Gulf News has reported that the founder and chairman of the Choueiri Group, and one of the Middle East’s largest media brokers, Antoine Choueiri, has passed away after a long battle with cancer at the age of 70. Antoine was ranked the 50th most powerful businessman in 2009 according to Arabian Business. He is also known as the man behind the rise of the Beirut-based La Sagesse basketball team.

In a statement to Gulf News, Ramzi Raad, chairman and CEO of TBWA/Raad and a close friend of Choueiri's, said that March 9 is "a turning point in Middle East media history".

"His reconciling spirit and generosity touched the majority of players in the communications industry in this part of the world."

Read more.