Speakers Announced For Fifth MEPRA Leadership Majlis In Partnership With National Media Council

The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) today announced its line up of speakers for its fifth Leadership Majlis, a major communications conference to be held in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the National Media Council and hosted by Mubadala Investment Company

ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 22nd Apr, 2019) The middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) today announced its line up of speakers for its fifth Leadership Majlis, a major communications conference to be held in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the National Media Council and hosted by Mubadala Investment Company.

The conference will explore how communication professionals can remain relevant in a time of change for the industry and will include speakers from the UK Government, Vice Media, The National, ADNOC, Etihad Aviation Group, PRWeek, Alroeya, UNCHR, Page Society, Alvarez & Marsal plus the key sponsors: National Media Council and Mubadala.

The event, which will be held on 2nd May 2019 at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, is expected to bring together more than 200 senior communication professionals to address the industry’s biggest challenges, trends and opportunities. Session topics include behavioural change communications, organisational transformation, the changing face of modern media, the future of communications, embracing the Year of Tolerance and more. The event will also provide a plenty of opportunities to network with the industry’s elite.

As the event’s platinum partner, the National Media Council will deliver the opening session and address the importance of communications in today’s turbulent world.

Speaking on his upcoming keynote address and second year of the milestone partnership with MEPRA, Mansour Al Mansouri, Director General, National Media Council, said: "The world is undergoing rapid changes as modern technologies catalyse the development of various sectors, most notably the communications sector with its internal working mechanisms and the public behavioural patterns surrounding it. This calls for constant revision and modernisation for the industry to capitalise on opportunities and come up with solutions for the challenges that come with the ever-expanding scope and concept of communication."

"Developing the media ecosystem and encouraging stakeholders to play an active role in supporting the national media sector is a key objective for the National Media Council," Al Mansouri added.

"This makes the ongoing and open dialogue with media and communication leaders – in both the public and private sectors – all the more important for formulating coherent visions to maximise the benefits from these developments, all while accomplishing national priorities. We hope our discussions here at the MEPRA Leadership Majlis come out with recommendations and ideas that serve the communication sector and its development."

MEPRA Chair, Jonty Summers said: "The MEPRA Leadership Majlis exists to spark discussion and ideas and to address the most pressing topics facing the profession of public relations.

By bringing together leading figures in communications, both from the Middle East and internationally, the gathering is a platform to share knowledge and showcase best practice. This year, our setting is unsurpassed - Louvre Abu Dhabi – and participants can look forward to wide-ranging discussions on a diverse range of topics."

The 2019 MEPRA leadership Majlis agenda will cover the theme ‘Impact and Influence’ through a mix of presentations, panel discussions and workshops, including: -Communications in a Turbulent World: Q & A with Mansour Al Mansouri, Director General, National Media Council, moderated by Sunil John, President Middle East, ASDA’A BCW -A Behavioural Approach to Government Communications: Presentation by Alyson King, UK Government Arabic Spokesperson & Senior Regional Communicator for MENA -The Critical Role of Communications in Organisational Change & Transformation: Panel session with Sara Kazim, Vice President, Employee Engagement, Mubadala Investment Company; Oliver Phillips, Senior Advisor Policy and Communications, ADNOC; and Saeeda Jaffar Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal. Moderated by Archie Berens, Chairman, Hanover Middle East -Are CCO’s facing an existential crisis? Q & A with Roger Bolton, President, Arthur W. Page Society, moderated by Brian Lott, Chief Communications Officer, Mubadala Investment Company -The Big Beating Heart of Contemporary Communications: Presentation by Danny Rogers, Editor-in-Chief PRWeek -Embracing the Year of Tolerance: Panel session with Jamal Al Awadhi, Vice President, Product & Guest Experience, Etihad Aviation Group; Rashed Al Harmoodi, Senior Vice President & Head of External Corporate Relations, Mubadala Investment Company; Jaber Saeed Al Lamki, Executive Director of Media and Strategic Communications, National Media Council; and Omer Elnaiem, Campaign and Advocacy Officer, UNHCR. Moderated by Ray Eglington, Group Managing Director, Four Communications Group -The Changing Face of Modern Media: Panel session with Mina Al-Oraibi, Editor in Chief, The National MENA; Oli Woodley, Senior Vice President, Commercial MEA, Vice Media; and Jeremy Lawrence, former editor Arabian business Group, Time Out Dubai and Esquire Middle East. Moderated by Danny Rogers, Editor-in-Chief PRWeek The 2019 MPRA Leadership Majlis is supported by corporate and agency partners including, the National Media Council, Mubadala, Hanover Middle East, Four Communications Group, Etihad Airways, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, PRWeek and Arthur W. Page Society.