Ayaz Farooqi
@ayazfarooqi
I am a content & copywriter, editor, proofreader, transcriber, & virtual assistant with extensive experience working with local/international clients.
What I'm looking for
I am recognized as a dependable & competent writer, editor, proofreader, transcriber, and virtual assistant known for swift turnaround times. As a freelance virtual assistant, I manage LinkedIn accounts, handle email and WordPress database work, insert SEO meta tags, upload and categorize large volumes of speaker data, and research highly relevant events to support clients’ speaking goals.
Before being a virtual assistant, I strengthened my voice and precision in senior copywriting and editorial roles—covering everything from advertisement headlines and TVC subtitling to speech writing, documentaries, press releases, and voluminous documents like annual reports and coffee table books.
Initially, I contributed regularly to sports magazines, newspapers, & newsletters. Later, I had the privilege of working with the late Mr. Omar Kureishi, a legendary writer and one of the pioneers of English commentary in the region.
I then worked for the country’s pioneering event management company, at a time when it was stepping into the advertising industry. Equipped with a diverse & well-rounded skillset, I moved on to serve a few high-profile advertising agencies with international credentials.
I simultaneously worked on building a global freelance presence. I contributed as a local correspondent for international websites and also provided proofreading services for a Japan-based translation company. Over time, I assisted a well-known Hong Kong–based master of Daoism and Metaphysics in vetting his chronicles and worked as a virtual assistant for a globally recognized American author, trainer, and professional speaker. My responsibilities included drafting & revising his Wikipedia biography to meet strict editorial standards, publishing the same on the website, managing his LinkedIn account to market his services, researching global speaking and training opportunities, and supporting various digital tasks. This collaboration introduced me to several other American professional speakers, for whom I researched and identified suitable global events that matched their expertise.
Recently, I have been working with an American entrepreneur. I manage her WordPress-based website database and assist her with tasks aimed at expanding the website’s reach.
My focus is to continue delivering reliable writing, editing, proofreading, transcribing, and virtual assistant services for clients across the globe. Whether you need help refining content, managing research-driven tasks, or supporting projects behind the scenes, my goal is to make your work clearer, stronger, and easier—every step of the way.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Sr. English Copywriter & Proofreader
IAL Saatchi & Saatchi
Jan 2022 - Present (4 years 4 months)
Worked as a senior English copywriter and proofreader, responsible for copywriting and ensuring the accuracy of client and marketing text.
Freelance Virtual Assistant
Freelance
Jan 2016 - Present (10 years 4 months)
Provided virtual assistant support to international clients, proofreading and editing books, managing social media accounts, and writing content and copy. Completed SEO work including adding meta tags across 100+ website pages and uploading ~400 speaker records (with consistent 400x400 headshots), plus event research for ~200 and ~100 candidate speaker events.
Sr. English Copywriter
Ogilvy & Mather Pakistan
Jan 2015 - Jan 2022 (7 years)
Performed senior English copywriting responsibilities, supporting creation and refinement of advertising and client materials through editing and proofreading.
Creative Manager & Editor
BBCL (Pvt) Ltd
Jan 2001 - Jan 2015 (14 years)
Led creative and editorial work, supporting the managing director with speeches and client communication while coordinating across media, client service, corporate, and event management teams. Developed speeches and press releases, produced documentary scripts, and managed publication workflows from editing through layout coordination to final proofreading for books, annual reports, newsletters, a
Web Content Writer
Samtech Research (Pvt) Ltd
Jan 2000 - Jan 2001 (1 year)
Wrote and managed web content for e-commerce websites by planning and coordinating team activities, conducting research, and producing content. Evaluated manuscripts from freelance writers and supported quality control for published materials.
IT Consultant / Content Writer
GlobalSoft (Pvt) Ltd
Jan 1999 - Jan 2000 (1 year)
Supported software-house communications by planning page layouts and proofreading final copy for the quarterly newsletter. Contributed as an IT consultant and content writer while working within a KPMG-managed environment.
Associate Editor / Acting Editor
Sportsweek
Jan 1997 - Jan 1999 (2 years)
Served as associate editor and acting editor from 1998 onward, planning and coordinating weekly publication activities and writing cover stories, editorials, and features. Supervised page layout and performed final proofreading while selecting and editing content and coordinating with local and foreign correspondents, including Reuters/AFP-sourced material.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Ora-Tech System (Pvt) Ltd.
Diploma (Oracle), Oracle
Completed a six-month Diploma (Oracle) at Ora-Tech System (Pvt) Ltd., Karachi in 1998.
University of Karachi
Postgraduate Diploma (Computer Science), Computer Science
Completed a one-year PGD in Computer Science at Karachi University in 1991.
Quaid-e-Azam University
Master of Science (Physics), Physics
Grade: B (3.2 GPA)
Earned an M.Sc. in Physics from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad in 1990 (3.2 GPA, B grade).
DJ College
Bachelor of Science
Grade: 2 division
Completed B.Sc. at DJ College, Karachi in 1987 (2 division).
Adamjee College
Intermediate (Pre-Engineering), Pre-Engineering
Grade: 1 division
Completed Inter (Pre-Engineering) at Adamjee College, Karachi in 1983 (1 division).
Cathedral High School
Matriculation
Grade: A+ (1 division)
Completed Matriculation at Cathedral High School, Lahore in 1981 (A+ grade, 1 division).
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
Skills
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