YAN KHAMENKA
Dubai,Dubai
Summary
Business leader with 16+ years in large-scale media and marketing, driving double- and triple-digit growth for global brands across EMEA, LATAM, and APAC. Expert in building high-performing teams, optimising operations, and delivering strategic sales impact for top-tier clients
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
Curiosity (Hakuhodo)
Dubai
01.2025 - Current
- Built partner network across 30 countries, securing strategic agreements in Asia and LATAM
- Won major clients (Turkish Airlines, Toyota, Daikin, Weleda), achieving 60% win rate in competitive pitches
- Reduced strategy development time from 14 days to 5, cutting team involvement from several people to 1, enabling 3× increase in tender participation
- Delivered +30% profit growth by expanding media mix and optimising FTE allocation
- Increased Hakuhodo’s requests for strategic collaboration by 200%
- Managed P&L for the region, implementing strategies to maximize revenue and control costs
Client Service Director (Business Director)
OMD OM Group
Moscow
01.2016 - 01.2025
- Grew client portfolio budget from ~$54M to $270M, delivering 500% revenue growth despite COVID-19 and geopolitical crises
- Executed counter-cyclical investment strategy, persuading clients to increase budgets during market downturns, securing long-term category leadership and favourable media rates
- Full P&L responsibility for portfolio including Alfa-Bank, Yandex, Carlsberg, Activision Blizzard
- Maintained 100% client retention over 8 years and achieved 70% pitch win rate.
- Expanded offering beyond media buying into econometrics, business consulting, and creative services
- Led client service teams to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to ensure seamless service delivery
Project Lead
Farmdirect
Moscow
08.2014 - 12.2015
- Co-founded marketing research startup for pharmaceutical sector, securing funding and new clients
Senior account manager / Group Account Director
Dentsu Aegis Network (M-Liner agency)
Russia
04.2012 - 12.2015
- Led media strategy for JTI, Rehau, Gazprom, Takeda, Lotte, HOFF
- Built and maintained relationships at all levels internally and externally, including client executive- level decision makers
Account Manager
Smart Group Ogilvy
Minsk
01.2011 - 03.2012
- Managed planning and budgeting processes, tracking and forecasting media metrics (ATL/BTL)
- Managing creative and branding projects
Education
Bachelor of Laws - LLB - Financial Law
Belorussian State Univercity
Minsk, Belarus05.2009
Skills
- Strategic Sales Leadership
- Global Account Management
- Cross-Regional Partnership Development
- Operational Optimization
- Team Building & Retention
- High-Stakes Negotiations
- Advanced Presentation & Public Speaking
- Data-Driven Media Planning
- P&L Ownership
Languages
- Russian, Native
- English, Fluent
- Polish, Beginner
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 06/29/86
- Gender: Male
- Nationality: Belarus
- Marital Status: Married
- Visa Status: Full working capabilities (UAE)
Accomplishments
- 3 Silver Cannes Lions (2025)
Languages
Russian
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
Polish
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
Curiosity (Hakuhodo)
01.2025 - Current
Client Service Director (Business Director)
OMD OM Group
01.2016 - 01.2025
Project Lead
Farmdirect
08.2014 - 12.2015
Senior account manager / Group Account Director
Dentsu Aegis Network (M-Liner agency)
04.2012 - 12.2015
Account Manager
Smart Group Ogilvy
01.2011 - 03.2012
Bachelor of Laws - LLB - Financial Law
Belorussian State Univercity
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