Plaud appoints Kamel Ouadi to lead global brand transformation

Plaud has appointed Kamel Ouadi as Head of Global Brand Centre as the company moves to strengthen its position within the global AI note-taking sector.

Ouadi, who will be based in Paris, joins Plaud with more than two decades of experience guiding digital transformation and brand strategies at well-known luxury and lifestyle businesses. His previous roles have included positions at Galeries Lafayette, L'Oréal, Louis Vuitton, Christie's, Puig, Bang & Olufsen, and Devialet, alongside founding the storytelling platform Nowness.

Ouadi's new responsibilities at Plaud will encompass leadership of the company's global brand, creative, and communications strategy, positioning him to play a central role as Plaud expands its reach among professionals worldwide.

His appointment is described as a significant step for Plaud's stated ambition to become a global, aspirational brand, beyond its current reputation as a provider of AI-powered note-taking solutions.

Career background

Ouadi's career started at Galeries Lafayette Group, followed by a move to L'Oréal Group where he managed international customer relations and developed digital strategies. At Louis Vuitton, his digital strategies were recognised with 49 awards over four years.

He went on to found Nowness, a digital video platform focused on luxury and lifestyle storytelling. His subsequent executive roles covered Chief Brand Marketing & Digital Officer at Christie's, Group Chief Marketing & Digital Officer at Puig, Chief Brand Marketing & Digital Officer at Bang & Olufsen, and Chief Marketing Officer at Devialet, where he directed brand strategy and partnerships across various global markets.

Plaud's leadership perspective

Plaud Co-founder and CEO Nathan Xu said the arrival of Ouadi aligns with the company's objective to become a central player for professionals seeking to amplify their work with AI.

"Kamel's exceptional track record in building world-class brands aligns perfectly with our vision to become an essential intelligence partner for professionals. His deep understanding of premium customer experiences will be invaluable as we evolve from a productivity tool into a truly aspirational brand," said Nathan Xu. 

Plaud currently offers products such as Plaud Note, Plaud NotePin, and the newly released Plaud Note Pro. These devices and associated software are designed to help professionals enhance productivity through real-time AI-enabled note-taking, across more than 170 countries.

Vision for brand evolution

Kamel Ouadi shared his perspective on joining the company and the direction he intends to help shape.

"Plaud sits at the perfect intersection of cutting-edge technology and human-centric design. The elegant 'Capture, Extract, Utilize' methodology isn't just technology; it's the foundation for a new brand promise in intelligent work. My focus is on crafting a narrative that reflects this shift from simple utility to profound professional empowerment," said Kamel Ouadi. 

Ouadi's appointment is seen as a way to accelerate Plaud's shift from being viewed primarily as a productivity tool to a company known for fostering professional empowerment and promoting an aspirational brand identity.

Market position

Plaud reports having over 1,000,000 users worldwide since 2023, with a client base spanning more than 170 countries. The firm describes its mission as amplifying human intelligence for professional audiences, supported through a hardware-software product combination.

The company also highlights its commitment to data security and privacy, adhering to SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and EN18031 compliance standards as part of its wider business operations.