Public Relations, Marketing Communications, Marketing Consultant

Michael N. Francis

Canadian Marketing and Communications Expert With 15 years Experience.

PERSONAL INFO

• Nationality: Canadian Citizen and Hungarian permanent residence.

• Age: 38 years old.

• Languages: Fluent in English, Hungarian, Maltese and Arabic (speaking ability).

OBJECTIVE:

As an expert in Marketing, Corporate Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations, Sports and Events Marketing, with a Canadian Postgraduate degree in Marketing and Communications Management and more than 15 years experience.

I am currently open to Consulting and or Full Time Opportunities, where I could creatively solve marketing and communications challenges in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and or Egypt.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Some of my pervious accomplishments, strong skills and experiences that you can put to use in any marketing and Communications role included:

• Saved the hotel more than US$250,000 in advertising costs by creating a targeted media plan and negotiating direct media booking rates.

• Created the Middle East Slogan for the Brand that is used in all properties in the Middle East.

• Brought in US$27,808 in additional revenue for the Hotel and its food and beverage venues, through 3rd party photography and event’s like Taste of Dubai .

• Worked very closely with media and secured several free advertisements and editorial coverage worth more than US$449,000 over 2.5 years.

• Trained more than 448 management and staff about the Chain’s Brands and it’s Values and Credos.

• Planned and managed a 6 figure sales, marketing and communications budget.

• Organized press conferences, signing ceremonies, travel trade events and corporate events.

• Planed and Created marketing and communications strategies, plans and promotions for the hotel and it’s food and beverage venues that increased occupancy by more than 67%.

• Re-started a night club in El Gouna in less than 24 hours and had a full house for 5 weeks.

• Increased the number of patrons for LIVE Cuisine in 2001, from 3 to 4 people, to full capacity of 115 in less than 2 weeks, by creating a direct marketing campaign.

• Created a double opt-in e-news letter for the Living Art’s Center and increased the number of opt-in subscribers from 875 to more than 5143 in less than 60 days.

• Created awareness events in Asia, where more than 300 branded kids ran near major landmarks, thus increased the awareness for the Doha Asian Games, Enhanced the relationship between the Olympic Council of Asia and the National Olympic Bodies of the country and got my clients publicity worth at least US$ 225,525.

• Was the official spokesperson for the company for media enquires and events, appeared at least 1 a month on average.

• Gave an impromptu press conference/ presentation to more than 53 members of the press, in Syria without having it planned. This resulted in TV, Newspapers and Radio press coverage for my clients.

• Created and sent e-marketing campaigns that increased attendance to events, increased revenue and created more awareness for the brand and the activities.

• Arranged one on one interviews for executives and staff that resulted in increased awareness and raised the organization’s profile.

• Managed the corporate social responsibility/cause related marketing program of the company and was the Chairman for the company’s staff social activities and welfare.

• Worked closely with suppliers to have sampling events for the food and beverage venues of the hotel (e.g. several wine tasting events, Belgian Beer sampling event and with Pepsi to sponsor the Ramadan Iftar in 2007).

• Decreased several resorts expenses and created additional revenue for El Gouna, by creating several outdoor events that allowed all inclusive guests to go out of the hotel, be entertained while paying for their food and beverage.

CAREER HISTORY:

Full Time Contract Work:

2001-Present

• Public Relations and Marketing Communications Consultant, The Francis Group

o Strategic Public Relations and Corporate Communications Consulting;

o Media Relations and Media Planning;

o Marketing, Advertising and Promotion Consultant;

o Sports, Events and Sponsorship Marketing Consultant;

Dubai 2007-2008

• Director of Public Relations, The Canadian Business Council

Dubai 2006

• Client Servicing Director, Extreme ADVERTISING AGENCY AND PRINTING HOUSE.

Handled all aspects of the agency including pitching for new clients.

Clients included: Salam stores, Estee lauder, Neuro Spinal Hospital, Café Supreme, Dubai Marine, Hamdan Centers, Al Ain Mall, Ritz Properties, New York Subs and Deli, Arabian Oud, Canon.

Dubai 2006

• Marketing Manager, Eclipse Events and Staging.

Helped Eclipse with their Marketing Activities.

Dubai 2006

• Client Servicing Account Manager, Resonance Interone Middle East.

Handled Advertising (ATL and BTL) and active branding events .

Clients Included: BMW, Mini, Rolls Royce in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Dubai 2005

• Sponsorship Marketing Manager , Bates PanGulf

Handled Sponsorship Marketing activities and strategies.

Clients Included: Dubai Caliber Shooting Championships, UAE Desert Challenge, Aston Martin FIA GT Racing Team and Ocean World Documentary Series.

Full Time Work:

Dubai 2007-2009

• Marketing and Communications Manager, Dusit Hotels and Resorts

Handled all the marketing and communications of the hotel and it’s Food & Beverage venues, the marketing and advertising budget, public relations, media relations, media planning & buying, marketing collaterals, photography, complimentary food and beverage complementary gift vouchers, bookers loyalty program, promotions, FAM trips, corporate parties, trade shows, in-room operating collaterals, organizing of press conferences, helped with re-branding. As a department head 1, I managed a team of 3 people (PR Manager, In house Graphic Designer and the PR & Marketing clerk) and worked very closely with Head office, the General Manager, the Executive Committee and Department Heads.

Dubai, GCC & Asia 2004-2005

• Marketing Manager & Client Servicing Manager, Fortune Promoseven

Handled Advertising (ATL and BTL), Sports and Event Marketing, Sponsorship Marketing, Event Related Corporate Communications & Public Relations.

Clients included: Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby 7s, Doha Asian Games, The Olympic Council of Asia, Dubai Duty Free Tennis Open, and MacDonald Middle East.

Egypt 2004-2004

• Marketing and Communications Manager, Orascom Hotel Holding

Was Responsible for all the Marketing and Communications plans, strategies, budgets, promotions, online booking systems, direct & e-marketing, website development, events & sponsorships campaigns.

Destination Marketing of El Gouna and Taba Heights cities with 17 International 5, 4 and 3 stars Hotels.

Worked closely with the Managers and Directors of Sheraton Miramar Resort, Möevenpick Resort & Spa, Steigenberger Golf Resort, Club Med El Gouna, The Three Corners, Diving Centers, Different sporting facilities and activities, Shops ,etc.

Was reporting directly to the CEO and the Marketing Director, and supervised a team of 10 Marketing, Public relations and Customer service university graduate professionals.

Canada 2003-2004

• Marketing, Special Events & Corporate Communications District Manager for The Greater Toronto Region, The Easter Seal Society.

Was responsible for Fund raising, Marketing, Communications, Cause Related Event Marketing/Management, Sponsorship Coordination, Volunteer Recruitment/ Management and Media Relations, for The Greater Toronto Region.

Canada 2001-2003

• Marketing, Promotions, E-Marketing and Loyalty Marketing Manager,

The Living Arts Center.

Worked as part of the Marketing and Communications Department on Performing Arts, Studio Arts, Fine Arts, Opera, Symphony, Conference Rooms, and The Fine Dining Restaurant (LIVE Cuisine).

Canada 1996-2001

• Marketing and Public Relations Manager , GTM Services Ltd

Was Responsible for all the Marketing, Public Relations and Business Development of the International trading house that handled importing/exporting and distribution of FMCG, Consumer Products, Surplus Goods, and Railway Equipment.

EDUCATION

• Post Graduate Degree in Marketing Management, George Brown, Toronto. Canada

• Course in Small Business and Entrepreneurship Management, YES Canada, Vancouver, Canada

• Diploma in Import/ Export & Direct Marketing, IMPEX Consultants Ltd., England

• BSc. with a Business Minor, Technical University of Budapest, Hungary

• High School, GCE (O’ and A’Levels), Dellasalle Collage , Malta

COMPUTER SKILLS

Able to work well with Ms Office, Maximizer, Photo shop, The Internet, EBMS (Event Business Management System), Flash and E-Marketing Programs ( MyPacMail & GotMarketing Campaigner)

MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS

• Member of the Canadian Business council in Dubai

• Member of Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and Trainers (CAPS)

• Member of Toastmasters International

INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES

• Entrepreneurial, business and creative activities

• Traveling, meeting people, experiencing different cultures and going to the movies

• Photography

• Favorite Sports: Scuba diving, swimming, auto racing, horse riding, soccer and basketball

References and Picture are available upon request

Contact this candidate