Vijai Jose
*****.****@*****.***
Mob: +91-949**-*****
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Writer / Communications Consultant, Cochin / Dubai (Oct 2017 – Present)
Developing editorial content and providing communications advisory services for PR and marketing communications agencies based in Dubai and Riyadh.
Senior Editor, TRACCS, Dubai (Jan 2014 – Sep 2017)
Responsible for developing a diverse range of content – mainly press releases, executive speeches, op-eds, newsletters and feature articles - for private and public sector clients including Rotana, Mastercard, Toyota, Lexus, Doha Bank, IMG Worlds of Adventure, DAMAC Properties, Cleartrip, Bahri, MAN Truck & Bus, Western Union, Alef Group, Dubai Mercantile Exchange, Black & Veatch, Imdaad, and Novus Aviation.
Editorial Consultant, Memac Ogilvy Public Relations, Dubai (Apr 2013 – Dec 2013)
Working remotely from India, the job involved developing marketing communication concepts and editorial content for clients managed by the agency’s Technology practice, primarily Huawei, Seagate, and International Turnkey Systems (ITS).
Lead English Editor / Account Manager, Headline Public Relations, Dubai (May 2008 – Feb 2013)
Responsible for overseeing all English content development at the agency in addition to managing client relations. Major clients handled include Nestlé, Sanofi Aventis, Delta Airlines, Bank Vontobel, Dell, Verbatim, Burger King, Dubai Investments, Plus Properties, and the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA).
Communications Specialist, Nestle Middle East, Dubai (Mar 2007 – Apr 2008)
Responsible for managing and integrating internal communications for Nestle GLOBE – a US$ 2.8 billion business IT project – in the Middle East region across 13 countries. The job involved liaising with various suppliers and stakeholders and developing project newsletters, bulletins, flyers and reports. Also responsible for managing the Nestle GLOBE intranet site.
English Editor, Orient Planet Public Relations, Dubai (Jan 2005 – Dec 2006)
In this role, my responsibilities included writing and editing press releases, proposals, executive speeches, CEO messages, op-eds, blogs, advertorials, social media content, features, newsletters and crisis communication materials for a diverse range of clients including Empost, Cisco, Gulf Extrusions, ETA Star, Dubai e-Government, and the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
Sub-Editor, Indiainfo.com, Bangalore (Sep 2001 – Sep 2004)
Indiainfo.com (now rechristened OneIndia.com) is a Bangalore-based news portal. As Sub-Editor, my responsibilities included sourcing and editing news stories and occasionally contributing opinion pieces on current affairs and sports.
OTHER PROJECTS / ACHIEVEMENTS
Winner of First Place in Creative Writing at 'ZESTIVITY 2001', a cultural fest held annually for members of the IT and ITeS industry in Bangalore, on the topic ‘The Sound of Silence’
Attended the Dale Carnegie Foundation’s 100th anniversary workshop on ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age’ in Dubai in February 2012
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism (1999-2001), University of Mysore, India
Specialisation: Communications, Content Writing, Public Relations, Advertising
Bachelor of Arts (1996-98), St. Philomena’s College, University of Mysore, India
Specialisation: Journalism & Communicative English
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth: 19.08.1977
Languages known: English, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada