Rana Ballout, Group Communications Manager

Rana Ballout

Group Communications Manager

Malia Group

Location
Lebanon - Beirut
Education
Bachelor's degree, Broadcasting and Film
Experience
15 years, 4 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :15 years, 4 Months

Group Communications Manager at Malia Group
  • Lebanon
  • May 2008 to May 2014

Major Responsibilities:
- Created, developed and wrote branded content in coordination with Marketing Departments and top management
- Developed and wrote corporate news and press releases for website and news agencies
- Liaised with marketing managers on a strategy of information to engage, retain and increase base
- Supervised graphic design team to create image of each brand/company
- Collaborated with Chairman’s Office on news, speeches and events

Major Achievements:
- Founded & built-up Communications Department
- Created and launched bi-annual corporate magazine, Magma.
- Completed two editions of Malia Group Corporate Profile & liaised with external agency in design
- Developed, authored and maintained Malia Group corporate website & member company micro-sites
- Created brand names and copy for in-house brand: Cosmaline and Cosmaline Pro.
- Uplifted, created an identity for and boosted corporate social media image of Malia Group & liaised on derivative pages
- Scripted Malia Group Corporate Film

Managing Editor at Bespoke magazine
  • Lebanon
  • September 2006 to April 2008

Bespoke magazine Beirut, Lebanon
Managing Editor Sep 2006 - Apr 2008

Major Responsibilities:
- Sourced and assigned stories to reporters
- Conceived editorial themes and content
- Conducted interviews and wrote features in every issue
- Published a bi-monthly column
- Edited and proof-read all features
- Coordinated with all media representatives on minor and major stories
- Liaised with advertising/marketing department to create stories/branded content
- Managed team of writers and ensured deadlines met for timely release of issues

Major Achievements:
- Led team in launch of the magazine
- Created editorial style and vision for the magazine
- Built and supervised editorial team and liaised with design and production team

Senior Editor at Time Out Beirut
  • Lebanon
  • March 2006 to July 2006

Time Out Beirut Beirut, Lebanon
Senior Editor Mar 2006 - Jul 2006

Major Responsibilities:
- Investigated and sourced content for sections
- Researched & complied listings for Food & Drink 100 on monthly basis
- Proofreading, copy editing, liaising with design department, writing marketing material upon request

Major Achievements:
- Participated in original launch of the magazine
- Articles published as main features, reviews and interviews in the following sections: Around Town, Performing Arts, Healthy & beauty and Beirut Lives

Senior Editor at T3 Middle East
  • Lebanon
  • June 2004 to December 2005

T3 Middle East Beirut, Lebanon
Senior Editor Jun 2004 - Dec 2005

Major Responsibilities:
- Implemented editorial guidelines set by UK-based head office
- Managed editorial team including researchers and assistant editor
- Conceived and reported on local content as per market demands
- Proofreading, copy editing, liaising with design department, writing marketing material

Major Achievements:
- Led team in launch of the magazine
- Regionalized UK-content to suit regional market and relevance

Reporter at Lebanon Opportunities
  • Lebanon
  • February 2003 to December 2003

Lebanon Opportunities Beirut, Lebanon
Reporter Feb 2003 - Dec 2003

Major Responsibilities:
- Investigated and authored stories as assigned
- Published articles/features on a monthly basis
- Reported on business-and finance-related issues
- Interviewed and wrote biographies of new executives in Lebanon in assigned section
- Wrote business news briefs as assigned

Assistant Editor and Correspondent at EastWest Record
  • Lebanon
  • October 2000 to September 2002

EastWest Record (Online News Publication) Beirut, Lebanon
Assistant Editor and Correspondent Oct 2000 - Sep 2002

Major Responsibilities:
- Coordinated local and foreign articles on political, social, and economic affairs
- Maintained and updated website of publication (www.eastwestrecord.com)
- Published articles include: perspectives; interviews; editorials and articles on social, political and environmental issues
- Proofread articles and conducted preliminary edits

Major Achievements:
- Participated in the original concept and launch of the website news portal

Public Relations Executive at Fortune PromoSeven
  • United Arab Emirates
  • October 1999 to October 2000

Fortune PromoSeven (FP7) Manama, Bahrain
Public Relations Executive Oct 1999 - Oct 2000

Major Responsibilities:
- Conceived and wrote press releases and features for clients
- Liaised with Manager on press conferences and events
- Created and implemented client specific public relations action plans
- Conceived and planned opening events and product launches
- Edited quarterly in house FP7 magazine for corporate clients.
Clients included: Bang & Olufsen; Zamil AirConditoners; McDonald’s; Schlotzsky’s; Casa Blu; Lush; FP7

Media Assistant to Ambassador at Republic of Iraq UN Diplomatic Mission
  • United States
  • April 1997 to November 1998

Republic of Iraq UN Diplomatic Mission New York City, USA.
Media Assistant to Ambassador (Nizar Hamdoon) Apr 1997 - Nov 1998

Major Responsibilities:
- Coordinated between media and Mission/Delegation
- Responsible for correspondence and appointments of Ambassador and Mission diplomats
- Responded to media and public queries
- Assisted in research, selection and editing of information for the Mission website
- Created a press referral desk for international media outlets
- Managed flow of media especially during times of crisis

Education

Bachelor's degree, Broadcasting and Film
  • at Boston University, College of Communication
  • January 1996

University: B.Sc, in Broadcasting and Film, Boston University, College of Communication, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 1996 Graduate

High school or equivalent, A-Levels
  • at Ecole Active Bilingue
  • June 1993

High School: A'Levels, Ecole Active Bilingue, Paris, France, Completed in June 1993

Specialties & Skills

People Skills
Creative Work
Branded Content
Journalism
Copywriting
COPY EDITING
CORRESPONDENCE
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
GRAPHIC DESIGN
INCREASE
MARKETING
MARKETING DEPARTMENT
PROOFREAD
PROOFREADING

Languages

Arabic
Expert
English
Expert
French
Expert

Training and Certifications

Business writing (Training)
Training Institute:
Reuters
Date Attended:
January 2002

Hobbies

  • reading, traveling, pilates.