Bassem Al Masri Portfolio

PORTFOLIOBassem Al Masri

“I was a personality before I became a person. I am simple, complex, generous, selfish, unattractive, beautiful, lazy and

driven.”Barbra Streisand

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Background

My passion for communicating with people and trying to understand and influence the human psyche has naturally led me to a career in marketing communications. With the passing years, this passion has turned into a love affair – for brands, advertising, creativity and PR.

I am a 360 degrees professional who is well versatile in all aspects of marketing communication but who still hungers for any new knowledge or technology that impacts positively on the work processes and moves the industry forward.

A result oriented marketing professional with a proven track record in advertising, strategic business development, public relations and event management, seeking an executive marketing profile in a dynamic organization to contribute accrued skills in driving tangible organizational objectives and charting a mutual growth path.

Specialties & Highlights

Built in-depth brand communication expertise in Real-Estate, Banking, Fashion and retail

Played a leadership role on strategic communication planning and execution (M1 Group, JWT and Intermarkets Advertising), Public Relations and event management (Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications.) and advertising sales and publishing (CPH)

Acknowledged for successful completion and being in the winning team of Craft Skills Training Program conducted by JWT in 2009

Played an instrumental role in sourcing Tameer Account, successfully managed Pinar Account to maximize profits and billings in 2007 and augmented billing of National Bank of Abu Dhabi by 10% during 2006 for Intermarkets

Headed the communication activities for Silicon Graphics International (SGI), successfully spearheaded the launch of the following projects: Dragonmart (Nakheel Project), Dubai Waterfront (Nakheel Project), Ibn Battuta Mall (Nakheel Project), Honda Accord 2006 and Falcon City of Wonders for Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications

Skills

Skill Skill Level Years of Experience

Last Used

Strategic Marketing & Advertising Management, Brand Management, Business Development

Expert More than 7 Years Less than one month

Media Management, PR, Product Launches, Driving Growth, Key Account Mgmt, Corporate Client Servicing

Expert More than 7 Years Less than one month

Market Research, Competitor Analysis, Product Positioning & Marketing Campaigns

Expert More than 7 Years Less than one month

Planning and Coordination, Managing Under Pressure, Attention To Details, Problem Analysis

Expert More than 7 Years Less than one month

Interpersonal Skills, Comm. Skills, Critical & Analytical Thinking Skills, Leadership, Team Bldg

Expert More than 7 Years Less than one month

Ability to Work Under Pressure, Deliver within Deadlines, Innovative Thinking

Expert More than 7 Years Less than one month

   “If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.”

John Heywood

M1 Group

Specialist PR & Marketing Communication July 2009 till present Beirut – Lebanon

My objectives are to build the brand equity and awareness of all brands under the portfolio as well as set up strategic partnerships that will aid us in achieving our mission

M1 Group subsidiary M1 Fashion is responsible for managing retail fashion businesses internationally. We develop established luxury brands, create exciting new product lines and seek opportunities in new markets

Emerge Distributions is a business unit within M1 Fashion that offers global brands a strategic partner within the Middle East and North Africa with an array of services that include assessing and implementing tailor-made brand strategies, evaluating best distribution channels, drafting and incorporating local and regional marketing plans (adapting brand's creative concepts, define media plans, ensure free quality editorials, organize PR events) and implementing new store concepts

JWT

Account Manager July 2008 – April 2009 Dubai – UAE Account Portfolio: Tameer • Bloom • Manazel • Abbott Labs • Sheikh Mohamad Bin Rashid

Sports Award • Baynounah Media Group • Emarat Petrol

Formulating and monitoring client-servicing, marketing strategies, policies/procedures based on market intelligence of competitors, keeping upper management updated about developments

Single handedly serving as an internal/external coordinator, efficiently handling project plan implementations, providing clients with logistical project details, development/project status and quantum of workflow to maintain long term professional relations

Introducing new concepts/ideas to corporate/retail clients to establish organizational goodwill and explore new business opportunities

Planning/preparing detailed advertising presentations in consultation with the Director of Business Development, communicating possible scenarios with alternatives to promote new business portfolios/services

Developing/sustaining effective business relationship with key account clients, attending to client queries to provide best possible level of service

JWT is one of the world's largest advertising and communications companies. It is one of the key companies of Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP Group and is headquartered in New York

Intermarkets Advertising

Account Manager July 2006 – June 2008 Dubai – UAE Account Portfolio: Tameer • Ajman Corniche Residence • Pinar • Fujitsu Siemens Computers •

National Bank of Abu Dhabi • Rotana Hotels.

Conceptualized marketing strategies/advertising campaigns, prospecting and negotiating strategic business plans, created a strategy for growth resulting in maximized revenue, whilst maintaining customer satisfaction

Identified the current market scenario, competitive market analysis to introduce new business opportunities/projects for the clients

Supervised output from the agency, performed quality checks to avoid mistakes resulting to negative impact on agency brand image and profitability.

Assisted the Account Director in devising the strategic development process, recommended sound advertising solutions to achieve organizations goals/targets.

Liaised with client and agency personnel to establish/ maintain effective relations including operational/ strategic contribution to ensure efficient handling of key account operations

Intermarkets Advertising is one of the Middle East's largest advertising and communications companies. It is one of the companies of Sir Martin Sorrell's WPP Group and is headquartered in Dubai

Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications

Senior Marketing Executive November 2004 – June 2006 Dubai – UAE Account Portfolio: Nakheel • Panasonic • Epson • Adobe • Bosch • IFA Hotels & Resorts • Honda

• McAfee • Falcon City of Wonders.

Managed business development, logistics, budget, pricing, profitability and marketing activities of all clients under purview with due stress on PR and media management.

Identified primary thrust areas of business through market surveys and analysis. Designed and implemented strategic marketing and business development measures to optimize sales, volume distribution and customer service.

Formulated targets and area wise budgets, liaised with dealers, negotiated favorable purchase and supply terms and appointed key representatives across the country.

Conducted regional performance reviews by devising performance measurement parameters, and effected strategies and measures to address shortcomings.

Spearheaded market studies to identify competitors and to develop strategies to counteract the potential business threats

Orient Planet is one of the Middle East’s most rapidly growing public relations, marketing and communications consultancies, is privately owned and headquartered in Dubai

CPH

Marketing & Circulation Coordinator February 2002 – October 2004 Beirut – Lebanon Portfolio: Arab Construction World • Arab Water World • Middle East Food

Assumed responsibility to manage sales/marketing of organization’s products in assigned areas, developed marketing /sales strategies and professionals, and leading them to maximize turnover within stipulated geographic areas.

Identified avenues and opportunities to expand business by expanding retail business outlets. Provided support to all business outlets in the region by reviewing and overhauling existing

setup as required, assisted in the recruitment and training of staff, established and extended credit lines as per requirements.

Performed market analysis, business performance assessments, trends and other information as appropriate.

Reviewed departmental performance, SWOT reports, target achievements and budgetary adherence on a monthly quarterly and yearly basis. Implemented necessary corrections in strategies and procedures

CPH is a regional publisher of industry specific magazines catering to the water, construction and food industries that are distributed in the Middle East and North Africa, is privately owned and headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon

       “Education must provide the opportunities for self-fulfillment; it can at best provide a rich and challenging environment for the individual to explore, in his own way”

Author Unknown

Education

American University of Beirut – Bachelor of Arts Major: Public Administration October 1994 – February 2000 Courses Taken include:

▪ Research Methods▪ Contemporary Trends in Public Administration  and Management ▪ International Conflict and Conflict Resolution▪ International and Regional Organizations▪ Human Resources and Personnel Administration▪ Organization and Management ▪ Public Budgeting ▪ Senior Seminar in Organization Theory

American Community School – High School Diploma October 1990 – June 1994

Languages

I am a native Arabic speaker and am equally proficient when it comes to reading and writing

I have been speaking English since I was four years old. All my education was administered in English as I was schooled in an American system.

      “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.”

Helen Keller

Recommendations

“Bassem is a facilitator. While managing his relationships with his clients, he made sure that he kept the flow of information, tasks and deliverables going and projects always progressed smoothly. His reliability is fueled by keeping his eye on the goal post. The man never loses sight of that objective and "channels" the energy required to deliver accordingly. Bassem is also very composed. During arduous times, the only signs of stress that are visible is a tiny blush he gets. This in itself is a tremendous skill within the chaotic environment of Advertising. He never loses it.” September 23, 2009 - Omar Kabbani , Director, Business Development , JWT managed Bassem at JWT

“It is not every day that one comes across a person as dedicated and thorough as Bassem. A natural teamplayer and an achiever, Bassem is relentless in his pursuit of the BIG idea, and knows what it takes to get there.” April 6, 2008 Natalia Abboud , Account Director , Intermarkets Advertising managed Bassem at Intermarkets Advertising

“Basem is a very much focused yet creatively inclined person. His clarity of thought and maturity of handling interpersonal relationships are things I will never forget. He is very effective team player and adds tremendous value to all the projects he handles. I wish him all the very best for all is current and future endeavors. Basem’s advertising, strong communications & marketing professional experience makes him without doubt an asset to any organization, he brings a great combination of passion and discipline to his work. His positive energy, ambition and learning ability will be assets to him in his career. He backs it up with warmth, great sense of humor and always ready to help attitude.” November 4, 2008 Hakim Othman , Marketing Executive , Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications Worked With Bassem at Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications

On A More Personal Note…..

I am single

Lebanese

Born in Kuwait on December 19, 1976

My activities include working, going to the gym, sleeping and thinking

My interests include Learning about the world, watching movies, listening to music, contemplating the existential aspects of the soul traveling and my dog

My favorite music includes Akon, Jay Z, Linkin Park, Type O Negative to name a few

My favorite movies include Pulp Fiction, Taxi Driver, Die Hard I, II, III & IV, Scarface and the God Father I, II & III

My favorite TV shows include Late Night With Conan O’Brien, The Stephen Colbert Report, Friends and Frasier

Contacts

Hamra, Leon Street Chatila Building, 4th Floor, Beirut – Lebanon

[email protected]

Primary Mobile: 00961 71 746762

http://www.slideshare.net/Bassem_Al_Masri_1976http://www.linkedin.com/in/bassemalmasri

Thank You