Samer Makarem

Experience

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  Leo Burnett MENA (Middle East & North Africa)

  Jun 2010 - Sept 2010

  Communication Intern

  Performed client servicing functions on local FMCG & banking accounts

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  Leo Burnett MENA (Middle East & North Africa)

  Feb 2011 - Feb 2017

  Conceived and implemented 360° communication strategies for local & global brands inmultiple industries such as Telecommunications, Automotive, Entertainment, Real Estate,Retail & FMCG accounts; while also performing client service functions and managing threejunior team members. Leo Burnett Beirut was ranked the 4th Agency & 6th most creativeagency in the world in 2015 and 2012 respectively.-Produced numerous full-fledged integrated campaigns, several of which were awardwinning on the regional & global stage-Designed and presented Client’s communication strategies, yearly roadmap anddeployment plans-Ensured consistent financial growth on key accounts, leading on P&L analysis andcontract negotiations aiming to increase efficiency and profitability-Assisted in acquiring new business and was instrumental in landing revenue totaling$2,457,000 that contributed to 1% of agency’s overall portfolio-Managed recruitment of junior colleagues-Led, managed and coached a team of three account handlers (2 juniors and 1 senior)-The Winner of the 2012 Star Reacher Award, Runner up in 2014. The Star Reacher, is apeer elected recognition for the most ambitious and forward-thinking individuals in theworldwide Leo Burnett network-2015 Leo Intel Finalist. LeoIntel is a Leo Burnett global intelligence award, given to theyear’s best-case studies, pitch presentation, intelligence reports and so forth-Consistently gave talks at the American University of Beirut on Communications and was a jury for 2 final year classes Show less

  • Communication Supervisor

    Dec 2015 - Feb 2017

  • Communication Manager

    Dec 2013 - Dec 2015

  • Senior Communication Executive

    Sept 2012 - Dec 2013

  • Junior Communication Executive

    Feb 2011 - Sept 2012
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  Factory People

  Feb 2017 - now

  Responsible for the Creative and Marketing unit of Factory People, positioning it as thelargest entertainment arts & culture group in the region (Welcoming 360,500 people to ourvenues annually). Led the cultural and financial transformation of the company while co-founding and managing Factory People’s sister creative studio, Clap Clap-Oversaw the growth of the team from 3 FTEs to 12FTEs in my business unit-Initiated cross-department synergies through restructuring & effective workflow framework, transforming the company with 20 FTEs, 150 part-time staff to be results and culture driven-Raised the level of strategic thinking, brand stewardship and creative excellence-Led the crisis management restructuring post pandemic-Developed internal processes and systems to maximize employee and departmental performance-Developed the company’s macro strategy, mission and vision-Oversaw the expansion from 1 outlet to 4 outlets, creating 12 specific brand experiencesand products in the process-Developed the Middle East’s first music festival, Five Islands Festival, attended by 7,000people over two days-Launched Late Knights, a cultural platform that documents the vivid music scene in theregion-Grew Beirut Berlin Express, a grassroots project that allows young Lebanese producersto compete in a wholesome competition, and to further their art through artistresidences in Berlin-Produced and developed several brand building and tactical campaigns, increasingengagement and affinity-Managed and organized all HR processes from hiring, coaching and trainings Show less

  • Regional General Manager

    Jan 2022 - now

  • Marketing Director

    Feb 2017 - Dec 2021