Meet Mirna Hammoud, Senior Account Manager at ASDA’A BCW
Mirna is a Senior Account Manager with the Enterprise and Technology Practice at ASDA’A BCW in Dubai. With seven years of experience, Mirna has worked across differ- ent sectors including government, technology, finance, and corporate. Highlights of her career include her involvement in the first Middle East interviews with the Founder of Huawei, Ren Zenghfei; the merger of First Gulf Bank and National Bank of Abu Dhabi; and the historical visit of Pope Francis to the UAE.
Before joining ASDA’A BCW, Mirna worked with APCO and Weber Shandwick on clients such as First Gulf Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank, Ministry of Finance, ADNIC, and NPCC.
Born and raised in the UAE, Mirna graduated from the American University of Sharjah with a degree in Mass Communications (PR).
Why did you join this industry?
I’ve always had a passion for communicating with different people and learning new things. I was fascinated by how public relations can affect perception. In this industry, you never get bored; there’s always a challenge to rise above and it requires you to have good people skills to connect with others. So, I fell in love with it.
How did you land your first job?
My first job was at a stock brokerage company which my friend helped me get into. They had me handle their communications after observing my performance for a few months working in an admin department, and that’s where I gained my first-hand experience.
Who do you look up to?
My mum. She was and always will be my rock and my source of strength. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for her.
What’s the best advice you have received so far?
- You can’t teach personality, but you can always teach work skills. Personalities matter in PR
- Always think of the solution first; then, analyze the problem. Spending time dwelling and figuring out how the problem occurred won’t help you solve it.
What’s the best advice you have given so far?
You always succeed by working as a team; always have each other’s back.
How do you feel about the stigma sometimes associated with Millennials and Gen Z?
It doesn’t affect me, to be honest. On the contrary, it pushes me even further to prove that stigmas are wrong. I will work harder and dedicate myself to succeed and prove the stigma is not true, as I firmly believe everyone is different in their own way, and I find that to be beautiful and interesting.
What do you think you specifically bring to the organization you work for?
I bring dedication, commitment, support, and passion. I put my all into everything I do and I continuously push myself to the extreme as I thrive on challenges. I’m also a very vibrant and outgoing person; I always try to make everyone smile during tough times.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at work?
Hard work never goes to waste. Be it through recognition or successful results, you will always have something that satisfies you or makes you proud.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?
The impact I see when we communicate on behalf of clients; the results of our work being showcased somewhere and how it can change someone’s perception by sending the right and true message. When you see your work positively affecting people, that’s when you know you’ve done a good job, and it feels great.
What’s the most frustrating thing about your job?
It would definitely be when you come with a great and impactful idea, but it doesn’t go through due to certain restraints.
If not this, what would you be doing?
I would definitely be either working in a dog shelter or documenting my travels across the world.
Would you start your own venture in the future?
I’m happy with where I am; I’m still learning a lot. I’m not sure what the future holds for me but I know I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it
