Random – Miknas. The story.

A legend of his times

On April 25, 2016

$It\'s truly local$

He is a man to watch! His passion for creativity and communication, and his love for humanity has led him to build an empire today. He spends his waking hours accomplishing that which he dreams of in his sleep. Meet the legend, Mr Akram Miknas, Chairman and Founder of Promoseven Holdings as he talks BTW down the amazingly illustrious journey of his life.

Tell us briefly about your early life, where you were born and brought up, any special memories.

I was born in a family of mixed background. My father was a famous jeweler in Lebanon and my mother was an intellectual and a school mistress. My mother died when I was 16 years old. I lived most of my life in Beirut, Lebanon; attended International College (IC) and American University of Beirut (AUB)- studied Business Administration majoring in Marketing.

When did you start work and how did you come to Bahrain?

I came to the Gulf – first to Dubai and then to Bahrain – as a result of the Lebanese War in 1975, and chose Bahrain as my home for family and growth.

How did the FP7/Promoseven come about?

I grew the business which I started in Lebanon with seven partners who later on resigned their partnership and I was left on my own.

Briefly trace the path of development of the company since its inception?

In Lebanon, I have built three local brands into regional brands and they all became extremely successful. I then came to the Gulf where I worked on the communication marketing plans, mostly on advertising, for Cathay Pacific first and then BMW, Gulf Air and Nivea.

How long have you been in Bahrain? What about the country do you like the most?

I’ve been in Bahrain for 40 years and I think Bahrain is the country I love most. My business now spans throughout the Arab world but I want to keep Bahrain as the seat to chair all my businesses around the Middle East.

How would you define ‘Akram Miknas’? What are your passions?

Akram Miknas is a restless soul, extremely sincere to his passion for life and passion for achievement. I dream at night and as soon as I wake up, I work on making my dreams come true.

Do you think that advertising in Bahrain is at par/better/ worse than other parts of the world?

Like Bahrain, the advertising business is pretty small but quite sophisticated for a country of its size.

What are your passions?

I love swimming and humanity; because of humanity, I love antiques.

What, according to you, are the essential traits of a successful entrepreneur?

The traits for a successful entrepreneur are to be sincere in his pursuit, to be a good hunter and to be selective with the people who choose to work for.

What is your message to aspiring entrepreneurs of Bahrain?

My simple message to aspiring entrepreneurs of Bahrain is don’t waste your time outside what you desire in terms of the realm of the kind of business you want to spend your life in and that every time you fail, you consider it a step for a new success.

April 23, 2016

The 710am to Bahrain. In the back.

By admin

On February 16, 2016

In Posts

Flydubai 7

Fly Dubai’s early flight to Bahrain from Dubai departs Terminal 2 at 710am. Abed and Ronnie are both at the airport on time, they’re flying to Bahrain for a pitch – they work at one of MCN’s agencies. Except they’re flying Gulf Air. Business.

It’s an hour and fifteen minutes from wheels up to wheels down. Flying Business is not usual for MCN folks usually for short duration flights. Just doesn’t make dollars and sense. Specially when oil is down to the near bottom of the barrel price wise, and every one seems to be talking about a ‘correction’. But the client’s paying, and Gulf Air is a good airline.

Lattes in hand, Abed and Ronnie are ambling towards their check in counter when they see Akram. The Chairman. Small carry on in hand, Akram’s headed back to Bahrain – his operative HQ. But Akram’s not moving towards the Gulf Air counter. He is headed for the counters that say Fly Dubai. The alternative airline.

Akram can afford to fly any airline, Row 1. He can afford a Lear jet. But this time the front seats on Fly Dubai were sold out, and he is totally at peace with sitting in the back. That’s just him. Akram, not miserly – not stupid either. Akram, who can look a one hour fifteen minute flight in the eye and just settle for whatever is needed to get him across. No fuss. No hot breakfasts. And no problem.

George Clooney, Amal Alamuddin – the Connection

By admin

On February 16, 2016

In Family

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry attends media after talks on the situation in Ukraine in Geneva April 17, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (SWITZERLAND - Tags: POLITICS HEADSHOT) - RTR3LPU5

While many might have been surprised with the wedding news of Hollywood’s renowned bachelor George Clooney to the Lebanese-British shrewd and elegant barrister Amal Alamuddin, the same cannot be said about Clooney’s future mother-in-law Bariaa Alamuddin.

Confident, warm, and very well connected, that’s how those who know Bariaa Miknas well, describe her. Her journey was no walk in the park, growing up in Tripoli, before moving to Beirut to pursue her journalism career with Dar Sayyad in the sixties then with the Lebanese national TV. She later married Ramzi Alamuddin, and the couple escaped war-ravaged Lebanon to London, where Bariaa joined Al-Hayat newspaper and raised her two daughters Amal and Tala.

Bariaa is, well, Akram’s sister. That’s the connection, then.

Old wheels

By admin

On October 30, 2015

In Interests

chrysler60newyorker2

Q. During your talk at the DIMS Motoring Nostalgia event, you’ll be telling us about the classic car market in Dubai and around the world, so what do you feel are the main differences between the classic car markets in Dubai and elsewhere?

Obviously, it can be much easier to be a classic car collector in other parts of the world simply because there are more classic cars available. At the moment most of the collectors in Dubai have to buy their cars from abroad because vintage cars don’t tend to appreciate as much in the Gulf, while the weather conditions here don’t suit the cars as well.

Q. What do you think it is about classic cars that inspires so much passion in people?

What inspires people about classic cars is the fact that beyond the simple importance of cars for transporting man from one place to another, classic cars have a profound ability to move us in emotional terms.

Q. Which is your favourite car you’ve ever owned and why?

My favorite car I’ve ever owned, and I still own, is the Chrysler New Yorker 1960. Looking back at when the car was made, the technology it included was mind-blowing, as not only did it have air-conditioning but also a push-button automatic transmission.

Dubai Museum shortlisted for ‘Oscar’

By admin

On October 16, 2015

In Interests

The Dubai Moving Image Museum, the only one of its kind in the world focusing on the prehistory of Cinema, has been nominated in the ‘Best Emerging Culture Destination Middle East’ category, to win a ‘museum Oscar’ at the Leading Culture Destinations Awards 2015.

The museum, which was inaugurated by Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, in January 2014, is a strong contender amongst this year’s shortlisted Middle East institutions. All of which will be competing for the ‘Best Emerging Culture Destination Middle East’ title and Oscar, at the London-based award ceremony on October 9, 2015.

Akram Miknas, collector and founder of the Dubai Moving Image Museum, commented, “It is an honour for the Dubai Moving Image Museum to have been shortlisted for a ‘museum Oscar’ at the Leading Culture Destinations Awards 2015. We are extremely proud that the museum’s uniqueness and contemporary approach has been recognised.”

Up Close & Personal With Akram Miknas Part-2

By admin

On September 16, 2015

In Interviews, Videos

Up Close & Personal With Akram Miknas Part-1

By admin

On September 16, 2015

In Interviews, Videos

The Great Wall of China has entrances. Look for them.

By admin

On February 16, 2015

In Biographical, Interviews, Point of view

akram-2

One of the biggest mistakes people do is that they limit themselves and their potential. The largest wall in the world is the Great Wall of China, but it has many entrances, just look for them, Akram Miknas, chairman of the largest advertising and communications network in the Middle East and North Africa- MCN Group, thoughtfully pointed out while addressing young entrepreneurs at the Emirates NBD Global Business Series last month in Dubai

“My mother always wanted me to earn respect with my work. Throughout her life, she only insisted on the importance of education. Her message was so repetitive that I almost considered it as her last desire, and, thus invested significant energy to fulfil her wish,” he added recollecting his childhood memories.

MCN Chairman, Akram Miknas – Man of the Year 2014

By admin

On September 15, 2014

In Business, Recognitions

arab-ad Akram Miknas, Chairman of the Middle East Communications Network was nominated Man of the Year 2014 by the prestigious regional publication ArabAd.

Here is an excerpt: An unshakable belief in his ability to circumnavigate tragedy and hardship saw him excelling at every endeavour he set his mind on. The path was laden with unexpected outcomes to otherwise honest intentions, which at every turn necessitated a novel strategy. Armed with a will and bent on making a life for himself, Miknas pushed harder at every turn as destiny played its hand in what was to become a story for the ages.