Businessman. The CEO of
Vakko Holding and Power Group. His father is the businessman Vitali Hakko. He was born
in Istanbul in
1955. After he finished his primary education in Turkey, his family decided that he
should continue his education abroad so that he would have the opportunity to
know about different cultures. He attended to College du Leman in Geneva, Baccalaureat
Economy in Strasbourg, Ecoles Des Hautes International in Paris and Friburg
University Science Economique et Sociale in Switzerland.
In Fribourg University,
in the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences, he wrote the book titled “The
Fact of Fashion” as his final dissertation. In his book, he examined the birth
and development of fashion, and the social and economic factors that lead to
the creation of fashion from a scientific point of view. He gave
detailed examples in his work, which also examined the psycho-sociological
aspects of the concept of fashion.
During his summer
holidays in Turkey, thanks
to his father Vitali Hakko’s encouragement, Cem Hakko started to spend more
time in Vakko, and he returned to Istanbul
in the beginning of 80’s for good. Hakko made a fast entry to his Vakko
career, and his achievements came one after another. Being raised very closely engaged in
sports since his young ages, Hakko professionally did skiing, sailing,
windsurfing, rally, carting, Formula 3 and motocross sports. Especially
in snow skiing, carting and rally, he won many rewards and championships both
in Turkey and abroad. He also pioneered in making many different
sports such as Formula 1 widespread in Turkey.
Setting off from the
product range of Vakko, Cem Hakko founded Vakkorama, one of the young fashion
brands of Turkey,
in 1982. Considering his hobbies as an integral part of his business life, Hakko
refused to see Vakkorama only as a fashion brand, and created a brand new
lifestyle by integrating the brand with sports and music. He brought
many big organizations such as Karadam, Class 1 World Offshore Championship and
Turkey Sailing Races to Turkey.
A true music lover, Cem
Hakko founded the Power Group, starting with Power FM with its first
international broadcast in 1992. Continuing to extend his list of
firsts, Hakko added Power Records, Power Türk, Power Türk TV, Power Club, Power
Xl and Radyo Fenomen to Power Group.
Apart from his
responsibilities for Vakko, Cem Hakko also have been actively involved in 12 different
associations including the Turkish Clothing Manufacturers Association, Turkish
Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD), Foreign Economic Relations Board
(DEİK), Turkey Economic and Social Studies Foundation, Association of
Professional Managers (YPO and WPO), Young Businessmen Association of Turkey,
Istanbul Rotary Club, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, Turkey Switzerland
Association of Chamber of Commerce, Turkish Marine Environment Protection
Association and Professional Union of Broadcasting Organizations (RATEM). Recognizing
the importance of social responsibility projects in Vakko, he has supported
several social responsibility projects including pioneering the aid group in
the earthquake of 17th August 1999, “Take Your Friend’s Key” project
of Power FM, the UNICEF project for Mother’s Day, broadcasting and warning
support for “World Aids Day” of Power FM, “Quit Smoking” campaign for Power FM,
“Yellow Wristbands For Tomorrow” project, School Grants project, Water
Projects, “Do Not Drunk-Drive, Use a Taxi” project of Power FM and “Our Soil is
Getting Lost! Lend a Hand” project.
Still established in Istanbul, Cem Hakko won many rewards and championships
both in Turkey
and in abroad in carting and rally. A founder member of the Formula 1
Association, Cem Hakko was also a member of Motor Sports and Organization
Auditing Board. He has three children named Katia, Pia and Can. He can
speak French and English as foreign languages.