The CIPR International Group will host a webinar on the State of PR in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) on 8 December.
The session will focus on the opportunities which major events are creating for the PR industry in the region and how communicators can effectively reflect the increasing significance of the region globally. It will also address key questions including: what risks do such events present? How can communicators engage people to act? And influence governments to enforce policies?
Speaking in advance of the event, CIPR International Group member Saad Alrubaiaan, who will moderate the session, commented: “The MENA region has been getting attention recently due to hosting Dubai Expo, two upcoming COP summits in Egypt (2022) and UAE (2023), the Qatar World Cup 2022 and other major events. So, it is becoming a matter of high interest for communicators to explore what opportunities are these events creating for the PR industry in the region.”
In terms of the insights to be obtained from joining the session, Saad highlighted that the aim was to have, firstly, an open dialogue between the regional and international practitioners on the state of PR in this vibrant market and, secondly, an accurate diagnosis and realistic outlook of the region’s PR industry. “The session will bring together a diverse line up of guest speakers and attendees, including seasoned communicators, academics and practitioners from both agency and client sides,” he added.
Saad will be joined by two leading PR experts from the region, Dana Al Mubaidin Adnani, CEO and Founder of DA Buzz Consulting, and Mohamed Al Ayed, Chief Executive Officer at TRACCS.
Dana has more than 20 years’ experience working in corporate affairs with a focus on communications and building partnerships. She led Communications for Uber, Jumia, Microsoft, Nokia Dow and Coca-Cola in the MEA Region and sat on their regional leadership teams.
Mohamed has been engaged in public relations practice in the Middle East for more than three decades and came to prominence in 1998 when he established TRACCS in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 25 years, he has grown the operation into the largest public relations network in the MENA region with 14 offices across 13 markets, serving a diversified portfolio of international brands, leading local companies, government agencies and NGOs.
Commenting on the event, Samantha Seewoosurrun, Chair of CIPR International Group, said: “The eyes of the world have been on the MENA region recently and it has become of increasing relevance to PR practitioners and their clients across the globe. I am really looking forward to hearing the expert insights of our panel on the state of play in PR in this dynamic region and would strongly encourage PR practitioners from across the world to attend.”
The webinar will be held on 8 December from 1.30 to 2.30pm GMT and is free to attend for both CIPR members and non-members, who can register here.
CIPR members can also log 5 CPD points for attending the session.
