Radio got the video star š§
Sophisticated man. Solid values. One rule.
The 13-year-old boy would spend all his savings on buying 33 and 45 rpm records. As a kid, he loved radio and Western music.
At 16, with a voice that hasnāt matured yet, he presented a program in French on the once top radio station ā Magic 102 FM.
At 22, he presented his first TV program upon Tele Libanās Alfred Barakatās invitation. With no director and one camera operator, he polished it into a magazine program to include documentaries, social issues, and political views. He had to figure out the basics, including when he should open his eyes, how wide, what to wear, and how to look at the camera. The TV young man carved a niche audience of Lebanese francophones and moved up his program from the 11 pm time slot to primetime.
āBigā is the name of his game
After Tele Liban, he went to MTV and hosted a talk show for about 5 years. He wanted big names that rang loudly.
In Lebanon, it was Walid Jumblatt, Mouna AlSolh, and Johnny Abdo. They helped to further establish his name as a serious player in that space. One was a political figure; the other represented Lebanon's historical era. The third was a key figure in intelligence. Outside Lebanon, AlAmir Talal Bin Abdelaziz, Jihan AlSadat, and Omar AlSharif sprang him into the Arab region.
Perseverance was key. He had his eyes on an interview with the late Shah of Iranās wife when neither MTV nor Ricardo Karam was a big name.
It went something like this. The first communication was international fax sent from MTVās CEOās office. And another one. Then another one. With refusals, of course. He would wait until the Farsi new year and send yet another well-carved letter. He made sure that she (or her people) knew that heās not going anywhere. A year and a half later, he struck an audience with her. From there, things picked up rather quickly.
Some of the people he interviewed: Tom Barrack, Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Nicolas Hayek, and Paul Orfalae.
Ricardo had the guts to create a new concept for the region. He saw what people needed before they knew it ā inspiring success stories. They wanted to hear good news, see bright faces, and experience uplifting emotions. Having been at MTV during that period was good grounds to experiment. The working relationship between MTV and Ricardo made the adventure and the challenges a little more fun. He often lacked the budget to travel and cover the stories. He eventually managed to convince the Central Bankās Governor to support his endeavor.
When he moved to Future TV, he had started producing his own shows; it is during this period that he interviewed icons such as Luciano Pavarotti and the Dalai Lama. Eventually, he started his own company. Since then, he has worked with many stations and networks: Abu Dhabi TV, Arabia, BBC, FutureTV, MBC, MTV, LBC, and Skynews.
āI dream big. See big. Think big.ā
To culminate all his previous work experiences, in 2009 Ricardo took his journey and storytelling to the next level by launching Takreem, a foundation that honors Arab accomplishments and the unsung heroes of the region. Ricardo, the curator of knowledge, developed Takreem to include conferences, forums, roundtables, and workshops through its brainchild, TAKminds.
In spite of the COVID crisis, the Lebanese economic and political situation, and the Aug 4 Beirut blast, Ricardo is in preparation mode for a fresh new wave of uplifting projects.
His secret recipe?
He loves people and is honest with them. He loves to connect, talk, and, most importantly, listen to them. He strives to make people around him happy.
āI love. I love. I love to see happy people.ā
He enjoys an innate interest in peopleās stories and a good conversation. Amine Maalouf forgot that he was sitting with an interviewer. It felt like a conversation with a friend.
āI created a certain brand for myself. They may not like it, but at least they respect it.ā
You can always tell that itās Ricardo.
He masters four languages: Arabic, French, English, and body language. His formal Arabic is rich with vocabulary. His solid, deep, staccato, velvety voice gives the listener a sense of class. His lingo is proper, well-enunciated, with sharp Arabic pronunciation. His conversations weave words that can be consumed in all Arab countries, no matter the dialect. Heās created his own lingua francaāthe Ricardo signature. It also crosses to rich English and impeccable French.
As for looks, heās always well-dressed and elegant even when heās scruffy.
He cherishes integrity and honesty. He realizes that the way others might see him is different from what he truly is. Then again, what you think of him is none of his business. In his accomplishments and failures, he is true to his life and his work. He succeeded despite all the challenges that came his way. He had to do it alone. His professional solo trip strengthened his core.
āIām a dreamer who makes his dreams come true. Iām focused. Been very focused. All my life.ā
When life puts him down, faith keeps him anchored. Heās unwavering with his values and uses them to stay true to himself during turbulent times.
Lessons learned
In his 25+ years of meeting people and traveling the world, Ricardo has met many accomplished people. Some of the lessons he learned:
- You cannot buy happiness with money.
- Some of the wealthiest people are the most lonely.
- Sometimes financial success comes at the expense of something else.
- Pain fuels the desire for life.
- A healthy family is the most important accomplishment in life.
- All people are the same.
- Learn from othersā mistakes.
On journalism
- Freedom of speech is beautiful but should never steep to get filthy.
- Logic is more powerful than insulting words.
- Respect the position no matter your opinion of the person filling it.
- Respecting the position that represents your nation is self-respect.
- Fame does not last forever.
Social media will fulfill his mission
Ricardo interviewed kings, presidents, and CEOs, and brought their stories to our living rooms. Today, he wants to reach out to more people and communicate more intimately and frequently with them. Social media is helping him reach us in a new way. Today, heās reaching out to a younger generation through the channels that they consume most. His presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube is getting him closer to them.
Do whatās good for your future and your country. Sit and talk to each other. Do not divide Lebanon any further. He wants open community channels for the Lebanese to keep talking to each other; to keep getting to know each other better. Itās almost that he wishes on everyone to experience the values of empathy, compassion, and tolerance as he has when a student at the American University of Beirut.
Family and country
The South-American-born Lebanese Ricardo loves his Arab culture. Heād rather skip glamorous parties to spend time with his wife and three children: Talal, Nadim, and Sharif. Heād rather do things that bring him happiness; a glass of wine with his wife, socializing with friends, and a tennis game. He loves and serves Lebanon and its people from his heart. In these times of predominantly mud-slinging, Ricardo strives to keep it civil; to portray the culture that his nation enjoys.
I am usually an excellent listener in my interviews. During his, I interrupted quite often. He would graciously pick up where we left off.
I have always been intrigued by Ricardo. I believe Iām one step closer to understanding where he comes from.
Self-made man with focus. He wishes that he had serious mentors when he was starting out. Today, he dedicates time and effort to make a little difference in othersā lives. Heās genuine, generous, and loves people.
If youāre wondering whether he is always like that ā the way you see him in his videos? Yes.
Heās a TV star who came from radio and the one embracing new social channels.
Sophisticated man. Solid values. Love.
