The Middle East Communications Network (MCN) announced the appointment of Ghassan Harfouche as their new Group Chief Executive Officer, joining beginning of the second quarter 2011. 

 

Making the announcement in Dubai, Akram Miknas, Chairman at MCN said "a clear leader has emerged from our extensive executive search; a leader who will take MCN to a new era. Ghassan Harfouche is well-known to the industry for his integrity, ethics and above all, visionary courage."

 

Luca Lindner, President McCANN WORLDGROUP Latin America, Africa & Middle East, representing IPG on the Board, underlines the Interpublic Group's wholehearted support for Chairman Miknas and this decision. He states: "We are thrilled to have Ghassan joining MCN and we will make available all our global resources to provide him with any support for his great challenge".

 

Harfouche commented on his announcement: "I am delighted to work closely with the outstanding leaders of MCN's network in driving the vision for the group and nurturing further collaboration and integration within the different entities and enhancing the culture of creativity and innovation which I am confident will produce distinctive communication solutions to our clients' businesses"

 

Harfouche moves from Choueiri Group where he spent the last 13 years successfully as the Managing Director establishing and growing MEMS. Harfouche began his career in sales and marketing in Lebanon and soon after, relocated to Jeddah, joining the renowned De Beers Diamond Group as Trade Marketing Director, entrusted with developing the Group's business activities across the GCC region. He has a Masters Degree in Economics from St. Joseph University Beirut and an Executive MBA from London Business School. Additionally, he has served as a Professor teaching media economics at AUD.

 

Harfouche's role as MCN Group CEO will be highly strategic on the group level to leverage the full power of being the leading communications group. He will be leading the process of developing and driving the vision for the future of MCN, identifying new growth opportunities in the region, connecting the dots to maximize integration between the operating companies and between MCN and IPG/McCANN WORLDGROUP and lead MCN towards the next level in terms of innovation, professionalism, creativity, talent, knowledge leadership and of course performance.

 

Chairman, Akram Miknas said: "I am convinced that Ghassan - known as a great, fair and transparent leader and communicator, with his enthusiasm and knowledge of the industry and region, his strong strategic focus, energy and passion, will lead the operating companies to drive the success of our group in transforming brands and growing our clients' businesses."

 

In a statement to the leadership of the organization, Miknas said "I am very pleased and excited to have Ghassan joining our group as the MCN Group CEO. His appointment completes the restructuring which started in 2010 by empowering our operating companies with strong leaders".

 

Commenting on Fadi Salameh's departure at the end of March, Miknas said "MCN would not be where it is today without Fadi Salameh. We all know that Fadi has taken a personal decision three years ago to leave his position by March 31st, 2011. We have been truly saddened by his decision. His succession was carefully planned by MCN Board and Fadi."

 

Fadi Salameh, MCN President & CEO, joined the group in 1992 and has been a clear leader in the communication industry; effectively making the group the largest advertising network in the Middle East and North Africa. He will remain fully in charge till end of March.