Syed Hammad Ali

Experience

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  Karachi Biennale

  Jun 2016 - Jul 2016

  Project Intern

  Provided support for inventory and emailing list generation. Took care of correspondence for sponsorship and projects for Karachi Biennale Trust. Helped with the content and organizing of a fund raiser called Art ki Taalash which was a city wide scavenger hunt.

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  Institute of Business Administration

  Sept 2016 - May 2017

  Executive Council member

  - Planned and organized a digital media event called, The Ingenious Media Exposition (T.I.M.E.). I was responsible for bringing in guest speakers and working closely with them on their content for the workshop. - Worked closely with the blog team and copywrote weekly blogs for the IBA cultural blog called SUBLOG.

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  TED Conferences

  Nov 2016 - Dec 2016

  Event Curator

  Designed the theme and visuals for the TED conference at IBA which was first of its kind. I was responsible for the marketing and overall outlook of the conference through visuals and texts where I managed the design team communicating my ideas to them as they produced the work

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  Karachi Biennale

  Jun 2017 - Jul 2017

  Research Intern

  - Worked for the major projects of the Karachi Biennale's discursive committee by transcribing and documenting the round table conferences.- Planned and organized PechaKucha Emerging Artist Intensive heading a small team of four people which taught me how to plan and organize a professional marketing and PR event. - Created a bibliography for South South Art Dialogue where I explored the realm of art, art criticism, and knowledge production in the Global South. I was also responsible for correspondence regarding invitations, setting dates, reminders, and follow ups for the study groups Show less

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  Youlin Magazine

  Oct 2017 - Jul 2021

  Cultural Writer

  Youlin Magazine is Pakistan-China Institute’s flagship cultural website, the first one in both English and Chinese. Created with the objective of acting as a cultural bridge between the people of China and Pakistan, it has its pulse on the resurgent and vibrant cultural scene of Pakistan. As a contributing Cultural Writer, I wrote extensively about art, theatre, music, and film.

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  Institute of Business Administration

  Jan 2018 - May 2019

  Teaching Assistant

  Courses TA-ed:English Grammar and CompositionSpeech Communication- Organized lectures and delivered tutorials to 20+ students on how to write and speak effectively.

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  SABAQ

  Jun 2018 - Jul 2018

  Communications and HR intern

  I worked majorly in the communications department where I wrote and edited weekly blog posts and tri weekly social media posts. I was responsible for the social media calendar where I had to decided which type of post (text, image, video, gif) would go on which day with what content and image. I worked closely with the production team and communicated my ideas to them where they produced visuals that were later posts in social media platforms. I also learned the basics of video editing and video making. I spent a week in the HR department where my supervisor walked me through the monthly updates and meetings, courses, and the employee portal. Show less

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  Karachi Biennale Trust

  Jun 2019 - Jun 2020

  Communications Manager

  Increased event attendance by 400% by leading and optimizing four targeted digital marketing campaigns and managing cross-platform budgets. Secured 50+ media placements by developing strategic media lists, writing press releases, and building relationships with key outlets. Strengthened brand identity by co-directing a visual and editorial rebrand, positioning the Biennale as a leading voice in contemporary art.Produced guidance documents, sponsorship/partnership presentations, and speeches for senior management Show less

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  ADA Magazine

  Oct 2019 - Jul 2021

  Art and Culture Writer

  Published 20+ high-impact features on arts and culture—artist profiles, exhibition reviews, and analyses—reaching an audience of over 1 million readers. Pitched timely, trend-driven stories, demonstrating editorial instinct and a strong pulse on the cultural landscape.

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  Logicose

  Jun 2020 - Jul 2021

  Drove a 32% increase in conversion rates by developing SEO-focused content strategies tailored to user behavior and market trends across US and Canadian SME clients. Enhanced brand engagement for 15+ clients by producing 3,000+ words of optimized content daily, aligned with audience interests and search visibility goals. Strengthened content quality and voice consistency by leading a team of 11 writers, refining copy frameworks, and ensuring brand-aligned messaging.

  • Senior Content Marketing Specialist

    Jun 2020 - Jul 2021

  • Senior Excutive - Copywriting

    Jun 2020 - Sept 2020
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  Queen's University

  Aug 2021 - Sept 2022

  Graduate Research and Marketing Manager

  Led marketing communications for a national academic conference, elevating Queen’s University’s profile within the Canadian research community. Drove engagement across the academic sector by creating compelling content for the Vulnerable Media Lab and delivering 15+ interactive tutorials to support student learning.

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  Hope and Me - Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

  Nov 2022 - Apr 2024

  Communications Coordinator

  Secured over $65,000 in funding by crafting persuasive proposals and leveraging data-driven storytelling to promote the organization’s mission. Boosted online visibility and engagement through a full 33-page website revamp—leading project management, writing SEO-optimized copy, and curating inclusive visuals. Enhanced brand consistency and donor alignment by leading the writing and creative development of the organization’s 'Case for Support' document. Drove social media engagement and brand awareness by managing a content calendar with 30+ posts weekly across platforms. Show less

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  Canada's National Ballet School

  Apr 2024 - now

  Communications Associate, Advancement and Government Relations

  Streamlined cross-departmental access to strategic communications by leading the development of a centralized SharePoint content hub that housed program data and key messaging. Secured over $300,000 in funding through persuasive proposals, impact reports, and tailored email campaigns for individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government funders. Delivered 100+ customized donor reports on time by designing and implementing a structured stewardship communications tracking process using MS Teams. Achieved a 76% open rate—double the nonprofit industry average— by leading the transition of the donor newsletter to Mailchimp, including content strategy, writing, and visual design. Show less