Saturday, September 19, 2009

Hameed Haroon, CEO Dawn Media Group


Hameed Haroon was born in Karachi on October 27 1952. He has a Master’s in Regional Studies (East Asia) from Harvard University and a double Master’s in Political Economy and Economics from Boston University. He also holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Hameed Haroon is Chief Executive Officer of Dawn Media Group (DMG), Pakistan’s leading media conglomerate. The Group comprises Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Limited, the printers and publishers of DAWN newspaper and three leading magazines, Herald (current affairs) Spider (Information Technology) and Aurora (marketing and advertising); DawnNews Pakistan’s first and to-date only English language news channel; City FM89 radio and DAWN.COM-arguably Pakistan’s most visited news web portal.

Hameed Haroon’s career in media commenced at DAWN as a cub features writer in 1969. He took a break to complete his education rejoining in 1980. In 1998 he became Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of DAWN newspaper. Hameed Haroon has been the President elect of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, the apex body of all the major newspapers and magazines in Pakistan five times.

Hameed Haroon has a penchant for creativity and developing communication design for media. This has caused him to be deeply involved in most (if not all) creative endeavours undertaken by The Dawn Media Group. From designing logos of group companies to advertising campaigns, Hameed Haroon’s association with the process has been pivotal. He has helped Dawn achieve two INMA’s (1998 and 1999) for television promotion and advertising respectively.

Hameed Haroon has played a major role in the in the promotion of culture, music and arts, and the conservation of archaeological heritage. He serves and has served on various committees related to the above such as the Mohatta Palace Gallery Trust, Lahore Museum, Executive Committee for the Development of Mohenjadaro, Committee for the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Monuments, and the National Cultural Heritage Committee. He was the co-curator of The Holy Sinner – a major retrospective of the non-calligraphic works of Sadequain, Pakistan’s well–known prolific artist. He was also the moving spirit for the 600 page catalogue of this colossal exhibition, the longest running art exhibition in Pakistan’s history. In 2004, he curated another spectacular exhibition entitled “Jewel in the Crown - Karachi under the Raj 1843-1947”. This exhibition brought together over 200 photographs, portraits and artefacts providing rare insights into Karachi from another era.

He is associated with the publishing and reprinting of seven books on art, The Raj Library – a fascinating and comprehensive collection of 25 books on Karachi and its cultural hinterland and The Raj Audio Library – a rare and unforgettable compilation of music consisting of songs from the end of the British era and a musical tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz, one of Pakistan’s unsung Messiahs. Hameed Haroon was awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civil award in 2004 in recognition for his contribution to promote art and culture.

Hameed Haroon has represented Pakistani media at various forums speaking on issues related to media, art, politics, education, communications, advertising etc. These include IC 2008, London, Eurasian Media Forum 2008, Kazakhstan, First UN Alliance of Civilizations forum Spain, Asia House, UK, Johns Hopkins University USA, IAA, Dubai, House of Lords, UK etc.

In 2006 the President of Italy conferred on him the Italian Order of Merit as one of the "most outstanding public personalities in Pakistan". In addition he has also received the Shah Abdul Latif Award, Asian Federation of Advertising Association’s Plaque of Appreciation and Institute of Architects of Pakistan Award.

Besides his varied interests Hameed is fluent in Mandarin, Chinese and has one of the largest private collections of paintings and books.

(Source:Wikipedia)