Area Director of Marketing & Communication
Rotana Hotels
Total years of experience :24 years, 5 Months
Accomplishments:
• Successfully launched a turnkey area marketing & communications office in Lebanon in 2009, flagship Erbil Rotana in 2011 and Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana in Congo in 2016. Played a pivoting role in the new hotels opening including the flagship ART Rotana Amwaj Islands in Bahrain’s food & beverages outlets in 2015.
• Re-branded hotel name from Hazmieh to Tamar Rotana. Revitalized the brand to create a vibrant new identity by refurbishing strategic brand vision, plan & roadmap in the market.
• Key Member of the Revenue Team, facilitated growth of fair market share year on year via Rotana online and restaurants loyalty & promotions. Proffered strategic leadership resultant successfully doubled corporate & B2B loyalty program members in Lebanon in 2014.
• Accredited with numerous awards including
- PR person of the year award for leading the company’s press clippings quantity and value of media coverage amongst 40 Rotana hotels in the region, 2014.
- PR Stunt award for yearlong Elderly project under Corporate Social Responsibility in 2013.
- Top 3rd best year end festive campaign for 2011 among 35 Rotana hotels.
- Best Hotel on Social Media award based on rebranding of Tamar Rotana campaign, 2012 among 40 + Rotana hotels.
- Enabled the hotel secure awards & recognition at the World Travel Hotel Awards & World Luxury Travel Awards for consecutive years.
Overview of Key Expertise Domains:
Marketing and Communication Strategy Champion
• Designing/ owning marketing and communication strategy in line with the market dynamics, demand and business mix. Building an effective thought leadership presence in the area while driving/directing PR engagement. Reporting to the Area Vice President and the Corporate Vice President Marketing.
• Instrumental in propelling brand awareness, PR and revenue for Kin Plaza Arjaan in Congo along with the Lebanon properties. Shouldering onus for Rotana online revenue management.
• Driving the social media strategy, initiating social media pages & bloggers contact and growing the fan base and hotels database through tactical activities and initiatives.
Accomplishments:
• Efficaciously managed a full fledge BTL sub-agency, oversaw development of the strategic BTL plans and reported to the Managing Director. Created effective client product launch supported by radio, print & POS material in the GCC.
• Boosted agency revenue by guaranteeing ATL and BTL support for high-end clients. Instrumental in augmenting client results such as subscription & conversion in the market.
• Client bestowed with Certificate of appreciation for the successful photo shooting of Al Islami 2010 campaign.
• Hand-selected to manage key accounts including HP, Tatweer, Garnier, Gerry Weber, Nestle Pure Life waters, Ferrero, United Biscuits and Al Islami Foods.
Overview of Key Expertise Domains
Account Management
• Conceptualizing, planning and executing marketing programs, formulating strategies to drive business and capture virgin/ competitor markets in alignment with client’s organizational objectives and profit motives.
• Spearheading promotional activities to include in-store & on-pack promotions, product launches & re-launches. Commanding direct marketing activities to include door-to-door and direct post & online mailing.
• Supervising major exhibition/events for clients to include Gulf Food exhibition, Gitex and client roadshows in the GCC.
• Sourcing and negotiating deals for client promotional activities to include media planning, municipality approvals, promotional campaign material and production.
Accomplishments:
• Instrument in enhancing client identity in the UAE market. Authored solid strategic plans to maximize brand potential through in-store, and consumer based market activations.
• Identified key marketing opportunities, ensured that campaigns run to deadline, on budget and in-line with client’s objectives & business plan.
• Key clients to credit- Dell, Sun Rice, Johnson & Johnson.
Overview of Key Expertise Domains:
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
• Fostering key stakeholder relationships to ensure maximum effectiveness & cooperation with colleagues, partners, potential clients, local communities and Government Officials.
• Creating & implementing new & innovative CSR concepts/ideas/plans, reaching out to the public via marketing to deliver message of the company’s commitment to social responsibility.
Assorted Responsibilities
• Establishing annual budget while controlling & managing monthly P&L & quarter forecasting.
• Auditing brand standards and strict implementation across all hotel brands and adaptations while ensuring the right brand positioning across the area.
Activities: • LAU Student Honor Society/ LAU Student Representative/ LAU Student Choir 1999 - 2003 • Marketing Foods Forum IIR, 2007 • Theatre workshop, 2004