Adland has been covering an intriguing story since August, one which apparently is deterring them from ever setting foot in Egypt again.
Earlier this week, a student at Misr University for Science and Technology named Tamer Azab was arrested for defaming advertising mogul Tarek Nour. Apparently, Nour had a knack for ripping off other notable spots and “Egyptianizing” them (example below via) to promote his Cairo-based TV channel Al-Qahera Wal Nas. So, Azab set up a Facebook group a while back called Stolen Promos, which irked Nour so much that he charged Azab with defamation, libel and violating intellectual property rights. Pot calling the kettle much?
While Azab has apparently been released, Adland says the lesson here is messing with a master copycat TV channel [or at least its owner with money and connections] can get you a date with the hoosegow in Egypt.
More: “Tel Aviv Agency’s Marketing Idea Will Likely Get You Shot”