Dubai - UAE Tel: +9715 5 FADI 123 (3234123)
Email: f@netizency.com Blog: http://www.telecomadvertising.com/
Basic Descriptors:
• Focused on branding, marketing and advertising all telecom and digital activities
• Well organized with a slight drift towards creativity and lateral thinking
• Good in decision making and conflict resolution, and seeks to continuously work in teams and build on ideas
Work Experience
Game Changer (Founder) Netizency MENA- June 2011 till present
· I founded www.netizency.com a social brand consultancy focusing on promoting brands through conversations as opposed to ads
· Netizency helps make brands social through community building activities ranging from sponsorships and events to presence on social networks
· At Netizency we develop social brand strategy, implement the strategy including managing brand presence on social media, and development ranging from apps on Facebook, iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows 7, to microsites, blogs and forums
· Netizency has launched 4 iOS apps in Arabic to promote regional content, those include Hangman in Arabic in addition to Arabic Audiobooks for Sinbad, Ali Baba, and Aladdin - all of which are available for the iPad and iPhones/iPods
Brand Consultant (Sole Practitioner) in MENA - September 2010
I'm registered as a Brand Consultant at Dubai Media City and worked on multiple projects including: · Netizency has launched 4 iOS apps in Arabic to promote regional content, those include Hangman in Arabic in addition to Arabic Audiobooks for Sinbad, Ali Baba, and Aladdin - all of which are available for the iPad and iPhones/iPods
Brand Consultant (Sole Practitioner) in MENA - September 2010
· Anayou as a Brand Consultant developing and managing the companies annual comms plan and budget
· Qtel's Virgin Mobile Service as a Brand Planning and Innovation Consultant managing brand and marcomms
· I worked on multiple Telecom branding projects including Kcell in Kazakhstan and Turkcell in Turkey
· I set up a social brand consultancy called Netizency.com
Brand and communications stream leader at Anayou.com (du Media Lab) Dubai-UAE - July 2008 till September 2010
· Setting up and leading a marketing and communications department for Anayou; a digital destination in Arabic, English and French targeting the residents of MENA across Mobile, Web and TV platforms.
· In this role I have launched Eurosport Arabia in Partnership with Eurosport Global, Empire of Sports Arabia in partnership with F4
· I also launched Anayou in partnership with multiple consulting firms, technology companies, and content providers
· This role got me into the digital scene working with most social networks, digital advertising tools, analytics software, media reps, regional websites, and digital platforms
Senior consultant at Delta Partners Dubai-UAE - July 2007 till July 2008
· Managed the development of Zain (the new MTC brand) identity elements, guidelines, communications, strategy, and post launch research
· Developed the process for Zain global brand management through a centralized branding and communications department
· Worked on transitioning the MTC brand to Zain and transfering existing brand equity in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Sudan
· Managed the brand launch strategy, architecture, services communication platform, and overall communication deliverables for Zain in KSA
· Managed the transition strategy, workplans and roll out for re-branding Celtel into Zain across 15 African countries
· Ensured alignment between the Zain Group Commercial team, all communication agencies, and individual operators in the Middle East
Communication Director (Previously Supervisor) at Leo Burnett Dubai-UAE – August 2005 till July 2007
· Responsible for handling all the advertising for the du telecom account
· Led the agency pitch for the du business
· Developed the launch strategy, the launch communication campaign, and the overall brand communication architecture for the du brand and services roll-out in coordination with du senior management, Booz Allen Hamilton, other telecom consultants; in addition to du’s media, PR, online, events, and retail partners
· Worked on developing the du - Leo Burnett relationship processes, in addition to interviewing, recruiting, and providing a telecom communication induction for the Leo Burnett team working on du
· Assisted in managing The Executive Office account for 3 months
Senior Account Manager (Previously Manager) at JWT-Bahrain – May 2004 till August 2005
· Worked on the MTC-Vodafone account
· Managed the brand in Bahrain coordinating with the Vodafone Global and MTC Kuwait in all disciplines
· Launched a multitude of service offerings (most prominently MTC-VF repositioning, 3G roll out, and Postpaid launch)
· Was involved in pitching for BIC (F1 Bahrain), Qatar Airways, Solidarity Insurance, Stratum and GVCA
· Developed a comprehensive knowledge in Advertising, PR, Media, CRM, Online, and Production
Account Executive (Previously Jr. Executive) at Leo Burnett Riyadh-KSA – July 2002 till May 2004
· Managed the Corporate, Fixed Line, and Internet divisions of Saudi Telecom reporting directly to the Account Director
· Participated in the STC integrated communication plan with LB regional management (an integrated holistic campaign and strategy to position and promote the STC mother brand and all sub brands for the upcoming two years)
· Learned the basics and beyond of advertising, discipline and integrity, in addition to marketing strategy, planning, organizational, presentation, communication, and negotiation skills
· Attained a respectable position in telecom advertising
Editor-in-Chief & Business Manager of “Perspective”-AUB – 2000 till 2002
· Co-founded and launched “Perspective” the business student society’s online newsletter through advertising and PR
· Was responsible for raising funds for persistence, writing and editing business articles, and managing the publication
· “Perspective” deals with the latest developments in the business world, as seen by the university’s business students
Co Founder of Entrepreneurship Club-AUB – 2000 till 2002
· Co- founded the AUB Entrepreneurship Club, which aims to introduce Entrepreneurship to Lebanon widening the job market and preventing “Brain Drain.”
· Attend the MIT Global Start-up Workshop in Australia, amongst 130 international students from MIT, Harvard, Stanford and other international universities to launch and sustain an annual Business Plan Competition in Lebanon
Education
Digital Marketing Exec Ed Course Harvard Business School 2009
Here I learned about digital marketing initiatives and platforms in detail. Some of the topics covered in the course included Faceook Twitter, e-bay, Second Life, Radiohead, Threadless, and Dove; whereby all the topics where given either through presentations by employees/founders of the discussed organizations, or through detailed case studies by HBS professors. This course helped me in learning about integrating new digital marketing techniques within the marketing plan, and selling them to management.
Strategic Decision Making Exec Ed Course London Business School 2009
I attended this executive education course in London, to better understand the process and psychology of decision making. This intensive course was attended by directors and C-levels from different industries across the world. It acted as a great business tool, networking opportunity, and benchmarking exercise.
Telecoms Mini MBA Informa TM 2006
I attended this intensive program covering telecom related technology, industry analysis and forecasts, leadership, management, finance, marketing, along with other telecom experts from around the globe. The programme ended with applying for a telecom license which I was awarded with due to an exceptional marketing strategy. I was also Invited to co-write the some modules for a marketing telecom Mini MBA that will be offered in London.
Business Administration/BBA-GPA 3.5 American University of Beirut 1998-2002
Here I have acquired the social attributes for a successful life. I learned the fundamentals of the business world and an extended knowledge of marketing, advertising, management, accounting & finance, in addition to extra elective courses in marketing, technology management, entrepreneurship, e-business and finance.
Additional Information
Computer Skills: Experienced user of general Internet applications, Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes, and Lotus SmartSuite (PC and MAC)
Professional Memberships: Business Students Society, The Entrepreneurship Club, IC Alumni, AUB Alumni, Telecom MBA Alumni, HBS ExecEd education Alumni
Hobbies: Web 2.0 (Social networking, Blogging, online participation) Swimming, and Table Tennis
Languages: Native Arabic, Fluent English, Minimal Operational Knowledge of French
Workshops I Attended: Marketing Converging Telecoms - London, 3GSM World Congress Cannes, MIT Global Start-up Workshop – Melbourne, Business Plan Preparation, Career Development, Writing Inspiring Creative Briefs, A new World Order - (Holistic Advertising), Negotiation & Presentation Skills, and several advertising-specific training modules.
Workshops I Presented at: I gave a workshop on Telecom advertising for 16 Leo Burnett offices across Central and Eastern Europe, I gave a workshop about advertising on the mobile phone in the Mena Cristal ad festival, I gave a lecture on advertising telecom operators at EMDI university, I was part of a panel about ROI from advertising on Social Networks at Click 2009 - Digital and Online Marketing Summit, I gave a presentation with Jad Hindy on building Social Brands at Click 5.0
