Rabih W. Abou Shakra
raboshakra1@gmail.com
Mob: +965.97547735
Mob: +961.3431484
PERSONAL DETAILS
Date of Birth
Gender
Nationality
Marital Status
Linguistic Skills
November 29, 1981
Male
Lebanese
Married with child
Native Arabic, Fluent English, Basic French
ACADEMICS & CREDENTIALS
2004 - 2008
1999 - 2004
1998
MBA - Masters in Business Administration – American University of Science
and Technology (AUST) Beirut, Lebanon
BS Degree emphasis on Marketing – Lebanese American University
(LAU) Beirut, Lebanon. “Granted an acknowledgment: High distinction”
Lebanese Baccalaureate part II (Experimental Sciences)
Ahliah School Beirut, Lebanon
ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mindshare – Kuwait
2013 - 2014
Client Leadership Director
Main responsibilities:
 Managing all senior client relationships on ZAIN telecom and several key accounts
 Establishing overall strategic media approach and overall media planning product
 Extensive understanding of the brand and category dynamics and their short-and-near
horizon challenges
 Conferring with outside creative advertising agencies and marketing teams to establish
media goals, objectives and strategies and provide leadership when necessary in
developing, negotiating and implementing creative media solutions
 Working on business development projects
 Providing clients with research and digital reports related to current and upcoming
campaigns
 Preparing quarterly / annual business reviews and budget forecasts
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Isofood SAL – Choueifat
2013
Marketing Manager
Main responsibilities:
 Set the strategy and marketing plan for Aromate mayonnaise
 Handled media planning & buying for all ATL & BTL activities
 Prepared PR plan and planned exhibitions participation for the company
 Outsourced quantitative research data and creating a market survey for current & newly
launched products
 Launched new product lines like ketchup, oil, and mustard categories
 Worked on enhancing the labeling, branding, & packaging designs of current brands
 Exposed to Lebanese and African markets (Ivory Coast for example)
 Enhanced current distribution channels that was available
 Monitored & analyzed competitor’s activities through conducting regular SWOT analysis
reports
 Conducted field visits on key accounts and key groceries
 Supervised the merchandize and optimizing display and product’s visibility
SABIS University - Erbil
2012 – 2013
Adjunct professor
Main responsibilities:
 Lectured in management and marketing studies
 Courses taught: “Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of Experience”, “Principles of
Marketing”, “Promotional Strategy” and “Strategy from the Outside In”
Grey Group - Erbil
2011 – 2013
Media & Communication Director
Main responsibilities:
 Oversaw the marketing communications department and responsible for managing
client's strategic planning and buying needs
 Handled Korek-Orange telecom account in Iraqi market and other accounts like LC
Waikiki (Egypt & Iraq specific markets), Bankmed, and MAC (Chevrolet)
 Worked with account teams to develop marketing strategy briefs
 Implemented, monitored, and evaluated the overall marketing activities set
 Prepared and presented communication plans, including objectives, strategy, rationale,
and all backup materials
 Supervised the execution of plans, including preparation of budgets, schedules of
insertions, contracts, and supporting materials
 Prepared marketing reviews, budget recaps for current accounts
 Trained and supervised buyers and planners in all media
 Attended strategy meetings for new business and pitch to potential clients
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Assisted finance department in reconciling variances and assuring proper payments
Universal Media - Lebanon
2008 – 2011
Media Supervisor
Main responsibilities:
 Responsible for managing the client's media buying and communication planning needs
like Libanlait, Cadbury, Vileda, McDonald’s, & Coca-Cola
 Competitive and brand category analysis understanding
 Signed deals with suppliers for monthly or/and yearly contracts depending on the volume
 Performed supplier and accounts meetings on a weekly basis
 Trained new employees or/and trainees to generate the best performance and output
 Worked on business reviews through identifying trends & synergies, setting marketing
plans, strategies and tactics
 Conducted budget & media tracking
Universal Media – Lebanon / Abu Dhabi /Dubai
2004 – 2008
Media Executive
Main responsibilities:
 Prepared media plans/schedules and booking orders
 Campaign pre evaluation, monitoring and post evaluation for key learning purposes
 Worked on luxury and FMCG accounts (L’Oreal, Maybelline, Garnier, Vichy, Bledina,
Hypco, Ven. Invest, Vileda & Aishti)
 Media scene update for new trends and opportunities in Lebanon
SMLC Pepsi – Lebanon
2003
Trainee
Main responsibilities:
 Inventory reconciliation
 Issuing Purchase Orders
SPECIAL SKILLS
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Ability to analyze research data to determine best placement for the requested needs
Ability to collaborate effectively with other departments and cross-functional teams
Strong quantitative and analytical skills, detail oriented with exceptional critical thinking
and problem solving abilities
Ability to multi-task, work successfully with teams and work under pressure
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
A positive attitude and ability to plan and adapt to change
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SOFTWARE
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Statex (Competition analysis and expenditures)
Zplan & Xplan (planning optimizer and campaign evaluator)
Effective measure (online planning and tracking)
Gemius (online planning and tracking)
Mindsight (Target audience analysis & media consumption habits)
Arianna (Viewership analysis)
TGI Choices3 (Target audience analysis)
Dolphin (Profit, sales, cost figures + booking/purchasing order generator)
Paragon (Profit, sales, cost figures + booking/purchasing order generator)
Navigator (Planning enhancer tool)
WORKSHOPS
November 2013
October 2013
June 2010
November 2008
October 2008
June 2008
July 2007
March 2006
May 2005
Kuwait: Digital new trends – MS offices
Kuwait: Twitter induction planning, managing, & reporting – MS offices
Beirut: Training course on Digital Induction by Tom Roy – UM premises
Dubai: New MCN Media tool “Navigator” - UM premises
Beirut: Granted the ‘Target Group Index’ certificate-UM premises
Beirut: Basic Media Training-Metropolitan Hotel
Cairo: Engagement and media neutral planning
Beirut: First Impressions, Sales, & Negotiation skills-Movenpick Hotel
Dubai: Global media trends - UM7 workshop-Metropolitan Hotel
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Member of the LAU Alumni association
INTERESTS
Music, web surfing, social activities, table tennis & soccer
P.S. Reference is available upon request
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