DATACTION™
From Data to Action
The Company
Founded in June 2002, ARA Research & Consultancy is headed by an international team of specialized managers and more than 40 core professionals. This well-rounded structure offers 360° expertise, high-quality fieldwork, precision analysis, and innovative technologically with advanced reporting tools.
Our multicultural background is well rooted in the Arab region, making us an ideal partner for understanding the diverse cultural nuances in the region and catering to their different market needs. Our expertise and services are spread throughout the region covering the GCC (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain), the Levant, and Africa.
Management Team
Tarek Ammar
CEO and Co-founder
Tarek Ammar is the CEO and Co-founder of ARA Research & Consultancy since 2002. He is a veteran market researcher with a deep knowledge of the Arab market. Tarek brings over 25 years of research experience and his specific areas of expertise include strategy development, knowledge management, internal communication, branding and market research and analysis. Tarek's mission is to provide strategic council and to help his clients gain and maintain a competitive advantage through research based advices and pioneering methods.
Tarek hobbies are cinema and theatre. The love for his native country, prompted him to create and successfully run a national campaign - Lebanon in our heart - to promote Lebanon as a touristic destination.
Tarek Ammar holds an MBA and a BBA degree from the American University of Beirut. He speaks Arabic, English and French fluently and he is currently the ESOMAR Representative in Lebanon.
Abdulkhaleq AlAli
Associate
Abdulkhaleq Al Ali is an Associate and consultant with more than 30 years of experience working with private and government companies and institutions. Abdulkhaleq has international experience gained from working with the oil sector, international organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and managing Kuwait Oil Company’s office in London. Abdulkhaleq has extensive experience in PR, Crisis Communication, PR campaigns, media, event management and CSR. Among Abdulkhaleq’s most important achievements are KOC’s Ahmad Al-Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition, KOC History Book, and KOC’s 75th anniversary event.
Abdulkhaleq is a frequent writer to local newspapers with wide knowledge of local politics, and international affairs. He enjoys listening to music, reading literature, and cooking.
Abdulkhaleq holds a MA in Latin American Politics from The American University, Washington DC, USA.
Roula Ammar
Group Director of Research Quality
Roula Ammar is responsible for the Group overall research quality, assuring quality standards and procedures, and guiding research design. Roula has over 20 years of experience in qualitative market research, advertising and retail. She brings in an extensive experience in managing, for international business and brands, qualitative programs across the GCC and MENA and a strong know-how of the field operation.
Roula is married and has two daughters. Work and family are her main hobbies and when she finds a bit of spare time she likes to indulge in reading historical and psychological books.
Roula holds a License in Business administration, a Master in Marketing and a "Diplome D'etude Approfondie" in Management from Saint Joseph University.
Imad Bashour
UAE Managing Director
Imad Bashour is responsible for business development in the UAE and manages the UAE office based in Dubai. Imad has over 20 years of extensive experience in quantitative research methods; and is specialized in consumer behaviour and segmentation, excellence programs, banking research, industrial research, and communication research. He has successfully setup numerous industrial projects in the region and worked on developing the identities and branding of several retail banks and consumer products.
Imad has managed several USAID funded projects targeting the development of the telecom, business, and financial sectors in Lebanon.
Imad Bashour holds a BBA degree from the American University of Beirut. He speaks Arabic and English fluently.
Lena Kalousdian
Regional Media and Communication Manager
Lena is responsible for media & communications research, including traditional and digital media channels. She is in charge of identifying new technologies in the field of market research globally, and adapting relevant ones locally. Lena has more than 20 years of experience in management and strategic planning of marketing and advertising campaigns for local and international brands using media research and insights analysis in consumer behaviors.
Rima Abou Chakra
Qualitative Research Manager
With more than 25 years of experience in qualitative research and insight analysis, Rima is a strong reader of behavior and patterns. She has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and another in Fine Arts. She has extensive experience in the banking, automotive, media and food sectors, and has worked on public sector projects with numerous NGOs and UN agencies. Rima’s expertise is in Consultancy, Marketing and Social Studies, Qualitative Research, Monitoring & Evaluation Programs, Management, and Training. She has worked on projects related to Concept Creation and Development , Branding, Communications Strategies, Problem Solving, Identifying Behaviors and Attitude Patterns, and Work Groups’ Moral Assessment.
Ola Zeater
Operations Manager
Ola has been working in the field department at ARA since 2007. She is responsible for the field execution and has a strong knowledge of quantitative studies. She managed the regional and the largest fields of ARA.
She holds a BA in Geography from the Lebanese University and a diploma in Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Haigazian University.
Our Approach
The starting point of our approach is to understand our clients' business and accordingly work on their end objectives. Secondly, our consulting services are founded on empirical evidence through research and fact analysis, what guarantees successful recommendation. And, thirdly, we have a network of international and renowned experts in different fields with whom we work on complex projects. We secure to our clients the most advanced services in the world. Hence, we provide our client customized studies and methodologies suitable for their unique case, that in the end provide actionable results.
Our Expertise
ARA Research & Consultancy aims to support companies better understanding their customers and market. Defining the ultimate balance between the company's potentials and capabilities with the whims and needs of the market is our "savoir faire".
ARA Research & Consultancy has a long standing reputation in Excellence Programs, Consumer Behaviour Research, Real Estate Consulting, and Opinion Polling. Our expertise and historic trend data in these fields is widely spread across the Middle East. We have successfully built a strong base of reputable clients, who have come to rely on us for almost all their research and consultancy needs. We pride ourselves in our wide client base from numerous industries in the private and public sectors; they are proof of our consistent success and service excellence.