Walid Elshahed

Mississauga - ON

M: +* (***) ***- 0284 E : ac8iry@r.postjobfree.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/walid-el-shahed-29b60223/ Summary

• Passionate Marketing and Communications professional and expert in strategic corporate communications

• Proven ability to simplify and analyze key marketing and corporate communication drivers to develop comprehensive strategies and plans

• Areas of excellence includes: Developing Business, Leading and Developing Teams, Negotiating and Closing Partnerships, Leading Change, Managing Budgets, Positioning Companies, Reputation Management, Crises Management and Creating Winning Marketing and Communication campaigns Professional Experience

Chief Operating Officer, Direct Influence Company (DIC) - UAE & Saudi Jul. 18 – Dec. 18 Responsible for the restructuring of DIC, providing the international expertise, developing the quality and efficiency to the business. Oversaw the company’s ongoing operations and procedures. Maintained control of diverse business operations, and efficiently led a team of 18 executives to double the revenues in less than 6 months from USD 1.5M to almost USD 6M.

• Designed and implemented business strategies, plans and procedures

• Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth

• Established policies and procedures that promoted company culture and vision

• Led, motivated, attracted, coached and recruited employees to encourage maximum performance, dedication and sharpen skills

• Evaluated team performance via setting realistic KPIs against business objectives

• Fostered a success-oriented, accountable environment within the company

• Managed relationships and represented the Company with clients, partners and vendors MD & Business Development Manager, ASAR Holding TQL & STEP - UAE & Saudi Aug. 17 – Jun. 18

• Provided day-to-day leadership that mirrors the mission and core values of the Holding

• Drove the Holding to achieve and surpass sales, profitability, cash flow, business goals and objectives. And prepared timely, accurate and complete reports of the operation

• Spearheaded the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes, through measuring the effectiveness of all processes internal and external.

• Collaborated with the management team to develop and implement plans to accommodate the rapid growth objectives of the organization

• Assisted, as required in raising funds and additional capital at appropriate valuations to enable the Holding to meet sales, growth, and market share objectives Chief Operating Officer and Senior Advisor, ATF Strategies - Saudi Dec. 14 – Jun. 17 Handled the operation and restructured ATF Strategies. Responsible for the efficiency of the business, managed the organization’s ongoing operations and procedures. A key member of the holding company and reporting to HRH Prince Abdulaziz Turki Al Faisal to maintain control of diversified business operations, and efficiently led the different teams and Business units:

• Set comprehensive goals for performance and growth of the holding company

• Established policies and procedures that promote culture and vision

• Led employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication

• Prepared and submitted timely reports to the Chairman about all business accomplishments

• Assisted the Chairman in fundraising ventures

• Participated in expansion activities (investments, acquisitions, corporate alliances etc.)

• Managed relationships with partners

Successfully executed the below Marketing and Communication projects:

• King Faisal yearly prize – Mar.2016 and Jan.2017 second in Rank after the Noble prize

• Saud Al Awtan International Event – Apr. 20116 which is USD 2.25M

• Riyadh exhibition Center online registration system which is USD 1.2M

• Launched Knight Frank real-estate consultancy in Saudi Chief Operating Officer, H+K Strategies - Saudi Dec. 13 – Mar. 16 Responsible for leading the Saudi day-to-day operation, provide strategic advice and counsel to Global, Regional and National clients and offices, supervising the on-ground team for all client facing activities, new business development, administration and financials Accomplishment: Achieved remarkable results. In 2013 figures showed net sales of USD 478K, by the end of 2015 it reached USD1.4 M and operating profit from USD (- 440K) to a net profit of USD 490K. Profit margin from (-111.6%) to 12.2%. Staff cost ratio from 110.6 % to 44%. In Dec, 2015, H+K Strategies results showed extreme development and portfolio of clients included: ACWA Power, Abunayyan Holding, Porsche GT3, flydubai, Twitter, Northrop Grumman, Elm – National Cyber Security Center, WWE first event in Saudi, PWC, McKinsey, Adidas, Houston Methodist Hospital

In Jan 2016, launched H+K Financial in Saudi which is the first specialized financial communication consultancy in the Middle East and Africa

Executive Director, Signature Communication Consultancy - Dubai & Riyadh Apr.12 – Nov. 13 Managed 5 executives in both Dubai and Riyadh and successfully accomplished the following projects

• CAYAN Group- Launching the CAYAN Tower in Dubai in Jun. 2013

• AWAL Telework campaign Apr. 2013, and Virtual Call Center movie production Sept. 2012

• Real Estate Investment Fund Forum Feb. 2013

• Amanat Al Riyadh – Spring Festival Mar.2012

• STC Activation project, movie production and roadshow Apr - Dec. 2012

• Buruj Cooperative Insurance crisis management plan and campaign Apr/May 2012

• Auto-World – 101 PR training course in Khobar and 3 Customers events and media relation events Executive Director Integration, DDB - UAE and Saudi Apr.10 – Mar.12 Reporting to the President, and working across the board of 5 different agencies (DDB, RAPP, Landmark, TMS, DDB Live) to insure providing a full integrated solutions and campaigns to clients Scope of work included advertising, Digital, PR, event management, crisis managements, activations, etc...

• Led the Saudi Telecom Company Pitch team and won a USD 2 M contract for one year

• Led the Pitch team for AWAL and wining and won a USD 750K contract for one year

• Handled several campaigns for Sony, AWAL, STC, ACWA powers, Al Bilad bank, and provided full integrated ideas that maximized the outreach of the campaigns and revenues for the agency

Group Communication Director, (MS&L) – Leo Burnett Group - Saudi Aug. 07 - Mar. 10 Managed a team of 12 executives to cater for a USD 3.6M per year contract for Saudi Telecom Company Scope of work included yearly planning, supervising the brand strategy, corporate identity, and PR activities

• Gitex 2007, Gitex 2008, Gitex 2009, 2010 Riyadh - KSA

• KSA National Pavilion at sITU World Telecom 2009 - Geneva Switzerland

• STC rebranding (Media, PR and activation Campaign) Other ITU World Telecom clients: MCIT – CITC – KACST – SAGIA – Mobily – Zain – GO – AEC Other Clients: Saudi Arabian Railway – Fraport -Al Khoraif - AlMarai Senior Consultant, Impact Porter Novelli, Dubai - UAE Jun. 05 – Jul. 07 Reporting to the Regional Director, launched the IPN office in KSA and handled USD 3M per year accounts.

• Provided counsel, strategy, direction and complete communication plans for clients

• Proactively presented ideas to maximize communications effort and achieve business results

• Developed original research, surveys, and market studies for existing and new business pitches.

• Managed profitability and financial aspects of client relationship Clients portfolio: HSBC Saudi Arabia Ltd. SABIC, IDB (Islamic Development Bank), HP, 3 COM, P&G, Al- Arabiya TV, Siemens, Master foods (Snickers, m&m, Twix), IHG, VW, Showtime Dec. 06: Attended Company Offsite training Course, IPN, Dubai, U.A.E Sept. 06: Attended Media Training and Crises Management Course, HSBC, Dubai, UAE Sept. 05: Attended Company Offsite training Course, IPN Dubai, U.A.E Account Manager, ASDA’A– Exclusive affiliates Burson -Marsteller Worldwide Jan. 03- Apr. 05

• Managed day to day accounts management, follow-ups, planning and managing campaigns

• Prepared weekly and monthly reports, media relation and writing English/Arabic press materials

• Handled Microsoft Arabia Gitex Dubai 03 & 04, Global MS Campaigns, IPR campaign

• Managed Visa International, General Electric,, Samsung, Ford, Swiss Airlines, SABIC, J&J, CA Sept. 04: Attended Microsoft Media training, and won Best PR Agency in the EMEAYA region Aug. 03: Completed BM University training program Dubai, UAE Marketing Executive – (Arla Foods International) UAE & Saudi Jun. 01- Dec. 02 Researches, Projects & Tasks:

• Saudi Arabia Macro Economic analysis and Competitor analysis.

• Launched Puck Milk Powder and Power Cow Spread Cheese and managed all campaigns Education

Attended Helwan University (Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration) 1997-1998 Major: Business Administration

Attended The American University in Cairo 1992-1994 Major: Journalism & Mass Communication (specialization PR and Advertising) Minor: Psychology

References

Available upon request.

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