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Campaign ME
07-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Agency of The Year Middle East 2025: First wave of judges
Campaign Middle East has revealed the first round of judges for the fourth edition of its annual Agency of the Year Middle East 2025 awards. This first wave of 11 judges have been selected for their seniority, cross-sector expertise and sharp understanding of the media, advertising, marketing and communications industries. They've built brands, led strategy, and navigated the shifting currents of media and marketing in the Middle East. Now, they're turning their attention to the region's best agencies. Winning an Agency of The Year Middle East 2025 award gives your agency exposure and positions how effectively it works in front of potential clients. Shortlists and winners will be given editorial coverage in Campaign Middle East, with more than 20k newsletter subscribers and 90,000 monthly page views. Being shortlisted provides a unique platform to promote your agency and talent and boost morale. Integrity is a core component behind awarded recognition and Campaign Middle East is committed to ensuring that the judging is fair, trustworthy, and ethical. MediaSense audits our judging process to ensure judges' decisions are objective and based only on the entry in front of them. Enter now for a chance to be recognised as the best in the region. Entries can be made at a discounted rate for the early bird deadline of August 7, 2025. To download the full entry kit, click here. To assist with the entry process, Campaign Middle East in partnership with Haymarket Media Group is hosting a free-of-cost awards clinic webinar on Thursday, July 10. Click here to sign up. We asked the first wave of judges to share some tips entrants should consider when they create their entries for the Agency of The Year Middle East 2025 awards. Here's what they had to say: Khaled Al Shehhi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, UAE Government Media Office 'Tell the story behind the numbers. This award isn't about campaigns; it's about your agency as a business. Show how you achieved what you did, what challenges you faced, and how your people made it happen.' Jon Barber, Vice President – Marketing & Communications , TECOM Group 'Tell a compelling story with clarity and focus. Make sure your objectives, strategy, execution, and results are clearly linked and backed by evidence.' Beatriz Bendetti, Head of Marketing MENA, BRF 'Choose your best business cases, which you are most proud of and which represent the agency's culture, and be clear when presenting the main results.' Ahmed El Gamal, Partner & Co-founder / Executive Director of Marketing, Mr. Regimen 'What I'd like to see is why this problem mattered and the impact your work had in the real world. Be it brand, human, or commercial, every business has a number of challenges, but it's how you overcome these challenges that makes your case interesting.' Melanie De Souza, Destination Marketing – Executive Director, Royal Commission for AlUla 'Tangible demonstration of how excellence and integrated marketing deliver against business objectives with qualified and quantified KPIs.' Tiya Fazelbhoy, Global Marketing – Hydration, Sports & Teas, The Coca-Cola Company 'Structure your entry to tell a compelling story of how your agency strategically planned and executed initiatives that not only aligned with your client's clear objectives but also drove significant revenue and record-breaking results.' Loay Nour, VP, Brand & Marketing Communications, Accor – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts 'Demonstrate your KPIs and define how did you measure success.' Wassim Derbi, Head of Marketing & Brand Communication, Hyundai Motors UAE 'Focus on quantifiable results. Back up every claim with hard data, metrics, and client testimonials that demonstrate tangible success. Highlight your agency's values, diverse talent, and collaborative environment. Give yourself ample time to gather information, write, and refine your submission.' Manoj Khimji, Managing Director, The Vantage 'Be concise and prioritise the key points of the entry. Use design to draw attention to the main highlights of your presentation. Keep the entry 'real' such that judges can feel a connection to the work and the agency through the deck.' Ramzi Atat, Head of Marketing & PR, Lotus Cars 'A strong entry isn't about listing everything you've done, It's about telling a sharp, emotionally engaging story that clearly connects creativity to commercial impact. Be bold, be selective, and most importantly, make us feel something.' Nicola Porter, Executive Editor, Bloomberg Media 'Ensure the entry articulates your USP – what makes your agency stand out against the rest and what impact did it have.' To stay updated with judges announcements for the Agency of the Year Middle East 2025 awards, click here.
Zawya
05-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kate Midttun re-elected as Middle East Public Relations Association Chairperson for second term
Dubai, UAE: The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has announced the re-election of Kate Midttun, Founder & CEO of Acorn Strategy, as Chairperson for a second consecutive term. Jon Barber, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at TECOM Group Dubai, has also been re-elected as Vice Chair. Both leaders were first elected in 2022 and will continue to drive MEPRA's vision for growth, excellence, and industry advancement across the region for the next two years. Under their leadership, MEPRA has gone from strength to strength, expanding its influence and impact across the Middle East. The association has seen a significant increase in membership, welcoming more agencies, corporates, and individual professionals into its growing community. Key industry partnerships have been strengthened, with MEPRA establishing a strong presence in Kuwait through its participation in the Kuwait Summit in 2024 and expanding its footprint in Qatar with the inaugural MEPRA Qatar Leadership Majlis set to take place on 26 February in Doha. The past year marked MEPRA's most successful awards ceremony to date, with a record-breaking number of entries and attendees. In a major milestone, MEPRA also launched its Artificial Intelligence Guidelines in both Arabic and English, further solidifying its role as a thought leader in the industry. 'Leading MEPRA over the past two years has been an honour, and I am delighted to continue in this role. Our industry is evolving rapidly, and MEPRA remains committed to driving excellence, fostering innovation, and supporting PR professionals across the region. With our continued growth and ambitious plans for 2025, we are excited to build on this momentum and make an even greater impact,' said Kate Midttun, Chairperson of MEPRA. Alongside the reappointment of the Chair and Vice Chair, MEPRA has also announced the promotion of Dalya Mohamed to General Manager. Over the past three years, Dalya has played a pivotal role in driving MEPRA's growth and success, working closely with the board to expand the association's reach and deliver impactful initiatives. Jon Barber, Vice Chair of MEPRA added, 'The past two years have been a period of significant growth and transformation for MEPRA. From record-breaking events to deeper regional engagement, we have made great strides in strengthening our industry. As we look to the future, our focus remains on expanding MEPRA's reach, providing valuable opportunities for our members, and ensuring that the PR and communications profession in the Middle East continues to thrive.' With strong leadership in place, MEPRA is set to build on its successes and continue shaping the future of public relations and communications in the region. About the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA): MEPRA is the leading industry body for the public relations and communications industry in the Middle East, with over 1,000 members. Founded in 2001, MEPRA drives growth, sets standards of excellence, and fosters a strong, connected community of PR professionals. For more information visit Contact: Dalya Mohamed - dalya@
