Introduction
Z2C is a pathfinder in the monetization of intellectual property. Activating revenue streams in sports, music, food, and e-commerce, Z2C has worked with leading global brands to help them achieve new heights. By building audiences on newly minted platforms, Z2C allows brands to reach larger, greener audiences. This fresh, new path has given Z2C a formidable reputation. Stimulating the economy and activating potential in audiences, brands, and platforms is a space dominated by Z2C.
Our Companies
Brainchild
Brainchild is a full-service media agency. It is a trailblazer in the South Asian media landscape, with a string of firsts in the region. Established over 20 years ago, in 1997, it became the first dedicated media agency of Pakistan. Starting with its first client, P&G, the agency has risen to become the industry driver. Known regionally for its data-driven insights and bold strategy, Brainchild is the most influential media agency in its areas of operations. Among other achievements, the agency is credited with establishing the iconic Coke Studio platform, which is currently the face of modern Pakistani music. It is currently affiliated with Starcom and Mediavest of the Publicis Group.
Web link : Brainchild
Blitz
A full-service advertising communications and media agency with an aggressive growth track record. Blitz has the unique distinction of the being the agency to activate and monetize the biggest sports tournament in the history of Pakistan, the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Recently, it also activated the Volleyball league matches with a partnership with the Pakistan Volleyball Federation. Over the years, Blitz has developed a reputation of being a gutsy, gritty agency with one of the best creative teams in the market.Blitz goes boldly where other agencies dare not. It is currently affiliated with Spark Media of the Publics Group.
Web link : Blitz
Our People
Raihan Merchant
Raihan Merchant, founding chairman of Z2C, is a trailblazer in the field of media and advertising in South Asia. Also founder of one of the most significant media agency groups in South Asia (and beyond), he is a consummate entrepreneur and investor with a rich understanding of the needs of advertisers, media-owners and agencies. In 2011, the government of Pakistan awarded him the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence), recognizing his pioneering contributions to the advertising industry of Pakistan.
As a highly-respected advisor to media-owners and advertisers alike, Raihan has catalyzed the media revolution in Pakistan. He has been the principal advisor to leading television channels like Dawn News, ARY Digital, and Geo TV during their establishment and development phases.
Mike Readman
Mike is a 25 year veteran in the global media agency business. He pioneered the development of Universal McCann in CEE in the mid 90’s, spent time on the client side with CPW/Nestle then undertook the leadership of Publicis Group Media in the MENA and then CEE region. Mike has long experience and deep understanding of global agency requirements in emergent markets and client expectations.
He has set up new operations in emerging markets, built affiliations with existing operations and overseen the building of local teams, processes and structures to build successful business representing global media agencies.
In late 2013 Mike established and now leads his own Media Management Consultancy, based in the UAE, in order to re-focus and expand his activities in network building in emergent markets
Taqui Abbas
Syed Taqui Abbas Rizvi is a Gold Medalist Chartered Accountant and a senior member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan. He has a very varied and diversified experience with finance, media, journalism, manufacturing, education, automobile, textile and other industries.
With over 30 years of professional experience he has; apart from the professional duties, was also taught. at Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, Greenwich University, Hamdard University and Textile Institute of Pakistan. During the period of association with Pakistan & Gulf Economist group as Executive Director, he was also a member of the Executive Committee of All Pakistan Newspapers Society.
Syed Masoud Ali Naqvi
Syed Masoud Ali Naqvi is a senior accountant. He has served as an Advisor to the Board of KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co. until 31 December 2017 and was a former Senior Partner of KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co., for 28 years.
Mr. Naqvi is currently serving as a member of Tax Reforms Implementation Committee of FBR and the Academic Council of the Commecs Institute of Business & Emerging Sciences.
Mr. Naqvi is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan.
Tariq Qureshi
Tariq Qureshi is currently the CEO of MAD Holdings and Vantage. These are specialist organizations developing strategic international and local projects and platforms focused in the Media, Technology & Telecoms space with innovation and entrepreneurship at it score. He is also Founder of 100% MAD (“Make A Difference”), a UK based, not-for-profit Social Enterprise, a global millennial movement and a new philanthropic model.
Investing in Media Innovation
Z2C invests in communication and technology companies that serve or disrupt the markets they operate in. The Z2C team is committed to delivering investor returns by applying its expertise to select portfolio companies with significant potential and then accelerating their performance.
The Z2C investment team consists of industry veterans with scores of years of C-level, board and investment experience. Coupled with this is a track record of identifying investment opportunities in global markets.
Z2C Criteria for Investable Startups
Early Expansion Stage
Proven Management Team
Global Competitive Advantage
Meaningful Equity Stake
Enterprise Value <$5 Million
Seeking Funding <$5 Million (5 Years)
What We Are Looking For?
World-Class Founding Teams
Products that Scale
Our Philosophy
When Z2C started, all founding members had strong ideas on what really works, and this remains the same today. These ideas apply not only to work but also to life in general. In fact, there is no difference between ‘work life’ and ‘non-work life’ – it is all one big pot of ‘life’. Using this approach has helped maintain flexibility with use of time to allocate it where it is most needed, whether that be family, work or personal endeavors.
These ideas are the principles that drive how Z2C thinks about life and its challenges it encounters.
Product / Service Centric Approach
Transparent Business Culture
Global Business Objectives
Commitment to Customers, Shareholders and Employees
Focus on Value Creation
Notable Platforms
Z2C has built a strong legacy of developing unique platforms which draw audiences, and generate data. These platforms focus on popular interests such as sports, music, food, and entertainment. Blitz, for example, made history by hyper-monetizing the first cricket league in Pakistan, the Pakistan Super League. This created a boon for the cricket industry, advertisers, and the consumers as well. Volleyball and Football are the current focus for Blitz. Similarly, Brainchild was the force behind monetization of Coke Studio and Commander Safeguard by aligning media forces with advertisers.
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Coke Studio
Commander Safeguard
Operations
Careers
Z2C and its subsidiaries are amongst the top employers in the markets they operate in. With employee-centric initiatives such as wellness programs, in-house counseling, and experiential employee packages, Z2C companies offer a unique mixture of challenge and fulfillment.
For all career-related queries, please contact : haris.hassan@z2climited.com.
Outreach
Project Butterfly
Z2C has started a micro revolution in the education sector of the region. Starting in Pakistan, MHL along with Tony Buzan, the world authority on mindmapping, has introduced mindmapping on a mass scale to school-going children. With a series of events open to thousands of children at a time, MHL plans to reach up to 5 million children in three years. This regional case study will soon be replicated in other parts of the world as sponsors and educationalists clamor to be a part of this exciting educational initiative.
Revitalizing Mainstream Theater
Z2C is a generous supporter of the arts, especially in all the markets it serves. In Pakistan, MHL made the single largest contribution to mainstream theater in Pakistan, when it selected a young theater production team to partner with the country’s legendary scriptwriter Anwar Maqsood and create theater history. What followed MHL’s initiative was a true revival of performance art in Pakistan (now moving to other parts of the region)