Sr. Creative Designer & Digital Marketer
American University in the Emirates
Total years of experience :27 years, 7 Months
Handling the entire corporate communication designs and brand positioning designs of the university.
Handling their entire social media presence with planing, designing and execution.
Complete management of corporate website, with enabling digital presence by search engine optimization, manage and plan all the micro sites of the university.
Design all collateral, outdoor campaigns and in-house magazines and literature.
Implement user engagement strategies for social media, exhibitions and open days. Handle the complete photo-shoot of the university during conferences, seminars, exhibitions, graduation ceremonies, events and for advertisements.
Delivering multichannel campaigns across e-mail, web, mobile, and social media. Identifying key areas for improvement.
Managing Google AdWords, Facebook Marketing, Twitter marketing and LinkedIn marketing campaigns with a yearly budget of 1 Million AED
Lead all digital marketing initiatives including search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, campaign landing page development, re-targeting and marketing automation.
Implemented conversion optimization testing, dynamic phone number tracking, tag management and closed loop web analytics.
Increased paid search leads through rigorous A/B testing and campaign optimization.
Developed and Managed all CRM touch points including direct marketing, email marketing, retention strategies, and new students acquisition initiatives.
Implemented weekly promotional & editorial strategy to improve customer engagement across all digital channels.
Boosted lead quality 80.2% by analyzing enrollment data, shifting media mix and enhancing marketing.
Determined ad placement and pricing strategy, as well as developed direct advertiser and third-party relationships.
Orchestrated the successful launch of social media marketing campaign; igniting increased digital presence.
Generated YouTube views at under $0.08 CPV using highly targeted Truview tactics.
Recognized across the organization as a digital media expert with the ability to produce insightful analyses that directly impacted the company’s overall online performance.
Devised extensive digital marketing strategies and implemented tactics including SEM (SEO&PPC), blogger outreach, mobile and social media marketing, generating brand awareness and increasing user engagement as well as driving online enrollments.
Additionally monitor the corporate websites and other micro-sites SEO Ranking Data, On Site Analysis, Off Site Backlink Analysis, using various free and paid tools.
This was my attempt at entrepreneurship, and started my own design studio in RAK Media City and offered a complete set of multimedia and digital media services. Developed and executed several websites, offered web-hosting services and several IT projects. Though the initiative didn’t make me rich but I gained extensive knowledge of running a business and dealing with clients and planning the entire operations. Two and half years of entrepreneurship was the most exciting period of my career.
Also worked directly with some of the biggest brands in UAE in partnership with Eskay Events, including Samsung, Dubai Airports, GE, Al Futtain Motors, Emirates NBD, AHK, Wasl, Yas Marina, Siemens, Henkel, Jotun, UBL Bank, Qatar Foundation, DTMFZA (Tecom Authority, Dubai Govt), Total Communication PR, TBWA, Diplomat Magazine etc
Joined Kalimat Group International as Senior Graphic Designer for web development section in October 2006, later got promoted as Junior Creative Manager and the last held position was of Creative Design & Web Solutions Manager. I resigned the job in March 2010.
Worked collaboratively with partners, participate in company strategies, and make recommendations for changes to the creative function to meet market changes, competitive threats or to support strategic plans.
Understand Kalimat’s strategic goals and brand; analyze the creative team, environment, processes, technologies, etc., to determine areas needing improvement and build and direct a creative function aligned with and supportive of those goals.
Make decisions on a daily basis that ensure both profitability and creative quality, for in-house publications.
Set expectations and standards (build a culture) for creative team attitude, behavior, teamwork and professional development, lead accordingly.
Direct the activities and professional development of creative team members, including conducting staff reviews, taking corrective actions. Study the creative marketplace, assessing where Kalimat’s work stands against competitors’, as well as our client’s competitors’ creative work.
With the account lead, assure that internal and client presentations are on time, professional, engaging, persuasive and supported by a sound rationale. Assure that timely and informative communication takes place between the creative function and the partners, account team and clients.
Contribute to the strategic and creative development of the agency’s marketing and branding efforts for new business development.
Ensure self and staff development in web-based and interactive marketing capabilities. And have developed and implemented many web based CRM, ERP, Accounting and CMS system.
Been part of the DSF Lexus Draw Campaign and Caillou in Dubai stage show.
Joined Sharjah Grand Hotel as Senior Front Office Assistant in April 2002 and was promoted as Assistant Front Office Manager, was working in same capacity until I quit, at times working as Night Manager.
I was responsible for all operations of the front desk and guest services, including the concierge, transport and luggage services, and also responsible for the management of front office personnel such as staff training and shift scheduling. I was planning work schedules for individuals and teams. Handled the complete Airlines crew operations who were staying in our hotel on regular basis. I was handling room assignment, reservation and allotments. Single point contact for CIS & Far East travel agents.
Being at the forefront of guest services and as a communication hub of hotel, I had to don many task at same time, plus motivate the team to be structured.
Joined Ooty International by Nalapad Hotels & Resorts as Resident Manager, The hotel had 65 rooms and two suites, with three F&B outlets. Located on the mountains of Niligiris, was handling complete operations of the hotel including sales and marketing.
I was responsible for the day-to-day management of a hotel and its staff and has commercial accountability for planning, organizing and directing all hotel services, including front-of-house (reception, concierge, reservations) and housekeeping. I was also handling sales marketing of the hotel and the group as whole.
I was managing budgets and financial plans and controlling expenditure. Setting and achieving sales and profit targets, with other coordination of other departments. I did supervise the expansion of hotel from 35 room to 65 rooms, maintenance, supplies, renovations and furnishings.
I had to ensure compliance with licensing laws, tax law, labor & insurance law, health and safety.
Diploma in Front Office Operations, from American Hotels and Motel institute, USA as part of the career development program by Sharjah Grand Hotel, Sharjah in year 2006
Diploma in Hotel Management, from Indian International Trade Center, Bangalore. June 1994 to July 1996