Public Affairs Consultant
Nestlé Pakistan

Apr 2017 –  present

 

Managing the entire Public Affairs portfolio in South, with an additional responsibility to handle the print and electronic media on behalf of Nestle in Punjab, including Lahore, Multan, Kabirwala and Khanewal, the main areas of concentration for Nestle.

 

Areas of work include but not limited to:

 

Enhance meaningful relationships with targeted, high-level external audiences.

 

Develop effective communications plan that leverages brand promise.

 

Develop, integrate, and implement PR activities designed to enhance company brand.

 

Cultivate and maintain strong media relationships.

 

Advance company's position with relevant constituents.

 

Develop and executive varied and integrated communications products including website, print publications, newsletters, online communications, media and public relations.

 

Evaluate an integrated strategic communications plan to advance the company's brand identity and broaden awareness of its programs and priorities.

 

Refine company's core messages to ensure brand consistency.

 

Work in close coordination with the PR agency.

 

Resolve public affairs issues.

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Marketing and PR Consultant

Duration: November 2016- to-date

 

Marketing and Communication Consultancy for Al-Arab News Channel to their expansion in the UAE. In the three month period I have worked out the Marketing and Communication Strategy along with the Marketing Plan and an A-Z PR Planning for the Launch of the Channel including a Pre-Launch, Launch and Post-Launch spread over a period of six-months. Supported the Channel with the Human Resource Planning for the Marketing, Public Relations and Sales Department. Currently, working on the Web Strategy including Website Plan and Digital Media Plan.

 

Working as a PR and Content consultant for the ChildLife Foundation. Completed the content development of the Annual Report 2016-17.

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Director Account Management and Business Development
CMC(Corporate & Marketing Communication (Pvt) Ltd. An exclusive affiliate of Ketchum NY

​2014 - 2016

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As an Account Director I was heading the Public Relations and Business Development function for the agency, managing teams in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and reporting to the President of the company. I have extensive experience in brand and corporate communication via traditional and new media, internal communication, influencer marketing, brand PR and social media strategy, CSR, event management and stakeholder management.

 

Throughout my four and a half year tenure at CMC I have played a principal role in terms of new Business Development the accounts acquired during this period are Novartis Pakistan, Martin Dow Pharma, PTCL, PIA, SSGC, K-Electric, Descon Engineering, Stallion Textiles, SICPA Inks Pvt. Ltd., Privatization Commission, Pakistan Banks’ Association, Pak Wheels, Inbox Technologies, Philips, Pakistan Dairy Association, Line Messenger, Gates Foundation. At all times the new business development targets were full met.

 

My broad-based background encompasses exceptional work ethic and commitment to organizational objectives. I am a proactive manager, team builder and tactical planner with ability to train and motivate top performers. I have contributed to Share of Voice for some of the leading brands through a combination of creativity, initiative and strong leadership. My specialties include: 

Corporate/Strategic Communications
Media Relations
Press Releases
Crisis Management
Content Writing
Market Research
Event Management
Competitive Analysis

Media Training

Landscape Management

CSR Planning and execution

 

My client portfolio included  PIA, PTCL, SSGS, Nestle, Proctor & Gamble ( Corporate as well as brands), Teradata, Martin Dow Pharma, Novartis, TCS, Indus Motor Company, Line messenger, Pak Wheels, Stallion Textiles, SICPA Inc, Philips, Descon amongst others.

 

Corporate & Marketing Communications Pvt. Ltd (CMC), an affiliate of Ketchum, Uk in Pakistan

Duration: March 2012 to June 2014

Position held: Group Account Head

Reporting to: The President

 

Heading PR activities of over two third of the company’s current client portfolio including Nestle, P&G (Corporate) as well as brands including Ariel, h&s, Pampers and Always), SSGCL, Teradata, Dagra Group, Descon, National Foods, PTCL, PIA and Philips. The net worth of my client portfolio totals to over four million per month. Repeatedly handled assignments for Philips Global, assigned by Fleishman Hillard for Philips Singapore on World Sleep Day and achieved exceptional results.

 

Managing a unique mix of P&G, Corporate and brands including Ariel, Head and Shoulders, Always and Pampers. Working in close proximity with the P&G, External Relations team is in itself an amazing experience and every activity undertaken turns out to be an enriching experience in totality. I was successful in not just achieving the PR targets but also created new benchmarks for Always and head & shoulders in terms of the work done and target impressions achieved.

 

My specialties include Round-the-clock client support/ feedback approach and crisis management. Working in close co-ordination with the client to understand business objectives that can be leveraged for PR – being a part of their brand communications and brainstorming sessions.

 

Managing CMC’s PR account pitching and business development. I was successful in acquiring the Dagra Group and Descon.

 

At CMC, I have had the opportunity to work with international PR firms of repute like Ketchum, Edelman, PadillaCRT, Hoffman, bell Pottinger, Fleishman Hillard Inc to name a few.

 

I have also managed the editorial quality and content of Enterprise, an international regional political and economic review and Slogan magazine brought out by JAWZ, a sister concern of CMC. 

 

My job responsibilities include:

 

• Ensuring that the agency is working with clients on a proactive basis and that the deliverables being worked upon by the account team for their respective clients are according to, and within their scope of commitment, as per the Service Agreements/TOR.

• Providing quality consultancy to CMC’s clients at the senior management level.

• Avoiding any potential credibility and communication gap that may arise due to a long period of silence from a client. 24/7 availability for crisis and/or issue management.

• Identifying opportunity areas whereby CMC can add more value to the services it offers to clients, with a view to increasing CMC’s revenue (retainership or assignment) per existing client.

• Making informed decisions which best suit the greater interest of the company over individuals in resolution of inter/intra-departmental conflicts.

• Providing candid and transparent analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of team members, followed by capacity building to re-strengthen the plus points and improve shortcomings.

• Coordinating with clients, vendors, support depts. and media on projects assigned to teams.

• Preparation of annual PR Plans and Communications Strategy for all clients in the group.

• Conducting inter-departmental coordination with Finance, Content and Creative Departments to ensure smooth client servicing

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Manager Marketing, Sales and PR

The Forum Mall

Jul 2011 – Dec 2011

 

Plan annual event/ promotion calendar in advance bearing in mind national / special days, school holidays, cultural days, etc. Plan events according to the calendar and obtain permission for organizing the events from the designated departments.
Understanding the need of owners and tenants, resolve issues that arrive, provide support in time to maintain good relations and resolve grievances.
Produce weekly and fortnightly reports covering progress of all marketing and PR activities.
Identify and build a database of well-known figures/ leading businesses with name of senior management and use the database for marketing and PR activities.
Develop a cross media database and use it for PR purpose.
To monitor the general upkeep of the mall/ office building that covers cleanliness, display of shops/ advertising materials, proper functioning of equipment, observation of timing, staff behavior and music, etc.
To identify and attract suitable client / business by utilizing direct selling approaches, negotiate and close the deals as early as possible.
To process documentation relating to any deal and ensure that the documentation has been properly done with the respective person according to the company’s requirement.
To ensure all payments are received from the buyers/ tenants as per agreed schedule and ensure implementation of all the terms and conditions of sale/ rent.
To prepare and maintain database of prospective clients interested and buying and renting.
Develop a weekly/ fortnightly reporting procedure for management for all sales initiative and ensure that it is being duly followed.
Supervise, train and utilize the departmental assistants to ensure continuity and quality of service.
Keep a schedule of all payment received and due in respect of sales, rental and maintenance charges.

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The Forum

Duration: July 2011- to – Dec 2011

Position held: Head of  Marketing, Sales and PR

 

• Plan annual event/ promotion calendar in advance bearing in mind national / special days, school holidays, cultural days, etc. Plan events according to the calendar and obtain permission for organizing the events from the designated departments.

• Understanding the need of owners and tenants, resolve issues that arrive, provide support in time to maintain good relations and resolve grievances.

• Produce weekly and fortnightly reports covering progress of all marketing and PR activities.

• Identify and build a database of well-known figures/ leading businesses with name of senior management and use the database for marketing and PR activities.

• Develop a cross media database and use it for PR purpose.

• To monitor the general upkeep of the mall/ office building that covers cleanliness, display of shops/ advertising materials, proper functioning of equipment, observation of timing, staff behavior and music, etc.

• To identify and attract suitable client / business by utilizing direct selling approaches, negotiate and close the deals as early as possible.

• To process documentation relating to any deal and ensure that the documentation has been properly done with the respective person according to the company’s requirement.

• To ensure all payments are received from the buyers/ tenants as per agreed schedule and ensure implementation of all the terms and conditions of sale/ rent.

• To prepare and maintain database of prospective clients interested and buying and renting.

• Develop a weekly/ fortnightly reporting procedure for management for all sales initiative and ensure that it is being duly followed.

• Supervise, train and utilize the departmental assistants to ensure continuity and quality of service.

• Keep a schedule of all payment received and due in respect of sales, rental and maintenance charges.

• Overlook the human resource needs of the company related with hiring, training, appraisal and dispute handling.

 

 

E-ing Tech SMC Pvt. Ltd. (UAE Abu Dhabi Based Company)

Duration: August 2005- June 2011

Position held: Manager Marketing and HR

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• In-charge of all communication activities with clients and customers to ensure accuracy and timely delivery of tasks. Also involved in direct and indirect sales, and creating opportunities in Pakistan & UAE through business development.

• Conducted internet research for multiple international clients on diverse issues. Accomplishments include designing an appropriate proposal for the client to best suit the scenario, employing appropriate methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation, in certain situations statistical tools were used whereas other cases were purely qualitative in nature.

• Responsible for prospecting and forecasting. Accomplished long-term results through social networking marketing, proficient in the use of social networks. 

• Written and proofread contents for multiple and diverse websites. 

• Managing the company’s newsletters containing e-deals and featured skins on a bi-weekly basis. The newsletter serves the purpose of a prominent marketing tool for the company.

• Managing corporate advertising, sponsorships, and participation at domestic and international forums to project a positive image of the company. Marketing the products and services on differing forums.

• Managing a diverse clientele, and coordinating the activities with the in-house production department.

• Putting together the employee handbook based on what the organization expects from its employees and what the employee can expect from the organization.

• Actively involved in staffing of highly skilled IT professional for posting with our clients.

• Managing employee relations by handling grievance on a one-on-one basis.

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Brand Manag

International Laboratories Limited

Jun 2003 – Jun 2005

 

Responsible for managing one of the oldest dental care product of Pakistan as well as the flagship brand of the company: Forhan’s Toothpaste.
As a precursor to the relaunch, devised and undertook an in depth quantitative research study in collaboration with ACNielsen.
Conducted in-depth interviews to measure consumers’ preference for dental care, skin care and hair care categories.
Initiated nationwide “direct contact program” for the skin care category. These programs objectives are building awareness and trial of the relaunched product in targeted metro cities. These included in-store conversion activities as well as discounted Door-to-Door sales. Post-activity analysis manifested this program was the major driver of the brand’s growth in these towns.
Interfaced with the European counterpart to launch a new toothpaste Forhan’s Total care and was responsible for all the aspects of the launch, from pricing and margin analysis to distribution priorities as well as designing of self dispensers and POP.
Worked with various agencies to work out backdrops as well as innovative merchandising tool

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Deputy Manager

Ghandhara Nissan Limited

Aug 2000 – May 2003

 

Dealers’ development: Training and development of eleven dealers along with their sales force located all over the country. Training included in-house workshops as well the development of a manual for guiding them towards effectively addressing their clients and customers.
Advertising and Sales Promotion: Worked in collaboration with the agencies to develop banners, broucher, backdrops, displays and collateral's for the promotion of the new model of Nissan Sunny.
Vehicles Distribution: In-charge of the coordination and coherence of the activities of the dealers with the production department. Correspondence with the principal’s regarding specifications in the development of special vehicles for example ambulance and cars for disabled people. Major accomplishments include order fulfillment of the UN for patrolling on the Pak-Afghan border.

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Internee

Company NamePfizer Laboratories

Jun 1999 – Jul 1999

 

Conducted an entire research to bring to the forefront the reasons attributable for the decline in sales of an anti-fungal, Diflucan from the third to the seventh level of the IMS.

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