Emanuele Toso
Emanuele Toso, an Italian, originally from Verona, studied economics and international business at university and graduated in 1985. He started his career as an export manager director in a leading Italian fashion company. During this time, he travelled worldwide with responsabilities that included the Middle East. He gained a great knowledge of the region, attained a respect for its rare values that still persist and felt at home. He realised that there was a need for someone to promote and advise European brands on how to enter this market and decided to start his own company focusing on the distribution of perfumes and cosmetics in the Middle East region.
Toso, as he is known to his Arab friends, says “ I have always been attracted by the Middle East, its culture and its moral values are in tune with my own “.
Bridge between the Middle East and Occident
Toso is a man of great ambition who values his links with the Middle East and sees his role as a “bridge “between the Middle East and Occident.
He has become one of the most specialized consultants for the region paying great attention to the requirements and marketing needs of his principals. His personal and professional relationship with both ensures that the brands are well represented and their reputation is maintained by the distribution network that Toso oversees.
He travels extensively to the region, follows the brands, organises special launch events, promotions and discusses the various sales and marketing strategies for each distributor. This dedication to his principals and strong relationship with the distributors allows for a greater understanding between both parties and an appreciable growth in business. Throughtout the year he attends major trade fairs including Cosmoprof, Micam, Mipel and Tax Free World Exhibition Cannes which gives him further contact with his principals and distributors as well as increasing his profile within the industry.
Achievement
His achievements can be seen by the growth of companies he represents and diversity of products. Today, his portfolio not only has international brands of perfumes, cosmetics, toiletries, and hair-care but as well includes Italian made branded shoes and accessories.
He is committed to the region increasing his scope beyong the GCC. He felt that in the beginning should concentrate on the GCC markets, but recently, he has started to include the rest of the region, being aware that we are all in the global economy and the Middle Est must be seen in this aspect. Today he now covers: Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Libya.
Toso, feels that his success is largely due to his many Arab friends unique sense of co-operation. He is also recognisant of the assistance given him by the brands he represents.
Toso says: “ I thank God for giving me the opportunity of working in a region that has given me so much. I think, the key of my success is to have been able to focus and monitor a synergy between all the elements I have brought together in my personal and business life, which I will always continue to maintain “