Kareem El Dabbagh Email & Phone Number

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Al Madinah Heritage, aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Saudi dates and promoting economic diversification. Kareem drives the corporate marketing strategy for the company and its subbrand NUA, modernizing Saudi date heritage to engage contemporary consumers.Main Responsibilities:- Directed and strengthened brand asset management, ensuring consistent alignment with brand identity across packaging, in-store experiences, and communications.- Spearheaded storytelling and content creation for local and global audiences, developing platform-specific strategies to heighten brand presence.- Developed a comprehensive retail marketing playbook, guiding the brand's expansion into domestic and travel retail spaces.- Identified and secured strategic partnerships and co-branding opportunities, enhancing brand visibility and consumer engagement.- Led Market Research efforts and utilized competitive and consumer insights to inform strategic decisions that aligned with market trends.- Managed marketing budgets and pricing strategies across all SKUS.Main Achievements: - Developed a full brand identity for a premium dates brand.- Successfully oversaw retail shop development in line with brand identity and consumer experience insights.- Managed packaging workstreams across all SKUs from concept to final production.- Directed the product innovation portfolio in collaboration with industry partners and in line with consumer insights.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hearts & Science is a leading data-driven growth acceleration agency within Omnicom Media Group. Kareem managed a strategic business unit with clients generating $50 million annually.Main Responsibilities:- Managed a $50 million annual portfolio, driving brand and digital growth for high-profile brands.- Led app adoption strategies and optimization campaigns for KFC MENA, focusing on converting consumers and increasing brand loyalty.- Directed cross-functional teams for brand communications and media strategies across UAE, Lebanon, India, and Egypt.- Utilized consumer insights to inform data-driven brand development and performance improvements.- Oversaw Data Science initiatives geared towards enhanced data capabilities, marketing mix modelling, and identity resolution across multiple brand touchpoints.Main Achievements: - Directed multi-channel communication campaigns, driving a 10% YOY growth and achieving a 30% media contribution to sales.- Optimized digital performance for KFC, driving significant consumer engagement and brand growth in line with the brand’s ambition to be the #1 QSR brand in the region.- Restructured agency teams in line with the business requirements, ensuring increased client satisfaction and presenting the team with growth opportunities.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Main Responsibilities:- Directed brand strategy and communications for travel, hospitality, and luxury automotive brands across the MENA region.- Part of the agency leadership team driving business growth, developing internal initiatives, and leading cross-functional teams.- Led on new business development efforts with a conversion rate of 100% during his tenure.- Led multi-channel brand communications campaigns for Infiniti Middle East, focusing on quality traffic acquisition and identifying qualified leads.- Collaborated with the marketing science team to utilize data-driven insights and drive brand development through precision targeting.Main Achievements: - Increased Jumeirah Group’s client satisfaction scores by 73% and boosted brand revenue by 30% YOY through effective communications strategies.- Instrumental to Expo 2020’s goal of 25 million visitors by leveraging brand communications and consumer engagement tactics.- Contributed to industry-leading work which led to multiple awards across the digital space, on brands such as Expo 2020 Dubai.

Saudi Arabia

Main Responsibilities:- Oversaw all client strategies for OMD KSA, collaborating closely with client teams ensuring best-in-class work in line with industry and agency benchmarks.- Managed brand portfolio including Zain KSA, Formula 1, Yaqoot, Goody, and Tawauniya.- Initiated education and upskilling initiatives for OMD KSA employees, aligning them with regional and global best practices, adapted to local nuances of the market.- Led new business pitches and played a key role in onboarding significant clients, such as Saudi Arabian Formula 1.Main Achievements: - Increased client satisfaction scores and helped elevate the quality of work of the team in Saudi Arabia.- Led on business development efforts and converted wins on significant brands, such as Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Formula 1.

Qatar

Main Responsibilities:- Managed media strategies for brands including Qatar National Tourism Council, beIN Media Group, Azadea Group, Majid Al Futtaim, and Qatar Foundation.- Managed a $20 million beIN portfolio in MENA, developing localized strategies for 14 markets.- Developed go-to market strategies for MAF’s new mall openings targeting different audience segments.- Enhanced Qatar Foundation’s brand metrics through comprehensive advertising strategies and bespoke content creation with global publishers such as Wired and Vox. - Spearheaded new business pitches, enhancing client acquisition and retention.Main Achievements: - Launched QNTC's inaugural global marketing campaign, positioning Qatar as a premier destination in a highly competitive region, at a crucial period before the 2022 FIFA World Cup.- Led on and secured a number of new business efforts

Saudi Arabia

Main Responsibilities:- Worked closely with the Sales and Marketing Director to shape the marketing department, aligning efforts with business goals.- Collaborated on creating marketing strategies to boost brand visibility and consumer engagement.- Worked closely with senior leadership to develop business development narratives geared to potential partners across the OEM industry.- Led marketing initiatives across digital, in-store, and outdoor channels, launching campaigns to attract and retain customers.- Managed relationships with external vendors and agencies to execute successful campaigns.Main Achievements: - Trained and developed the marketing team, enhancing their skills in campaign execution and digital marketing.- Contributed to rebranding and product diversification efforts, positioning the company today as one of the leading Tires and Automotive OEM distributors in Saudi Arabia.

Egypt

Main Responsibilities:- Developed communication strategies for a diverse portfolio including Visa, Henkel, Mercedes Benz, and IKEA.- Responsible for converting all the agency’s regional briefs to local strategies targeting the Egyptian market depending on each client’s requirements.- Excelled in building strong client relationships and liaising with agencies and media partners to meet business objectives.- Develop competitive and media reports and presentations, to derive learnings and insights to influence decision making and optimizations across brand portfolio.Main Achievements: - Contributed to the agency’s first ever industry award wins, through leveraging consumer insights and developing campaigns that achieved high levels of brand awareness, recall, and increase in sales.- Placed in a fast-track development program where I was promoted from Junior Executive to Planning Manager within a 4 year period.

Bachelor’S Degree, Public Policy And Management - Specialized Honors

Professional Diploma In Marketing, Marketing

Activities and Societies: CIM - Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma in Marketing offered by the CIM in UK.

High School, American Diploma

Activities and Societies: Football team, Student Council, Volleyball team, Yearbook staff, Fundraising