Abdullah Interviews Shamlan Al-Bahar
Friday is an overall blessing for us all. This friday has an extra blessing/feel to it, one of the society’s sweethearts is gracing the front page of p0ach.com
I met him back in 2007 when we were in an Injaz volunteer program, we met for a very short period, we didnt talk much cuz we were in a meeting and everyone was throwing down what they have in mind into the table, yet, I knew he was a very kind and smart person. Oh and *cough* back off *cough* this one is married *cough* yes ? *snap*
You’v all seen him in each and every news article associated to only the best events and causes out there. Its really simple, you do the math, with over nine years experience in business, five of which in marketing communications, Shamlan is a marketing professional with a solid 360-degree all around marketing experience covering corporate communications, sales-tasked and brand marketing, consumer public relations, alternative and social marketing, and sell-side and buy-side media sales.
What are we talking about ? a genius, a humble genius I may add.
Let me pave way for the interview.
Click away
The mic is yours Shamlan.
Im Shamlan Tawfeq Al-Bahar, I am married to the lovely Alaa al Ebrahim and the father of Aziz and Lulu albahar, Im 32 years old. Im interested in anything creative including cinema ,art , novels and music
Im an ACII holder from the university of guildhall London.
Can we go through your body of work ?
Sure, my first job in the Marketing field was Kuwait United Group, a leading publisher of leading magazines as well as a provider of advertising mediums. My role at the company was to lead the development of ‘Star’ magazine, Kuwait’s first tabloid. At KUc, I worked with editors, content managers, creative studio, and advertisers to get the project off the ground in 2 months. However, my biggest challenge was to ‘sell’ the unknnown magazine to local and regional MBU’s and clients.
Over 20 blue chip advertisers from Kuwait and region signed-up issue #1, making it one of the most successful launches of magazines in Kuwait.
After that I joined M-Net, a mobile payment start-up jointly owned by NBK, Zain, and Alshaya, to help re-align the company’s marketing strategy and boost sign-ups after a period of stagnation. My main achievement was growing the customer-base from 500 customers to 6000 customer in the first four months of this tenure. This was achieved by executing a focused below the line communication strategy targeting influencers, trend setters, and NBK customers.
I then joined Arabian Motors Co. (AMG) to build and lead the company’s new Marketing Communications division on the group level. From the on-set, I was tasked with achieving two objectives, the first was establishing the group’s brand name and connecting it to the target customers of different auto brands as a distinct operation from advertising through the use of consumer PR, CSR programs, and alternative marketing.
One of the most successful tactics implemented was the development of a college internship program that inspired, motivated, and excited students. The program named Thunderbirds, was targeted to college juniors and seniors, AMGs highest customer growth segment. Thunderbird quickly became the most popular college program in Kuwait with the number of applicants growing from 150 in year-one to 3000 in year-two. Key to its success was intensive social networking and promotion, however the project was ultimately successful because it developed students’ creative, professional, negotiations, and barter skills.
The division’s second objective was to help support the Group’s brands through high impact marketing without increasing marketing expenditures. I was happy to led the realignment of AMG Group’s marketing/advertising operation by first auditing the supply lines and then redrawing the marketing/advertising operations for the Group with the objective gaining more control of operations by moving creative design in-house and operating it as a profit center. yet not only led the project but oversaw its implementing to the success it now enjoys. Today, AMG Group benefits from lower operational costs on the one hand, and better market response and efficiency on the other hand. Within the first quarter, the new division achieved both objectives
Between jobs I tried to start small enactives to make Kuwait a better place to live .my start was in 1996 when I started the English Literature Community in Kuwait University to help the students know more about the language than the text books . Also co founded P2BK with Dhari al wazzan and mrs nouf al jinaie ,co founded of BESS political movement for athletic reform resulting in reformation of outdated laws and regulations through the Parliament of Kuwait (year 2007) then I started the Five60 concept (a concept house that offer rooms to display merchandise and other services) along with miss Ansam al radwan and miss Amna il Salim and it was amazing because we had huge success using nothing but facebook marketing and between all of that I am a photographer
Finally, I started my own company Pink coffee marketing and PR.
Childhood flashes ?
I remember my first time I went to Dublin, Ireland for summer school in 1993 and being public schooled I didn’t know that much of English, Regina the mom asked me weather I want pickles on my burger and I replied with anger no that’s 7aram.
What inspired you to tap into who you are now ?
My mom she is the reason of what I am now the way she explain things without forcing her opinion and make me think and make my own decisions changed many things in my life also Mr. Bashar Kiwan and Mr.Mohammed al Otibi they took me under there wings and from them I learned everything In the marketing field, then I have to say in politics Jammal abdulnasser, in fashion and way of clothing I would say the Beatles 
What differs you from the rest of the competition out there?
We create things that don’t exist and there is no such thing as a pink coffee, the company is new so our first project is Kharbet. Kharbet is a book (a chaotic one) that will allow you to showcase your art, photography, poetry, thoughts, ideas, paintings, cooking recipes, music notes.. etc (anything creative really) to document how kuwaiti people think in 2010.
A fresh concept, filled with chaos and madness, a journey that takes the reader from one world to the other starting with a DIY cover and ending with a categorized index.
Your support system ?
My wife is the light to my life each thought I think of is inspired by her. My friend Aziz al Adwani without his support I wouldn’t be writing this interview now. My co workers Mr. Anas Alradwan and miss Dana al Otaibi there support to start pink coffee it’s the best thing that happened to my career life.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now ?
Living and working outside Kuwait and help Kuwait from somewhere else because its becoming hard to do that here
.
Throw something for p0ach readers.
All you need is love , love to your family love to your country love to your religion love is all you need.
Contact
Product of Pink Coffee – Kuwait
T: +965.2299.7791
F: +965.2299.7800
Arraya Center 29th Floor, Sharq
P.O.Box 29927, Safat 13160, Kuwait
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[...] Continued here: p0ach | Abdullah Interviews Shamlan Al-Bahar [...]
I like the interview, that guy is a big talent and the interview is deep and meaningful,
and you know what… in five years ill be somewhere around sham(outta q8) dunno where but it surely pays to have a period of change here its really difficult to grow …
Anyways Good luck to shamlan and abdulla alike.
[...] Original post: p0ach | Abdullah Interviews Shamlan Al-Bahar [...]
‘Living and working outside Kuwait and help Kuwait from somewhere else because its becoming hard to do that here .’
So sad but so true lil asaf :S
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Abdullah, Community Strategies. Community Strategies said: OnlineNetworking.biz : Abdullah Interviews Shamlan Al-Bahar: Friday is an overall blessing for us all. This friday has http://url4.eu/14r5c [...]
Believe it or not, this is shocking to me to see my own blood cousin, the sound of my uncle, the brother of my mother, Shamlan Tawfeeq Albahar.
I am his cousin, and during my 24 years lifespan, I have seen my cousin only and only twice. Infact I was talking to his father this very afternoon.
Thank you P0ach for showing me the news update, it just gave me an insight about what has been happening within my family. But please donot blame me, I come from a very big family, Shamlan himself has many many uncles, and many aunties, I donot want to shock you with the number, but you can ask him, yourself.
I am Nasser Alomran, and if my cousin see this. I just wanted to wish you the very best in your marriage, and I wanted to say that If there is any chance I can see you and say hello to you, it would be my very pleasure to do that any day and anytime, especially before the 5th of march on which I will continue my education for my masters degree in Australia.
May the peeps of P0ach have a great day, and thank you for letting this comment go through.
Regards,
Nasser.
nasser call me
All u need is LOVE, so true!
I love the interview
sorry to be honest magder akhish hal kelmitain eb galbi bs tara he’s SOOOOOO DAMN CUTE, CUTIE PIE!
allah ykhaleela murta oo 3yala enshallah;*
taw ma nawar el plog
i love his photography .. ..
Mnet sha5bary , but thats where i met shamlan for the first time a lovely sociable character 9ara7 . wish him all the luck in his life .
Shamlan , my bro my friend ! you are The Muse ! in the business world ! GOOD LUCK Wish you all the best !!!
ya36eek il 3afya and its such a shame it only gets harder to help our own country from within it.
Hey! He took the last line from all you need is love (The beatles song) except he added “love to your family love to your country love to your religion” haha
this interview was really interesting!!
I love your blog!!
this guy is such a unique charcater! capturing his creativity in a blog is IMPOSSIBLE … you need a documentary for that ….SERIOUSLY ! you have to see him ”work it” with his own handpicks selection of soundtracks
just so you can understand how artistic brain on legs he is !
if I could nickname him it would be the wizzard… simply because you’ll never know what he’ll pull out of his hat!
this is kilmat 7ag tengal for this man and i’m not saying this just because he’s a friend!
keep up the good work o ya36eek el 3afya if you read that it’ll sound very formal but ur geniusness is not something to kid about!
thanx my bestest friend really thanx for the sweet words
seriously
I like this guy, I didn’t know him before but he is really cool
and you can totally tell that he’s a beatles fan with his last words “all you need is love” 
I like him hehehe
My best friend brother manager partner, simply amazing !! You always inspire me, am lucky to have a teacher like you
Shamlan is a great friend with unique talent…
i wish him the all best, and looking forward for the new book
“Kharbet”…
opps…
my english looked funny ;P
All u need is LOVE, so true!
I love the interview
& taw ma nawar el plog ;D
Shamlan is AWESOME! He is an amazing business partner and hes got an amazing little family that I am in love with! WTG Shamlan
outstanding! .. mashallah !
“I believe in him being an innovator.”
I met him couple of time in five60, always moving around……greeting ppl in with an honest smile. you can tell that he is a modest guy
الله يوفقك
and please please bring back movie night at five60.
* GOOD LUCK *
I loved the interview.Shamlan ur amazing, and I’m so proud of u.God bless u
A unique and genuine character who simply deserves all the best.
A pleasure to know.. Best of luck and may God be with you in every step you take
wow this is my cousin o.o
Funny how I never met him in my life
That’s hot!
oh my god this guy is the pride of shamlan al bahar family such a kind man , i knew him since i was a small girl the way he deals with everyone is amazing.
i remember a story once when my father passed away and i was only 7 maybe he stayed at our house for 5 days just to support then he left like a ghost and he kept asking about me all these years i think he do that with everyone
god bless u shamlan!
That guy was my work mate at AMG and P2BK, he’s an extraordinary person. I really loved him and the way he works. Good Luck Shamlan.
i met shamlan in p2bk he is One of the nicest personalities i ever seen
best of luck brother
[...] wishes came true, you see I wanted to have some of THE PROTEGES mentors interviewed, I already got Shamlan Al-Bahar, today, we have Mishari and the rest, I hope are coming through for [...]
i love shamlan i love shamlan i love shamlan he is soo kind!!!!!