RAMI HALAWANI

As a member of ASDA'A BCW senior leadership team, I am responsible for strengthening key client relationships, delivering strategic counsel to elevate campaigns and provide reputation and crisis management, in addition to building new business partnerships

In this capacity, I oversee three business units - Consumer, HealthCare, Enterprise and Tech, in addition to a full-fledged digital solutions and social media agency - Proof Communications

Key responsibilities include :

• Launch and own a key client relationship programme, working with practice leads to establish new processes and practices around this
• Manage specific key c-suite level client relationships and forge strategic partnerships and relationships with clients and all other professional business relationships
• Work with the leadership team to boost and revive legacy and new client relationships
• Give guidance to growing practices on targeted new business development and where to focus relationship building
• Oversee final proposals and large projects being submitted and executed
• For major client crisis', be a senior level advisor dedicating one on one time with key clients
• Lead prioritization efforts for operational and strategic programs that tightly align with short-term and long-term client focused business objectives

Led the Marketing and Corporate Communication Department at Dubai Chambers

In this capacity, I was responsible for setting and implementing the Chamber's communication strategy ensuring timely and accurate delivery of our key messages and brand values

The role involved overseeing all aspects of communication, promotion and activation both internally and externally including planning and financial budgeting

A 15-strong team of ex agency creatives, journalists and marketing specialists ensure that all aspects of branding, advertising, public relations, CSR, internal communications, and digital interactive services are carried out in-house

From message development to brand campaign execution, the department provides 360º communication solutions to various internal business units and external stakeholders

To counsel the Director General and top management teams on all communication-related issues and requirements, providing the Chamber with strategic input on its positioning and general perception among key stakeholders and the media

Job responsibilities included setting and overseeing the implementation of the organization's overall communication strategy and the use of communication as a strategic platform for policy advocacy

Other areas of focus are: Identifying and preparing corporate spokespersons, messaging, media and stakeholders' outreach programmes, crisis communication, and internal communication.

Moved in April 2006 to ASDA’A Public Relations to lead the Consumer Marketing and HealthCare business units. CM comprises of a diverse set of clients that relate to different industries and sectors: Motoring, Telecommunications, Hospitality, FMCG, Real Estate Development, Luxury goods, Airlines, Fashion, Jewellery and Consumer Electronics. Additionally, I also oversee the Health Care practice team and manage the Agency’s network in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Egypt.
My areas of responsibility cover:
- Managing Client/Agency relationships
- Developing effective PR strategies and implementation
- Supervising account and support teams both locally and across the region
- New Business
- Budget setting, negotiating fees and service contracts
- Appraisals and performance reviews
Other areas of expertise
- Crises Communication and Training
- Media Skills Training

In April 2002, I was hired by ASDAA Public Relations to help set up an independent PR unit to work on Ford Middle East

In the second half of 2003, the decision was made to transform the TEAM/Young & Rubicam PR Unit into what is now known as Polaris PR - a full fledged PR agency

• Managing and driving the local and regional account teams on key agency accounts
• Overseeing and directly supervising the in-house media relations and Arabic teams
• Strategic planning and implementation
• Crises communication and strategy
• Media training
• Business development
• Supervision of ad hoc projects: