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Let’s Talk Cairo agenda revealed

Dubai-based PR, marketing and communications agency, Fekra Communications has revealed the agenda for the Cairo edition of its industry event series, Let’s Talk Crisis Communications Forum. The conference will take place from November 6 -7, 2017 at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Cairo, Egypt and host several leading communication and media experts from Egypt and across the region to come together and shed light on one of the industry’s most important topics. The forum will feature speakers from a diverse group of industries including international organisations, government, tourism, media, telecom and FMCGs to share their insights and best practice on how to protect an organisation’s reputation. The full list of speakers can be found on letstalkevent.com.

“With the continuing evolution of communication platforms, news and word of mouth spread faster and even wilder than it used to a decade ago,” says Mohammed El Batta, Managing Director, Fekra Communications. “Today we live in a world where both government and corporate reputations are more fragile and where crises seem to be occurring more frequently. One of the biggest challenges for communication professionals is the early recognition of crisis and how to successfully manage it using effective communication techniques.”

Speakers announced for inaugural Let’s Talk event

Fekra Communications reveals speakers for the upcoming event, ‘Let’s Talk: Crisis Communications.’ Under the patronage of Sheikh Juma bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, the event is set to take place from March 8-9, 2017 at The Address Hotel Dubai Mall.

The panel of speakers will include:

  • Samer Costantini, Advisor at UAE Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority
  • Mazen Nahawi, Chief Executive Officer at CARMA
  • Saada Hammad, Regional PR Director at Ogilvy PR
  • Hassan Fattah, Partner at Brunswick Group
  • Moustafa Hamwi, Author and Speaker
  • Fakher Daghestani, Communications Regional Director at Boeing
  • Ahmed Naguib, Founder and CEO at El Masna3
  • Hicham El Amrani, Managing Director at ACG Communication & Training Consulting
  • Alexander McNabb, Digital Media & Communications Consultant
  • Maya Hojeij, Senior Bulletin Editor & Presenter at Dubai Media Incorporated
  • Rasha Kashkoush, Head of Communications MENA at Facebook
  • Saad Al Rubaiaan, Government Communication Advisor
  • Leila Hatoum, Senior Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Newsweek ME
  • Angus MacCormick, Vice President of Emerging Markets at vArmour
  • Mamoon Sbeih, Managing Director – Arab Region at APCO Worldwide
  • Fadl El Tarzi, Chief Executive Officer at Socialeyez
  • Brandy Scott, Presenter at Dubai Eye
  • Jonathan Shillington, Managing Director at Grayling Middle East
  • Khaled Abdulla, Head of Corporate Communication at Barclays MENA
  • Mohamed Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer at Mawarid Finance
  • Khaled Hassan, Digital Marketing Director at IBM
  • Fadi Salem, Research Fellow at Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.

Let’s Talk reveals agenda for upcoming event

‘Let’s Talk’, a newly launched event series for media and communications professionals announces the agenda of its upcoming event, Crisis Communication: Riding out the Storm – Trends, Challenges & Best Practices. Taking place from March 8-9, 2017 at the Address Hotel Dubai Mall, the event aims to provide a platform for industry professionals to discuss the factors that impact an organisation’s crisis communication strategy.

On the first day of the event, an opening panel featuring industry experts will discuss crisis communication in the region and highlight the need for training in the field. The event will also host an agency-client debate on the level of consultancy services in crisis communication in the region. Following the UAE event, the same theme will be implemented across all events under the first phase of ‘Let’s Talk’ that will take place in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt in 2017.

The UAE conference will be followed by a training workshop taking place on March 9, 2017, which aims to educate and train participants on crisis management.

“We are thrilled to launch this initiative across the region,” says Mohammed El-Batta, Managing Director, Fekra Communications. “It is an unorthodox approach to crisis communication where we are looking at more niche, focused topics to discuss this year. The world is clearly going through several shocks this year such as Brexit, the US elections and hence changing the rules of the game. Our region is also witnessing immense economic, social and geopolitical volatility. Leaders’ ability to handle crises and maintain clear and present communication has never been more important.”

FIVE MINUTE FOCUS – LET’S TALK!

With the launch of the new industry event series, ‘Let’s Talk!’, TMN sits down with Mohammed El-Batta, Managing Director, Fekra Communications to find out more about what the industry can expect from the upcoming events…

Tell us a bit about Fekra Communications and your new event series.

Fekra Communications is a marketing communications consultancy offering communications and creative services to clients across the Middle East.

We’re launching a series of industry related events across the region under the title ‘Let’s Talk!’ that aims to bring together top communications and media experts, senior officials and policy makers to shed light on the hottest topics in the industry.

‘Let’s Talk!’ is designed to present today’s professionals with an expert perspective and learning opportunities on the latest trends. From preeminent thinkers whose work has defined the industry, to the rising stars who will redefine the way we think about business. It will provide a platform for the industry’s leading minds to share insights and best practices on how to protect an organisation’s reputation.

What inspired you to launch this new event series in the Middle East?

The Middle East is a highly diversified region where culture, media practices and expectations vary to a large degree. While the region hosts a growing number of talented professionals and experts with invaluable experience, unfortunately, this type of experience often goes undocumented. For that reason, we were inspired to launch this new franchise out of the need to connect the dots and fill in the gaps.

We believe that the best knowledge in any field is the knowledge accumulated first hand. One can read so many books, but we tend to learn better in an interactive environment. Learning also happens when one shares experiences and listens to different perspectives, via conversation.

We do not claim that our events focus on educating the media industry. Rather, we feel that there is a wealth of experience untapped and we’re stepping in to highlight it for everyone’s benefit. We learn from each other.

What will be the topic of discussion of the first series of events?

There will be an industry-specific topic for each event. The first series of events will focus on crisis communications. With the continuing evolution of communication platforms, news and word of mouth spread faster and even wilder than it used to a decade ago.

Today we live in a world where both government and corporate reputations are more fragile and where crises seem to be occurring more frequently. One of the biggest challenges for communication professionals is the early recognition of crises and how to successfully manage it using effective communication techniques.

‘Let’s Talk: Crisis Communications’ will bring together top communications and media experts, senior officials and policy makers to shed light on the right steps to take in a crisis and how to turn them into opportunities for exposure, marketing and enhancing corporate image. The conference will also be held in Cairo, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia this year.

Can you give us details about your target market and audience?

Our target market is the UAE, the GCC region as well as Egypt and Levant. The targeted audience are communication professionals, whether in the government or corporate world. The event should bring together PR agencies, government officials, journalists, social media strategists and bloggers which makes an interesting mix for fruitful and invaluable discussions.

When and where will the first event of the series take place?

The first event will take place from March 8 – 9 in Dubai, The Address Hotel Dubai Mall. Registration is now open online through our website. We have two registration options: Day one conference only and two days conference + workshop training.

Please tell us about the speakers and presenters that will participate in ‘Let’s Talk!’?

We have a wide array of expert speakers from the corporate world, government, PR & digital agencies and consultants in addition to media.

Our list of speakers currently includes names from Boeing International, Facebook, Brunswick Group, Ogilvy PR, Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Authority, Grayling, Dubai TV, Newsweek ME, Dubai Eye, APCO Worldwide, Carma, Social Eyez, vArmour, DarkMatter, ACG Communication & Training Consulting, El Masna3, in addition to renowned government advisors and digital consultants.

We are constantly updating this list and still in the process of adding more speakers!

Can industry professionals of the region participate as speakers or presenters at the event?

Yes, of course, we welcome professionals from the region to come on board as speakers or presenters. You can email us and and tell us a bit about yourself and what you would like to speak about. Someone from the organising team will get in touch with you as soon as we receive the expression of interest.

Did you face any challenges while launching the event across four countries?

Not really, thanks to Fekra’s extensive network and partners, launching the event across the four countries has not been difficult. We look forward to seeing the events come to life one after another this year and the years to follow.

What is the reaction you expect by hosting these events?

We expect valuable sharing of knowledge, experience and best practices, intensive networking to take place, probably leading to the emerging of new business partnerships or cooperation between the attendees and most importantly, enhancing the experience of communications professionals and making an impact on the collective performance of the industry.

What does the future hold for ‘Let’s Talk!’?

Depending on the right market, topic and demand, we may consider other markets in the future.

New industry event series launches

Dubai-based PR, marketing and communications agency, Fekra Communications has launched a new industry-related event series called Let’s Talk! With the first event to take place in March 2017, the new division aims to bring together communication and media experts of the region as well as senior officials and policy makers to shed light on trending topics in the industry.

“We are truly delighted with the recent launch of our new industry events arm in the region,” says Mohammed El Batta, Managing Director, Fekra Communications. “Our conferences are designed to present today’s professionals with an expert perspective and learning opportunity that they need to keep abreast of the latest trends and stay competitive in this digitally wired world. From the preeminent thinkers whose work has defined the field to the rising stars who will redefine the way we think about our business, our conferences will offer a platform for the industry’s leading minds to share their insights and best practices.”