Corporate Advisor- Strategic Communication
Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC)
Total years of experience :28 years, 10 Months
Seconded to Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) in support of the Corporate Communication Division Head and to provide sound Strategic advise related to KNPC's Corporate Communication Strategy, Objectives, Initiatives and way forward to meet the 2040 Strategy in place.
Successfully concluded the submission of the Communication Plan document along with the implementation activity calendar including all the communication channels and tools in place.
Recognized by KNPC Management for a successful launch of their 2040 Strategy.
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With a direct reporting to Kout’s Chairwoman & CEO, my responsibility included the development of the strategic direction to lead the Corporate Communication & Culture Division that I have established within Kout with the objective of creating a “Living & Breathing” Corporation. The Division is the collective voice of KOUT both internally & externally in Kuwait, United Kingdom & Kurdistan- Iraq.
Main Responsibilities:
- Accountable for developing and overseeing Kout’s Corporate Communication strategy (internally & externally) across all channels and functions.
- In charge of creating suitable communication channels to cascade the Vision, Strategy and Corporate Values (both internally and externally) to a multi-level, multi-audience groups utilizing different communication tools.
- Official Spokesman for Kout, serving the role of Public Relations & Affairs, Media, Protocol and Investor Relations.
- Leads the in-house Creative team in charge of all unified branding initiatives the first issue of “Sout El Kout” Corporate Newsletter with its bilingual content, followed by Quarterly issues utilizing Kout’s Corporate Values.
- Lead the Executive Committee who drafted and finalized the Corporate Values for Kout.
- Successfully launched in coordination with Corporate IT the “Intranet Portal”- SharePoint within all Business Units (Kuwait, UK & Kurdistan).
- Ensure Kout's Communication strategy is applied consistently and reflected in every internal and external effort creating harmony and unification across.
- Conducted over 160 Workshops to cascade the Vision, Strategy & Corporate Values to the Team.
An experienced professional in Corporate Communication (internal & external), Public Relations, Media Relations, Protocol and Investor Relations, Brand Management disciplines who excelled in the introduction of Shared Services model of Communication within KGL Holding and its Group companies. Reporting to the Chairman & CEO with the main objective to create and ensure harmony and unification in the overall Communication effort to generate synergy among Group activities (one tone of voice).
Major Achievements:
- Successfully put in place KGL Holding and its Group companies’ Communication Strategy along with the detailed yearly budget and activity plan.
- Established an in-house design team to support all creative designs for the Group companies.
- Implemented a revolutionary approach to branding with 23 corporate identity logos re-designed with collaterals to create harmony under KGL Holding umbrella.
- Managed to publish over 240 press releases over 5 years period in local and regional titles.
- Developed and managed informative, engaging & interactive tools (Quarterly Corporate Newsletters, Interactive CDs, SharePoint Intranet, 6 Websites and Home Pages, Values Campaigns and Tactical Drives).
- Hosted 34 Communication Roadshows to enhance the Communication flow.
- Awarded the best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives in 2012.
- Shared Communication Services generated annual savings of 1 Million USD through restructuring the Communication functions.
- Member of KGL Holding Advisory Board (since January 2009).
Seconded by ARA Research & Consultancy to lead the team on the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Corporate Consultancy project to develop the Communication Strategy for KOC’s Mission, Vision, Corporate Values, Corporate Culture and Business Strategy both internally and externally, while providing Communication sound advice to KOC’s Chairman and Board Members.
Major Achievements:
- Successfully put in place the Communication Plan document that details the Strategy and tactical activities to be implemented based on the Research Drives for current standings.
- Designed and produced branding material in support to the Communication Plan activities including but not limited to Interactive, Engaging & Informative CD in multi-language format to ease the information flow.
- Hosted the biggest reveal event for the launch of the KOC 2020 Vision, Strategy and Objectives (over 10, 000 KOC employees under one roof tent in Kuwait).
- Two communication awareness campaigns won the KREA Advertising Awards- Kuwait May 06.
- Organized workshop sessions to improve communication flow internally and across functions.
- Managed the design and editorial content for the Intranet, Website, Newsletters and Magazines.
- Awarded Kuwait Oil Company 2020 Strategy Chairman’s Award (2006).
- Awarded Kuwait Oil Company 2020 Strategy Performance & Appreciation Award, Phase 1 & 2.
Joined the company with the challenge to introduce specialized Communication and Media disciplines to brand advertising (Corporate Advertising, Public Relations, Event Management, to name a few). Restructured the company and recruited the talents for such value added services.
Major Achievements:
- Acquired 4 new businesses (Jazeerah Children Channel, Mercedes, Al Fardan Group and UDC).
- Developed and implemented a full marketing plan for the launch of JCC.
- Introduced “Headline” with a new PR Strategy for Qatar.
- Offered specialized new Media services in support of local and regional clients.
Recruited on a 6 months consultancy project to finalize the new business partnership between Saatchi Advertising and Al Sayer Group. Responsibilities included the negotiations and finalization of the new venture, rate card and recruitment of the team for the various disciplines of a brand agency. Managed the team that developed the Communication strategy for Al Sayer Group along the various brands’ strategies to achieve effective brand communication.
Major Achievements:
- Smooth transition/execution of the 2004 Communication Plan from the previous agency.
- Offered by Al Sayer Group to head the Communications Division upon completion of the project.
Joined the Group in Dubai as a Communication Manager on the Philip Morris account. Responsibilities included the coordination and leadership of the regional requirements for Kuwait, KSA and Egypt. Promoted in January 1998 to manage the Kuwait Branch Operations and meet client requirements on planning, media relations/ negotiations, production in addition to the planning and execution of the corporate communication calendar for the various brands.
Major Achievements:
- Planned and executed regional Pan Promotions and Corporate Communication campaigns (Merit Cruise Promotions, Marlboro Adventure Team and L&M TransAmerica).
- Managed the Database Information System for to the various promotions within the GCC.
- Met all financial/ operational objectives set by upper Management.
- Authorized for all legal, financial documents related to Leo Burnett Kuwait.
A team member of the Account Handlers responsible for the Abdul Latif Jameel account (Toyota & Lexus). Responsibilities included the execution of the marketing calendar for the Group. Maintained excellent client relations through effective contribution to brand building.
Major Achievements:
- Successfully launched the Toyota “Avalon“ turned out to be a very successful campaign nominated twice for the Sword Awards in Saudi Arabia.
A total of 12 graduate courses that covered the different aspects of business. Of those, 5 courses concentrated in the area of Marketing. Graduated with High Distinction. GPA 3.72 ( 100% = 4.00 )
Intermediary business courses were undertaken as part of the requirements of the University of Missouri in Kansas City. Graduated with High Distinction. GPA 3.65 ( 100% = 4.00 )