Wasif Ahmed
Director - Business Development
Hyderabad,TG
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Sales Director with 18+ years of experience across media, advertising, B2B/B2C events, exhibitions, and conferences in the UAE and GCC markets. Currently seeking an exciting new opportunity and available to join at short notice.
Proven expertise in partnership, sponsorship, and media sales, alongside commercial strategy, event management, and team leadership. Successfully worked with leading organizations including ITP Media Group, Gulf News, Images RetailME, ZEST Media, and currently leading commercial operations for the launch edition of Shoptalk Luxe in Abu Dhabi with Hyve Group.
Recognized for consistently exceeding revenue targets, driving media sales growth, launching successful event IPs, and securing high value sponsorships with global brands including Visa, MasterCard, Amazon Payments, Meta, and Google.
Strong network of relationships across major public and private sector organizations throughout the GCC, as well as leading media and event agencies.
Currently based in India due to the ongoing regional situation and actively exploring senior leadership opportunities across India and the GCC.
Available to start immediately or at short notice.
Overview
1
1
Language
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Director - Business Development
Hyve Group – Shoptalk Luxe
07.2025 - Current
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.
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.
Business Head
IMAGES RetailME, IMAGES Multimedia FZ-LLC
02.2022 - 02.2025
Achievements
- Revamped the RetailME commercial model, boosting media/event revenue by 30% YoY.
- 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.
Head of Sales
Zest Media Group
05.2019 - 02.2022
- 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
Senior Advertising Manager
ITP Media Group – Time Out Abu Dhabi
01.2014 - 04.2019
- 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.
Advertising Sales Manager
Gulf News – GN Focus & Contract Publishing
06.2007 - 12.2013
- Managed advertising sales across print and digital at Gulf News Focus
- Conceived and launched the Contract Publishing division in Abu Dhabi
Fleet Sales Manager
Wondries Toyota
01.1999 - 11.2006
Commercial Executive
Shriram Lamination Works
05.1991 - 10.1998
Sales Executive
Usha International
05.1989 - 04.1991
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Development & Marketing
Osmania University
India05-1989
Skills
Print & Digital Media Sales
Event Sponsorships / Partnership Sales
Business Development
Corporate Communications
Marketing
Strategic account management
Strategic partnership development
Channel strategy development
Organizational growth strategies
Team leadership
Sales growth strategies
Accomplishments
- Shoptalk Luxe, Abu Dhabi 2026 – Launching Hyve Groups first event in GCC, Shoptalk Luxe, the regions biggest B2B luxury retail event, recruiting & heading the sales team and managing the P&L.
- Middle East Retail Forum, Dubai 2022 - Sold 26 of 34 sponsorships, generating $800,000 - the event’s highest-ever revenue unsurpassed to date.
- Saudi Retail Forum, Riyadh 2023 – Conceived & launched by me with record sales -12 out of 17 sponsorships worth $620,000 in the first year and a record 15 sponsors / $790,000 revenue in 2024.
- Launched new high-performing events (Food Business Forum, ICONS of Retail) and consistently grew revenues by 30%+ YoY.
- 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.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Hindi
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Urdu
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Arabic
Beginner (A1)
Quote
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Walt Disney
Interests
Travel
Dune Bashing
Food
Photography
Reading
Timeline
Director - Business Development
Hyve Group – Shoptalk Luxe
07.2025 - Current
Business Head
IMAGES RetailME, IMAGES Multimedia FZ-LLC
02.2022 - 02.2025
Head of Sales
Zest Media Group
05.2019 - 02.2022
Senior Advertising Manager
ITP Media Group – Time Out Abu Dhabi
01.2014 - 04.2019
Advertising Sales Manager
Gulf News – GN Focus & Contract Publishing
06.2007 - 12.2013
Fleet Sales Manager
Wondries Toyota
01.1999 - 11.2006
Commercial Executive
Shriram Lamination Works
05.1991 - 10.1998
Sales Executive
Usha International
05.1989 - 04.1991
Bachelor of Commerce - Business Development & Marketing
Osmania University