
Ad Man Extraordinaire
MIR ABDUL QAYYUM
PIONEER OF ADVERTISING IN PAKISTAN SINCE 1948


The humble beginnings of Pakistan's first ad agency- Crescent Publicity Service, 1948

Pioneer of Advertising Award given to Mir Abdul Qayyum by Pakistan Advertising Association, in 1979 for 25+ years of service


The humble beginnings of Pakistan's first ad agency- Crescent Publicity Service, 1948
MAQ Communications was borne out of a humble desire to pay homage to, and to restore rightful recognition to the late, great humanitarian, Mir Abdul Qayyum as the true pioneer of advertising in Pakistan. Simply put, Grandpa MAQ is our inspiration, our motivation and above all, our raisôn d'être.
In early 1948, merely six months into the birth of a new country and the subsequent sprouting of various new businesses, Mir Qayyum felt the need to lay the foundation for quality advertising provision. And so, Crescent Publicity Service became the country's first ad agency- an independent, full-service, all media advertising agency with headquarters in Karachi and an auxilliary branch in Lahore. In due course, it would become fully accredited, evolve into the award-winning, renowned behemoth, Crescent Communications International (C.C.I) and expand to represent a hundred leading national and international clients including Panaroma, Tasneem Brothers (Kawasaki), Karim Silk Mills, K.E.S.C., MCB, Dada Soap, Nawab Brothers Steel Mills, Eastern Pharmaceuticals, United Trading (Kala Kola), Bonanza, Dadabhoy Silk Mills, Hussein Textiles, Metalex Corporation (Millat Fans), National Cosmetics, Union Bank of Middle East, A&B Beverages (7-Up), H&S Beverages (Canada Dry Orange), Red Cow Milk, Burq Detergent and Hotel Imperial, amongst many others. C.C.I enjoyed an esteemed position in the industry until the passing of Mir Qayyum in 1993, shortly after which the company was also laid to rest.
During his impassioned existence, Mir Qayyum was a charismatic yet principled, devoted family man of means and a plethora of accomplishments, with interests spanning the berth from business to philosophy to literature. Being the true embodiment of a creative spirit and magnanimous soul, he was a gifted author, a glorious poet, an incredibly eloquent orator, a legendary philanthropist and a highly celebrated pillar of the burgeoning Pakistani advertising community. He personally scripted countless radio ads, and holds the record for writing Pakistan's first radio jingle for Karilin Shirts in early 1960s. As the pioneer of advertising in the nation and trailblazer of the creative revolution, he was a revered paragon of excellence and elegance; a shining beacon of inspiration for all the dreamers and doers alike- aspiring artists, writers and music composers, vying for an opportunity to be in his employ. Included amongst the notable stars of the nation who worked at Crescent for several years were legendary actor Talat Hussain; singer Alamgir; Pakistan's most senior journalist & editor of Morning News, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed; Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's personal photographer, Daud Subhani; and Sind Assembly speaker Nisar Khoro's wife, late Shehnaz Khoro.
In a word, our beloved grandfather was a luminary with a heart of gold, and we intend to emblazon his prestigious name for what we hope, are eons to come.
Vive le MAQ!
Ab Manzil Door Nahin.
- Mir Abdul Qayyum
The Value of Pioneers
A TIMELINE OF ADVERTISING AND PRODUCTION MILESTONES IN PAKISTAN
Because our founding father, Mir Abdul Qayyum was also the father of advertising in Pakistan, he was at the forefront of the nation's creative revolution, contributing many "Firsts" to the industry in his tenure (the first print ad, the first radio ad, the first radio jingle, the first international TVC production, etc.) He was succeeded by his equally talented son, Tariq Mir, who single-handedly served as Crescent's C.E.O, creative director and TVC director/producer of many of Pakistan's most memorable communications to date, and took great strides in further chronicling his father's pioneering trajectory by bestowing even more "Firsts" on both creative and production fronts (allowing C.C.I to become the first ad agency with an in-house production set up in 1979). Additionally, he introduced Photoshop software to Pakistan in 1988, pioneered computer graphics imagery (CGI) and in 1989 brought the art of 3D animations to our television sets , utilizing the nation's first animation system which he personally imported from the United States.
The animated timeline below depicts some (but not nearly all) of C.C.I's totems of pioneering creativity and advertising tactics which made our clients exceed sales goals far beyond their expectations; pioneering national and international in-house productions; and lastly, pioneering computer graphics and animations. (Details are revealed upon hovering.)
1948
Pakistan's 1st Ad Agency
Crescent Publicity Service (CPS) founded by Mir Abdul Qayyum opens its doors in Karachi, with an auxiliary branch in Lahore.
1948
1948
Pakistan's 1st Print (Press) Ad
Client: Hashmi Surma
Publication: JANG Newspaper
This timeless logo was created by CPS, based on actress/ model Rozina
1948
1966
Pakistan's 1st TVC
Client: Burq Washing Powder
Agency: Crescent Publicity Service
(the former name of C.C.I)
Packaging also designed by Crescent
1966
1967
Pakistan's 1st PTV Song Sponsorship
Singer: Tasawar Khanum
Song: Agar Tum Mil Jao
Sponsor: Karim Silk Mills
Agency: C.C.I
1967
1978
Pakistan's 1st Large Giveaway
Show: Neelam Ghar
Host: Tariq Aziz
Client/Prize: Kawasaki/Motorcycle
Agency: C.C.I
1978
1978
Pakistan's 1st Commercial
Utilization of PTV characters
Characters: Uncle Sargam
Client: Burq Washing Powder
Director: Abdul Waheed Khan
1978
1980
Pakistan's 1st Agency In-House Sound Recording Studio
Used to develop original music and jingles sung by legendary singers (see MAQ facts below.)
1980
1982
Pakistan's 1st TVC shot at Times Square, near Twin Towers, NYC
Client: Bonanza
Producer/Director: Tariq Mir of CCI
Agency: C.C.I
1982
1986
Pakistan's 1st PTV Teaser
Product: Sparkle Chhotoo
Producer/Director: Tariq Mir of CCI
Agency: C.C.I
1986
1988
Pakistan's 1st Computer Graphics TVC
Product: Shield Baby Bottle/Nipple
Computer Graphics by Tariq Mir
Agency: C.C.I
1988
1959
Pakistan's 1st Radio Ad
Client: Americano Drycleaners
Scripted by Mir Abdul Qayyum
Channel: Radio Pakistan
1959
1962
Pakistan's 1st Radio Jingle
Client: Karim Silk Mills- Karilin Shirts
Scripted by Mir Abdul Qayyum
Channel: Radio Pakistan
1962
1968
Pakistan's 1st PTV Show Sponsorship
Show: Bewitched
Sponsor: Karim Silk Mills
Agency: C.C.I
1968
1969
Pakistan's 1st Billboard with Lights (Neon Sign)
Client: Karim Silk Mills- Karilin Shirt
Location: North Nazimabad, Karachi
Sign depicted timed neon lights forming a men's shirt outline.
1969
1979
Pakistan's 1st Agency In-House TVC Production
Client: Canada Dry
Producer/Director: Tariq Mir of CCI
and Kelly Klein (w/o Calvin Klein)
1979
1979
Pakistan's 1st Agency In-House Projection Hall (Theater)
Fully equipped Film Division with 35mm, 16mm, 8mm Cameras, Projector, VCR, and other equipment
1979
1982
Pakistan's 1st TVC shot at Miami Beach Area, Florida, USA
Client: Sitara (Sapna Lawn)
Producer/Director: Tariq Mir of CCI
Agency: C.C.I
1982
1983
Pakistan's 1st TVC featuring a
Hot Air Balloon (Pennsylvania, USA)
Client: Sitara Jan-e-Serma Lawn
Producer/Director: Tariq Mir of CCI
Agency: C.C.I
1983
1989
Pakistan's 1st 3D Animated TVC
Client: Dawlance
Motion Graphics by Tariq Mir, created using Pakistan's 1st animation system ( imported from USA.)
Agency: C.C.I
1989
2005
Pakistan's 1st TVC shot by skydiver, displaying product mid-air
Product: BP Spacer Toffee
Producer/Director: Tariq Mir
Skydiver: Mark
Location: Connecticut, USA