CAMPAIGN MEDIA FACES TO WATCH 2019 – CHRISTINE ISSHAK, 29, SENIOR EXECUTIVE, PLANNING, PHD
Nominated by Roxane Magbanua, business unit director, PHD
“Christine’s strategic agility, positivity and speed of response are profoundly valued by her clients and her peers. She is instrumental in delivering KPIs and conversions that tremendously contribute to keeping Toyota’s market leadership in the UAE. She also takes the main seat in driving the success and productivity for power brands such as IKEA and Lexus.”
Career path
“I started my career with PHD three years ago as an intern and today I am a senior planner on the Al Futtaim portfolio, which includes seven brands across multiple diverse industries. Last year, I won the “Finding a Better Way” award as well as the “Extra Mile Award”, two awards that are part of the PHD award ceremony that recognises talent within the group. Overall 2018 was an amazing year.”
Guiding principles
The principles I try to follow are: 1) Client-first mindset – I try to make sure my client’s needs are met by thinking ahead and looking at the bigger picture. We work smarter and always try to find a better way. 2) I always try to be a team player and always preach effective communication. 3) Passion – passion for your work can take you places that you wouldn’t have known otherwise. With such a large talent pool, I can say with all honesty the principles I mentioned above were passed on to me by every person I have crossed paths with in my career so far.
