Wasif Ahmed

Responsibilities

• Launching Shoptalk Luxe for Hyve Group from UK in Abu Dhabi
• Planning and implementing the events strategy from sales to execution
• Budgeting, recruiting a sales team and managing all commercials with 6 direct reports
• Selling high value sponsorships to high profile regional and global brands.
• Managing sales print & digital ad sales for the website and show magazine

Achievements

• Brought in hi profile Abu Dhabi Government entities like ADIO, DED Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Chamber as headline sponsors.
• Sold high value sponsorships to major brands like Mastercard, Amazon Payments, Tabby, Tamara, Checkout.com, Visa, Meta, Snap Inc and more.
• Exceeded sales target of $3.0 million by 16% with a team of 6 sales managers.
• Achieved a 96% rebook rate for the 2027 edition.

Achievements

• Revamped the RetailME commercial model, boosting media/event revenue by 30% YoY by focusing on client acquisition, retention and spend growth.
• Closed major sponsorships with market leading brands like VISA, Dubai Chamber, Mastercard, Amazon, Snap Inc, TikTo kand more
• Middle East Retail Forum 2023- Sold 26 of 34 sponsorships, generating $800,000 - the event’s highest-ever revenue unsurpassed to date.
• Saudi Retail Forum, Riyadh 2023 – Conceived and launched by me, with record sales: 12 out of 17 sponsorships worth $620,000 in the first year, and a record 15 sponsors generating $790,000 in revenue in 2024.
• Built and mentored an award-winning sales team and secured first-time partnerships with global clients like Amazon Payments, Adyen, Lulu Retail, Honeywell, Mishipay and more.

• Launched Zest Media’s UAE operations, managing sales operations for multiple events, magazine and digital platforms.
• Hit commercial targets across the portfolio from the fourth operating month
• Hit revenue of $1.1 mil in first year and average growth of 18% over the next three years

• Managed events & media sales for Time Out Abu Dhabi & TOAD Kids.
• Scaled TOAD Kids to a monthly, boosting revenue by 65% annually.
• Managed key advertising accounts across print and digital.
• Broke Time Outs' dependence on F&B and Hospitality clients by bringing in lifestyle, travel, retail, banks, and auto brands.

• Managed advertising sales across print and digital at Gulf News Focus
• Conceived and launched the Contract Publishing division in Abu Dhabi
• Sold the largest single deal in Gulf News history worth $1.2 million to Abu Dhabi motors for a coffee table book celebrating their 50th anniversary