info@mohammadbarakat.

info

Mohammad J. Barakat GSM

Skype
IM
(+965) 94400345
mohammadbarakat
mohammad.barakat@live.com

EXECUTIVE The writer is a confident, creative, and accomplished technology strategist, a marketer, and a business
developer with long-standing experience in ICT and Converged Media. Multi-colored background encompasses
SUMMARY work ethics and commitment to organizational objectives within highly competitive and rapidly changing
emerging markets.

Recognized for decisive leadership and ability to adeptly address challenges and execute sound decisions, the
writer is a cross-generational and multi-cultural team player and leader.

CORE  Strategic Planning  Multi-lateral ICT Agreements Negotiation

STRENGTHS  Corporate Performance Management  Competitive Market Analysis
 Organizational Reform & Change Management  New Product Development
 Technical & Commercial Due Diligence  Strategic Alliances & Partnerships

Arriyadah Holding Co. (Formerly Al Imtiaz Holding Co.), Kuwait August 07 – Present
WORK As the media and industry investment scout of the Al Imtiaz Investment, Arriyadah Holding Co. was founded in July
2007 on the mandate to own, operate, and acquire companies across the, Direct Investment, Islamic Banking, Real
EXPERIENCE Estate, Energy, and Media industries value chain by adhering to standards of Shari’a and committing to the
implementation of world-class technologies.

Advisor to the Chairman & Acting COO

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:

 Strategy Development & Performance Management

To develop a multi-layered term planning framework based on forecasting, strategic planning,
return on investment models, and governance compliance for the roll-out of Print, Electronic,
Mobile, and Broadcast Media companies; formulate strategic direction with respect to the
selection, implementation, and road-mapping of converged technology across Arriyadah’s
subsidiaries, and propagate corporate performance management initiatives and guidelines, extend
the horizontal performance measurement model corresponding to strategic and tactical business
growth of the subsidiaries; forecasting, strategic planning, return on investment models, and
governance compliance

 Investment Scouting & Due Diligence Processing

Conduct elaborate market research to identify the movers and shakers of the local and regional
media industry, scope venturing approaches, dimension investment viabilities, and guide the
commercial, financial, legal, and regulatory due diligence processes for engaged parties;

 ICT Operations & Project Management

Monitor and manage the processes and services provisioned by ICT staff of Arriyadah Holding and
its subsidiaries to their internal and external clients including the planning, budgeting, design,
implementation, quality assurance, maintenance, and administration. Secondary undertakings
include the definition of common processes and procedures, policies, roles, responsibilities, best
practices and standards for technologically sustaining the businesses of Arriyadah.

 Vendor Selection & Contract Management

Devise commercial and technical pre-selection matrices aimed at short listing and contracting
technology vendors in the areas of editorial management systems, archiving, workflow/CMS, ERP,
CRM, IT infrastructure, and telecom infrastructure, broadcast, web/sheet -fed/digital printing, and
online and mobile content publishing.

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Arab News Agency (ANA), Egypt January 07 – Present
Headquartered in Cairo, ANA is the first Arab televised news agency producing and distributing a wide spectrum
news material to global broadcast clientele with focus on news of the Arab World and Arabs communities around
the globe.

Converged Media Strategy Consultant (Freelance Consulting Assignment)

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:

 Strategic Planning
To scope, research and draft leading telecoms industry planning material on Fixed Mobile Convergence,
MVNO, Data Services, Pricing, Subscriber Acquisition, Subscriber Retention in relation to the business of
ANA and it potential in the mobile data services business. Conduct any and all types of business continuity
lifecycle planning and analysis projects

 Research
To adopt both primary and secondary research techniques, leveraging ANA positioning and product
development roadmap in both its traditional business as a news provider and as a media and content
provider. Take personal responsibility for developing and managing key relationships with Mobile
Telecoms clients, further growing business, and technology consulting and relationships.

HiTs Telecom, Yemen July 06 – December 2006

Yemen’s 3rd GSM licensee; HiTs Unitel is one of the ventures of HiTs Telecom, KSA; a holding company comprising
numerous renowned investors with a vision to strategically expand in the MENA region.

Interim Director, Strategy & Planning (Freelance Consulting Assignment)

Key Responsibilities preparing for handover:

 Planning
Develop high-level goals and objectives, operating plans, and organizational structure and policies, and
strategic and business plan development, general business analysis, new business development; Support
organization by providing visibility to pricing metrics. Work closely with Pricing Leader and cross functional
teams in price setting, getting and netting for all voice and data products and services;

 Strategic Growth Initiatives Management

Responsible for identifying, analyzing, and driving future business opportunities for business expansion, as
well as evaluating and planning potential mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances and affiliations, IPOs as
investment portfolio development, and new telecom license bids, acquisitions, and negotiations for fixed,
mobile, internet, and media in emerging markets.

Novo-Tek Group, Jordan January 06 – June 2006

An IT solutions provider start-up in the business off infrastructure solutions, ERP & CRM solutions, security
solutions, retail and distribution, corporate telecom solutions, and professional services.

Advisor to the Board /Interim General Manager (Freelance Consulting Assignment)

Key Responsibilities:

 Corporate Strategy
Provided situational analysis to support strategy development and an enterprise-wide perspective
on policies, practices, and key business issues. Consulted with clients and Novo -Tek’s board to
identify appropriate intervention and continuous improvement strategies;

 Organizational & Business Development

Delivered or oversee delivery of appropriate Project Management Office (PMO) performance
improvement activities and interventions, work closely with clients to create attainable and
measurable performance improvement to achieve desired performance objectives, and participate
in the implementation process as a partner with clients. Provided oversight/facilitation of
institutional orientation programs including new employee orientation and monitoring of
management practices related to department/job specific orientation.

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Mobile Telecom Group (MTG), UAE February 04 – December 05
A leading regional (GCC) group offering corporate mobility solutions, VAS development and hosting services,
mobile content development and aggregation, and strategic investment in the telecom industry.

Regional Business Development Manager

Key Responsibilities:

 Strategic Planning
Introduce corporate mobile solutions and entertainment services ; accelerate solutions and technology
adoption by customers; research alternative and leading -edge technologies with focus on MVNO strategy
development and implementation, fixed-mobile convergence, CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX and Wireless data
strategies, broadband and IP, mobile applications, digital media and content business and pricing model
development, network-based content delivery evolution, and SDPs as pertaining to company’s objectives to
form new strategic alliances and partnerships in emerging and fast -growth markets, create investment and
commercial roadmaps integral to entry strategies in target markets.

 Marketing Communications
Define and adhere to MTG’s new corporate identity standards and style for across print, online, and wireless
communications; drive innovative employee engagement programs, provide proactively developed communication
strategy and tactics to support retention of regional customers and recruitment of top talent. Develop customer-
oriented marketing collateral, and marketing communications in print and electronic media;

 Marketing Plan Preparation, Definition and Implementation

Contribute in the definition and enforcement of customer/SP strategy, Marketing Program and Marketing Plan; Ensure
achievement of budgeted revenue and profit growth in assigned segment (region);

 Product / Service Development & Strategic Pricing

Research and pursue new sales opportunities in accordance with MTG's strategy and policies. Identify market
opportunities with other operators and assist in their translation into appropriate product/service offerings; provide
input into MTG’s standard measures for service pricing, work with a cross functional team to gather inputs on needs for
analytics. Perform and report out on detailed standard pricing analytics; price vs. volume, pricing realization trends,
leakage analysis, price sensitivity, segmentation and related price/market analysis.

 rd
3 Parties Contract Management
Manage assigned segments (regions) dealing directly with SPs and 3rd party mobile application development and
deployment. Strategic 3rd party accounts, content providers, operators, and regulators

 New Market Development

Develop opopportunities in corporate verticals and infotainment markets, and investment opportunities in
regional and global telecom sector. Manage the overall commercial activities of the Group subsidiaries, and
setup new offices/subsidiaries

International Information Technology, Bahrain January 03 – January 04

A growing Bahraini IT solution provisioning and application development company in the domains of CRM, BI, ERP, portals,
server-based computing, and related technologies.

Senior Business Consultant

Key Responsibilities:

 Marketing & Corporate Relations Management

Develop marketing strategy and plan for growing revenue in medium and enterprise accounts, perform customer needs
analysis, conduct marketing research and surveys, and conduct presales activities for new product/solution launches
with major customers. Create joint communications opportunities with the company’s customers and partners; plan,
execute and produce marketing and promotional materials.

 Organizational Effectiveness & Practice Development

Contribute to the sales account planning process, increase in customer interactions to grow overall sales revenue, and
conduct organizational assessments and change strategies with major departments and organizations focusing on
integrating people, systems and technology.

 New Product Development

New Product Development from requirements analysis to product release and commercialization.

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Global One Communications Ltd. (Now Orange)
Jordan Telecom Group, Jordan June 02 – December 02
A licensed Jordanian data communications provider working under the quality standards of Global One International, and
now, being a subsidiary of Jordan Telecom Group, follows the strategy, operating mode, and data communications
provisioning of Jordan Telecom Group.

Marketing Manager
Key Responsibilities:

 Planning
Create marketing programs to maintain and increase the customer bases in household and corporate dial-up and
broadband subscriptions, and implement customer acquisition and positive churn management, and assignment of
resellers, venue branding, and VAR incentive programs;

 Corporate Brand Management

Develop research program to measure corporate brand asset in terms of customer experiences and perceptions to
prepare company for transitioning into new brand, and initiate integrated strategies throughout the company at every
point of public contact -- marketing communications, customer support and sales, to motivate current customers and
prospects to adopt new brand perception and values;

 Corporate Communications Management

Develop and implement the communications, marketing and promotions strategy in order to build the company’s new
brand, sub brands, and profile and ensuring the integration of Marcom activities within all areas of Corporate
Communications including Public Relations, Organizational Communications and Meetings & Conventions;

 SMB Market Development

Identify and size broadband customer sales opportunities from existing eligible small and medium customer base, and
provide Actual/Projected sales forecasts to management;

 Product Management & Strategic Pricing

Initiate online marketing campaigns on subscription and payment methods, network, and facilities, and monitor, track,
and report competition’s media and promotional activities. Develop analytics and market data channels to drive pricing
excellence; influence and recommend pricing actions through data driven decisions;

IDEAL Group (Now Optimiza), Jordan September 98 – June 02

Leading Jordanian information technology solution provider group established in 1987, comprising 6 companies specialized in
SW, HW, networking, internet services and solutions, systems integration, information systems, and prepress.

Marketing Manager
Key Responsibilities:

 Planning
Develop strategy for IDEAL’s e-Infrastructure solution offerings, and track and analyze of the lost business record for
various profit centers and competitors;

 Marketing Communications Management

Responsible for driving and implementing company's marketing agenda, develop best-in-class public relations, internal
and external communication programs by formulating and executing a rigorous, relationship-based communications
plan with strategic media contacts (wires, print, broadcast, trades, web);

 Event Management
Develop company-wide conference policies, procedures and practices designed to ensure quality and competitiveness,
and prepare for all event meetings, including developing agendas, support materials, briefings, and preparing follow-up
correspondence, and relevant activities;

 Vendor Relationship Management

Develop channel model and program framework as agreed with Vendors channel representatives by
identifying the target SMB and Enterprise clients, designing the relationship framework that determines vendor/offering
selection, and engagement roles and responsibilities for all concerned IDEAL staff;

 Market / Competitive Research

Collect and analyze competitive information, internal and external sources, and conduct proactive market research to
address IDEAL's current strategic priorities.

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Arab Export House, Delaware, USA March 97 – April 98
A prominent Delaware-based consulting firm specialized in promoting international business and export prospects between
the United States and private sector and governmental bodies in mid-eastern countries.

International Business Affairs Consultant

Key Responsibilities:

 Research
Case-analyze the business applications and technology solutions that support corporate Capital Management in Middle
East target markets;

 Project / Program Management

Construct “Export Assistance Program” for private sector participants in emerging Middle East markets;

 Relationship Management
Develop international trade and investment relations between the US and Middle Eastern interested parties with regard
to Export Counselling programs, and respond to client queries.

B.O.C. (Now maktoob.com), Jordan April 95 – January 97

Formerly known as BOC, is a leading Jordanian consulting firm specialized management information systems, Internet /
Intranet consulting, services and training, and web-based media. At present time, the company embarked on a venture
capital project that contributed significantly to its success as <maktoob.com>, one of the Arab World’s most popular and
interactive portals.

Project Manager
Key Responsibilities:

 Research & Market Development

Create high impact, enticing employment market research to include the products of a resume bank and prospect
openings in various firms, and implement research processes to collect intelligence and information as necessary to
create demand & interest in professional HR services;

 Database Management
Manage online / offline databases into profit centers, and create database marketing campaigns;

 Account Management
Orient and counsel personnel, and deliver career path planning services for individuals and businesses, and design
interviewing and recruitment stratagem for local and international clientele.

Department of State – US Government

Operation Uphold Democracy / Republic of Haiti February 94 – March 95
I was contracted the State Department of the United States to be a member of the technical support task force to the
International Police Monitors Program, UN Peace Corps, in the Republic of Haiti. A prime United Nations contract controlled
the operation and all its branch programs in its initial and subsequent phases.

Field Communications Officer

On-the-job accomplishments:

 Field Research, Analysis & Reporting

On-the-field liaison between the Haitian Government officials and the multinational forces, and collection and analysis
demographic, socio-economic, political, healthcare and education raw data for operation's statistical and operational needs.

Zananiri Group
Forte Grand Amman
Amman Plaza Hotel
Hotel Inter.Continental
Jordan 91 – 94
During the acclaimed period the writer held different positions with those institutions in management training, sales,
marketing and promotions, and as an Assistant Director of Marketing & Research with Zananiri Group, which marked the
career shift from the hospitality industry line to the professional business line.

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AFFILIATIONS  Member of IFRA Middle East Regional Technical Committee (Association of News Provisioners &
Publishers)
 Member since 2002, American Marketing Association - US
 Member since 2001, Communication Research Institute of Australia – Australia
 Global Member since 2002, Internet Society (ISOC) – US
 Professional Member since 2003, eMarketing Association – US
 Member since 2004, SMS & Mobile Messaging Association (160 Characters) – UK

EDUCATION  Diploma, Food & Beverage Management, 1990 - Hotel Training College, Amman, Jordan.

Proficiencies of this Diploma include Food & Beverage Management, Nutrition Management, International
relations, and Microeconomics. HTC is Jordan's pride in Hospitality Management and approximately 500
Jordanians and Arabs graduate every year.

 1st Degree Diploma, French Literature and Civilization, 1991 University of Sorbonne, France.

The Faculty of Comparative French Literature, in association with other literature departments (French
Language, Latin, Greek), proposes modular courses in Classical Literature, Modern Literature and
Specialized Modern Literature (optional course with special reference to industry) at the undergraduates,
Bachelor's degree and Master's degree levels).
The department prepares students for the competitive examinations for teachers, the CAPES and the
'Aggregation', as well as for a DEA and the PhD in Comparative French Literature. A DESS trains students
for careers in publishing and audiovisual work.

LANGUAGES I’m a native speaker of Arabic and fluently read, write and speak English and French.
S

CERTIFICATION  Certified Quality Auditor – ISO 9002, May 2000

 FrontRange Solutions Certified Solution Associate, March 2002
 FrontRange Solutions Certified CRM Specialist, March 2002

HONORS  Awarded the "Certificate of Achievement" by Commander / Raymond Kelly, Director of the International
Police Monitors Program (UNPMF, Republic of Haiti), for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Duty in
1995.

 Awarded the “Certificate of Achievement” by FrontRange Solutions, for the Best CRM Case Project
Management during the Regional FrontRange Partners Meeting in March 2002.

 Awarded the "Certificate of Appreciation" by Emirates Call/MTG for commitment toward duties and
responsibilities in July 2004.

 Awarded the "Certificate of Excellence" by Emirates Call/MTG for outstanding achievements, hard work,
and lasting contributions in July 2004.

REFERENCES & Will be supplied upon request.

CREDENTIALS