Alex Mackay

Alex is an associate in the Entertainment & Media Industry Group in Dubai. He primarily advises clients across the film production, digital media, events and technology sectors. Alex has extensive experience working on a range of commercial contracts including licensing, services and sponsorship agreements, as well as providing regulatory advice on media and data protection related matters.

Experience

Representative matters

Provided local law advice, as well as support on a network of contractual arrangements, in relation to a number of international film and television shoots in the UAE.

Advised a UAE based sports and events business in relation to a simulcast agreement with a major international broadcaster.

Advised a major international streaming platform on content regulatory issues. Spent three months on client secondment at a global mega event in Dubai. Led the negotiation of all agreements with concessionaires (both F&B and non-F&B), valued at over US$1 billion. Supported in the development of suitable contractual templates as well as creating bespoke arrangements to reflect the varied and complex commercial arrangements across a number of business units.

Provided local law advice, as well as support on a network of contractual arrangements, in relation to a number of international film and television shoots in the UAE.

Advised a UAE based sports and events business in relation to a simulcast agreement with a major international broadcaster.

Advised a global e-commerce provider on a range of local issues, including advice on new product launches, consumer protection law compliance issues, and media content and advertising restrictions in relation to its advertising and content streaming business units.

Produced a comprehensive gap analysis for a Dubai based e-commerce platform provider with ambitions to expand globally in the next three years, identifying and remedying key issues to provide a solid framework for expansion.

Advised a UAE based global mega event on its procurement agreement with an LA based creative agency regarding the creation of a fully interactive virtual recreation of the physical event site, accessible by users anywhere in the world (and therefore allowing those people unable to attend the event in person to still explore the site) and a digital overlay on the physical site utilising augmented reality technology.

Drafted and negotiated talent agreements and release forms for in-house productions.

Led on the implementation of a number of data protection compliance projects. Key clients include insurance companies and financial service providers in the DIFC, a bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain and a UAE ride hailing platform.

Advised a number of clients on local prize promotion requirements.

Regularly involved in instructing local counsel across the MENA region in multi-jurisdictional projects, consolidating and stress testing their advice insofar as necessary. Most recently, led on a project for a U.S. based medical association seeking to understand the intellectual property protection afforded to a database of terminology which it had created.

Delivered a number of client training sessions on a range of topics including commercial contracts, data protection and product compliance.

Provided regular legal support to a London based charity, Meals for the NHS, in respect of all aspects of its activities throughout the COVID-19 crisis.