The Brief by MEPRA

Weber Shandwick MENAT has recently released its inaugural InfluAnswer Arabia Report . The report aims to amplify the perspectives of content creators across the Middle East and North Africa, and share insights for brands to build stronger and more powerful partnerships. Above all, it hopes to contribute to a deeper knowledge of the evolving influencer ecosystem in the region. In light of this rele...

The Cannes Festival of Creativity in June, provides a perfect backdrop to explore the celebration of creativity in the Middle East. With several representatives from the region attending, this episode dives into how regional creativity stands up against global campaigns. This episode also offers insights into the MENA region's unique perspective on creativity. Featuring: Joe Lipscombe, Partner, Th...

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore the crucial topic of mental health with PR professionals in MENA. We discuss strategies for managing stress in the fast-paced world of public relations, the importance of mental health awareness, and the support systems available within the industry. Featuring: Kate Midttun - MEPRA Chairperson, Founder & CEO, Acorn Strategy Scott Armstrong -...

In this episode of The Brief, MEPRA Executive Board Member & SVP Communications of Mubadala, Neda Shelton, speaks to Brian Lott, Chief Communications Officer at Mubadala, Chair of the Arthur W.Page Society, and former MEPRA Chair, to discuss the ESG and Stakeholder Capitalism, and the role of Communications Leaders - focusing on the recent CCO Guide released by Page.

In this episode of The Brief, MEPRA Executive Board Member & CEO of Acorn Strategy, Kate Midttun, speaks to Parry Headrick, the Founder of Crackle PR; Elise Misse, Global Communications Measurement Manager and Double‐Gold AMEC Award Winner for Global Communications Measurement and Evaluation, and last but not least Annabel Amann, Global Head of Client Experience at Acorn Strategy, to discuss t...

This episode will delve into  Mubadala’s recent campaign, “Investing in innovation: The future is here”. The exciting film explores how Mubadala is building future economies for a sustainable tomorrow, and includes interviews with leading UAE figures who have contributed significantly to the development of the UAE by leveraging advanced technology and innovative thinking. We will hear how the camp...

This episode of the brief is hosted by MEPRA Youth Board VP, Hanisha Lalwani who will interview bestselling author, creative writing lecturer and communications professional Jessica Jarlvi to discuss the power of storytelling, not only in creative writing but also as a tool to engage and connect with your audience as a brand. They also discuss the MEPRA Youth Board Creative Writing Competition, wh...

This episode of the brief will feature an interview with Jack Pearce, MEPRA Founder, former Chair and Founder of Matrix Public Relations. Taryam and Jack will take a look back to where it all began with MEPRA and how far we have come as we celebrate 20 years of supporting communications professionals in the Middle East.

This episode of the brief features an interview with Khaled Tash, Vice President Corporate Communications at Saudi Arabian Airlines ‐ SAUDIA to discuss the thriving communications industry in Saudi Arabia, opportunities for further growth and challenges to overcome. The podcast episode is hosted by Taryam Al Subaihi, MEPRA Chair and Director of Corporate Communications, EWEC.

This episode of the brief features three MEPRA Board Members who lead small and medium consultancies. They will be addressing the biggest concerns and opportunities faced by SMEs in our industry, following results from a recent survey which revealed top challenges faced, plus discussing how MEPRA and the industry can come together to help grow the sector and our profession as a whole.  Hosting the...

The 22nd episode of the brief will feature a discussion with MEPRA Treasurer and CEO of CARMA and SOCIALEYEZ, Mazen Nahawi on Clubhouse, the new social networking app making waves all across the world.  This episode is hosted by Taryam Al Subaihi, the current MEPRA Chair and Head of Corporate Communications.

In the 21st episode of The Brief, the first episode for 2021 will feature a discussion between the past and present MEPRA Chair. They will be looking back at the year that was 2020 and focusing on what’s in store for MEPRA Members and the industry in 2021.   The podcast episode is hosted by both Jonty Summers, Former MEPRA Chair & MD Hanover Middle East Co and Taryam Al Subaihi, Current MEPRA...

In this episode of The Brief, we examine how the procurement of communications services became what it is today and how to achieve the best outcomes for both sides of the fence.  The podcast episode is hosted by Kate Midttun, MEPRA Executive Board Member and Acorn Strategy Managing Director and will feature interviews with Sam Achampong, General Manager, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supp...

In this episode of The Brief, we examine the results from the 12th Annual ASDA’A BCW Arab Youth Survey, which provides insights into the hopes, aspirations and attitudes of Arab youth.  The podcast episode is hosted by MEPRA Executive Board Member and CEO of CARMA & SOCIALEYEZ, Mazen Nahawi and features interviews with Sunil John, BCW Middle East President and Founder of ASDA’A BCW and Dom Bar...

In this episode of The Brief, we examine the 2020 US Presidential Election Campaign and what it can teach us as communication professionals. The podcast episode is hosted by MEPRA Executive Board Member and APCO Worldwide MENA President, Mamoon Sbeih and features interviews with Brandon Neal, Senior Director at APCO Worldwide, Washington DC  and former Democratic Campaign Strategist, Rich Galen ‐...

This episode of The Brief features interviews with Zayed University’s Professor of Practice at College of Communication and Media Sciences, Inka Stever and students Shamma Waleed Abdulla Ali Alhammadi and Noor Rashid Hamed Al Ruzaiqi, who discuss the challenges faced by media and communications students in the wake of COVID-19. This episode is hosted by MEPRA Youth Board Vice President and Senior...

This episode of  the brief   features interviews with ADNOC’s Dr. Coni Judge and Four Communications Group Founder & and Group Managing Director, Ray Eglington, and hosted by MEPRA Chair & Managing Director, Jonty Summers, who discuss how they prepared for a return to office and helped their teams’ transition into the new normal following COVID-19 lockdown measures.

This episode of the brief features SVP & Head of Communications at Siemens Energy China, Fred Duan, and APCO Worldwide Shanghai Managing Director Jeff Astle both addressing how they prepared for and transitioned into the new normal as businesses opened their doors following COVID-19.

This episode of The Brief features an interview with health and wellness expert and 'She is Arab' speaker Dr Hanan Selim, who discusses the importance of prioritizing mental wellbeing during COVID‐19.

This episode of The Brief features members of the newly launched MEPRA Youth Board discussing the impact of the global pandemic on their teams, clients and stakeholders. We also touch upon the measures taken by agency and in-house teams to deal with remote working, its pros/cons and recovery plans for clients.

Join host Sabrina De Palma, Executive Director of MEPRA as she speaks to Majid Al Futtaim, Hanover Middle East and Edelman Middle East to discuss how comms professionals are managing the hurdles and are putting their best foot forward during the corona virus outbreak.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Camilla D’Abo talks to Margery Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman from APCO Worldwide about the lessons of motherhood, leadership and her journey so far.

MEPRA Chair, Jonty Summers speaks to CEO and Editor in Chief at the Holmes Report, Arun Sudhaman about everything from PRovoke to agency models and the global PR landscape 

We interview James Lamon, Head of Content, Buzzfeed UK

MEPRA Chair, Jonty Summers speaks to Arab News’ Editor in Chief Faisal Abbas on everything from how the media outlet become THE English voice for Arabs to uncovering his ‘Bad PR’ folder which included PR pros to avoid.