JEDDAH, 6 October 2005 — A group of young marketing and advertising professionals is hoisting the banner of progress and hopes to rally the youth of Saudi Arabia to become an energetic, innovative and powerful base of world leadership in the future.
The nonprofit group, calling itself Bayareq after the flag that leads a charge in military operations, hopes that its efforts will transform the younger generation of Saudis into global competitors second to none. The fledgling group announced its plans in Jeddah before a crowd of about 100 men and women.
Bayareq started out of an exchange of ideas between friends. The founders include Hani Khoja, Khalid Kattan, Haitham Khoja, Ibrahim Abbas, Ziad Jarra, Ahmad Alkuhlani, Hanaa’ Husanain, Maher Maskari, Tamer Farsi and Imad Badawood.
“We want to energize marketers and advertisers to use their outstanding talents for social causes,” Hani Khoja told the crowd. “Secondly, we want to develop local marketing and advertising talent to win globally,” he added.
Ibrahim Badawood, a public relations representative from Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd., said the project could be very beneficial to Saudi Arabia.
“Due to the incredible effort and research conducted by the Bayareq founders, Mohammed Jameel has offered all his support and will sponsor Bayareq through the completion of its projects,” Badawood said.
Bayareq is tackling important social issues that could help reshape the Kingdom. Its first campaign takes aim at unemployment and poverty.
A group of women working under the banner of Bayareq is producing a video campaign about the important educational role that mothers can play.
“They didn’t ask for help; they did all the work of interviewing and researching themselves,” said Ahmad Alkuhlani. “After listening to them, it was impossible to say no to their project, which aims at the importance of reading at least 15 minutes a day to our children and its benefits.”
Other campaigns aim at social behavior and other issues that impede progress in the Kingdom.
“Bayareq is a nonprofit organization,” Hani Khoja said. “For the first year or two, we will rely on donations because we have just started, but it is temporary and after that, hopefully, we won’t need any donations.”
The founders expect the increase in numbers of supporters and their contacts will help to get any job undertaken completed.
“We can be reached at [email protected],” Hani Khoja said. “As Bayareq representatives, we are looking and welcoming any individual who wants to contribute with one or more of our projects as a member or a leader.”
Bayareq founders say they’re looking for individuals willing to make a positive change in Saudi society, Gulf society, Arab society and the world.
“The rewards the person will get from Bayareq are huge,” Ziad Jarrar said. “Any work done will be granted for the person as a good deed. You’ll be surprised how many people we can bring together who will be able to help.”
