International Marketing & Communication Professional

RASANGI DE SILVA

RASANGI DE SILVAB.Sc.Business(LSE), MBA(UK)

PROFILE

A highly talented and self-motivated Strategic Marketing Professional with over 10 years of experience in Asia and Europe with the ability to function equally well along with the use of evolving information communication technologies.

proven results in the ability of taking up challenges and delivering targets with the identification of significant new opportunities for business expansion and growth in revenue with successful brand development. In-depth knowledge and a wider range of experience to draw upon working in the private as well as government sector in the fields of direct and service marketing, media communications, e-marketing technologies, promotional event management, tourism and hospitality industry, consumer food retail, progressing through to a multi-faceted career in international marketing and communication in the competitive private higher education industry in the United Kingdom, prior joining the German architectural hardware technology firm in Sri Lanka.

PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS B2B and B2C marketing channel and business development Strategic marketing initiatives to help achieve corporate objectives Excellence in identifying, developing and maintaining market strategies to meet organisational

objectives Market and competitive analysis through surveys and research New product planning and product positioning Branding including brand development, brand audits, brand education Corporate Communications and Public Relations leading to enhance corporate image Internal and external corporate communication catering to stakeholders Capacity to develop and implement operational strategies for meeting challenging objectives Local and global promotional and event management with experience in Colombo, Athens, Paris,

Rome, New Delhi etc Online and offline customer relationship management and customer growth strategies Integrated marketing communication management Online and social media/digital marketing communication strategic development Creative content writing for different communication applications Sales training and outstanding leadership Budgeting and appropriate handling of allocated funds Leading and co-ordination of projects working with teams from different backgrounds Project management across multiple time zones and multiple groups

EVENT PLANNING & SUCCESSFUL EXECUTIONS

1. Organisor of Spice Art Workshop conducted with Chef Pubilis in line with the First Spice Art Competition from the Sri Lanka Tourism Developing Authority – Mount Lavinia Hotel 2009

2. Event Secretary/Coordinator of the World Spice Food Festival 2009 – Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority

3. Event Coordinator - Bon Odori Japanese Summer Festival 2010 & 2011 Nihonbashi Pvt Ltd

4. Event Organisor and Coordinator of the Inaugural Woodworking Forum in Sri Lanka –January 2014, Hafele India Pvt Ltd

Rupavahini Business News coverage can be found onhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdTZ3Q7_3_o&index=1&list=PLkz5s7I_LzWG9Ko3ULONRrgJugthfrEkW

PR Partner : Ogilvy PR Sri Lanka

5. “Liebherr “ wine cooler promotion event assistant - Anada Wine Festival Mumbai – February 2014, Hafele India Pvt Ltd

6. Event Organisor/Compeer/PR Coordinator of Hafele/Harris Retail Dealer Meet – June 2014 – Hafele India Pvt Ltd

Venue : Ramada Colombo

7. ‘Festool’ Promotion at Sri Lanka Wood Expo, 3rd-5th October 2014 – BMICH representing Hafele India Pvt Ltd

8. Event Planner & Co-ordinator of Wedding Reception of Rasangi - December 2014

Liberty Hall – Ramada Colombo

9. Event & PR Coordinator of the Kitchen & Design Training Workshop in Colombo for OEM Partners with Mary Maksemos - April 2015, Hafele India Pvt Ltd

LMD partner spotlight interview with Mary can be found on the below link;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qejK9AJw8LA&index=1&list=PLkz5s7I_LzWEpXHUJhHZkkcjJtSGVtXhN

10. Event Organisor & Co-ordinator, Media & PR Co-ordinator of the Launch of Hafele Colombo Design Centre – January 2016

Event Management Partner – Event Horizon

Art Tv Party Crashers coverage on the Launch can be found onhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvwN7wK5NVc

11. Event Organisor, Media & PR Co-ordinator Of The Ramadan Iftar Cooking live kitchen activation – June 2016, Hafele India Pvt Ltd

Hafele Ramadan Live Cooking Activation on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKsWwHELyns&index=4&list=PLkz5s7I_LzWGSPCsPskXNDPnEzcAchpTu

12. Event Organisor, Media & PR Co-ordinator Of German Cooking live kitchen activation with the IEA Colombo – September 2016, Hafele India Pvt Ltd

Hafele presents a German Affair with Dush Live Cooking Activation link;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aku9CQvgxWM&feature=youtu.be

13. Event Organisor & PR co-ordinator of Hafele Charity Cookie baking event with the IEA, 3rd November 2016 – Hafele India Private Ltd

MEDIA & PR MANAGEMENT

MEDIA & PR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCES

1. Media Coordinating Assistant – World Spice Food Festival 20092. Media Coordinator for IBGL Launch – 20103. Media Releases & PR Management for Nihonbashi Pvt Ltd, January 2010- July 20114. Media Releases & PR Management for Hafele India Pvt Ltd, December 2013- February 2017

Work also include;1. Press Release writing in English (translations in Sinhala & Tamil)2. Media Co-ordination with local Print & Electronic Media for non-paid publications3. Social Media Management

Media Partners of the IBGL Launch of Ceylon Cinnamon with Green & Black Tea 2010

Some of non-paid publications of the IBGL Launch of ‘Ceylon Cinnamon with Green & Black Tea’ 2010

Some of the published Media Releases & PR Management done at Nihonbashi Pvt Ltd 2010-2011 (Non-paid publications)

All written releases can also be found on the Online Blog portal http://nihonbashirestaurants.blogspot.com/

Some of the featured publications on Local Press with regards to the Promotion of “Feel Sri Lanka” in the United Kingdom August 2011

Some of the Non-paid press publications with regards to the Inaugural Wood Working Forum - 2014

Some of the published Non-Paid Media Releases at Hafele India Pvt Ltd

Some of the marketing initiations highlights of Hafele India Private Ltd 2016

Some of the Online Links :

1. Hafele presents a Culinary Affair with Dush Ratnayakehttp://www.ft.lk/article/586881/H%C3%A4fele-presents-culinary-affair-with-Dush-Ratnayakehttps://lmd.lk/hafele-8/

2. Hafele goes online with Google See Insidehttp://www.ft.lk/article/566814/H%C3%A4fele-goes-online-with-Google-See-Inside

3. Hafele Bakes with IEA Colombohttp://www.ft.lk/article/585530/H%C3%A4fele-bakes-with-IEA-Colombo

4. Hafele Partners with wow.lk http://www.ft.lk/article/587895/H%C3%A4fele-partners-with-wow-lk http://dailynews.lk/2016/12/30/business/103312

REPRESENTING INDUSTRY RELATED INTERVIEWS ON LMD – EFM BIZ NEWS

Interview link : https://lmd.lk/61576-2/

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCES

1. Hospitality Assistant/Overnight Crew Member – McDonalds Corporation UK – December 2011 – June 2013 – London, United Kingdom

Represent as the main face/brand ambassador working closely with the managers ensuring the smooth functioning of all customer areas to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Within the first 8 months of service I was promoted as one of the Hospitality Ambassadors in the region due to my superior customer relationship skills.

Establish and maintain positive communication with customers at all times to keep the managers informed about customer satisfaction levels

Ensure the delivery of the superior customer satisfaction through creating 'McDonald's Magical Moments' for customers at all levels

Take part in the planning and implementation of special events organised by the restaurant Take part in the decision makings with the managers on how to improve in store sales & revenue while looking at the

overall quality improvements & cost reductions Since September 2012, as a crew member I was responsible for the smooth functioning of the overnight drive

through sales while increasing customer satisfaction level with regards to the overall service and quality of food while reducing the time of waiting. Within the first four months of undertaking this role I was able to achieve zero level overnight customer complain while achieving 100% for overnight Gap Buster working closely with the manager and the rest of the overnight crew members especially through proper communication and co-ordination.

Train the newly joining overnight crew members on friendly customer relationship and effective sales management in the drive-through passage and on stress management when dealing with different kinds of customers in order to avoid conflicting situations that may create negative impact for the store.

2. RETAIL ASSISTANT – ICELAND FOODS TOTTEN HAM – LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM OCTOBER 2012 – SEPTEMBER 2013

In order to further enhance my practical knowledge and store management skills in the FMCG sector, I worked as a Retail Assistant on a fixed term one year contract during evenings and weekends in the second most busiest cold food retail store in North London. This particular store served over 11,000 customers with sales worth over 90,000 GBP during a normal week (off-season). While getting exposure to general management training I was involved in the following tasks related to customer relationship on the shop floor;

Assist in improving the customer service quality and standards mainly in the check-out areas of the store to help improve customer satisfaction and increase repeat purchasing.

Build effective customer relationships while communicating to thousands of multi-cultured customers about the re-launched "Bonus Card" savings discount card and the extra benefits it adds to the consumer's daily shopping basket. The target was to maintain a minimum of 33% rate of customers with a bonus card on a daily basis (at least one customer out of every 3 customers who visits the store to carry a bonus card) and to encourage them to save with repeat purchases.

Assist the night duty manager in Cash Office Management and other administrative tasks as and when required Train new staff on customer service which differentiate the Store from competitors, check out and chill sections

3. International Marketing Assistant – London School of Business & Finance, Holborn – London, United Kingdom, January 2012- August 2013

In recognition of my work and talents in making things happen with dynamism together with my skills and expertise, I was promoted to the international marketing division within 3 months of joining the organisation as an intern. Assisting the senior global marketing and events manager on the on-going marketing and

communication project activities Undertaking international agent related communication matters Content writing for different communication platforms – web, intranet, student portals etc Assisting the global events team for international educational and corporate events including

taking responsibility and coordinating assigned events, sourcing of and liaising with the external keynote speakers, hotel venues & catering, photographers & videographers, corporate guests & students in given international cities (Athens, Paris, Rome, New Delhi etc.)

Market research on key countries and presenting effective business proposals for selected markets

Leading assigned projects coordinating with the regional offices and external marketing and advertising service providers

Assisting the South Asia & Africa regional marketing manager on the marketing and promotional activities specifically in Sri Lanka, India and Africa

Sourcing of and liaisons with vendors such as printers and designers, to ensure efficient completion of projects Purchase order and invoice management Management of reports and analysis of international campaign results Assisting in French and Sinhala translations for external marketing and communication

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENTS

1. Volunteer – Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority : October 2008 – December 20102. Volunteer – SOS Children’s Village Fund Raise for purchase of computers for Piliyandala Village January 20153. Member of the Lions Club Athurigiriya, District 306 C1 Sri Lanka4. Volunteer Fight Cancer PET SCANNER Fund Raise Programme Awareness Campaign – May 2016

Fight Cancer Fund Raise for the PET Scanner – 2016, Committee Member – May/June

Also combined the awareness programme as part of Hafele’s CSR programmes with a distribution of over 5000 leaflets, 400,000 email EDM’s,Carrying the bank details in every staff Email signature & Hafele Social Media platforms during the month of May 2016

GET CONNECTED !!!!Rasangi De Silva

Mobile : 0094-767-716413

Email : rasangids@yahoo.com

For a full overview of other work experiences please visit; http://www.linkedin.com/in/rasangidesilva