Salman U. Syed

As a project lead for the Wacken Metal Battle Globally. I am responsible for the following.
Develop and execute comprehensive marketing plans to drive awareness, engagement, and participation in the Wacken Metal Battle competition which happens across 86 Countries worldwide.

Digital Marketing:
Manage Wacken Metal Battle's online presence, including website content, social media channels
Create compelling digital content (graphics, videos, articles) to capture the essence of the competition and attract participants and fans.

Social Media Management:
Craft engaging social media content, including posts, stories, and interactive elements, to foster a strong online community around Wacken Metal Battle.
Collaborate with graphic designers, videographers, and content creators to develop visually striking and compelling marketing materials.
Generate content that showcases the competition's unique aspects, participating bands, and the global metal music scene.

Event Promotion:
Coordinate marketing efforts for Wacken Metal Battle events, including local heats, regional finals, and international showcases.
Work closely with promoters and partners globally for the promotion of the Wacken Metal Battle.
Develop event-specific marketing collateral and strategies to attract attendees and participants.

Analytics and Reporting:
Track and analyze key marketing metrics, such as website traffic, social media engagement, and campaign performance.

Partnership
Collaborate with partners to maximize the visibility and engagement of the Wacken Metal BattleAs a project lead

Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations, IFA) is Germany's oldest intermediary organization for international cultural relations. IFA particularly promotes art, learning and education on behalf of improved understanding among nations and also supports the development of structures in civil society, particularly in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, through a programme for media assistance.

• I secured a full grant CrossCulture Programme (CCP) fellowship across 47 partner countries to work with a host organization based in Germany and intercultural linkages with multiple participants.
• I was selected along with 125 highly committed fellowship holders from 47 countries out of nearly 3000 applications, each with a very special and interesting background
• Host Organization in Germany - Berlin Arts Institute

• 2016 - Global Rock Summit, Los Angeles, United States of America . Invited to be on panel to discuss live entertainment hosted by Larry King at Global Rock Summit in Los Angeles
• 2017 - Infero Music Conference, Oslo, Norway - Speaker at Infero Music Festival. Presented report on Live Music in India
• 2018 - Hamburg Metal Days, Hamburg, Germany - Delegate at Hamburg Metal Days, Germany (Panelist on Event Management Business, India)
• Delegate from India for 5 days work exchange trip to Germany in 2019 to understand German Music Business, Supported by German Embassy in India
• Invited to Judge rock and metal competitions at IIT Chennai, IIT Mumbai, IIT Kharagpur, NIT Suratkal
• International Jury Member at Wacken Metal Battle, Germany

• Kryptos - Managing and promoting India's biggest Heavy Metal export Kryptos
• Booked and toured music festivals across Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic
• Millennium - Managed India's first Heavy Metal Act Millennium formed in 1988.

• Rock N Roll Originals is India's Biggest Online Music Merch Store. www.rocknrolloriginals.com
• Licensing Deals Featuring Over 250 + International Artists for exclusive merchandise in India. Notably Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, Lamb of God, Megadeth. Slayer, Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam and more.
• Merchandising Partners - Global Merchandise Service, Probity Merchandise, Bravado (Universal Music), The Thread Shop (Sony Music), Warner Music Artist Merchandise, Seasons of Mist Records, Nuclear Blast Records, Metal Blade Records, Manhead Merch, Kings Road Merch, EMG, Omerch, Tsurt, Razamataz

• Designed, implemented and monitored over 15 websites, plugins and functionality for continuous improvement.
• Provided front-end website development using WIX and other editing software for static and E-Commerce Websites.
• Implemented Google-based SEO and ad campaigns to meet budget specifications.
• Optimized company's website and main SEO traffic to sites.

Business Development

• Bangalore Open Air - Launched India's First Music Festival dedicated to Rock & Heavy Metal Music in 2011. Bangalore Open Air is the only festival in India which has been happening every year from the last 9 years
• Bangalore Open Air rated at Number 5 on top 10 Music Festivals in India by Yatra.com & Only Music festival to be featured in Lonely Planet.
• Wacken Open Air - Germany Involved Wacken Open Air. Germany (Worlds Biggest Rock & Heavy Metal Festival) as the main partner, Bangalore Open Air is powered by Wacken
• Representative of Wacken Open Air festival in India, Nepal, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka
• Promoter of Wacken Metal Battle in India, Nepal, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka
• Goethe Institute, Bangalore (German Culture Exchange) - Associated with Goethe Institute Bangalore on various projects for promoting German Artists in India.
• German Embassy, New Delhi, Bangalore - Associated with the Embassy of Germany in Bangalore & New Delhi to promote German Artists in India, The 2020 Bangalore Open Air festival was supported by Mr. Walter J. Linder, German Ambassador to India (Festival Postponed Due to Covid19 Pandemic)
• Rikskonsertene, Norway (Norwegian Culture Exchange) - Associated with Rikskosertene for promoting Norwegian Artists in India
• Embassy of Israel, New Delhi - Associated with the Embassy of Israel in India for promoting of Israeli Artists in India, felicitated by the ambassador of Israel, Mr. Mark Sofer and culture attaché Sarah Sofer
• Embassy of United States of America, New Delhi . - Currently working with the US Embassy in India on a project to support Women Empowerment in the felid of Rock Music
• Associated with Various International Booking agents & Managements for promoting International Artists in India namely The agency group (UK), ITB Touring – (UK), Rock The Nation (Austria), Sea side touring (Germany). MAD tour booking (USA), Cobra Agency (Austria), EMG (America)

Marketing (Events)

• Casio (G-Shock) - Successfully organized shows/promotions for Casio India (G-Shock) In Nepal, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka for their Watch brand
• Monster Energy - Launched Monster Energy Ultra in India, 30 Events Across 5 cities, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad. Complete End to End curation and execution of the launch. Activations for Monster Energy across various college festival in India
• Luxor, Parker - Activation for Luxor (Parker Pens) Complete conceptualization and activation for Parker Pens at Bangalore Open Air. Established a permanent meet & greet engagement zone at the festival supported by Parker
• Zippo - Complete on ground activation and ideation for Zippo at Bangalore Open Air Festival, Product engagement activations at famous Pubs across Bangalore.
• Coco Cola - Campus activation for Coca Cola for engagement with students.
• Kingfisher - Rock Nights at Various Pubs in Bangalore to promote Kingfisher and Bangalore Open Air
• Monster Cables & Headphones - Complete end to end activation and product sampling for brand at various location across Bangalore.

Sponsorship

• Ideating presentations for sponsors.
• Successfully raised over 1 Million USD over a period of 6 years in Sponsorship for various in-house events
• Partnered and associated with brands as sponsors for various events notably (Casio India, UB Group, Coco Cola, PepsiCo., Bacardi, Monster Energy, Idea Mobile, Luxor, Bisleri, Treebo Hotels, Oyo Rooms, Snapdeal, Radio City, Radio Indigo, Vh1, 9X0)

Strategic Planning & Management

• Financial Management of all in-house events. Maintaining balance sheet on profit, expense and making sure that the event does not go under negative
• Cash Flow - Maintaining easy cash flow during event and making sure no delay in vendor payments and other payments towards running event without any financial hurdles
• Ticketing - Working closely with ticketing partner and making sure that pre-sale and special ticketing are a smooth flow for the consumer/fan. Event Accreditation Management.
• Social Media Management - Working Closely with the social media team to promote event on various platforms keeping in mind a lesser spend for maximum reach
• ATL & BTL Activities - Making Sure all sponsor deliverables are executed pre event, during event & post event as promised to brand/sponsor
• Vendor Management - Shortlisting vendors for various domains at the event. Taking multiple quotes from vendors and liaisoning the right vendor to to execute the task.
• Public Relations - Managed PR outlets ranging from partnering with digital media for virtual coverage along with on ground press conferences

Team Management

• Building a strong team to handle key areas such as
• Technical Production - Overlook Tech Team to make sure all technical riders are adhered to. Negotiate with tech vendors to provide best technical support for artists & entertainers.
• Hospitality - Overlook Hospitality team to make sure all catering riders are adhered. Overlook with catering vendors. Making sure team follows all protocol's for artists pick up & drop. Making sure all artists are satisfied with hotels and stay.
• VIP Management, Sponsor Invitee Management, F&B Catering for VIP, Artist & Crew
• Security - Overlook security team to make sure all necessary precautions to be taken for an emergency. Making sure all CCTV surveillance, metal detectors and other security equipment to be used during event. Emergency help desk at events. Special Women's security at Live Events.
• Permission Liaison - Overlook permission team to make sure all event permissions are taken in advance (Police, Local Govt Office, Traffic Police, Fire, Ambulance) to have a smooth flow of the event.

Crowd Funding

• Organized a crowd funding campaign for Bangalore Open Air, 2013 and raised close to half a million INR for the festival

• Handled end to end entertainment management for one of the biggest club chains in India, Vapour PUB & Brew.
• Programming of Events
• Booking of Artists
• Event Marketing & Promotion (Social & On Ground)
• Ticketing.