FP7 has expanded its regional operations into Iraq with the opening of an office in Erbil.
Although based in the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, the new FP7 office will serve as a hub for the entire country, supporting international clients such as Ford, Coca-Cola, Sony Mobile and Nestlé.
The new office is to be led by managing director Wassim Daniel, who was previously in charge of new business for FP7’s Levant operations. He has also served as managing director of FP7’s Damascus office.
FP7/EBL’s first client in Iraq will be Korek, the country’s third largest telco, following the agency’s winning of a competitive pitch for the company’s integrated communications brief. The pitch had begun in February and had involved several international agencies.
Tarek Miknas, CEO of FP7 MENA, said: “FP7 certainly doesn’t see Iraq as ‘just another country’ – we strongly believe in Iraq, its potential and its bright future. And we want to make sure we get it right by doing great work for great clients, inspired by the new energy and buzz emanating from the country, and of course, grow in the process. I’m convinced that with such committed partners, FP7/EBL will be among the best of our FP7’s. And as the newest member of the family, we’ll give it the right attention it needs to grow and we look forward to partnering with Korek on this exciting new account.”
Discussing the appointment of FP7/EBL, Wael Haddad, communications director at Korek, said: “We were keen to get partners who are in it for the longer term. Partners that demonstrated transparency, talent, drive and synergy with our core values. FP7 ticked every box and we’re excited to embark with them on the newest chapter of our brand journey and go forward together.”
FP7 is part of MCN, which also includes media agencies UM, Initiative and Magna, ad agency Lowe MENA, and PR firm Weber Shandwick.