Karl Zhang

Strong interest in urban economic development, macro, business retention and expansion and urban strategic planning. Creative thinker in finding solutions to build a more vibrant, sustainable and inclusive economy. 

Previously seasoned professional in corporate communications & public relations with experience working in the creative industry, public sector, and investment banking in Hong Kong. 

Adept at brand positioning, developing partnerships and key accounts, and influencing different interlocutors through creative narratives.

WORK EXPERIENCE 

Analyst (PR Specialist) - CICC - Hong Kong, Sep 2021 - Aug 2022

• Develop corporate branding and marketing strategies
• Manage agencies and collaborate with various stakeholders for operations in HK, UK & Europe, China, Singapore and Japan offices
• Supervise and draft daily reports on global capital market and macroeconomic trends to submit to senior management
• Department lead for events & sponsorship programs with top-tier financial institutions (Exchanges, Associations, Rating agencies, regulators, etc.): 20 events annually
• Media relations manager - develop press releases, identify and coordinate interviews with financial & trade media: Bloomberg, CNBC, International Financial Review, Euromoney, etc.
• Founder & lead for the ESG committee in the HK office

Press and Communications Officer - Consulate General of France in Hong Kong & Macau - Hong Kong, Oct 2019 - Sep 2021

• Assist in curating events in the arts & cultural sector (around 10 annually): career & education expos, investment and trade fairs, music & film festivals, etc.
• Oversee and design comprehensive events & advertisement materials in line with stakeholders' requirement
• Develop press releases & briefing books and retain relations with 50+ French & HK partners and stakeholders (local government, chamber of commerce, education institutions, media.)
• Define and elaborate strategic communication: social media, advertising, EDM, etc.

Communications Assistant - Kering - Hong Kong, Jul 2018 – Sep 2019

• Define & implement global marketing communication campaigns from Paris to the APAC region; coordinate with the group’s 14 brands and internal departments
• Assist dept. head in managing press relations, event coordination and other clerical tasks
• Monitor and manage the Group’s social media and website for the APAC region

EDUCATION

University of Toronto, 2022- present

Master of Urban Innovation (MUI), Institute for Management and Innovation 

Regional economic development planning; local & regional government; civic engagement; sustainable urban planning

Key projects: 

1. Environmental scan: defined report objectives and methodologies, studied the best practices in climate actions from 9 Western European cities and made recommendations to the city staff at the Environment and Climate Division of the City of Toronto
2. Strategic planning analysis on the City of Mississauga: Pearson airport economic zone development, Downtown place-making, Lakeview Village cultural cluster, Hurontario LRT line 

Hong Kong Baptist University, 2014 - 2018

Bachelor (Hon.) of Social Science: European studies (French Stream)

Public policies in France and European Union; governmental and international studies; business and commerce in European Union

Sciences Po Lille - Lille, France, 2016-2017

Certificat d'études politiques (Certificate of political science studies): International Relations 

Comparative studies on political institutions; public administration in France