Media Relations and External Affairs Manager
Unilever
Total years of experience :15 years, 11 Months
• Implement the strategy of “inspiring advocacy through dialogue and action” across all stakeholder groups to develop Unilever’s reputation as a strong, growing, responsible business
• Bring the external world into Unilever’s strategies, drive professional stakeholder management in support of the priorities of the business and ensure excellence in government relations
• Manage issues in today’s hyper-connected and volatile market that are central to the business success and its reputation
• Lead crises issues inter-disciplined teams in the case of a crisis, whether it was through social media, with consumers, retailers or any other external party.
• Ensure100% integrated sustainable narrative. This is done through conducting media and Key Opinion Formers PR activities that evolve mainly around our key messages of sustainable living and growth.
• Activate campaigns, press releases, interviews and features to support the corporate brand. Also, protect the corporate brand (Unilever) and its consumer brands from issues in the media.
• Find, tell and land compelling stories about the corporate brand on traditional and social media
• Created and implemented a 2-hour media training deck so the leadership team members of Unilever Gulf would be ready to be spokespeople when needed. Also, organized and managed an intensive media training sessions for selected spokespeople.
• Act as the “trusted advisor” for the executive committee and Managing Director of Gulf
• Work closely with the marketing teams during big campaigns to ensure alignment with the corporate brand. Especially when engaging with external stakeholders (including government and retailers).
• Ongoing monitoring and management of the corporate digital channels including .com and twitter
• Ongoing development of the capabilities of the communications team in KSA and in Dubai.
• Ensure having consistent and approved messages in line with the Corporate and business PR goals of my clients
• Create brand/company awareness for clients within the market they are operating in through using different PR tactics
• Organize press conferences and media round tables
• Prepare launch events starting from the concept generation and inviting V.I.Ps, media and celebrities till the execution of ideas
• Write effective speeches, press releases, feature articles and interviews
• Develop and implement consistent and strong Media Relations activities in the MENA region through execution of integrated media plans
• Respond to media enquiries in a timely fashion, with properly researched and approved material, ensuring the Corporate PR messaging is maintained
• Proactively develop PR strategies and ideas that will generate media coverage and awareness of my clients in the region
• Devise consumer activation stunts to maximize clients’ exposure
• Participate in developing new business pitches
• Liaising on a daily basis with clients and the media, often via telephone and email
• Relationship building and networking with colleagues, clients and the media
• Monitoring the media, including newspapers, magazines, journals, broadcasts, newswires and blogs, for opportunities for clients
• Working as part of an account team to develop client proposals and implement the PR activity
• Preparing regular client reports and attending client meetings
• Researching, writing and distributing press releases to targeted media
• Promoting news stories and features to the media
• Collating, analyzing and evaluating media coverage
• Event management, including press conferences and promotional events
• Attending and promoting client events to the media
• Assisting with the production of client publications, such as Newsletters
• Providing communications support based objectives, policies and requirements of the organization to conceive and develop a communications strategy
• Developing and prioritizing specific communication objectives and identifying appropriate audiences, messages, and venues most conducive to getting the message out
• Coordinating with officers and directors in communication of strategic messages by developing presentations, backgrounders and talking points
• Superintending representation of the company at press conferences, briefings, corporate events, conferences, seminars and presentations
• Planning/ administering development and communication of informational programs to communicate strategic issues and executive communications to staff
• Fostering development of strong, cooperative relationships with the media to promote a positive image and the core values of the company
• Leveraging company presence through effective content management of various communication channels, ascertaining all PR messages are consistent and conform to reader sensibilities