Former Meta exec Sam Rihani joins Kantar as Sweden MD

STOCKHOLM: 18 February: Kantar, the world’s leading AI-native marketing data and analytics company has appointed Sam Rihani as Managing Director of Kantar Sweden, effective immediately.

Sam Rihani joins Kantar from wellness start-up Hale, where as Interim CEO he prepared the business for expansion, focusing on efficiency, reorganisation, and scaling. He also spent more than a decade at Meta, latterly as country director for Sweden and Finland, where he managed operations across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. Sam has also served on the board of IAB Sverige in one of several non-executive roles.

Based in Stockholm, Kantar helps Swedish and international organisations strengthen their connections with consumers and shape the future of their brands. Globally the company works with 98 of the world’s 100 biggest advertisers, with current clients in Sweden including Scania, Polestar, H&M, Scandic, Vattenfall and the main European automotive groups.  

Gonzalo Fuentes, CEO of Kantar’s Insights division in EMEA, said: “Sam’s wide-ranging experience in the media and tech sectors make him an asset to Kantar in Sweden at a time when our clients are looking to us to guide them through the challenges that lie ahead. And while AI is changing everything, one thing still sets organisations apart: their brand. At Kantar, we provide the intelligence that drives brand growth, and I look forward to working with Sam to help our clients shape strategies that are grounded in the connection between consumers, brands and enterprise value.”

Commenting on his new role, Sam Rihani remarked: “Businesses across all sectors are facing an environment defined by constant change, where agility and transformation are essential for continued success. In today’s rapidly evolving market, it’s critical for both established and emerging organisations to understand how to navigate these complexities effectively. Kantar is uniquely positioned to support clients as they adapt to these shifting dynamics, providing partnership and intelligence that empower brands to grow, innovate, and build lasting equity in an unpredictable landscape.”