- More categories than ever before
- Entries discounted by 25% in response to COVID-19 impacts
- New People’s Choice Award to celebrate MEPRA’s 20th Anniversary plus new categories for students & academics, freelancers and home-grown agencies
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 June, 2021 – The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) today announced a call for entries for the 2021 MEPRA Awards, which will recognise and celebrate the brightest, boldest and bravest campaigns and practitioners in Middle East PR. This year, the 13th edition, marks the largest Awards with 58 categories, including a special People’s Choice category to celebrate MEPRA’s 20th anniversary.
The MEPRA Awards are open to all Middle East-based agencies, corporates, government organisations, students, academics and non-profits working in the communications profession. Winners will be announced during a black tie gala event in Dubai on Wednesday 24th November. MEPRA is once again providing a discount on award entries to help ensure all professionals can participate following COVID-19 impacts.
Entries can be submitted for best campaigns in geographic markets across the Middle East; for technical skills, such as video or creative work; for industry sectors including healthcare, government and travel; for individuals and for teams; plus a special focus for COVID-19 response campaigns. New categories for 2021 include:
- People’s Choice Best Middle East Campaign of the Last 20 Years: The top five campaigns with the highest score will be put to a public vote to select the winner.
- Best Home-Grown Agency of the Year: For independent agencies established and developed in the Middle East region.
- Independent Consultant or Freelancer of the Year
- Outstanding Student Campaign
- Outstanding Professor of The Year
MEPRA Executive Board Member and Head of the MEPRA Awards Committee Ray Eglington said:
“The MEPRA Awards set benchmarks for excellence across all areas of communications. They shine a light on the most creative and impactful communications campaigns and practitioners in the Middle East. After what has been a challenging time for the industry, we know everyone is eager to come together and celebrate the incredible work produced in the region.
“The Awards Gala has always been the highlight on the PR industry social calendar and we are thrilled to be bringing back a physical event this year to recognise the region’s best work in communications. This year’s event will be bigger and better than ever before as we celebrate MEPRA’s 20th anniversary and introduce more categories is to encourage even greater participation in the awards, from across sectors, services and geographical markets.”
The deadline for awards submissions is Thursday 30 September 2021, with finalists to be announced by 4 November 2021. Entries will be assessed by a panel of more than 50 local and international industry experts, with an independent adjudicator set to review the judging process.