Reader Profile of the Week: Zeina Barghout
Each week, we bring you a brief profile on one of our fantastic readers. Know someone we should be writing about? Let us know.
Name: Zeina Barghout
Title: Marketing Director
Property: Montreal Eaton Centre
Location: Montreal, Canada
How long have you been at this property?
Seven years, or since January 2002
How many years of experience do you have in the shopping center industry?
11 years
What is your primary goal this year?
To always do better than we’ve done before. The Montreal Eaton Centre is an urban mall located in the downtown district and the challenges and competition are fierce. However, through our values and vision, as well as partnerships with various organizations, including a recent partnership with the City of Montreal, we aspire to become the prominent player in our market.
What is your biggest challenge this year?
To turn any obstacles that can arise into opportunities. Enhancing the marketing budget is always a challenge as we look for partnerships and sponsorships with organizations that share our vision and can also add value to the promotions we put together, especially in hard times when everyone is cutting expenses.
Can you offer one tip to other mall marketing professionals?
To always look beyond the possible and believe that nothing is impossible! I like to think that the mall is more than a shopping center with stores. I see it as a preferred place that clients like to visit because it makes them feel good to be there, and the experience they will live and remember is far more important than the product they will buy.
How many ICSC Maxi Awards has your center won during your tenure?
Seven ( 1 Maxi, 1 Maxi Merit, 2 Maxi Golds and 3 Maxi Silvers).
Thanks Zeina!
