RAFKI ISMAEL AREM
Business Development manager
Jakarta
Summary
Business development and sales leader with 21+ years of experience driving revenue growth in media, digital advertising, and programmatic technology across Southeast Asia. Strong background in scaling new markets, building strategic partnerships with brands and agencies, and leading client-facing teams to exceed sales targets, with full-funnel programmatic solutions, key account management, and cross-functional collaboration with publisher and ad-operations teams.
Overview
3
3
Languages
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Sales Associate (Freelance)
Colors by Garuda Indonesia InFlight Magazine
11.2005 - Current
- Support [number] advertising campaigns monthly to help maximize revenue across in-flight magazine placements.
- Build client relationships with travel, hospitality, and retail partners to strengthen long-term advertising revenue.
- Coordinate sales outreach and proposal follow-up to support deal closure and revenue growth.
- Apply market research and competitive analysis to refine positioning for advertising opportunities.
- Managed in-flight magazine sales presentations and maintained product knowledge for passenger inquiries.
GM Client Partner SEA
Adgebra by Inuxu Digital
Jakarta
10.2024 - 10.2025
- Led the Southeast Asia business and partnership team, driving regional revenue growth and market expansion.
- Represented the company across the SEA market, establishing brand presence and forming strategic partnerships with Indonesian advertisers and agencies.
- Partnered with the Indonesian publisher team to acquire premium inventory and expand core publisher networks.
- Built and maintained strong client relationships, aligning solutions with client objectives to deliver measurable service outcomes.
- AI-powered digital advertising platform specializing in rich media banner, DOOH, native, and affiliate advertising.
- Oct 2024 – Oct 2025
- AI-powered digital advertising platform specializing in rich media banner, DOOH, native, and affiliate advertising.
- Led department managers, reinforcing accountability, coaching performance, and resolving operational issues.
Senior Client Partner
Httpool by Aleph Group for Criteo Commerce Media
Jakarta
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Led the commercial team to meet and exceed sales targets through clear direction and consistent follow-through.
- Prospected, sourced, and closed new business with brand advertisers and media agencies.
- Conducted market and competitor research to identify opportunities and shape outreach strategy.
- Attended industry events to generate new business leads and expand commercial visibility.
- Represented Criteo’s full-funnel programmatic, performance, and commerce media solutions across Aleph Group’s global network in 150+ countries.
Senior Client Partner
Entravision MediaDonuts
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Grew client portfolios by collaborating with local teams across international and national app-performance advertisers.
- Partnered with ad operations to monitor campaign delivery daily and resolve performance issues quickly.
- Supported advertisers in building, measuring, and optimizing campaigns to drive renewals and upsell revenue.
- Applied business development and sales strategy to expand opportunities and close new business.
- Used market research and competitive analysis to refine pitches and identify new market entry opportunities.
Country Sales and Partnerships Director
AARKI LLC Now RZR, a Mobile DSP platform
07.2019 - 08.2022
- Scaled Indonesia deal size from $5,000 in year one to $85,000 by year three, strengthening market revenue growth.
- Served as AARKI's primary business representative in Indonesia, building strategic partnerships with mobile app accounts.
- Aligned client KPI goals with service delivery through cross-functional collaboration to support sales targets.
- Negotiated contract terms and closed partnerships for mobile app accounts using market research and competitive analysis.
- Supported programmatic user acquisition and retargeting conversations for the mobile DSP platform, reinforcing digital advertising expertise.
Media Accounts Manager
iCarasia, Mobil123.com and Otospirit.com
07.2018 - 07.2019
- Managed key digital advertising accounts across automotive marketplace and news portals, supporting OEM, financial services, insurance, and aftermarket brands.
- Prospected new digital advertising clients and developed business through business development & sales strategy across agency and brand relationships.
- Delivered monthly, quarterly, and annual sales targets while maintaining strong client relationships and consistent account performance.
- Won the Media Sales Cup for highest sales achievement at 110%+ of target across the SEA region for two consecutive quarters.
- Aligned advertising solutions with agency and brand needs, strengthening client retention through responsive communication and cross-functional collaboration.
Senior Sales and Events Manager
Forbes Indonesia PT Wahana Mediatama
Jakarta
04.2012 - 06.2018
- Delivered year-by-year revenue growth of 120% from event revenue while maintaining target advertising performance.
- Sustained targeted advertising revenue at 90% through disciplined account management and renewals.
- Closed advertising and sponsorship deals by renewing current advertisers and upselling existing accounts.
- Developed event concepts, planned execution, and reported outcomes across Forbes Indonesia programs.
- Built client and vendor relationships while prospecting new advertisers and expanding the sales pipeline.
- Prepared proposals and marketing collateral to support new business pitches and sponsorship opportunities.
- Managed PR activities, brand awareness campaigns, and brand activations to strengthen market visibility.
Vice Executive Director
Masyarakat Ekonomi Syariah,an economic development NGO
Jakarta
01.2005 - 03.2012
- Managed annual meetings, regular programs, and conferences across the organization’s event calendar.
- Oversaw sponsorship and membership programs, developing funding initiatives to strengthen organizational revenue.
- Directed media relations and public relations efforts to raise visibility for MES initiatives and advocacy.
- Served as Project Officer for MES Indonesia Sharia Expo 2008, a national exposition spanning banking, insurance, halal foods, and tourism.
- Led the “Sukses Syariah on Ramadan” TV program with Metro TV from 2008 to 2011, growing sponsor revenue by 20% year over year and advertising revenue by 30%.
- Supported MES’s small business and Sharia finance mission through stakeholder-facing initiatives aligned with community development goals.
- Directed organizational strategy to advance Islamic economic development initiatives across diverse stakeholder groups.
Education
Bachelor of Islamic Economics - Ekonomi Islam, SE.I
UIN Syarif Hidayatullah
Jakarta01-2006
Skills
Business development & sales strategy
Digital advertising & programmatic media buying
Revenue growth & sales forecasting
Contract negotiation & deal closing
Market research & competitive analysis
Key account & client relationship management
New market entry & partnership development
Cross-functional collaboration
Team leadership
Event management & sponsorship
Interests
Traveling, adventure, movies, food
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Award: Media Sales Cup – Highest Sales Achievement, SEA Region (iCarasia)
Timeline
GM Client Partner SEA
Adgebra by Inuxu Digital
10.2024 - 10.2025
Senior Client Partner
Httpool by Aleph Group for Criteo Commerce Media
01.2023 - 07.2024
Senior Client Partner
Entravision MediaDonuts
08.2022 - 01.2023
Country Sales and Partnerships Director
AARKI LLC Now RZR, a Mobile DSP platform
07.2019 - 08.2022
Media Accounts Manager
iCarasia, Mobil123.com and Otospirit.com
07.2018 - 07.2019
Senior Sales and Events Manager
Forbes Indonesia PT Wahana Mediatama
04.2012 - 06.2018
Senior Sales Associate (Freelance)
Colors by Garuda Indonesia InFlight Magazine
11.2005 - Current
Vice Executive Director
Masyarakat Ekonomi Syariah,an economic development NGO
01.2005 - 03.2012
Bachelor of Islamic Economics - Ekonomi Islam, SE.I
UIN Syarif Hidayatullah