Jon Barber

Hi, I'm Jon Barber. Welcome to my profile!

Jon Barber's Bio:

Jon Barber's Experience:

• Communications Manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

  June 2010 - August 2012

  As the communications manager at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi my work included setting communications strategy for the company on both a regional and global scale to ensure that Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was positioned as the premier entertainment centre in the GCC. The position involves providing consistent and powerful communications to the media, facilitating international media tours and driving corporate communications throughout the business. My main duties included: o Devising and implementing communications strategy for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi o Appointing and managing PR agency o Devising and Implementing all Crisis Communications strategy

• Public Relations Manager at Dubai World Trade Centre

  July 2009 - July 2010

  The job included leading a team of public relations professionals and working closely with appointed public relations agencies to strengthen Dubai World Trade Centre's position in the media market and to work with thousands of exhibitors from across the world to ensure they have a successful participation at the companies 18 exhibitions. Leading exhibitions include Dubai International Motor Show, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, GITEX Shopper, Dubai International Boat Show, Saudi International Boat Show, Dubai International Jewellery Week and Gulfood. My main duties included: o Leading a team of PR professionals o Working with the Marketing Director and SVP, Exhibitions on PR strategy o Devising messaging for each show and for the company in general o Speech writing o Ensuring consistent, regular coverage throughout the GCC and internationally o Appointing and working with PR agencies to ensure consistent messaging o Conducting media training sessions for senior management o Working with project teams to advise on messaging o Working with the media to ensure regular positive news coverage o Crisis Communications

• Account Director at Wallis Marketing Consultants

  May 2008 - June 2009

  I previously worked at a public relations and marketing consultancy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the capacity of Account Director. Major clients I represent include Dubai Sports City, Dubai World Trade Centre, Panasonic, Qtel, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, Nexus Group of Companies and Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group. My main duties included: - Chairing meetings and working with clients to plan and implement public relations strategies offering counsel and advice on a wide range of the companies operations - Sourcing new business, and pitching for new clients - Managing a team of twelve staff across a variety of different clients, ensuring deadlines are met and communication is in-line with agreed public relations policy - Planning and writing press releases; issuing to the media - Writing specific comment articles for publication and a range of topics from finance to sport - Media relations with senior journalists across the Middle East - New business generation - Budget management

• Broadcast Journalist at BBC

  November 1997 - May 2008

  BBC Radio Leicester presenter, commentating on Leicester City Football Club, and Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Also presented Drivetime and the Sunday Breakfast Show.

• Director - Corporate Communications at DAMAC Properties

  July 2012

  Approached by DAMAC Properties to manage communications messaging, internal and external, for the region's largest luxury private real estate developer. Responsibilities include: o Running the day-to-day Corporate Communications department o Writing all communications including press releases, speeches, award entries, Chairman's speeches, presentations and marketing collateral o Leading all trade communications activity o Appointing and managing PR agencies o Managing all communications budgets o Crisis Communications planning and response o Communications and Investor Relations for DAMAC Properties' US$2.65 billion listing of GDR's on the London Stock Exchange o Main point of contact for all brand partners, including The Trump Organization, Paramount Hotels & Resorts, FENDI and Versace o In charge of all social media engagement taking the DAMAC Properties official Facebook page from 2,000 to 200,000 targeted fans in 18 months o Internal Communications across all offices and more than 1,000 staff DAMAC Properties was established in 2002, as a residential, leisure and commercial developer in Dubai and the Middle East. In the past decade, DAMAC Properties has expanded into Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. DAMAC Properties has completed nearly 10,000 units to date and has a further 25,000 units at various stages of progress and planning across the Middle East region. In May 2013, DAMAC Properties introduced the 42 million square foot 'AKOYA by DAMAC' master plan development off Umm Suqeim Road in Dubai. The project includes mansions, villas, luxurious apartments and retail centre all surrounding an 18-hole Championship Golf Course 'The Trump International Golf Club, Dubai'. The company is also building projects with Paramount Hotels & Resorts, FENDI and Versace.

Jon Barber's Education:

• Nottingham Trent University

  1997 – 2000
  BA Hons

• Chellaston Secondary School

  1990 – 1997
  GCSE / A Levels
  Concentration: Maths, Design, Sociology

Jon Barber's Interests & Activities: