Issam Eid (Arabic: عصام عيد) (born on November 8 in Beirut, Lebanon) is a Lebanese-Canadian media pundit who is well known in the media industry within the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf region. He is among the young journalists who appeared in the automotive field from very early age. His first article “VW Beetle, the Love Bug” was published in September 2005 in ArabWheels magazine. His articles are published in ArabWheels and Telecom Review from 2005 to date.
In 2006, he practiced to race with his mentor the ex-Rally driver, Adel Metni. He wrote also for a period of time for 3arabiyi M3adali, a Lebanese tuning corporation.
In 2008, Eid was elected president of the student council at the American University of Technology. His name was mentioned in Al-Balad newspaper. On the same year, Issam has hosted a safety and entertaining campaign on campus entitled “Automotive Show” to avoid car accidents in Lebanon, featuring Lebanese Rally Champion Abdo Feghali. It was covered by Al-Balad newspaper on the 28th of March 2008. Issam was interviewed for a small career history about his involvement in motoring journalism in Al-Akhbar newspaper on the 5th of May 2008.
In 2009, he got promoted to perform as the Operations Manager to supervise four magazines publications: ArabWheels, Telecom Review, Weddings and Sporteve, Technology & Telecom-T2. He went “On-The-Air” with his new fledgling radio show named “Auto Strike” on the 9th of July 2010 on Radio Strike (97.4 – 97.7 FM). Auto Strike with ArabWheels Magazine, finally a soundtrack to accompany the words. He was also nominated among the jury committee for the Custom Cup Design 2010 on the panel of judges.
In 2011, he went “On-The-Air” again but this time with the famous Sana Nasr – who presented the Lebanese Lottery on TV – on Melody FM (99.9 FM). He hosted the Technologia section during the Hawa Beirut morning show, a section all about the latest news in the automotive industry.
In November 2012, he was the only Lebanese motoring journalist to represent his country Lebanon as a jury member on the panel of judges in the Middle East Motor Awards that took place in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The Middle East Motor Awards (MEMA) was the biggest and the most coveted award of the Middle East automotive industry.
In January 2014, he went “On-The-Air” once more with the famous Sana Nasr – who presents the Lebanese Lottery on TV – on Fame FM (99.9 FM). He hosted a piece during the morning show all about the latest news in the automotive industry. That same month, ArabWheels Web Television was officially launched. Issam was involved in presenting/anchoring some exciting episodes about the latest cars driven around the globe.
In November 2015, Issam continued his dedication and commitment to the automotive industry and automotive enthusiasm by hosting the first ArabWheels Awards ceremony – a grand event held in the most impressive rooftop lounge in Dubai: 40Kong at the H Hotel. More than 20 awards were distributed throughout the evening.
In April 2016, Issam wrote down the first automotive journalism course in the Middle East entitled, “How to become an automotive journalist? 8 techniques to lead you on the right path”. The workshop was especially made for the Agenda Beirut founded by the well-known Tony Abou Ghazaly. On the same year in July, he was chosen “Brand Ambassador” for Woosh Car Care in Beirut. He contributed by enhancing the brand in terms of awareness to be seen as a lifestyle, not a product manufacturer only. He filmed a TV commercial about his experience with the first “Touchless Car Wash Tunnel” in Lebanon. The TVC was used online via social media platforms and went viral.
In 2018, he was appointed Editor in Chief of Teknotel magazine (previously known as T2 Arabia, Technology and telecommunications).
In 2019 during the Geneva Motorshow, he interviewed Kimi Räikkönen “Iceman” about the Formula 1 season with Alfa Romeo Racing Team. At the same year, he was personally interviewed on Radio Liban during “Bhebbak ya Lebnan” program to speak about the production of cars in Lebanon with the well-known David Frem, founder of Frem Motors Industry.
In 2020, he gave two online lectures for the American University of Technology’s students on Project Management and Automotive Journalism. On the same year he was interviewed on “Al-Araby TV Network” to speak about the car manufacturers’ crisis during Covid-19.
In 2021, he enrolled in a program with the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and earned a certificate in Communication Strategies for a Virtual Age.
Eid has a wide-ranging experience in all aspects of the media industry ranging from editorial, journalism, presenting, advertising, marketing, and public relations. He holds two Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems and Business Management Economics from the American University of Technology and Empire State University of New York. He as well holds an MBA in Business Management from the International Business Management Institute (IBMI) in Berlin, Germany.
Eid is currently the Head of Sales and Marketing for Telecom Review with territory focus on the African continent, North America, Lebanon, Qatar and Kuwait.