one year, we grew our network to over 100 companies and created more than 150 industry jobs.
Before AD Gaming, I served as CEO and CTO of 42 Abu Dhabi — a peer-to-peer coding school under ADEK — where I took the campus from concept to the first accredited institution in the entire 42 Network globally, achieving 100% graduate employment in the first cohort. I hold an Executive MBA from London Business School (Class of 2025) and a B.S. in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology.
I am an American and Brazilian dual-culture executive, fluent in English and Portuguese — currently based in Abu Dhabi with strong ties to Georgia, and open to opportunities across the US Southeast.
Expertise
Architecting gaming and creative economy ecosystems from policy through community — with GDP-level accountability, long-horizon strategy, and a proven record of delivery inside government structures.
Designing talent pipelines that connect education to industry — from the UAE's first gaming degree to coding schools and direct placement initiatives with measurable employment outcomes.
Building competitive gaming structures, grassroots communities, and global publisher partnerships — from local tournaments to international activations with Activision and Marvel.
Leading teams inside complex government organisations — balancing stakeholder alignment, KPI delivery, and corporate turnaround from a foundation of LBS-trained strategic rigour and real-world execution.
Speaking
Marcos Muller-Habig is an executive, ecosystem strategist, and speaker with over fifteen years of experience building gaming, esports, and creative economy initiatives in the Middle East.
As Director of Sector Enablement at Abu Dhabi Gaming — a government entity under the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism — he leads the emirate's talent development, community engagement, and esports strategy with direct accountability to national GDP targets. His work has contributed to a 20% GDP impact increase, placed over 150 people into gaming industry jobs, and grown Abu Dhabi's gaming network to more than 100 companies.
A graduate of London Business School's Executive MBA programme (Class of 2025), Marcos speaks with the authority of someone who has built institutions where none previously existed — and the clarity to make that story land with any audience.
Select Appearances
Press & Media
A 63-minute conversation on building a sustainable ecosystem, incentivising global studios, closing the talent gap, and why Abu Dhabi is a serious player on the world gaming map.
Listen → Ep. 271 · February 2025 Arab News Japan · InterviewOn building the Abu Dhabi Gaming District, shifting public perception of gaming as a career, and the vision for Abu Dhabi as a premier regional hub.
Read → April 2025 Arab News Japan · FeatureOn representing Abu Dhabi at one of the world's largest gaming trade shows, debuting four UAE-based studios to Japanese publishers and global partners.
Read → September 2024 The Business Year · InterviewAs Acting CEO of 42 Abu Dhabi — on peer-to-peer education, skill-based learning, and building the talent infrastructure behind the emirate's digital transformation.
Read → May 2023 42 Abu Dhabi · Panel CoveragePanel discussion at the Games for Change Middle East Summit on how gamified learning cultivates technical ability, decision-making, and perseverance in the next generation.
Read → December 2023Additional interviews, press mentions, and panel appearances available on request.
Get in touchOn Stage & On Air
Select recordings from speaking engagements and podcast appearances.
Deconstructor of Fun · Podcast · Feb 2025
Gaming in the Middle East: Inside Abu Dhabi's Big Bet on Games
Profile · Documentary
How a Gamer from Brazil became a Coding Pioneer in Abu Dhabi
Career
Leading talent development, community engagement, and esports across both Abu Dhabi Gaming and Sandstorm Comics. Accountable for GDP contribution KPIs. Launched the region's first gaming bachelor's degree via Rubika, produced the regional Call of Duty launch with Activision, hosted the first Marvel Rivals tournament outside China, and executed a full brand rebrand of Abu Dhabi Gaming.
Developed a 10-year industry strategy and implementation plan within six months. Achieved all organisational KPIs for the first time since 2021, within budget. Contributed to a 20% GDP impact increase in 2024. Delivered a full risk mitigation plan within three months of an audit finding.
Recruited as founding CTO and later appointed Acting CEO during a leadership transition. Took the campus from concept to the first accredited institution in the 50+ school 42 Network globally. First graduate cohort achieved a 100% employment rate. Led a team of 21; restructured org chart and pay scale; developed a new five-year expansion strategy. Delivered the grand opening keynote in front of HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed and HE the Minister of Education.
Managed enterprise accounts worth over $20M; consistently exceeded sales targets by 50%+ and achieved the highest closure rate in the company. Accountable for 45% of company revenue. Concurrently served as Disaster Recovery Manager — the only DRM to achieve the highest audit rating for two consecutive years — and Project Manager on technology projects valued at over $5M AED.
Led operational communications for 1,600 users. Facilitated monthly and quarterly team sessions across a global, multi-sector portfolio organisation.
Supported a multi-year SAP upgrade engagement for Nissan North America. Devised an upgrade plan for Nissan South Africa including SAP Solution Manager. Led the platform migration from Unix to Windows.
Contact
Whether you're exploring a leadership hire, planning an event and looking for a speaker, or simply want to connect — I'd be glad to hear from you.