HASSAN ALI
Dubai,UAE
Summary
Senior Publishing, Content & Business Development Leader with nearly 20 years of experience driving commercial growth, strategic partnerships, publisher acquisition, institutional sales, and content distribution across the global publishing industry. Proven expertise in developing long-term relationships with publishers, universities, libraries, government organisations, distributors, and educational institutions throughout the Middle East.
Extensive experience working across academic publishing, print-on-demand, content distribution, publisher onboarding, catalogue expansion, institutional procurement, and international publishing operations. Successfully collaborated with global publishing teams to launch new initiatives, grow publishing portfolios, improve customer experience, and deliver sustainable revenue growth.
Commercially focused with a strong understanding of publishing workflows, content lifecycle management, supply chain coordination, market analysis, and cross-functional leadership. Recognised for building trusted partnerships, identifying strategic growth opportunities, and delivering measurable business results.
Overview
3
3
Languages
5
5
years of post-secondary education
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Senior Business Development Manager – Publisher Partnerships & Commercial Growth
Lightning Source UAE (Ingram Content Group)
2021.11 - Current
- Educate local publishing industry on print-on-demand model and global distribution benefits.
- Developed pricing structures based on historical and current trends, competitor activities and supply chain data.
- Expand publisher catalogue to support everyday commercial growth initiatives.
- Coordinate with global publishing and operations teams across projects.
- Build relationships with publishers, universities, and governments for long-term reach.
- Secured sustainable partnerships to drive revenue growth.
- Oversaw planning and execution of targeted sales and marketing strategies.
- Optimised sales methods to best engage, acquire and retain customers.
- Improved profit margins with cost-effective initiatives.
- Identified new markets, leading to expansion opportunities.
- Drive wholesale volume growth through direct retailer and distributor partnership management.
Key Account Manager
Motivate Publishing
2013.10 - 2021.10
- Handle new inquiries for publishing books from new and existing authors.
- Deliver projects from scratch through final product with other divisions.
- Prepare project timelines covering required steps, reviews, and approvals.
- Deliver high-profile titles for Dubai Media Office across major influencers.
- Manage key clients across ministries, government and semi-government departments, education.
- Promote the local publication in universities, colleges, schools, and public libraries.
- Run promotion and marketing campaigns for new titles in corporate bulk purchases.
- Coordinate procurement, marketing, and librarians for printed and e-book supplies.
- Liaise with major distributors including Kinokuniya, Borders, and Jarir KSA.
- Manage retail teams to keep displays accurate and stocks replenished.
- Support retailers with promotional and marketing activities.
- Arrange Abu Dhabi and Sharjah book fairs, including stand, signing, and author panels.
Marketing & Communication Executive
STM Middle East LLC
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2011.05 - 2013.10
- Coordinated with universities and colleges across UAE, Oman, and Bahrain for requirements.
- Owned publisher presentations, selecting new titles and alternatives by client demand.
- Directed meetings with professors, deans, and librarians to determine institutional requirements.
Sales & Logistics Coordinator
Jarir Publishing & Distributor, Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
2011.01 - 2012.02
- Oversee team deliverables to keep medium to large scale events on track.
- Maintain a structured customer and prospect database for consistent decision-making.
- Lead publisher follow-ups on quotations, supplies, and order-related matters.
- Coordinated international shipments for smooth transitions at customs.
- Worked closely with sales team to understand demand forecasts.
Senior Publisher Coordinator
Paramount Publishing
Karachi, Pakistan
2005.08 - 2009.12
- Processed daily online correspondence with publishers across Europe, UK, USA, and Asia.
- Resolved queries and managed orders from international customers.
- Handled credit claim matters and supported accurate account reconciliation.
- Prepared management reports aligned to higher-management requirements and deadlines.
- Managed and negotiated terms with international customers to reach agreement.
- Coordinated Karachi International Book Fair logistics and stakeholder communication.
Education
Associate's degree - Sales & Marketing
Virtual University Pakistan
Pakistan 2022.04 - 2024.06
College Associate - Pre-Engineering
Govt. Degree College, Stadium Road
Pakistan 2000.04 - 2002.09
Skills
- Publishing Strategy
- Commercial Partnerships
- Publisher Relations
- Print-on-Demand
- Academic Publishing
- Content Publishing
- Business Development
- Strategic Account Management
- Institutional Sales
- Distribution Strategy
- Contract Negotiation
- Revenue Growth
- Cross-functional Leadership
Additional Information
English
Fluent
Urdu
Native
Arabic
Beginner
Career Highlights
- Nearly 20 years in educational publishing.
- Led publisher acquisition for Lightning Source Sharjah.
- Built partnerships with publishers, universities, libraries and governments.
- Experience with print, digital and POD publishing.
- Worked with Pearson, Elsevier, Wiley, Cambridge and McGraw-Hill.
- Strong commercial and institutional sales background.
Additional information
- Golden Visa Holder
- UAE Driving Licence
- Nationality: Pakistani
Affiliations
- Travel, Books, Food
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate's degree - Sales & Marketing
Virtual University Pakistan
2022.04 - 2024.06
Senior Business Development Manager – Publisher Partnerships & Commercial Growth
Lightning Source UAE (Ingram Content Group)
2021.11 - Current
Key Account Manager
Motivate Publishing
2013.10 - 2021.10
Marketing & Communication Executive
STM Middle East LLC
2011.05 - 2013.10
Sales & Logistics Coordinator
Jarir Publishing & Distributor, Abu Dhabi
2011.01 - 2012.02
Senior Publisher Coordinator
Paramount Publishing
2005.08 - 2009.12
College Associate - Pre-Engineering
Govt. Degree College, Stadium Road
2000.04 - 2002.09