The countdown has begun to the MEPRA 2011 Awards, the region's leading annual PR industry awards, which will recognise excellence in communications across the Middle East. Agencies and individuals, who are either MEPRA members, or who can fulfil MEPRA's qualification criteria, have until Thursday, October 13, to submit their entries for this year's awards in 14 categories. The awards will be presented at a gala dinner, in Dubai, on November 30.

 

In addition to award entries, MEPRA is also seeking additional sponsors for the 2011 awards, including event Platinum, Gold and Silver sponsors, as well as sponsors for each of the award categories. Among the sponsors already supporting the awards are Yahoo!, Middlesex University, Fabric Recruitment, Edelman and Grayling.

 

Guy Taylor, Chairman, MEPRA said, "Once again the MEPRA Awards are attracting a broad spectrum of entries from both agencies and individuals. I am confident that the quality of entries for this year's awards will reflect the increasingly high standards of PR work conducted in the region. As a non-profit organisation we are keen to work with sponsors for all our events. In return for the support of sponsors, we give great brand exposure to over 300 public relations professionals and their clients across the region."

 

This year's MEPRA Awards, which will be judged by a panel of PR industry peers, will be presented in the following categories: Multi-disciplinary Communications; CSR and Community Affairs; Research Led Communications; Government Communications; Employee Engagement; Corporate Image/Reputation; Consumer Relations; Financial and Investor Relations; Business to Business (B2B) Communications and Best Regional Campaign. 

 

Awards will also be presented to the Agency of the Year, In-house Team of the Year and outstanding Young Professional of the Year. A final category will be awarded to an individual who in the judgement of the MEPRA board has made an outstanding contribution towards the PR industry. 

 

Entries must involve public relations and communication activities completed and evaluated between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011. Continuous campaigns undertaken over a period of more than 12 months can also be nominated.