Entry submissions up by 56%; winners to be announced at Nov. 23rd ceremony

With the deadline closed for Award submissions, the Middle East PR Association confirmed that a record breaking 241 entries have been received for this years’ MEPRA awards. This is a 56% increase from the previous year due to the introduction of new categories and additional submissions over and above the 2015 awards. Entries have come in from across the region including United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon and Qatar across seventeen different categories.  

Participation from agencies and companies has increased tremendously, with many agencies submitting multiple entries. The most popular category this year is ‘Best Use of Media Relations’ which has received over 35 entries, followed closely by ‘Best Use of Social Media’. For individual awards, the ‘Young Communicator’ has received an outstanding response, while eleven agencies are in the running to win the most coveted ‘Agency of the Year’ award.

“We are thrilled with the substantial increase in submissions this year. Through evaluation of the various categories and consultation with industry professionals to structure the awards, we’ll bring to light this region’s creativity,” said Brian Lott, Chairman of MEPRA and Executive Director of Communications at Mubadala.  “The number of entries for the MEPRA awards demonstrates the depth of talent we have in this region and its potential.” 

Now in its eighth year, the Middle East PR Awards recognizes agencies, corporates, teams and individuals who have shown exceptional Return on Investment, creativity and strategic impact. The awards will be judged by a high caliber jury who are specialists in their respective fields and communication verticals. High priority is given to identifying the jury, who will judge the work and shortlist the winners in each category. 

The jury panel includes Jamal Al Mawed from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Aida Al Busaidy, member of the DTCM communication team as well as Leanne Blanckenberg from BMW Group Middle East and other eminent communication experts from the region.  

The Middle East PR Association will announce the shortlist for the 2016 Middle East PR Awards at a reception at Dubai Media City on 2nd November, 2016. The region’s most experienced communications teams will be short-listed across 18 categories that recognise the very best in-house, agency and youth communicators.

The winners will be declared on November 23 at the JW Marriott Marquis in Dubai during the PR industry’s end of year, glittering gala finale.