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CIPR and MEPRA launch new training programme

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has partnered with the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) to launch new training programme, MEPRA Academy. MEPRA Academy aims to provide professional development opportunities across the region and will see CIPR provide exclusive access to MEPRA members on its continuing professional development (CPD) online portal. The new academy’s courses will be led by international experts and CIPR certified senior communications professionals across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan.

“We know through our research that continued learning and internationally recognised professional accreditation is critically important to the regional public relations practitioner,” says Ray Ellington, Chairman, MEPRA. “We have developed the new MEPRA Academy and our partnership with CIPR to answer this need helping individuals develop their careers and our industry to raise its standards.”

MEPRA to host Leadership Majlis in May

The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) will host the second edition of the MEPRA Leadership Majlis at The Ritz Carlton, Abu Dhabi on May 25, 2016, bringing together industry representatives to discuss the topic of ‘The Future of Public Relations in the Middle East: Innovation, Disruption and Relevance’. With over 200 guests expected, the speaker line-up for the event includes: Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairwoman, Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi and twofour54; Peter Baumgartner, CEO, Etihad Airways and Rania Roston, Chief Innovation and Communications Officer, GE.

“The response to our inaugural Majlis was extremely positive and our programme of speakers for this year is even stronger,” says Brian Lott, Chairman, MEPRA Board. “This event showcases the unique talent we have in the region and best practices from some of our most prominent practitioners, with fresh insights into the rapid changes happening in our industry.”

CIPR and MEPRA to partner

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), a professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK, and the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA), have signed an agreement that will see Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status as well as an expanded, accredited training regimen, available to MEPRA members.

Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status is a senior professional status awarded to senior public relations professionals who can demonstrate an outstanding level of professional practice and knowledge, along with a commitment to continuous learning.

“I am delighted that through this new strategic partnership with MEPRA, public relations professionals in the Middle East will have access to the highest level of professional accreditation available,” says Sarah Pinch, President, CIPR. “I look forward to further collaboration with MEPRA, and other international partners, to work together to achieve CIPR’s stated mission of professionalising public relations, on a global scale.”

Alex Malouf, Vice-Chair, MEPRA, adds “The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has been a pioneering organisation in terms of training and development, and we support their promotion of the Chartered Practitioner status, a standard that underlines the abilities and experiences of a professional in the Public Relations industry.”

MEPRA announces recipients of the Visionary Award

Members of the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) have voted for and chosen the top executives from the communications industry, as well as the corporate and government sectors, as recipients of its Visionary Award. Tara Rogers, Managing Partner, Mojo PR, won the communications agency executive Visionary Award, while Ala’A Eraiqat, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank was chosen as the corporate Visionary Award winner. Maijida Ali Rashide, Assistant Directory General of Dubai Land Department & Head of Dubai Real Estate Promotion Centre was the recipient of the award in the government/not-for-profit sector.

The winners of the Visionary Award have been recognised for their impact and thought leadership over the previous years. The Visionary Awards were organised as part of the MEPRA Leadership Majlis, which was supported by destination partner Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau, as well as event sponsors Weber Shandwick MENA and MCG Associates.

“I’m delighted to have three remarkable communicators winning our first visionary awards,” says Brian Lott, Chairman of MEPRA. “Ala’a, Majida and Tara have all shown exemplary leadership in terms of their respective areas of business and enterprise, and they’ve ensured that effective communications are at the forefront of the work being done by their respective organisations.”

For further information, contact Carine Duvignaud at carine@mepra.org / +971 (0)55 948 7491

MEPRA announces Visionary Award shortlist

The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has named the nominees for its 2015 Visionary Award. Winners of the award, which recognises leaders for their impact and thought leadership over the previous year, will be announced on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at the MEPRA Leadership Majlis in Abu Dhabi.

Nominees have been split across three categories – Government/Not-For-Profit, Communications Agency and Corporate – and include Ibrahim Al-Zu’bi, Executive Director, Emirates Driving Association, Atul Dhawan, CEO, Sakshi Advertising & PR and Ala’a Eraiqat, Group CEO, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

For further information, visit www.mepra.org

MEPRA Awards 2013 set to be biggest yet

Tonight’s Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards are set to be the biggest yet with a record 150 entries received – a marked increase on previous years. The Awards, which are to be held at The Westin Dubai, recognise and reward excellence in the PR industry.

“We were greatly encouraged to see the increase in the number of companies and individuals submitting entries this year,” says MEPRA’s General Manager, Carine Duvignaud. “More impressive though was the quality of the submissions. As a consequence the judging panel had a hard task to narrow down the finalists.”

Agency Finalists include: DABO &CO; Golin Harris; Leocomm PR; GMASCO: Four Communications; ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller; Ketchum RAAD Middle East: Edelman: Memac Ogilvy PR: Weber Shandwick MENA; Leocomm PR; Limelight PR;  Action Global Communications: Capital MS&L: Mojo PR: TishTash PR: Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

The full list of MEPRA Awards Finalists is detailed below:

Best Practice -Sectors & Services

Consumer Goods

  • DABO &CO: “Kate Spade New York”
  • Golin Harris: “Kraft Original Treasures of Arabia”
  • Leocomm PR: “The Launch of HTC One”
  • GMASCO: “LEXUS Passion Pioneers”
  • GMASCO: “Your Opinion Counts”

Consumer Services

  • Troon Golf and Four Communications: “The Dhabi that Roared!”
  • ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller: “McDonald’s Nutrition Labelling Launch”

Healthcare & Services

  • Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Safe @ Heart”
  • Edelman: “Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Employee Engagement”
  • Memac Ogilvy PR Algeria: “Hidden Faces of Diabetes”

Business to Business

  • State Government of Victoria and Four Communications: “On a Mission”
  • NATS and Four Communications: “Going Up a Level”
  • Weber Shandwick MENA: “Hot Commodity”
  • Leocomm PR: “du Enterprise PR Strategy -Answers for Tomorrow’s Business”
  • Limelight PR: “Launching CCS in the Middle East”

Government Communications

  • Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development and Four Communications: “Bright Sparks”
  • Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Four Communications: “Unlocking the UAE’s Natural Energy”
  • ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller: “Government Summit 2013”

Corporate Reputation & Image

  • Weber Shandwick MENA: “Standard and Poor’s -Reclaiming Leadership”
  • ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller: “Arab Aviation and Media Summit 2013”
  • London Business School and Four Communications: “London Business School”

Internal Communications

  • TAQA: “One TAQA Day”
  • Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Hello Hakawati!”
  • Action Global Communications: “Above & Beyond”

Corporate Responsibility

  • Glasspoint and Four Communications / Antenna Group: “Focus!”
  • Capital MS&L: “Sustainable Bathroom in the UAE Competition”
  • Weber Shandwick MENA: “Awareness of Fire Safety Risks in the Gulf”
  • Mojo PR: “Summertown Interiors”

 

Best Practice -Techniques

Best Use of Sponsorship

  • Weber Shandwick MENA: “Jaguar Style Stakes at Dubai World Cup 2013”
  • Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Unlock the Race with Infiniti”
  • Mojo PR: “Hong Kong Tourism Board”

Best Product/Service Launch

  • DABO & CO: “The Launch of Nokia Lumia”
  • JW Marriott Marquis: “Vault”
  • Mojo PR: “Eureeca”

Best Use of Media Relations – Consumer or Trade

  • Weber Shandwick MENA: “Gulf Business Machines – 2013 IT Security”
  • Weber Shandwick MENA: “Stars of Science Season 4”
  • DABO & CO: “Canon at Gulf Print 2013”
  • Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Four Communications: “Selling Ras
  • Al Khaimah”
  • British Council and Four Communications: “Going Global”
  • Victoria International School of Sharjah and Four Communications: “Leading the Way”
  • Mojo PR: “Tiffany & Co”
  • TishTash PR: “Summer Celebrity GlamBox”

Best Use of Social Media/ Digital PR

  • Memac Ogilvy PR Dubai: “Sprite Min Al Akhir”
  • JW Marriott Marquis: “Izakaya at JW Marriott Marquis”
  • Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and Four Communications: “Unlocking the UAE’s Natural Energy”

Best Live Event/Stunt

  • Etisalat: “mHealth Grand Tour”
  • Edelman: “Building the Next Generation of Emirati Leaders”
  • Edelman: “Blackberry 10 Global Launch”
  • Hill+Knowlton Strategies: “Hammam Shami”
  • Ketchum RAAD Middle East: “Launch and Sustain Campaign of the 2013 Infiniti JX in the Middle East”
  • Tourism Ireland and Four Communications: “The Gathering Greening”

Best Integrated Campaign

  • Tourism Ireland and Four Communications: “St Patrick’s Week”
  • Edelman: “Qasr Al Hosn Festival”
  • DABO & CO & Marriott International: “The Launch of the JW Marriott Marquis”
  • Mojo PR: ” A Taste of Singapore”

Overall Best Campaign of the Year

  • Category NOT opened for entries. Winner will be announced at the Gala Event

Agency of the year

  • Seven Media
  • Four Communications
  • Edelman
  • Weber Shandwick MENA
  • Ketchum RAAD Middle East
  • Mojo PR

In-house Team of the Year (Sponsored by Edelman)

  • Mubadala
  • Etihad Airways