Kanaan's strategic planning background key factor in the network's ambitions for its Levant hub

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, May 31st 2015 [ME NewsWire]

Havas Worldwide Middle East has announced the appointment of Rachid Kanaan as its new Beirut office general manager, following the resignation of Makram Khater.

Khater had transferred to Beirut in 2013, after joining the region's premier luxury, retail and fashion network in 2000, rising to client service director in its Dubai hub prior to his latest appointment. While no specifics were shared, it is understood that Khater will be pursuing interests on the client side.

Referring to the reasons that cemented the selection and appointment of Kanaan, Rachid Mtaini, Havas Worldwide Middle East's regional managing director, said "Rachid Kanaan is the perfect choice to build upon Makram's achievements, and take our Beirut office to the next level. His keen understanding of brands and their dynamics reflects our commitment to strategic, 360 communication processes, which have now become a prerequisite in our increasingly complex marketing environment. This is in line with the new Havas Village concept we launched recently in Dubai, and which I am keen to roll out throughout our presence in the Middle East. I believe Makram laid solid foundations during his 15-year tenure with us, and trust Rachid will do an outstanding job in view of his impressive track record."

"I was immediately fired up by the 'future first' brand-centric mindset at Havas," declared Rachid Kanaan. "The network has a vision of where it is headed which can benefit the brands in its care tremendously, and positioned them to address the challenges of the new communication multiverse. I look very much forward to bringing my contribution to the Beirut office, and grow it with the same transparency and integrity core values which are at the heart of Rachid's leadership."

While Kanaan is already on board, official handover will take place on June 1st.

About Havas Worldwide Middle East

Havas Worldwide Middle East is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and brings together a diverse staff of nearly 300 international and local talents. The network's offices across 7 countries cover the Middle East, delivering unique insights into local Arab culture and the ability to produce tailored communications, which influence the opinion, behavior, and attitudes of the communities we live and work in.  The Dubai hub is ranked as the number one agency for luxury, fashion and retail brands in the region, with an extensive client/brand roster that targets high net worth customers. Additionally, the network manages an even broader client/brand list of brands across the FMCG, pharmaceutical, automotive, retail and financial institutions sectors, in either of the advertising, PR, media and digital disciplines, backed up by a significant corporate and financial communications division.

Contacts

HAVAS PR MIDDLE EAST

Hares Shehab

Head, corporate communications

Switchboard: +971 - 4 - 455.6000

Email: hares.shehab@havasprme.com

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