Aziz Zada

Senior marketing, communications, and public relations leader with 18+ years of experience driving brand growth, strategic visibility, and commercial marketing performance across the Middle East. Industry exposure includes FMCG, telecommunications, automotive, hospitality, government and public-sector entities, tourism, health, e-commerce, beauty, education, electronics and home appliances, and real estate. Brings a rare blend of brand leadership, strategic communications, demand-focused marketing, and executive-level client advisory.

Strong record in leading integrated campaigns, improving marketing discipline, aligning communications with business goals, strengthening client retention, expanding account scope, and managing multi-market, multi-stakeholder environments.

Director of Public Relations and Communications at HARF Promotions (2021-04 – Present)

Lead Marketing, PR, and Communications strategy for HARF Promotions across a portfolio of major private-sector and public-sector accounts in Iraq.

• Lead Marketing, PR, and Communications strategy for HARF Promotions across a portfolio of major private-sector and public-sector accounts in Iraq.
• Contribute to broader client growth planning across brand, media, and digital activity, helping align communications work with commercial objectives and campaign outcomes.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across creative, client servicing, media, production, and digital functions, typically across 25 team members depending on account scope.
• Support campaign and annual planning across retained and project work, with managed or influenced marketing scopes commonly ranging from USD 50,000 to USD 700,000 per campaign cycle.
• Strengthened reporting discipline and campaign evaluation by pushing for clearer KPI logic around audience quality, engagement value, response behavior, and conversion relevance.
• Contributed to stronger account retention and broader scopes of work by improving strategic framing, communications planning, and business alignment.

Managing Partner at PROTOCOL-Iraq (2022-03 – 2026-04)

Co-Founded and lead PROTOCOL-Iraq as a specialized hospitality, protocol, and service training company.

• Co-Founded and lead PROTOCOL-Iraq as a specialized hospitality, protocol, and service training company.
• Set overall business direction, service model, market positioning, and commercial development approach.
• Lead training design, partnerships, operations, and growth efforts across the business.

Senior Public Relations Consultant at NEOM (2021-06 – 2026-04)

Provide senior communications counsel and PR strategy support for NEOM and its flagship initiatives.

• Provide senior communications counsel and PR strategy support for NEOM and its flagship initiatives.
• Support campaign development, strategic messaging, and stakeholder-facing communications in a high-visibility, high-sensitivity environment.
• Advise on communications direction aligned with broader institutional positioning and long-term vision.

MarCom Director at Ertkaz Productions and Advertising (2024-04 – 2026-02)

Led the MarCom function, with direct responsibility for agency growth, campaign performance, business development, client expansion, and delivery quality.

• Led the MarCom function, with direct responsibility for agency growth, campaign performance, business development, client expansion, and delivery quality.
• Oversaw integrated marketing and communications strategies for major accounts including First Iraqi Bank, National Bank of Iraq, Supercell, Chevrolet, and Abwaab.
• Managed a multi-disciplinary department of approximately 18 team members across strategy, content, social media, client servicing, and operational coordination.
• Directed campaign planning with a stronger digital-first and commercially structured approach, improving alignment between targeting, messaging, calls to action, landing flow, and measurable response.
• Oversaw campaign and marketing scopes typically ranging from USD 30,000 to USD 450,000 depending on account and project scale.
• Helped strengthen demand generation logic, improve lead quality on selected campaigns, and support broader account growth through sharper strategic planning and more disciplined execution.
• Played a central role in proposal quality, agency positioning, and senior client management, contributing to new business conversion and expansion of existing scopes.

PR and Marketing Manager at TAKREEM Foundation (2018-01 – 2021-03)

Led PR and marketing for TAKREEM and its annual awards platform.

• Led PR and marketing for TAKREEM and its annual awards platform.
• Managed major media partnerships with regional and international outlets including CNN, France 24, and Sky News Arabia.
• Oversaw communications planning, brand consistency, and crisis-related media coordination.

Marketing and Operation Manager at FUNCAPITAL SAL (2016-05 – 2019-01)

Led integrated marketing and operational planning.

• Led integrated marketing and operational planning.
• Managed campaigns, social media, internal processes, and business development support.
• Oversaw staff performance, policy implementation, and day-to-day commercial coordination.

Marketing and Sales Manager at KARINA SUKAR Concept Store (2013-07 – 2016-05)

Managed sales, marketing, promotions, and daily commercial operations.

• Managed sales, marketing, promotions, and daily commercial operations.
• Led multi-channel campaigns across print, digital, radio, and social media.
• Managed direct marketing and paid advertising initiatives.

Managing Partner and Senior Event Planner at HUMMINGBIRD Event Management (2012-01 – 2015-12)

Event planning and management as managing partner.

Assistant General Manager at ODEROSE (2011-01 – 2012-12)

Assistant General Manager responsibilities.

Office Manager at KARINA SUKAR Interior Architecture and Design (2009-01 – 2011-12)

Office management responsibilities.

Doctorate in Business Administration, Marketing – University of Liverpool (2027)

Master of Business Administration in Public Relations – Lebanese American University (2016)

Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies, Business Management – Lebanese American University (2011)

Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies, Marketing and Public Relations – Lebanese American University (2008)