Intermarkets, has announced an affiliation with the London-based FISH consultancy, specialists in Internet web-site design and promotion.

Considered pioneers in multi-media and the fast expanding medium of the Internet, FISH designs and builds award winning web-sites for a number of top blue-chip clients using a unique blend of creativity, marketing know-how and sophisticated technology.

Recent successes include nominations for the prestigious YELL Best Site Design Awards in the UK, for work on the Blockbuster Entertainment and The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) web-sites, the latter having been recently launched by HRH Prince Philip at St. James’ Palace, London.

Bringing a totally new perspective and approach to the new media through ‘Internet marketing’ techniques, FISH provides a unique service to assist clients in successfully developing and exploiting all new opportunities in this ever-changing field of electronic communications.

“Given the rapid growth of the Internet and the far reaching potential of this new medium, we believe that the time is ripe for forging links with a specialist consultancy such as FISH,” explained Ramzi Raad, Chief Operating Officer, Intermarkets.

“FISH view the Internet as the fifth and fastest growing medium, and expect it to exceed well over 200 million users by the turn of the century,” he continued. “They are experts in this field and our new affiliation will enable Intermarkets’ new and existing client base to benefit from their state-of-the- art Internet services.”

Being relative newcomers to the Internet phenomenon, the Middle East is seen as one of the biggest potential markets as much of the anticipated growth is expected to come from businesses going on-line. In the UK alone, growth is expected to generate billions of pounds in commercial transactions.

Services available from FISH include the design and building of interactive web-sites, CD-ROM press packs, promotional screen savers, user friendly touch screen kiosks for effective point-of-sale, and collation of data for direct marketing purposes which includes on-line warehouse fulfilment services.

Originally published in ArabAd, September 1997

From left: Ramzi Raad - Executive vice president intermarkets group, Nigel Page - regional sales manager - Middle East, British Airways, Sandra Owen - sales executive, British Airways, Joseph Ghossoub - general manager, Intermarkets UAE & Oman, Chris Cum-mings - BP Middle East, Hassan Laham - AI Jallaf Modern Establishment, Edward Lim - Singapore Airlines, Elle Kai - Media International Services, Najib Haddad - ODECO

DUBAI – Intermarkets U.A.E. invited clients, media and friends to an open house to celebrate new year and the recent announcement that for the 12th consecutive year, it has achieved the highest annual turnover with both, Dubai and Abu Dhabi television stations.

Since its opening in Dubai, on February 1st, 1975, Intermarkets U.A.E. has maintained this number one position with the two television stations. During the party, messages of greetings were received from the Intermarkets offices in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, North Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon and England.

Intermarkets’ Kuwait and Jordan confirmed in their messages that they – too – have achieved the number one position with their local TV stations, in 1987.

The celebration also marked the move of Intermarkets U.A.E. to their new premises on the Dubai-Sharjah road.

Originally published in ArabAd, May 1988

Six new members were elected last month to the board of directors of the Syndicate of Advertising Agencies, including Said Sabbagha, who was re-elected as president of the Syndicate. Ten candidates ran for the election, but Andre Rizk, CEO of Rizk Advertising and Associates, withdrew from the race leaving nine candidates who got the following results: Said Sabbagha (48 votes), Erwin Guerrovich (46), Nouhad Beyhum (42), Ramsay Najjar (40), Gaby Hayek (34), Philippe Skaff (30), Wadih Rizk (19) and Jihad Abu Jaoudeh (13).

Originally published in ArabAd, January 1996

Said Sabbagha

Erwin Guerrovich

Ramsay Najjar

Gaby Hayek

COCA COLA International has appointed Intermarkets Jerusalem as its advertising agency in Jordan, a new market for the American soft drink. “The agreement came as a result of negotiations between the two parties concerned,” said Bassem Dajani, general manager of Intermarkets Jerusalem.

Representatives of the international soft drink company contacted a number of Jordanian advertising agencies including Intermarkets Jerusalem. Dajani’s ad agency was chosen after a tough selection process in which the competing agencies had to present Coca Cola with a pre-conceived ad campaign lasting for 12 years.

“Coca Cola should reach 99% of Jordanians in all ways: radio stations, TV, press, billboards, and others,” said Dajani. Initially only Coke sold in cans will be available in Jordan, though there are plans to introduce the Cola bottle later on, affirmed Dajani. Furthermore, the introduction of Coke in Jordan will be followed by other Coca Cola International brands, names such as Sprite, Fanta as well as Diet Coca Cola.

Originally published in ArabAd, December 1993

Sur notre photo: MM. Erwin Guerrovich, CEO du groupe, Ramzi Raad, vice-président, directeur général d'Intermarkets-Dubai; les directeurs généraux Joe Ayoub (Liban), Jihad Abbouchi (Arabie Séoudite), Fady Mouannès (Koweit), Bassem Dajani (Jordanie), Makram Zeenny (Syrie), Galal Zaki (Egypte); ainsi que Khalil Bitar, vice-président pour les finances, et Nadim Sfeir, vice-président pour le Proche-Orient et l'Arabie Séoudite.

La direction régionale du Groupe Intermarkets a tenu récemment à Dubai, sa réunion annuelle. Ont été passées en revue, les réalisations de l’année écoulée, dont l’acquisition de nouveaux budgets régionaux, prestigieux, tels que Rothmans of Pall Mall, the British Bank of the Middle East, Trisa et Alberto Culver ainsi que de plusieurs autres bugets locaux, remportés par les différents bureaux du groupe.

Il a été également procédé à l’étude des plans pour l’introduction de services de direct/integrated marketing, via une joint venture avec Tequila UK. Tequila Middle East opérera sur le même schéma que Intermarkets Public Relations, affilié au Moyen-Orient avec Burson Marsteller, le numéro un mondial des relations publiques.

Les participants se sont également penchés sur la stratégie d’expansion du groupe pour l’an 2000, une stratégie visant à atteindre le but ultime, “devenir les meilleur”.

Intermarkets est l’une des plus anciennes agences de publicité du Moyen-Orient. Fondée au Liban il y a 35 ans, Intermarkets s’est établie à Dubai en 1976, pour rayonner dans toute la région, offrant des services intégrés dans tous ses bureaux; en Arabie Séoudite, Koweit, Egypte, Jordanie, Yémen et Syrie.

Originally published in L’Orient-Le Jour, April 1996

Intermarkets a tenu son 27ème séminaire annuel de gestion à Beyrouth, avec la participation des directeurs du Liban, Jordanie, Egypte, Arabie Saoudite, Emirats Arabes Unis, Koweit et Oman. Durant le séminaire, la direction générale a annoncé l’ouverture de ses bureaux en Syrie.

En étendant son réseau régional, fonction des nouvelles données économiques et des besoins de ses clients, Intermarkets continue dans sa tradition de pionnier libanais et arabe de la publicité moyen-orientale depuis 1960. Le dîner de clôture du séminaire a été rehaussé par la présence du ministre de l’Information et de Mme Michel Samaha.

Originally published in Commerce, March 1994

Au cours de la cérémonie annuelle de remise des “Sword Awards” organisée par la Saudi Research & Publishing Company, le “Gold Sword Award”, grand prix toutes catégories, a été décerné pour 1995 à Intermarkets Saudi Arabia, pour sa campagne de la National Commercial Bank.

Les “Sword Awards” récompensent chaque année les meilleures créations publicitaires de presse. Intermarkets Saudi Arabia a aussi remporté un “Silver Sword Award” dans la catégorie institutions financières et services généraux, également pour le compte de la National Commercial Bank. Intermarkets Saudi Arabia, première agence régionale fondée dans le Royaume Wahabite en 1978, prouve une fois de plus la qualité de ses services.

Originally published in Magazine, June 1996

Saudia, Saudi Arabian Airlines is about to launch its new international advertising campaign, the first major creative brief for its agency Intermarkets since winning the account in April ’92.
Abdullah al Jehani, Saudia’s general manager, sales promotion & development, said: “We aim to position Saudia as a truly international airline with a distinctive Saudi character – an airline which is caring, responsible, efficient and modern.”

Saudia can back these claims with one of the airline industry’s largest fleets and networks, outstanding safety and punctuality records – and almost 50 years experience.

The campaign’s theme Proud to Serve You’- was developed by the agency’s Jeddah creative team and will feature in eight different print advertisements showcasing every aspect of the airline’s passenger and cargo services.

Creating the campaign involved photography and filming in Riyadh, Jeddah and London, with colour separations made in Singapore which, according to Senior Creative Director James McCredie, is in line with the campaign’s aim to communicate that Saudia is a truly international airline.
“The notion of pride is strongly linked to the romantic image of the desert Arab”, says McCredie. “Intermarkets tie this to Saudia staffs pride in their professionalism.”

Saudia’s Manager of Systems Advertising, Farouk Elyas, said “our ‘Proud to Serve You’ theme highlights the little touches which define the distinctive Saudia character – Arabic coffee or mint tea, dates, the uniforms and cabin decor, the special attention we pay to families and traditions.”

Appearing from now the new advertisements will appear in Saudi English and Arabic language national and international media and in prestigious titles such as Time, Business Week, The Economist and the Financial Times among others, according to Group Account Director Sunil Mehta.

Television will also be used, with 30-second spots booked to appear on CNN, MBC and both Saudi national channels.
The campaign is supported by point-of-sale posters, display material and lapel badges.
General Manager for Intermarkets Advertising in Saudi Arabia, Nadim Sfeir, said “This has been one of the most tightly-vetted campaigns I have ever known. It was pre-tested against the previous campaign in New York, London, Singapore, Dubai.

Riyadh, Jeddah and Dahran – and emerged the clear winner, before being scrutinised and approved by Saudia management. “Saudia have a lot riding on this” said Sfeir.
“It’s going to be their campaign for at least the next three years and probably much longer – so it had to be right,” he added.

Established 33 years ago and with offices throughout the Middle East, and in London, Intermarkets scooped 5 creative wins in the regional IAA awards earlier this year.

Originally published in ArabAd, November 1993