Gabriel Brenas: I.O.U.

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Anna Congedo

Gabriel Brenas: I can pretend, I knew the man… He was my boss during my first duty at “Intermarkets-Lebanon” in the late seventies.
Gaby Brenas formed the basis of my career, and taught me that you can succeed in this business without losing your self-respect.
He knew how to delegate without really pulling the safety net, he knew the strength of his charisma and for this he added his refined sense of humor.
Gaby the veteran and seasoned expert was also the youngest in spirit and always criticised “le vieux jeu”, Gaby the creative adept, knew the secrets of the trade when it came to handle the client’s ego.
The scrupulous “Gaby” explored my Ethics and carved my values; yet never lectured me and spared me the “Rhetoric.”
Gaby Brenas: The French “mind,” the Lebanese “heart” and the universal “guts”: I will not miss you because of your heritage that I will always cherish and because of Alain: Your personified DNA.
Gaby Brenas: A tribute of loyalty in the land of ungratefulness…

Gaby Brenas: I.O.U

Ramsay G/ Najjar
SS/BD&A

Originally published in ArabAd, April 1998

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A farewell to Gaby Brenas

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Anna Congedo
Gaby Brenas

Gaby Brenas

In February 20th, 1998, Gaby Brenas died, aged 82. With this passing away, it is a chapter of the heroic days of M.E. Marketing & Advertising Services, then Intermarkets, that has come to a close.

Among the early pioneers of advertising in Lebanon, just after the end of World War II, co-editor of the specialised cinema weekly, Cine d’Orient, organiser of the first commercial exhibitions in Lebanon together with the late Darwiche Massoud and Gaston Chikhani; Gaby Brenas has during half a century, been closely associated to the development of advertising in Lebanon.
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Intermarkets Lebanon management changes

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Anna Congedo

In line with the forward vision of Lebanon’s future, coupled with the regional scope of operations Intermarkets has announced the following changes. Area vice President, Nadim Sfeir, will become general manager of Intermarkets-Lebanon and will be based at the Beirut head office. He will continue to assume his group corporate responsibilities over the Levant, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Tylda Ghosn remains Area Creative Director. Makram Zeenny, transferring from Damascus, will also be based in Beirut, and will assist Nadim on both Lebanon, Levant and Egypt territories.
[Photos]

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Intermarkets honoured in Montreal

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Anna Congedo
Paul Laramee, MD of Tam Tam, Intermarkets' associates in Canada, receiving the trophy from the President of the Publicity Club of Montreal

Paul Laramee, MD of Tam Tam, Intermarkets’ associates in Canada, receiving the trophy from the President of the Publicity Club of Montreal

Intermarkets has been awarded the bronze prize of the “Prix de Nations – Liban” for their Sleep Comfort ad at the Mondial de la Publicite Francophone held recently in Montreal. The creative director of the entry is Tylda Ghosn.
The trophy was received by Intermarkets associates in Canada.
Originally published in Arab Ad, November 1998

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Intermarkets Lebanon announces a major reorganization

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Anna Congedo
Sonia Chaanine

Sonia Chaanine

BEIRUT – Intermarkets Lebanon is undergoing a major reorganization that will give the Intermarkets Group unprecedented strength in Lebanon. Joining Intermarkets Lebanon in key executive roles are Ramsay Najjar, Elie Khoury with The Agency Group and Sonia Chaanine and her team. Erwin Guerrovich, President of the Intermarkets Group, described the move as “another landmark.”
The Agency, a young and creative company headed by Elie Khoury which quickly made its mark in Lebanese advertising, is merging with Intermarkets. Top executives of The Agency are coming on board. They include Adel Kanaan, Marketing Director, Hannibal Raide, Associate Creative Director/Producer, and Abdo Saleh, Chief Art Director.
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Tree Ad gift makes Nahas a happy man

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Anna Congedo
Antoine Aad and lucky old-time friend Mahmoud Nahas

Antoine Aad and lucky old-time friend Mahmoud Nahas

Mahmoud Nahas is a very happy man. Thanks to Christmas card and a lottery ticket he received last month. The ticket won the jackpot of LL 200 million. No chicken feed for a man who has been making coffee at Intermarkets advertising agency for 30 years.
“I’ve been buying these tickets every week for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I still can’t believe that I’m really the winner. It’s such a beautiful surprise to start the new year.”
Upon discovering that he had won, the office celebrated with cake and a party. “We were all so excited for him that we couldn’t get any work done that day,” said a colleague.
“We had a feeling that somebody in the office won first prize. Another employee had all the numbers but one, which netted her LL2million.” Antoine Aad, CEO of Tree Ad, has been sending more than 1,500 lottery tickets a year as gifts to staff in the advertising industry for about 10 years now. But this is the first time that a ticket has paid dividends.
Aad admits that this year he opted for the cheaper tickets New Year’s tickets he usually distributes, due to the current economic situation. But he could not be happier about Nahas’ good fortune.
“My association with Nahas goes back 30 years, to when I worked with him for Intermarkets,” he said. “He is a friend and I’m happy for him.”
Originally published in ArabAd, January 2000

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Advertising Agencies in Bahrain

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Anna Congedo

When my colleagues and I started Gulf Public Relations in 1974 there were but three local agencies and one international. The locals were Gulf Publicity, headed by Yusif Zubari; Arab Consult which was Ahmed Faqhri’s adaptation of the former Government information office featuring among its executive directors Michael Rice and James Belgrave, and Awal Advertising, started by the English cartoonist of the Gulf Mirror, Lewis Moreland. GPR was the fourth member of this distinguished society. [Read more...]

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Intermarkets UAE launches Damac’s “Yum Yum Corner”

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Anna Congedo

DUBAI – Intermarkets UAE have been appointed by DAMAC, one of the leading catering companies in the Gulf to launch the first food-court to be opened in the Middle East, at Al Ghurair Centre in Dubai.

“Yum Yum Corner” as the food-court has been named will seat around 300 people and will be serving Mexican, American, Italian, Indian and Lebanese fast food. In this section, it features 3 international franchises namely “Popeyes”, “Pizza Inn” and “Taco Time”.
It offers also the services of a coffee-shop, a coffee bar, a crêperie and a children amusement centre.

This new account presents to Intermarkets UAE a very challenging opportunity as DAMAC are launching many other fast-food outlets, all around the area.
Originally published in Arabad, April 1988

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How can Intermarkets Advertising be sold to WPP if the sales was not complete and there are court proceedings?

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Anna Congedo

I was browsing the internet and to my great surprise I found out that WPP purchased Intermarkets Advertising from Joseph GHOUSSOUB and Talal MAKDESSI.
My late father Erwin GUERROVICH has never received the monies due to him for this sale, this is why we are in courts for now over 10 years now.
How can Intermarkets advertising be sold to WPP if neither my late father, neither us were paid?
Was that fact hidden from WPP when Intermarkets Advertising was sold?
Ironically the official reason Joseph GHOUSSOUB and Talal MAKDESSI give in court for not paying their due is that the sale was never completed?
How can Joseph GHOUSSOUB and Talal MAKDESSI sell Intermarkets Advertising to WPP if the initial sale from Erwin GUERROVICH was not completed?
WPP doesn’t have lawyers that check what they are buying beforehand?
I am ready to answer all questions you can PM me or comment here.
YG

“Intermarkets, the oldest PR and advertising group and marketing communications network agency in the Middle East, was founded in 1961 in Beirut, Lebanon, introducing the concept of modern communication to the Middle East. Today, it has 11 strategically located offices. Having gained a high reputation and numerous awards for their creative advertising campaigns, Intermarkets has a holistic full-service approach, including relationship marketing, market research, and corporate identity services for their industry-leading clients.”

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LEBANON CHAPTER: London, Beirut Congresses attract wide attention

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Anna Congedo
Table-of-honour

Table of honor

The Lebanese Chapter of the IAA has organised a lunch at Marriott Hotel early February, on the occasion of the visit to Lebanon of Basil Bicknell, President of the IAA World Congress Committee, “London 2000″, which will take place in London in June 2000. This event was held under the auspices of Arthur Nazarian, Minister of Tourism, and was attended by advertisers, advertising agencies, media and businessmen.
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