Houssam El Zein
Delivery

Experience and Activations

Everything upstream is theory until it reaches an audience.

Launch, campaigns, and internal and external communications, run as one integrated function rather than a stack of channels. Behind it sits the communications work behind the summits, forums and signature events that put institutions on the world stage.

How I approach delivery

Advertising & campaign delivery

I turn positioning into campaigns that run: the creative, the media plan and the execution discipline that gets work out the door on brief and on time.

External communications

I manage the relationships and moments that carry the brand beyond the organization, to media, partners and the public.

Internal communications

A brand has to be understood inside the institution before it means anything outside it. I run the communications that keep employees aligned with the direction.

Executive & thought leadership

I position leadership as a voice worth listening to, from written commentary to public platforms.

Summits & global forums

I run the communications behind large-scale convenings, from national forums to international congresses.

Signature events

The launches, anniversaries and flagship moments where the brand is most visible, delivered end to end.

Selected work
Learning Never Stops
Hamad Bin Khalifa University

How HBKU turned pandemic continuity into a visible communications system that kept its community informed, learning active and research expertise useful to Qatar.

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HBKU Enrolment Engine
Hamad Bin Khalifa University

How HBKU built one university-wide enrollment system that could recruit for six colleges and more than 40 programs while strengthening the institutional brand.

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HBKUx on edX
Hamad Bin Khalifa University

How HBKU turned a regional-first edX partnership into a global learner-acquisition platform for research, professional education and institutional reach.

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Doha Youth Forum
Qatar Foundation and UNODC

Turned youth participation from a symbolic presence at a UN congress into a formal contribution to global policy on crime prevention and criminal justice.

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The record · 42 engagements
UN General Assembly President Visit
HBKU hosting the President of the UN General Assembly.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2019-2023
Research Showcase & National Research Forum
HBKU's research showcase program, including the first National Research Management and Impact Forum.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2014-2023
QCRI Technology-for-Peace Alliance
QCRI's technology-for-peace alliance with the United Nations.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2019-2023
King Salman Award for the Arabic Language (QCRI)
QCRI's King Salman International Academy Award for the Arabic Language.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2023
International Conference on Islamic Finance
The International Conference on Islamic Finance across three editions.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2020-2023
IC-SEWEN Desert Climate Energy Conference Series
QEERI's IC-SEWEN conference series on sustainable energy and water in desert climates.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2019-2023
Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment Program
The communications engine behind HBKU's graduate enrollment: integrated campaigns, education fairs, open houses and enrollment cycles across nine consecutive years.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2015-2023
Global Institute for Strategic Research Launch
The launch of the Global Institute for Strategic Research, inaugurated in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Moza.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2023
Convocation & Graduation Ceremonies
HBKU's annual convocation and graduation ceremony program.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2016-2023
Annual Open House Program
HBKU's annual Open House, the university's flagship recruitment event, across nine consecutive years.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2015-2023
Annual International Translation Conference (TII)
TII's Annual International Translation Conference across six editions.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2017-2023
UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law
The launch and inauguration of HBKU's UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2022
UNHCR Refugee Advocacy Partnership
The UNHCR and HBKU partnership on refugee advocacy.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2021
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum
HBKU's presence at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, within Qatar's official guest-country delegation.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2021
HBKU 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
HBKU's tenth-anniversary celebration, attended by His Highness the Father Amir and Her Highness Sheikha Moza.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2021
Hamad International Airport Research Partnership
A first-of-its-kind research partnership between HBKU and Hamad International Airport.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2021
QBRI-Harvard Research Partnership Program
QBRI's research partnerships with Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, from signing through joint symposia.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2015-2020
Educate to Eradicate Roundtable, New York
A high-level roundtable in New York on the role of education in tackling violent extremism, held with the Soufan Center and the Institute of International Education.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2020
QCRI-MIT Research Collaboration Communications
QCRI's research collaborations with MIT CSAIL, including annual joint research meetings and MIT SciTech.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2016-2019
Qatar National AI Strategy Announcement
The announcement of Qatar's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, developed by QCRI and unveiled by the Minister of Transport and Communications.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2019
Qatar International Cybersecurity Contest
The Qatar International Cybersecurity Contest, a national competition convening emerging cyber talent.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2019
Islamic Finance Centre, Kazakhstan
The inauguration of an Islamic Finance Centre with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2019
UN Secretary-General Public Lecture
The UN Secretary-General's public lecture at Education City, attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2018
QCRI Artificial Intelligence Center Launch
The launch of QCRI's Artificial Intelligence Center, opened with Oxford University's head of computing in attendance.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2018
Board of Trustees Chairperson Announcement
The appointment of H.E. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani as Chairperson of HBKU's Board of Trustees.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
2016
Doha Youth Forum on Crime and Criminal Justice
Qatar's inaugural Doha Youth Forum on Crime and Criminal Justice, the first event of its kind in the Middle East, held ahead of the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha.
Qatar Foundation
2015
Discover Education City
Discover Education City, Qatar Foundation's open-doors event bringing nine partner universities together in one place for the public.
Qatar Foundation
2015
International Awards & Recognition
International recognition communications, from seven consecutive J.P. Morgan quality awards to Qatar's first PCI card security certification.
Commercial Bank Group
2008-2013
Future Leaders & CbConnect
Internal communications for the Future Leaders Program and the award-winning CbConnect HR transformation.
Commercial Bank Group
2012-2013
Cross-Border Expansion Communications
Corporate communications for the bank's cross-border expansion: the National Bank of Oman alliance, the United Arab Bank stake and the landmark Alternatifbank acquisition in Turkey.
Commercial Bank Group
2005-2013
Community & Sponsorship Portfolio
The wider sponsorship and community portfolio, from Sailing Arabia and the Katara partnership to Al Noor Institute support.
Commercial Bank Group
2010-2013
Commercial Bank Qatar Masters Title Sponsorship
Title sponsorship communications for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters across eight European Tour editions at Doha Golf Club.
Commercial Bank Group
2006-2013
Product & Proposition Launch Pipeline
A pipeline of proposition launches: the Enterprise SME proposition, Diners Club Black and the Alfardan remittance program.
Commercial Bank Group
2011-2012
Mobile Banking & Mobile Payments Launches
Launch communications for Commercial Bank Mobile Banking, among Qatar's first, and the mobile payments collaboration with Qtel.
Commercial Bank Group
2010-2012
SME Financing Partnership with QDB
The landmark SME financing agreement with Qatar Development Bank in support of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Commercial Bank Group
2011
Limited Editions Rewards Program
The Limited Editions rewards program, a premium loyalty proposition built for the bank's high-value customers.
Commercial Bank Group
2011
Commercial Bank Plaza Official Opening
The official opening of Commercial Bank Plaza headquarters by the Prime Minister of Qatar.
Commercial Bank Group
2009
London Stock Exchange Milestones
The bank's London Stock Exchange milestones: the first Qatari bank presence in 2006 and the first Qatari GDR listing in 2008.
Commercial Bank Group
2006-2008
Commercial Bank Grand Prix of Qatar (MotoGP)
The bank's title sponsorship of Qatar's marquee MotoGP round at Losail International Circuit.
Commercial Bank Group
2006
National Financial Literacy Campaign Framework
Campaign framework for a nationwide financial literacy initiative, from audience architecture to phased rollout.
Ministry of Social Development and Family
ETF Awareness Campaign
National investor-awareness campaign for exchange-traded funds, briefed, stress-tested and directed across a multi-agency roster.
Qatar Stock Exchange
Enrollment Growth Campaigns
Integrated recruitment campaigns driving 85% growth in leads and a 50% increase in enrollment.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Strategy, governance and delivery only matter together. That is the work.

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