Hi, I'm Navin 👋
Brand and Marketing Strategist
Navin Narayanan

About

Marketing professional with proven expertise in strategic brand management and integrated communications across MENA. Experienced in developing and executing comprehensive marketing initiatives - from campaign management and content strategy to digital marketing and brand activations - delivering measurable business impact through practical implementation and strategic thinking.

Currently serving as an independent consultant, actively expanding expertise through continuous learning and cross- industry consulting engagements, bringing fresh perspectives to traditional marketing challenges. Passionate about collaborating with forward-thinking brands & people ready to challenge conventional approaches.

Core Competencies

Strategic Marketing
Brand Management & Communications
Campaign Management
Budget Planning & Optimisation
Digital Marketing
Performance Marketing
Social Media Strategy
Content Strategy
Integrated Media Planning
Influencer Marketing
Events
PR
Brand Activations
Business Process Optimisation
Presentation Design
UX Design

Work Experience

Hares Media Company

Hares Media Company

04/2022 - Present | Dubai, UAE
Consultant – Business & Marketing
  • Led end-to-end marketing strategy for original TV series 'Transit', managing production of promotional assets, PR/publicity campaigns, and digital presence. Worked closely with Amazon's Marketing team and lead the show's launch on Amazon Prime including press kit development, talent announcements, and platform release coordination.
  • Secured and managed distribution rights for Saudi Pro League matches across major cinema chains in KSA, orchestrating promotional strategies and revenue management that resulted in consistent sold-out screenings. Led contract negotiations with multiple exhibitors while streamlining reporting systems and marketing asset distribution.
  • Transformed 50+ Facebook pages from zero-revenue channels to generating an average of $8K per page per month through strategic content optimization and creator/publisher partnerships.
  • Executed Nokia Set-Top Box distribution strategy in UAE, directing localization of marketing collateral and dealer communications. Achieved 100% sell-through of 5,000 units through marketplace optimization and retail partner engagement.
  • Led 14-member content operations team for Huawei's video and music platforms, managing playlist curation, creative development, and promotional campaigns. End-to-end content optimization including cover art creation, marketing assets, and performance analytics while serving as key liaison with Huawei's operations and marketing teams.
  • Executed social media marketing campaigns across Facebook and Instagram for Eagle Films' theatrical releases, optimizing performance for 10+ major titles including Wrath of Man and Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
  • Developed RFP responses and business presentations to secure new opportunities.
  • Key Clients - Nokia, MBC, Huawei, Eagle Films, Shoof
Gulf Films

Gulf Films

09/2019 – 04/2022 | Dubai, UAE
Senior Marketing Manager

Strategically managed theatrical release campaigns for 30+ major studio films with variable P&A budgets ($140K-$680K per movie title), orchestrating comprehensive marketing strategies from pre-release through post-release window. Notable successes include James Bond: No Time to Die ($680K P&A) and optimization of smaller budget releases like Candyman to maximize ROI across MENA region

  • Orchestrated full-cycle theatrical marketing campaigns, from initial teasers through to post-release sustainability, consistently achieving box office targets across diverse film portfolios
  • Developed data-driven marketing allocation strategies across paid media, PR, and digital channels based on film genre, target audience, and market potential
  • Optimized P&A spend through strategic timing of marketing activities during crucial pre-release and opening weeks, maximizing opening weekend performance
  • Managed regional film premieres and promotional events to maximize media coverage
  • Established strategic partnerships with cinemas, brands, and media outlets across MENA
  • Coordinated between international studios and regional stakeholders for marketing localization
  • Developed social media strategies driving audience engagement for theatrical releases
  • Key Clients & Partners – MGM, STX, A24
HARES MEDIA COMPANY

HARES MEDIA COMPANY

07/2018 – 09/2019 | Dubai, UAE
Consultant – Business & Marketing
  • Conceptualized and launched MVP for content discovery platform – Shashah.com. Led end-to-end product development including platform strategy, UX/UI design, content strategy, and team management.
  • Managed digital portfolios for multiple clients as Account Manager, overseeing website development and social media content strategy. Delivered responsive websites & social content calendars, while maintaining client relationships and project timelines.
Selevision

Selevision

09/2016 – 01/2018 | Dubai, UAE
Marketing Manager
  • Launched OTT platform "Seevii" in KSA market, scaling to 70,000 monthly active users with 68% free-to-paid conversion rate
  • Managed $200K marketing budget while orchestrating platform launch strategy across TVOD, SVOD, Live TV offerings and B2B2C Projects
  • Served as primary marketing liaison for major studios (Disney, Fox, Sony, Universal, Paramount), orchestrating new release strategies and franchise packages to maximize TVOD revenue.
  • Represented company at key industry events including Fox partner meetings and MIPCOM, while managing studio relationships for content marketing approvals and promotional campaigns
  • Directed 4-member creative team delivering UI/UX assets, marketing materials, and video content while maintaining brand consistency. Developed and implemented comprehensive brand guidelines across digital platforms, ensuring visual and messaging consistency from UX/UI design to marketing touchpoints. Collaborated with design teams to maintain cohesive brand experience across web, mobile, and retail interfaces.
My HD

My HD

05/2013 – 09/2016 | Dubai, UAE
Marketing Manager
  • Spearheaded brand launch and growth of My-HD entertainment platform across MENA region (50M household market), achieving 50K paying subscribers from ground zero within 2 years
  • Managed $250K marketing budget while orchestrating integrated launch campaigns across digital, TV, BTL, press, and PR channels
  • Built and managed relationships with 400+ independent retailers and 20 major retail partners across MENA region
  • Improved customer activation rates from 20% to 80% through streamlined processes and enhanced customer journey
  • Successfully launched three distinct TV packages (My HD Basic, My GMA, My Asia), expanding market reach to diverse audience segments
  • Conducted 20+ product training sessions for retail partners, averaging 30 attendees per session, to ensure effective product knowledge and sales capabilities
  • Developed comprehensive brand guidelines and marketing toolkits for retail network, ensuring consistent brand representation across all touchpoints
  • Led cross-functional team of marketing coordinator, graphic designer, and web developer to execute marketing initiatives and maintain brand consistency
OSN – Orbit Showtime Network

OSN – Orbit Showtime Network

08/2008 – 04/2013 | Dubai, UAE
Marketing Manager
  • Led all Marketing operations in UAE & KSA collaborating with creative teams, PR teams, and regional marketing teams.
  • Spearheaded $2M retail transformation initiative during OSN-Showtime merger, orchestrating cross-functional teams across 200+ locations. Led comprehensive rebranding execution, coordinating mall operations, sales, marketing, technical, and construction teams across MENA region to deliver seamless brand integration.
  • Collaborated with major retailers such as Sharaf DG, Carrefour, EMAX and Telcos such as Etisalat & Du to promote OSN products and services, enhancing brand visibility and sales performance.
  • Led brand activations, Trade shows and Channel Launch events significantly increasing brand awareness and customer engagement.

Industry Expertise

Media & Entertainment
Theatrical Films
OTT & Pay TV
Digital Content & Creator Economy
Fashion E-commerce
Technology Services
Real Estate

Soft Skills

Strategic Thinking
Effective Communication
Collaboration
Team Building and Management
Stakeholder Management

Technical Skills

Meta Ads
Google Ads
LinkedIn Ads
Amazon Ads
Buffer
Meta Creator Studio
Google Analytics
Adobe Illustrator
Figma
Canva
Mailchimp
Gupshup
Midjourney
Runway ML
Perplexity
Shopify
Wordpress
My Projects

Check out my latest work

I've worked on a variety of projects, from simple websites to complex web applications. Here are a few of my favorites.

ECommerce & Marketing Consulting featured image
Website MIgration
Shopify
UI Design
UX
Consulting
Brand & Web Design/Development featured image
Brand
Web Design
Corporate Presentation
Design
 CONTENT SEARCH & DISCOVERY PLATFORM - SHASHAH featured image
UI/UX
Project Management
Content Planning
MVP Development
Social Media
Brand Identity & App Development featured image
Brand Identity
Business Process
UI UX
App Development
Project Management
Brand Identity & Creatives featured image
Brand Identity
Creatives
Corporate Website featured image

Corporate Website

Arcadia Capital

Website Development
Content Planning
WordPress
Responsive Website featured image
Website Design
Content Planning
Corporate presentation
Wordpress
Website Development featured image

Website Development

Saadia Bokhari

Website Design & Development
Content Planning
Presentations
Wordpress
Website Redesign featured image

Website Redesign

DSR Training

Website Design
Wordpress
Contact

Get in Touch

Want to Chat? Just shoot me an email and I'll respond as soon as I am available.

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