Wadad Abushakra
Dubai
Summary
Dynamic communicator with over 15 years of experience in corporate communications, financial journalism, and technology governance within the MENA region. Expertise in integrating AI ethics and digital regulation with strategic messaging to craft compelling narratives that drive engagement and influence. Notable achievements include a 25% increase in digital traffic and a 50% rise in brand mentions, alongside fostering critical discussions on finance and technology at CNN Business Arabic and leading academic institutions. Proven ability to excel in stakeholder engagement, media relations, crisis communications, and thought leadership, complemented by a strong commitment to community journalism and unwavering ethical standards.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Reporter & Business Producer
CNN Business Arabic
11.2022 - Current
- Conducted 15+ exclusive interviews annually with policymakers, ministers, and CEO across finance, economics, technology, and governance, driving audience engagement and achieving 30% higher engagement rate.
- Produced thought leadership features on AI adoption, financial technologies and regulation, and economic policy, growing site traffic by 20%.
- Designed and executed integrated PR campaigns that combined traditional media outreach with digital storytelling, resulting in a 50% rise in brand awareness.
- Led event coverage at high-profile events, generating multi-platform content that reached regional and global audiences.
- Shaped and presented podcasts on future economics, venture capital, equity ratings, geopolitics, leveraging content creation, storytelling, and media production skills to manage the full cycle from research to delivery.
External Instructor – Media Ethics & Law
MUC University of Technology
01.2020 - 07.2021
- Designed and taught a Media Ethics & Law course with a focus on digital platforms and technology governance.
- Applied comparative legal frameworks to ethical issues in data privacy, free expression, and data protection.
- Increased student participation by 40% and achieved high feedback ratings on curriculum effectiveness.
Cross-Border Content & Strategy Consultant
Free Lancer
01.2015 - 06.2018
- Developed multilingual communications strategies aligning with global corporate and governance goals.
- Delivered cross-platform digital campaigns, driving a 40% growth in traffic and brand engagement.
- Curated and managed policy-driven forums and B2B events with institutional and government stakeholders, which achieved 95% satisfaction rate.
Investment Desk Officer
Italian Trade Commission (ICE/ITA)
05.2004 - 06.2008
- Launched and managed the “Invest in Italy” desk, building 150+ FDI leads with institutional investors.
- Built an investor database of 500+ stakeholders, increasing inbound investment inquiries by 35%.
- Authored market insights and reports that informed policy and trade decisions across MENA and Europe.
Business Journalist
Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group
09.1996 - 03.2004
- Anchored coverage of regional finance, economy, and technology, securing 15–20 exclusive interviews annually with ministers, central bank governors, and corporate leaders.
- Produced 200+ in-depth features, country special reports, and analytical reports that influenced regional business discourse and positioned the publication as a leading Arab business voice.
- Covered 50+ major Arab and international summits, delivering exclusive content and building long-term networks with top decision-makers.
Education
Bachelor of Law - Law
Saint Joseph University
Beirut,Lebanon07.1998
Skills
- Business communication
- Strategic PR planning
- Stakeholder communication strategies
- Professional speech writing
- Scriptwriting for video
- Podcast production expertise
- Conducting interviews
- Analysis of economic trends
- Financial technology expertise
- Data governance
- Content optimization for SEO
- Digital marketing strategy
- Social media performance evaluation
- Analytical storytelling
- Data visualization
- Creative content production
- AI governance and compliance
- Digital regulation
- Clear communication of policies
- Economic analysis
- Market intelligence
- Regulatory storytelling
- Google Analytics
- Flourish
- GraphPad Prism
- Adobe Creative Suite
- MS Office
- AI tools
- Social media analytics platforms
- Event management
- Partnership management
- B2B events
- Policy-driven forums
- Sponsorships
- Video editing
- Copywriting
- Reporting news
- Gathering information
- Conducting interviews
- Fact-checking
- Researching information
- Breaking news coverage
- Podcast production
- Social media platforms
- Investigative reporting
- Multimedia journalism
- Search engine optimization
Websites
Professional Courses
- Prompt Engineering for AI
- SEO Fundamentals & Viral Marketing
- Social Media Strategy
Csr
- Volunteer Human Initiatives
- Fundraiser
- Ex-member of Beirut Human Rights Centre
- Active School Parent (ex-board member parent association)
Core Competencies
Corporate communications, PR strategy, Stakeholder engagement, Executive speech writing, Video scripting, Podcasting, Interviewing CEOs & ministers, Economic trends, Fintech, Data governance, SEO content optimization, Podcasts, Digital strategy, Digital media analytics, Data-driven storytelling, Infographics, Content creation, AI ethics, Digital regulation, Policy communication, Economic analysis, Market intelligence, Regulatory storytelling, Regulators, Policymakers, Investors, Global institutions, Google Analytics, Flourish, GraphPad Prism, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office, AI tools, Social media analytics platforms, B2B events, Policy-driven forums, Sponsorships, Arabic (Native), English (Fluent), French (Fluent)
Timeline
Reporter & Business Producer
CNN Business Arabic
11.2022 - Current
External Instructor – Media Ethics & Law
MUC University of Technology
01.2020 - 07.2021
Cross-Border Content & Strategy Consultant
Free Lancer
01.2015 - 06.2018
Investment Desk Officer
Italian Trade Commission (ICE/ITA)
05.2004 - 06.2008
Business Journalist
Al Iktissad Wal Aamal Group
09.1996 - 03.2004
Bachelor of Law - Law
Saint Joseph University
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