Havas Worldwide names Rachid Kanaan new Beirut general manager

Rachid Kanaan will be taking the reins of the Beirut, Lebanon, branch of Havas Worldwide Middle East, one of the largest marketing and communication companies in the world.

The appointment comes on the heels of Makram Khater’s resignation as the Beirut office's general manager. Khater, who is looking for other opportunities, has worked in numerous positions for Havas Worldwide Middle East since 2000.

Rachid Mtaini, Havas Worldwide Middle East's regional managing director, said Kanaan is the perfect person to build on Khater’s success in Beirut.

“His keen understanding of brands and their dynamics reflects our commitment to strategic, 360 communication processes, which have now become a prerequisite in our increasingly complex marketing environment,” Mtaini said.

Kanaan said he is excited to head the Beirut branch in the beginning of June.

"I was immediately fired up by the 'future first' brand-centric mindset at Havas," Kanaan said. "The network has a vision of where it is headed which can benefit the brands in its care tremendously, and positioned them to address the challenges of the new communication multiverse.”

Havas Worldwide Middle East comprises network offices across seven countries in the region and brings clients insight into local cultures to advise on producing tailored communications for some of the biggest luxury, fashion and retail names in the Middle East.