Maxim Behar

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Maxim Behar is a Bulgarian businessman, Chief Executive of M3 Communications Group, Inc., a leading Public Relations Company in Bulgaria, and is an associate with Hill & Knowlton.

Mr. Behar is also the Chairman of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum ([1]) and also Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles to Bulgaria ([2]). He is a member of numerous boards and carrier of many local and international awards.

M3 Communications Group, Inc. is currently the leader in the field of public and media relations, with clients list of more than 50 international and local companies. Mr. Behar is personally involved in all projects of the company. He is a part of the initial stage of each client's enquiry.

Behar received a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Economics and then an Advanced degree in International Economic Relations from the Prague Economics University in 1983.

After graduation, he continued to serve as a journalist, a career he began in 1981, throughout the Czech Republic and Poland until 1991.

During that time Mr. Behar had the opportunity to interview many key international figures, including Prime Ministers, company directors and Presidents. Later on, he created two movies about Poland and published a book - Secondary Instinct - about Polish reforms, which became a best seller on the Bulgarian book market in 2000-2001. In 1992, using his previous journalistic experience, he co-founded the "Standard Daily" where he was the Managing Editor and remained in active journalism until 1995.

In 1999, Maxim Behar became the first Bulgarian to receive full membership in the International Public Relations Association. Six years later, in 2005, he was once again the first Bulgarian to become full member of the American Public Relations Society.

Mr. Behar initiated the foundation of two associations: the National Association of Journalists for the EU (1995) and the Bulgarian Association of Advertising Agencies and Professionals (1996). Thus, he expressed his commitment to these professions and acknowledged the important role they play in the modern business life.

Along with the foundation of above-mentioned associations, Mr. Behar also served as Board Member and Executive Director for the Bulgarian Investment Forum from 1997 till 2000. 1999 saw him continue his education, graduating from the Full Corporate Program of Japanese Style of Management, AOTS, Yokohama Kenshu Center, Japan.

In 2001, Mr. Behar was elected President of the Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum. As such, he officially hosted Prince of Wwls during His Royal Higness's visit to Sofia in 2003 and moderated the meeting with representatives of the Bulgarian business sphere.

In 2004 he was announced "Face of the Bulgarian Tourism" by the prestigious monthly magazine Recreation & Tourism at a special ceremony in Sofia.

In the summer of 2004, he was appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles to Bulgaria.

In 2005 Economy Magazine awarded Mr. Behar for Business Communications Contribution. The prize is the most prestigious one in the field of business communications in Bulgaria and for the first time ever goes to a PR and marketing expert.

Mr. Behar is also engaged in the social and cultural life of the country. He has served on the Board of several organizations including Junior Achievement Bulgaria, Every Child Foundation and the Art Council of Bulgarian National TV, and also has been a founder and Chairman of the Bulgarian-Polish Business Club.

Under Mr. Behar's management, M3 Communications Group, Inc. became a full member of the European Business Congress, one of the most influential industrial communities in Europe and was certified under the IS0 9001:2000 quality control standarts by Lloyd's Register.