Managing Director
Experience: 30+ years
Elias Wakim is a seasoned marketing and development professional with over twenty years of experience in strategic roles, demonstrating consistent career advancement into positions of increasing responsibility. His expertise spans across effective management and organization, with a particular knack for adapting to new technologies, and he boasts a record of achieving quantitative and qualitative results in diverse environments.
Currently serving as the Managing Director for JGroup – Promofix in GCC and North Africa, since January 2019. His responsibilities include recruiting teams, introducing products, developing partnerships, and executing strategic development across the GCC. Under his leadership, the company has seen a revenue increase from UAE operations by over 250%, launched many performance products, launched the operations in KSA, Kuwait, Morocco and Algeria.
Prior to his current role, Elias was the Chief Operating Officer at AWI - Al Waseet International from June 2016 to December 2018, where he spearheaded the digital transformation of the largest classified business in the MENA region. His strategic initiatives led to the launch of “The Last Mile,” a product that generated $20M in revenue.
From January 2012 to June 2016, Elias was the Deputy President of Commercial at Rotana Media Services. Recruited by NewsCorp, he restructured the commercial unit, developed new markets, and launched the product integration department, creating new revenue streams and ensuring better advertiser satisfaction.
Elias also held significant roles at United Group Business Unit and Al Wataniya Group, where his strategic and leadership skills resulted in significant company growth and profitability. His early career included impactful stints at Americana Kuwait Food Company and Tradax SAL, where he launched major American restaurant chains in new markets and introduced new brands to established markets.
Elias holds a Master in Business Strategy from Pantheon Paris 1 La Sorbonne, Paris, with distinction, and a BS in Economics from the same institution. He is multilingual, fluent in Arabic, English, French, and has basic Spanish skills.
A dedicated volunteer, Elias has contributed five years to the Lebanese Red Cross and is an active member of the Lebanese humanitarian association Lebanus, which provides scholarships. He is also an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying tennis, paddle, football, skiing, squash, and running.
Elias's professional journey is marked by his strategic foresight, effective leadership, and the ability to foster substantial growth and success in every role he has undertaken.
