Pirelli augments their grip in the region by appointing the Intermarkets Madco Group as their communications strategists

The announcement was made in the presence of Mr. Giovanni Arrigone Area Manager Gulf and Middle East for Pirelli. From the Intermarkets Madco Group, one of the largest and most reputed advertising communications networks in the region Mr. Saad El Zein Managing Director was present for the signing of the contract.

At the occasion Mr. Arrigone commented, 'We needed a partner that could comprehensively support us in all aspects of corporate communications in the region, and the Intermarkets Madco Group proved themselves with their portfolio of local, regional and multinational Clients as well as their knowledge of our industry, which is essential to us.'

'The Middle East is a vital and strategic region for Pirelli, with our performance and off-road tyres proving extremely popular, we understand that 'thinking globally and acting locally' is a must in the modern market place, hence our appointment of the Intermarkets Madco Group,' added Mr. Arrigone.

Speaking on the occasion, Saad El Zein said,' Our strategic spread in the majority of the Arab countries is a real asset in servicing Pirelli. We have the knowledge and the communication tools to create a platform to foster the growth of Pirelli's market share in the region, nurturing and supporting their overall position as the leader in performance tyres.' He added, 'We believe that knowledge of our customer's industry is a key element in offering creativity and individuality and that's what distinguishes us.'

The Intermarkets Madco Group is one of the first advertising and public relations agencies established in the Middle East in 1961. Today, the Group is the largest independent marketing communications network in the Middle East and operates as a total communication specialist, with a total of 10 full-service offices throughout the region.

Pirelli's Tyre Sector has 21 factories and approximately 20.000 employees in Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, Turkey, The United States and Venezuela. Pirelli's Tyre Sector also has a marketing network covering over 120 countries around the world. The Company is among the world's top tyre manufacturers, with sales of over Euro 2.831 billion in 2001.