Part I: The Visionary And The Digital Architects
Ahmed Abou Hashima is a name synonymous with progress in Egypt. His journey started in the steel industry with Egyptian Steel and expanded to Egyptian Cement and the Egyptian Industrial Investment Group (EIIG).
Yet a closer look reveals a leader equally as passionate about building a stronger Egypt through his philanthropic work and public service. As a public figure, he has held positions such as vice president of the Republican People's Party and Head of the Senate Youth and Sports Committee. As an entrepreneur he launched the Startup Power Competition to support young entrepreneurs and innovators.
Driven by this compelling duality, the Egyptian Industrial Investment Group, led by Abou Hashima, sought a partner to translate his achievements and social purpose into a captivating digital platform.
They found it in Road9 Media, a digital agency in Egypt that specializes in creating unique online experiences.
Part II: The First Meeting
Unlike traditional connections, Road9 Media caught EIIG’s attention through its exceptional SEO presence and rich portfolio that matched Ahmed Abou Hashima's vision. Road9 Media’s web design team was asked to redesign Abou Hashima’s personal website. A proposal was sent out outlining the agency’s vision for a website that reflects his legacy and philanthropy.
Initial talks with EIIG’s representatives revealed a major issue: Abou Hashima’s current website while working, was not scalable and adaptable to his fast-growing business leadership. It was also not flexible for modifications, so it was outdated and couldn’t reflect the modern and innovative spirit Abou Hashima embodies.
David Wesley, Road9 Media’s Marketing and Communications Manager, said:
"Our first meeting with EIIG was an eye-opener. They needed a platform that could grow with Abou Hashima’s influence. We knew we had to create something amazing."
Part III: The Team
Road9 Media assembled a dedicated team to bridge the gap between Ahmed Abou Hashima’s vision and a website that’s captivating. Leading this project was Moody Luka, the web design lead, who has over 10 years of experience in creating online experiences that impact.
David Wesley and Moody Luka were joined by Senior Account Manager Salwa El Sokkary and Senior Content Creator Nour Eissa. Their expertise was crucial as they kept in touch with EIIG’s representatives and actively sought feedback to make sure the final website reflects Abou Hashima’s vision with precision.
Part IV: The Implementation
"Neat. Elegant. Professional."
Those were the three words Moody Luka used to describe the website in progress. We used those words as our guiding principle for the whole project.
Luka continued, "From the beginning we knew the website had to show Ahmed Abou Hashima’s two faces as a businessman and a philanthropist. We had to show both sides seamlessly."
When asked about the biggest challenge he faced during the web development stage, Luka said:
"We were asked to create two different home page concepts for Abou Hashima’s team to choose from. This was a first for us; we never offered this to previous clients."
The challenge was to create two completely different home pages that would showcase Ahmed Abou Hashima’s brand equally. Each home page had to tell its story in a compelling and cohesive way that also provided a different user experience.
Moody Luka said:
"We approached this challenge by first defining the non-negotiables for both designs. These were his business ventures, philanthropic efforts, and personal achievements. Then we developed two different visual and navigation styles."
Road9 Media rose to the challenge, delivering both concepts on time, and the EIIG team promptly selected the design that resonated most strongly with them.
Part V: The Website
The culmination of Road9 Media's vision and meticulous execution is a website that embodies the guiding principles of "neat, elegant, and professional." Every aspect of the website was crafted to reflect Abou Hashima's multifaceted persona, combining his business side with his philanthropic one.
Visual Aesthetics
The website opens with a clean and modern design that is both welcoming and professional. The color scheme, inspired by Abou Hashima’s logo, has gold accents that add a touch of sophistication without overpowering the design.
High-quality images and videos of Abou Hashima in various settings—ranging from business meetings to philanthropic events—are strategically placed throughout the site.
User Experience
“We wanted to make user experience a priority, so we created a website structure that allows for easy navigation,” Luka says. With minimal clicks to get to the information, visitors can go deeper into Ahmed Abou Hashima’s biography, business, philanthropy, and news updates.
Personal Touches
One of the site's standout features is the incorporation of patterns found in Abou Hashima's personal office walls. A small yet thoughtful detail that creates a sense of familiarity and personal connection for the visitor, blending the professional and personal.
Typography
The website uses mostly sans serif fonts which gives a modern and clean look that can handle long form content without straining the eyes. Headings and titles have a clear visual hierarchy to guide the visitor through the content.
Security Measures
The website has advanced security measures to protect user data and ensure a safe browsing experience. SSL encryption and regular security audits are in place to prevent any threats.
Content Management System
The site is built on a robust Content Management System (CMS) that allows Abou Hashima’s team to update content, add new sections and make changes without needing technical knowledge. The website also has integrated analytics tools to provide detailed insights on user behavior, traffic sources and engagement metrics. This data will help Abou Hashima’s team to make informed decisions to improve the site.
Interactive Features
The website also has interactive features like a news section and social media feeds to keep the content fresh and to encourage visitors to come back for updates on Abou Hashima’s news and activities.
Part VI: The Future
This project marked the beginning of a promising partnership between Road9 Media and the Egyptian Industrial Investment Group (EIIG). After delivering a successful personal website, Road9 Media was chosen to design and develop EIIG’s website that showcases their strategic impact on Egypt's industrial landscape. Road9 Media is actively involved in discussions about future projects with both EIIG and Ahmed Abou Hashima.
Road9 Media's Marketing and Communications Manager, David Wesley, reflected on the partnership:
"Working with EIIG and Ahmed Abou Hashima has been a transformative experience for our team. It's not just about creating websites; it's about building digital platforms that evolve with our clients' ambitions and growth."
Visit the website at ahmedabouhashima.com to experience the final product and delve into the world of one of Egypt's most influential figures.
