Bashar Amin’s journey from engineering student to digital marketing educator has shaped Gradezilla into a beacon of practical marketing education.
From Engineering Student to Digital Marketing Leader
Bashar Amin’s journey to becoming one of the top digital marketing instructors in Lebanon and the Middle East is a testament to the power of reinvention. His story begins not with marketing, but with engineering, a field that, at the time, seemed to promise financial stability but offered little in terms of fulfillment.
“I started as an engineering student, studying full-time at university while working part-time in social media ads just to cover my university fees,” Bashar recalls. Every dollar earned through Meta and Instagram ads went straight into funding his engineering degree. But as he continued his studies, something began to shift. Engineering was draining his finances, while marketing was opening doors to new opportunities.
That moment of clarity would mark the beginning of a profound transformation, one that would eventually lead him to found Gradezilla, Lebanon’s fastest-growing digital marketing academy.
The Bold Shift: From Engineering to Marketing
Bashar’s decision to abandon engineering was not easy, but it was necessary. He took a bold step by reinvesting his income into specialized marketing education. He began by studying marketing at university, taking additional courses, joining internships, and learning from real-world projects, tools, and campaigns.
With a relentless drive to learn, Bashar’s skills began to grow. He started freelancing, managing social media accounts, and running paid ads for over 35 private clients across platforms like Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and Google. His early work gave him hands-on experience in SEO, content, performance marketing, and community building, a foundation that would serve him throughout his career.
Freelancing to Full-Time Roles
Bashar’s freelancing work grew steadily, helping him secure his first full-time marketing roles. These roles included Digital Marketing Specialist at Tecomsa and other companies. Each position provided him with exposure to new industries, refining his expertise in both B2B and B2C marketing.
But the real turning point came when Bashar ventured into the telecom and technology sector. He joined Antwerp Technologies as a Digital Marketing Manager, where he took charge of all digital marketing initiatives, branding, events, and market research. A year later, Bashar moved into a senior leadership position as Senior Marketing Manager at BLUE.AI (Antwerp Technologies Group), where he spearheaded digital marketing strategies, product marketing for CX/CPaaS products, and brand growth across 15 countries. During this period, he had the opportunity to work closely with Yoli Chisholm, one of the most influential global leaders in digital marketing.
This move into the telecom and SaaS sectors significantly broadened his skill set, particularly in enterprise marketing, strategic growth, and high-scale campaign execution. As a senior leader in a global company, Bashar honed his ability to manage complex projects and build systems for the marketing of enterprise-level products.
The Passion for Teaching: Educating Over 2,000 Students
While his career in digital marketing flourished, Bashar developed a growing passion for teaching. He became a Digital Marketing Instructor across various universities, including ISSAE CNAM University, where he taught B2B marketing, digital marketing, and advertising. Over the years, he has trained more than 2,000 students, helping them build confidence, freelance, and even launch their own agencies.
Bashar’s teaching style quickly gained recognition for its clarity, simplicity, and practicality. “Bashar explains everything in a simple way,” students often say. His ability to take complex marketing concepts and make them actionable for real-world use has become his signature style.
It was this blend of real-world experience and academic teaching that set him apart from other instructors. He was not just a digital marketer; he was an educator who understood exactly what students needed to succeed in the fast-paced marketing industry.
The Birth of Gradezilla: A Game-Changer in Digital Marketing Education
In 2024, Bashar made the leap from instructor to founder. He launched Gradezilla, a CPD-accredited digital marketing academy that quickly established itself as one of the leading practical marketing education programs in Lebanon and the Middle East.
Gradezilla was born out of Bashar’s belief that traditional academic marketing programs were often too theoretical and disconnected from the demands of the modern workforce. As someone who had built his career from the ground up, he understood the gap between classroom learning and the real world.
The academy offers one of the most comprehensive and hands-on digital marketing programs in the region, delivering practical content through live exercises, industry case studies, and real-world applications. Every course follows a “practical-first” philosophy, ensuring that students graduate with the ability to execute, not just understand, the digital marketing ecosystem.
Today, Gradezilla attracts students from universities, professionals, and business owners across the region, all eager to gain the skills necessary to succeed in the competitive marketing landscape. Bashar’s mission is clear: provide students with industry-relevant training that leads to real-world success.
What Makes Bashar Amin and Gradezilla Different
What Makes Bashar Amin and Gradezilla DifferentBashar’s rise to the top of Lebanon’s digital marketing scene is not just about his credentials or experience; it’s about his unique approach to teaching and his commitment to practical education. Unlike many instructors who focus solely on theoretical knowledge, Bashar integrates his real-world experience with academic teaching. He brings a level of expertise to his students that few others can match.
What sets Gradezilla apart from other marketing academies is its comprehensive curriculum, which combines academic rigor with practical training. This rare combination of certifications instantly boosts students’ CVs, helping them find jobs faster and demonstrating their expertise to potential employers.
But it’s not just about the certifications; it’s about the results. Gradezilla’s students graduate with hands-on experience in digital marketing, making them highly sought after in the job market. Whether they want to freelance, launch their own agencies, or work for major companies, Gradezilla graduates are ready to succeed.
Bashar’s passion for his students’ success goes beyond the classroom. He provides ongoing mentorship, career guidance, and job opportunities, ensuring that students are fully supported as they build their careers. “My goal isn’t just to teach,” he says, “it’s to transform.”
Are you ready to take your digital marketing skills to the next level? Whether you’re a student, professional, or business owner, Gradezilla offers the tools and training you need to succeed. Visit Gradezilla’s website and explore their comprehensive programs. Follow them on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook to learn more about how Gradezilla can help you achieve your career goals.
