Account Manager Communication Specialist

Abdulla Naneesh

P.O. Box ****, Manama, Bahrain

Tel: +973-********

Email: ********@***********.***

Profile:

A communication professional with more than 25 years of experience in the Middle East’s communications and public relations industry—a brand-building communication specialist who has worked across diverse international, regional and local client sectors, to enhance and protect reputations, drive change and integrate new communication strategies, in addition to media relations and crisis communication, event management and advertising.

Professional Experience:

2019- Account Manager, Ventana Communications, Manama, Bahrain (Remote).

Ventana provides communication consultancy and carries communication and public relations projects on behalf of clients, covering mainly the GCC and the larger MENA regions.

Clients include financial institutions like Salam Bank and Arab Banking Corporation, commercial conglomerates such as BMMI, industrial groups and educational organizations.

2013 – 2019 Global Head of Corporate Communications, Arab Banking Corporation, Manama, Bahrain.

Reporting to the Deputy Group CEO and working closely with the Management Committee, my role was to articulate, manage and communicate the Bank’s vision, mission, values, and key internal and external image building messages, as well as rebranding the institution to Bank ABC and position it as the leading MENA international Bank. Major duties included:

Formulating and implementing the Bank’s internal and external communication plans.

Launching the digital banking brand ila.

Supervising shareholder relations.

Managing media relations.

Acting as the Bank’s spokesperson.

Supervising corporate events and staff engagement activities.

2013 – 2001 Head of Corporate Communications and Board of Directors Secretary, Gulf International Bank, Manama, Bahrain.

Reporting to the CEO, my key responsibility focused on promoting the Bank’s reputation as the leading wholesale bank in the GCC, as well as launching the Meem digital bank. Key duties included:

Planning and implementing communication and public relations activities.

Supervising annual reports and promotional material.

Supervising advertising campaigns.

Producing internal communication material and corporate newsletter.

Organizing Board meetings and Shareholder Annual General Meetings, taking minutes, circulate resolutions and coordinate with shareholders.

1996 – 1999 Account Manager, Gulf Hill & Knowlton, Manama, Bahrain.

As an account manager, I had helped local, regional and international clients achieve their communication goals, build and boost their brands, and support their business initiatives. Major duties included:

Communication and public relations planning and execution on behalf of clients, including Rolls Royce Aero Engines, Ford, British Airways, DHL, Al Zamil Industrial Group, Investcorp and others.

Drafting and Arabizing press releases.

Organizing press conferences.

Education:

1986 – 1988 Master’s degree in Political Science, Ohio University, Unites States.

Major: International Relations.

1982 – 1986 Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Ohio University, Unites States.

Major: News Writing and Editing.

Competencies:

Excellent writing and communication skills/English and Arabic.

Excellent event management and organization.

Branding.

Crisis Communication capabilities.

Change management and culture transformation skills.

Deep understanding of the Middle East culture, history and socio/political/economic affairs.

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