Faris Khalifeh

Quiet Leadership Coach at Faris Khalifeh

• Canada - British Columbia
• My current job since January 2013

Communication Director at Leo Burnett

• United Arab Emirates - Dubai
• October 2007 to December 2012

The organization is a multi-national advertising and marketing company.

Highlights:
• Played a pivotal role in the GM 2010 regional pitch.
• Successfully launched new Chevrolet and GMC products in the region.
• Proficiently handled a portfolio of 30 cars and trucks with 360 degree communication strategy to effectively utilize consumer touch points.
• Managed the Chevrolet campaign “Hiroshi & Osamu” which won the Dubai Lynx Grand Prix Award in Media.
• Efficiently headed the “Aveo5, Totally Street” campaign which won Gold for Best Youth Marketing Campaign at the Effies.
• Selected by Leo Burnett management as the first Cell Planner on GM account.

Key Responsibilities:
• Implementing and maintaining comprehensive communications strategies to increase the brand visibility as well as developing key messages for all audiences to communicate core brand identity.
• Integrating and implementing robust planning techniques and supporting processes to ensure high standards of execution and client experience.
• Provided leadership and direction to strategic account team dealing in Chevrolet & GMC brand.
• Planning and delivering annual strategic marketing and communication plans based on brand strategy to leverage company's market position in line with business objectives and revenue targets.
• Arranging the first regional workshop for Dubai with the Planning Director for Caprice brand.
• Conducting a digital workshop for Leo Burnett's employee focusing on Mobile Marketing.
• Ensuring top line sales goals and bottom line profit goals are met by recognizing the profitability and revenue impact of all business opportunities.
• Managing the pitch budget, devising and ensuring strict adherence to budgetary guidelines, effecting cost reductions as well as administering the day-to-day operational aspects of pitch and scope while applying methodologies and enforcing project standards.

Clients Handled: General Motors (GM)

Account Manager at IMPACT BBDO

• United Arab Emirates - Dubai
• July 2006 to September 2007

Key Responsibilities:
• Identified new market opportunities/trends, recommended senior management on suitable strategies and tactics to exploit these opportunities for sound and profitable growth.
• Researched and analyzed new business opportunities by conducting extensive market research to generate leads for subsequent development.
• Conducted product presentations and demos for potential clients to increase client base and generate additional business.
• Performed key account planning and maintained favorable business relationships with key accounts.
• Coordinated with the marketing team to launch the corporate identity, logo and detailed brand book for Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) and arranged several photo shoots for DIFF campaigns.
• Devised the annual marketing plan/budgets in conjunction with corporate vision and planned campaigns to promote a positive image of the company and represent client programs.
• Scrutinized external emerging developments and evangelized new technologies, standards and methodologies that have a positive impact on the organization's bottom-line and quality of service.
• Actively involved in all new business and pitch communications activities for Canon & Al Barari.
• Attended to client inquiries, demonstrated thorough product knowledge and provided excellent customer service; thus developing a large customer base.
• Mentored, trained and supported the client services team to develop their skills and to provide optimum services to the client.

Key Clients Handled:
• Wafi City
• Dubai International Film Festival
• Dubai International Financial Center
• Citizen
• AB Capital
• Wella & Dulsco

Media Planner at Starcom Mediavest

• United Arab Emirates - Dubai
• January 2003 to June 2006

Key Responsibilities:
• Media Planner on Procter & Gamble.
• Developed new ideas and techniques for marketing as well as planned and monitored the assigned marketing resources to best meet organizational objectives.
• Served as the main marketing contact between the management and the clients, and developed media/advertising strategies including ATL/BTL activities to build brand identity.
• Handled the smooth execution of the clients' marketing campaigns, updated schedules/flowcharts, monitored campaign results and provided progress reports to the clients.
• Devised the annual marketing plan/budgets in line with corporate vision to promote a positive image of the company and represent client programs.
• Conducted comprehensive market research for analyzing current media rates and accordingly developed media strategies for the clients.
• Reviewed and assimilated information pertaining to prospective scope for product innovation, prevalent competitor activities and market conditions to optimize strategies and market positioning.
• Assigned as the first Consumer Insight Manager in Middle East for all P&G lineup.

Clients Handled: Proctor & Gamble (P&G)

Previous Professional Experience:
• Jun ‘02 - Dec ‘02: Assistant Marketing Manager - Gulf Mauser, UAE.
• Jun ‘00 - Aug ‘01: Trainee - Gulf Mauser, UAE.