Management Manager

MICHAEL JALILI

New York, NY ***** 917-***-**** *******@*****.*** www.linkedin.com/in/hmj19 Twitter: hmj19 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Polished and versatile Communications Strategist who drives dynamic programs and campaigns across multiple platforms to generate positive publicity with outstanding return on investment

Draws on a diverse background in corporate communications, media relations and journalism Possess 10 years of communications experience focused on the financial services industry, both in the U.S. and overseas. Utilize sound judgment and a journalist’s insight to shape all brand enhancement strategies. Strong skills in strategy, content generation and media relations are complemented by other critical “soft skills,” including project management, team coaching and leadership, and relationship management. Work effectively with all organizational levels including senior leadership. Fluent in English and Persian, oral and written, with light conversational skills in German and Thai.

Proven Skills: Communication Strategy Media Relations Public Speaking Presentations Press Conferences High-Profile Events Social Media Project Management Relationship Management Team Training & Coaching Financial Writing & Editing AP Style Bloomberg Terminal MS Office Mac OS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Various Clients (outlined below) 2015 Present

CONSULTANT/FREELANCE WRITER

Quickly engaged in multiple consulting and freelance assignments upon recent return from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to continuously hone skills while seeking next full-time role. x Provide engaging articles on personal finance as Blogger/Ghostwriter for Polly Portfolio, New York, NY, a startup boutique investment firm. Report directly to CEO. (June 2015 – Present) x Create editorial standards as Consultant to New York Life Insurance Co., Sleepy Hollow, NY. Also generate persuasive content to promote new programs and products to 12,000 U.S. field sales representatives. (May 2015 – Present)

x In a continuation of earlier UAE engagements, serve as Communication Consultant for Media Mondays, a popular quarterly event; also consult for Lanjaron Distributors. (January 2015 – Present) National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2009 2014 EDITOR & COMMUNICATION STRATEGIST

Built and executed a robust external communications strategy, generating cost-effective and positive public relations for the bank and its major stakeholder, the Abu Dhabi government. Due to strong journalism background, duties were quickly expanded to include extensive media relations efforts. Expertly leveraged existing high-profile sponsorship programs. Accrued additional duties including internal communications projects and consistently achieved annual bonus. Enthusiastically represented department at new employee orientations. Trained UAE nationals, including eventual replacement, ensuring seamless continuity of operations. Communication Strategy:

x Established editorial standards that modernized the bank and aligned it with global best practices. x Rescued a failing website project: commandeered 12-person team of staff and external developers, revamping nbad.com under tight timelines into a modern, customer-centric, SEO-optimized site that aligned with the bank’s business strategy and cultural sensitivities. Wrote bank overview and profiles of board of directors and senior management, and managed content for products and services. x Revamped the bank’s quarterly magazine, published in English and Arabic, to be more engaging. Coined promotional and strategic phrases as needed.

MICHAEL JALILI

x Wrote and edited impactful communications for bank, its executives and representatives (video, speeches, articles, PowerPoint presentations and award applications); strategized non-advertising communications campaigns internally and externally.

x Created and executed a social media strategy that complemented other communications vehicles. x As part of Leadership Change Committee, organized well-received multimedia campaign to introduce CEO. Media Strategy & Relations:

x Created award-winning, best-in-class media program, working closely with manager. An independent agency consistently ranked NBAD #1 in media coverage compared to banks in the 6 Gulf Region countries, recognizing how NBAD was able to generate “millions of dollars” of free advertising:

– Forged strategic partnership with CNN and maintained strong relationships with other English- speaking media (e.g., Bloomberg, Dow Jones, Reuters) while manager handled Arabic media.

– Conceived and executed a successful thought leadership program by creating tailored roster, preparing executives for interviews to ensure best performance and promoting service to media.

– Streamlined the bank’s press release approval process.

– Produced large volume of high-quality, subtly branded and publication-ready press releases that included quotes from leaders across its businesses: personal and private banking, corporate, investment, treasury, capital markets, asset management, investor relations and sustainability.

– Served as spokesperson on broadcast news, prepared crisis management communications and deftly steered reporters away from publishing unwanted commentary. x Devised media plan for Global Financial Markets Forum, an annual 2-day event organized by NBAD that featured high-profile speakers (e.g., Ben Bernanke, Paul Volcker, James Baker III and Nicolas Sarkozy) engaged in global economic analysis as it relates to the Gulf Region.

– Maintained market’s attention and elevated event’s and NBAD’s profiles. Personally wrote reports that were printed verbatim in several newspapers.

– Suggested/executed successful Twitter campaign despite lack of formal social media team and strategy at the time. Twitter has since become a key feature of the event. x Created media plan and internal communication for the popular Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, leveraging NBAD’s “Official Bank” sponsorship to build excitement. Managed guest relationship contractors. The National, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2008 2009

BUSINESS REPORTER

Covered personal finance, banking and financial products, UAE and Gulf financial services industry. Founding team member of the business page of this daily newspaper, which quickly became its most read section. American Banker, New York, NY 2006 2008

REPORTER

Covered credit card industry for this prestigious daily paper, including corporate news on Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, as well as regulations and pertinent court proceedings. Investor’s Business Daily, New York, NY 2007 2007 CONTRACT FREELANCER – New America section.

Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, NY 2004 – 2006

STAFF WRITER – NY State and Canada news.

EDUCATION

Columbia University, New York, NY – Master of Science in Journalism 2004 Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ – Bachelor of Arts in Economics & History 1998

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