Alba D'Souza
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi (Intercontinental Hotels Group), Marketing and PR Manager
Job Type
On the job
Location
United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Personal Advantage
Forward-thinking and creative marketing communications professional with over 10 years’ experience across broadcast, hospitality and e-commerce, with a mission to develop and execute end-to-end integrated marketing campaigns. Has led teams with a collaborative approach, and able to work independently when required. Agile and ROI-focused, constantly seeking new creative and innovative ways to deliver business and marketing solutions.
Job Preference
No Preference yet
Experience
Marketing and PR Manager
2011-12 - 2015-06
Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi (Intercontinental Hotels Group) Manager
Content
Achievements
o Generated revenue of AED 100,000 via a pre-planned F&B event in a single-day
o Generated PR coverage worth over AED 1 Million YOY
o Established a strong social media presence across channels with an exponential growth of over 400% in 1 year
o Secured a 100% on brand audits over 3 years, ranked no.1 across the GCC
o Led CSR activities and established tie-ups with the Make a Wish Foundation UAE, Breast Cancer Arabia and IHG Shelter in a Storm
o Nominated by General Manager for Hotelier Middle East PR and Marketing Person of the Year Award
Responsibilities
o Developed and executed annual marketing plans including social media and digital plans
o Created editorial calendars, and scheduled content for social media, digital ads and e-newsletters
o Developed quarterly PR campaigns and media strategies in line with overall business objectives
o Pitched commercial and corporate stories, managed photoshoots, organized press conferences and PR events, addressed media inquiries
o Reviewed guest trends, online activity analysis and monitored social media via social listening tool – Revinate
o Proactively coordinated with HR, internal teams and stakeholders to support internal communications
o Liaised with global corporate teams for ad-hoc requests on local media relations and adaptation of global campaigns
Assistant Manager – Corporate Marketing Communications
2015-06 - 2020-07
Dubai World Trade Centre Assistant Manager
Content
Achievements
o Seven Sands - DWTC off-site restaurant, was awarded Favourite Middle Eastern Restaurant (below 400) at the What’s On Awards in 2016 and 2017
o Initiated the website re-launch of DWTC’s restaurant - Seven Sands in 2016, and planned, developed and executed strategic marketing and PR campaigns alongside the in-house PR team
o Oversaw the launch of https://www.dwtcweddings.com/ and https://dwtchospitality.com/
o Led a team of 5 to deliver all marketing requirements in 24 hours across ATL and BTL channels with 100% accuracy
Responsibilities
o Supported 2 senior corporate marketing managers, internal marketing event and exhibition teams, and HR internal communication teams
o Assisted in DWTC brand refresh, ensuring alignment with the overall corporate brand objectives
o Led F&B photoshoots for live events and seasonal F&B launches
Content Editor – Digital Marketing
2020-09 - 2022-03
Sun & Sand Sports (E-commerce) Assistant Manager
Content
Achievements
o As content lead for Under Armour (U.A.E. & KSA) executed all content for UA web and app content
o Led SSS blog with content generated on a weekly basis with over 5000 unique visitors on a WOW basis
o Identified and collaborated with influencers to produce lifestyle and seasonal blogs
(https://blog.sssports.com/author/alba/)
Responsibilities
o Provide marketing teams with multiple brand campaign-related copy for social media, newsletters, emailers, app and web notification
o Coordinate with performance marketing, analytics and CRM teams to review overall content performance
o Attended seasonal brand sell-ins when requested to gain insight and understanding into key products launches
PR & Marketing Manager
2022-03 -
voco Dubai The Palm - Pre-opening (Intercontinental Hotels Group) Manager
Content
Achievements
o Led the hotel launch announcement at Arabian Travel Market , with over $123,000 in coverage, and social media engagement rates of 8.1%, impressions of 11,000 and an increase in follower count by over 74%, within 1 week
o Budgeted mid-to-long term and tactical marketing strategies of AED 4 million to support the commercial strategy for rooms, food & beverage and events
o Voted as one of the region’s top 75 marketing talents in the Hotelier Middle East’s Marketing Power List 2022
Responsibilities
o Worked on positioning, branding and marketing launch plan for the hotel
o Developing marketing calendars and advertising spends for rooms and F&B concepts – Maison Mathis and Frenia
o Onboarded multiple OTAs and food aggregators to drive awareness, bookings and footfall
o Crafting SEO-friendly web copy to position the hotel as a leading lifestyle destination on the Palm West Beach
o Overseeing PR agency and photography agency for brand, F&B and lifestyle shoots
o Driving sponsorships, brand partnerships, influencer collaborations and CSR activities
o Liaising with IHG Corporate Office on global brand campaign adaptation and implementation at the hotel
Education
Advertising · Bachelor
2005-04-04 - 2008-04-01
St. Xavier's College
Marketing and Advertising · Master
2008-08-08 - 2009-11-14
University of Leeds
