MEPRA Awards 2024: Celebrating PR Excellence and Innovation
The 16th Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards showcased the pinnacle of public relations and communication excellence on November 28, 2024. Attended by over 550 guests, the event featured 62 leading agencies and professionals competing across 53 categories, highlighting transformative achievements in PR and communications.
With 770 entries reviewed by a distinguished panel of 130 industry veterans, the MEPRA Awards 2024 spotlighted campaigns that excelled in strategy, creativity, and impact.
Key Winners and Recognitions
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Agency Achievements:
- Memac Ogilvy led the night with 27 awards.
- Gambit Communications followed with 22 titles.
- Weber Shandwick secured 16 awards.
Special Honors:
- Chairman’s Award: Mr. Jamal Al Mawed, Founder & Managing Director of Gambit Communications.
- In-House Team of the Year: Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.
Sector Highlights:
- Best B2B Campaign: Dubai Holding’s Gift It Forward Ramadan Campaign 2024.
- Best Fashion & Technology Campaign: Snap Inc and Weber Shandwick MENAT’s TASAWAR-Taking the Runway.
- Best Government Communications: Burson’s I Care Campaign.
- Best Education Campaign: Memac Ogilvy and Qatar Foundation.
Service Category:
- Best Crisis Communication: Matrix Public Relations.
- Best Retail Campaign: Gambit Communications and City Centre Mirdif.
- Best Consumer Services Campaign: Weber Shandwick MENAT and Careem Kuwait.
- Best Use of Social Media: Current Global MENAT and MullenLowe.
Outstanding Achievements:
- Large Agency of the Year: Memac Ogilvy.
- Medium Agency of the Year: Gambit Communications.
- Small Agency of the Year: Matrix Public Relations.
- Homegrown Agency of the Year: Gambit Communications (third win since 2021).
- Best Communicator of the Year: Iman Isa of Burson.
- Young Communicator of the Year: Rebecca Rego from Edelman.
- Outstanding Student Campaign: Astha Kurup, Arvy Moga, and Jared Rallos of Murdoch University Dubai.
Industry Insights and Partner Contributions
Kate Midttun, Chairperson of MEPRA, emphasized the region’s continued leadership in innovation and storytelling:
"The Middle East's PR industry stands out for its creative storytelling and strategic use of AI and technology to reach new audiences. This year's winners exemplify resilience and adaptability in navigating challenges."
The event was supported by key partners, including Weber Shandwick as Diamond Partner, Memac Ogilvy, and MSL Group Middle East as Platinum Partners, alongside other notable organizations.
