The Marketing Lab launches AI-led marketing diagnostic platform for the Middle East
Marketing runs on choices. Better choices come from clearer signals. The Marketing Lab (TML) is bringing an AI-led diagnostic platform to the Middle East to replace guesswork with evidence.
Originally built to help Private Equity firms accelerate portfolio performance, the platform applies a rigorous framework across any business-any size, any sector, any geography. It grades what's working, what's weak, and what's missing.
How the diagnostic works
The system evaluates 27 marketing levers across three core areas: product, brand, and digital marketing. It blends technical AI analysis with human CMO interpretation, so you get speed with judgment-not just a dashboard of data.
Each lever is benchmarked against a defined competitor set and graded with a clear color code. You see relative strengths, weak points, and specific gaps you can fix.
- Product: proposition clarity, pricing logic, distribution, packaging, and more
- Brand: distinctiveness, salience, mental/physical availability, assets in-market
- Digital marketing: performance channels, creative, funnel health, analytics, and attribution
What marketers get
- A precise read on which levers are fully engaged, partially activated, or absent
- Side-by-side competitor comparison to spot advantage or underperformance
- Clear actions that explain what to change and why it matters
Critically, the platform runs without accessing proprietary data. That means you can evaluate any business quickly and independently, then prioritize the highest-ROI fixes.
Why this matters for the Middle East
Budgets are under scrutiny and growth targets are firm. Leaders in the region want cleaner signal before execution. This diagnostic creates a common language between CEOs, CMOs, and finance-evidence in, decisions out.
It's built for speed, comparability, and scale. Whether you manage a portfolio, a national brand, or a challenger, the output directs attention to the levers that move revenue and brand value.
In their words
"Marketing without diagnostics is guesswork. The Middle East stands to benefit significantly from deeper understanding before execution. We adopt an AI-led scientific, not opinion-based approach-clearly identifying what is working, what is not, and the precise steps required to build stronger local brands and more valuable businesses." - John Speers, Founder, The Marketing Lab
"We have seen first-hand what is missing in applying scientific analysis to marketing. Globally the market traction to date has been exceptional and, having operated in the Middle East for over 15 years, guiding many public and private sector clients, we look forward to seeing the additional value creation this brings." - Charlie Beauchamp, Partner, The Marketing Lab
Who built it and where it's been used
The platform was created by Bridge F61 in London, a value creation partner to the PE industry since 2018. Launched at PE Insights in November 2025, it draws on hundreds of assignments by the founders.
It has analysed almost a thousand companies and brands-including Microsoft, O2, Tesco, Emirates, Intel, Piaget, and Peroni-giving decision-makers clarity and precision rarely achieved in marketing evaluation.
How to put this to work
- Run the diagnostic across your brand and 3-5 key competitors
- Prioritize the top 5 levers with the largest value upside and fastest time-to-impact
- Set 90-day execution sprints with clear KPIs, owners, and budgets
- Re-diagnose quarterly to validate gains and reallocate spend
If you want more background on evidence-based marketing principles, the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute is a useful reference point. And if your team needs practical upskilling in AI for marketing, explore this resource: AI Certification for Marketing Specialists.
Bottom line
Better marketing starts with clearer diagnostics. This platform gives Middle East marketers the evidence to focus resources, close gaps, and grow with intent.
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