MCN regional media conference - Quest 06

Conducted at the Diplomat Radisson in Bahrain, Quest 06 was all about how the 170 media staff from across the region would 'collaborate, create, and conquer' the region's fast growing media market.

The conference was more than just a meeting of minds - the second day was entirely focused on media 'innovations' and the attendees were challenged with 'hands-on' real-life case study assignments where they broke away in groups of ten and then 'pitched' against each other in a battle of fast forward thinking, creativity and team dynamics.

Fadi Salameh, CEO and President and Akram Miknas, Chairman, both attended.

Salameh, in his inaugural address said, "Today, we are the leaders in the region with a combined buying strength of about 20% of the ad spend in the region. We have an unprecedented blue chip client list. No one is anywhere near us. We have the world's top brands, and the regions best clients. And we are consciously setting the standards in our commitment to continuous improvement. To ensure that we always have a leadership role - a pole position. The 170+ people in this room - you are the best," he saluted.

The idea of bringing every single person working in all three MCN agencies - Universal Media, Initiative and Magna - was a brainchild of Salameh. "This isn't a senior managers conference. This isn't about a bunch of MDs and accountants saying how much, and how often. This is, I hope, a two-day reminder to us all in the room that we are the best there is, that we will continue to be the best, and that our quest towards that goal, that position is on every single day," he added.

The conference which was successfully hosted by Fortune Promoseven's Bahrain operation, where Chairman Akram Miknas sits, and where Tariq Al Saffar (also attending) is the Managing Director. Organizing and master planning the event and the engaging content of the presentations were Eyad Abdul Khalek and Oussama Jamal - both Regional Operations Directors for MCN's media interests. MCN is the Middle East Communication Networks which owns and operates several advertising and media agencies across the Middle East and North Africa including Fortune Promoseven, Lowe Mena, Universal Media, Initiative, and Magna.

MCN Media also announced a new staff initiative -the MCN Media Training and Development Program - which will include modular learning and practical hands-on workshops to develop staff skills in planning, buying, and overall media architecture development for participants across all levels. The program was developed mostly by Eyad Abdul Khalek, the Regional Operations Director who said, "This is a major industry leading initiative that will clearly set us apart as leaders who are committed to building the agencies by building their people."

Using the springboard, Jaikumar Menon, Regional Managing Director of UM7 formally announced the identity switch to Universal Media. He challenged his colleagues to "think of outcome, not just output" and inspired one and all present with his words on the road ahead for the newly branded Universal Media. Menon revealed the new identity with a video appropriately titled 'Red' which reflected the new look & feel of the agency.