The Middle East Social Media Festival is a new event format where the Middle East celebrates social media. The second edition of “MESMF 2016” took place at Saint Joseph University, USJ on the 19th & 20th of May 2016 under the Patronage of His Excellency Minister of Telecommunications Boutros Harb. This event is created by Right Service and organized in 2016 with the partnership of Saint Joseph University.
This edition revolved around “Employee Advocacy on Social Media”.
After an opening speech by Prof. Toufic Rizk, Vice-rector for Academic Affairs at USJ, the event first day started with keynote speakers: Joe Ghantous-Founder of Right Service, Christian Abi Khalil-Territory Manager at LinkedIn and Mohamad Megahed-Regional Director at ConnectAds, Twitter’s local partner, which presented advanced techniques of making best use of social media platforms.
Mr. Joe Ghantous had discussed in depth employee advocacy on social media and its benefits on both employees and companies where as Mr. Christian Abi Khalil had addressed a presentation about how to nurture employee advocacy on LinkedIn. In addition to that, Mr. Mohammad Megahed had shed the light on Twitter’s latest features and advertisements effective strategies.
The event second day, had also featured keynote speeches presented by Ms. Lilian Assaf, Regional Product Marketing Manager at Facebook, which discussed latest Instagram and Facebook strategies. As well as a speech by Mr. Elie Aoun, president of Ipsos Connect in MEAP region, who talked about Social Media Numbers & 2016 Updated Statistics in Lebanon and the Middle East and Mr. Anthony Rahayel-the blogger behind NoGarlicNoOnions, who shared the key ingredients for cooking up an effective social media presence.
The “MESMF 2016” two days were presented by Mr. Milad Hatchiti, Certified Life Coach and had also featured multiple interventions from renowned figures on the social media scene, notably Katia Raya-Community Manager at Saint Joseph University, Assaad Thebian-Blogger and a Social Media Expert, Joseph Yaacoub-Digital Marketing Consultant & Strategist and Jenny Abou Jaoude-Head of Marketing and Social Media Department at Virgin Radio Lebanon.
The “Middle East Social Media Award”- MESMA 2016- was launched for the first time during the event second day and it is dedicated to furthering social media excellence in the Middle East. It honors the best native individuals of the country the MESMF is going to be held in.
The MESMA 2016 was presented to Ms. Lilian Assaf, Regional Product Marketing Manager at Facebook, Mr. Ali Mattar, Head of Talent Solutions at LinkedIn Southern Europe MENA and Mr. Anthony Rahayel, the blogger behind NoGarlicNoOnions.
Last but not least the event featured several comedy stops by the talented Charles Hbeiliny and Maurice Daou, and coffee breaks offered by Dunkin Donuts in addition to a networking event offered by Souk el Akel at “Beirut Cultural Festivals”
The audience also enjoyed multiple surprises, notably the appearance of Frankie from Virgin Radio and a whole lot of gifts offered by the Festival’s sponsors: Four tickets to Varna from Nadia travel, a Canon Camera from 460 The Multimedia Store, Apple watch from The Mac Shop, 2 copies of “Employee Advocacy on Social Media” book written by Mr. Joe Ghantous- Founder/CEO of Right Service, 2 copies of “365 for a Positive Life” book written by Mr. Milad Hatchiti- Certified Life Coach, Ipad mini from Virgin Radio Lebanon, 3 months free donuts and coffee coupons from Dunkin Donuts and much more...
