The Story Behind Snapchat's Doha Launch

Snapchat's Doha Expansion

• 🚀 Snapchat has officially opened its permanent office in Doha, Qatar, three years after its initial announcement in 2022.
• 🌍 This new office marks Snapchat's third market in the Middle East, following established regional headquarters in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Leadership Presence

• 🤝 Snap CEO Evan Spiegel attended the launch event, joined by Hussein Freijeh, VP for the MENA region at Snap, and Sheikh Jassim from GCO Qatar.
• 💬 Spiegel expressed profound gratitude for the creativity and support from the Doha community, highlighting Snapchat's commitment to investing in the region.

Creative Community Engagement

• 💡 Evan Spiegel engaged with over 50 Snapchat creators at a special summit held in Doha, emphasizing their importance to the platform.
• ✨ He noted being inspired by the creative energy in Doha, particularly the focus on friends, family, and authentic storytelling through Snapchat.

The Origin of Snapchat

• 👻 Spiegel shared insights into the app's beginnings, revealing it was originally named "Pekaboo".
• 🎨 He personally drew the iconic ghost logo in his dorm room, which initially included a small Polaroid photo, symbolizing the app's core feature of disappearing photos.

Event Highlights

• 📸 During his visit, Evan Spiegel also took the opportunity to pose with a falcon at Souq Waqif.
• 🎉 The day's celebrations concluded with a special dinner hosted by GCO Qatar, marking the official opening of the Doha office.