The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) held its first training seminar recently which saw experienced public relations professionals delivering presentations for members on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The occasion also marked the announcement of the associations first Corporate Member – ETISALAT, with Ahmed Bin Ali, Manager Public Relations, ETISALAT, also presenting at the event.
MEPRA’s corporate membership scheme has been created to reinforce its links with the region’s corporate and government sectors. It offers senior PR, Public Affairs or Communications managers of reputed organizations or companies dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of PR professionalism the opportunity to join its ranks.
Moderated by Mr. Sadri Barrage, chairman of MEPRA and Managing Director of Headline PR, the panel of four speakers for the CSR seminar included; Mr. Ahmed Bin Ali, PR Manager, Etisalat, Mr. Dave Robinson, Regional Director Hill & Knowlton, Dr. Badran A. Badran, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Zayed University and Mr. Jasim Wahab, Coca-Cola Public Affairs and Communications Manager for the Middle East.
Ahmed Bin Ali’s presentation ‘A Local Perspective on CSR in the UAE’ provided the audience of PR practitioners an insight into a national companies CSR strategy. Bin Ali put forward an animated presentation of case studies and as well as a sneak preview of what is planned for the future.
Ahmed Bin Ali, Manager Public Relations, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation- Etisalat and MEPRA’s first corporate member, said: “It is a real pleasure to be associated on this level with people of the PR fraternity. The forum was a marvelous opportunity to exchange ideas, share knowledge and network. I am confident that with the many opportunities opening up, this association will set the communication standards for business in the region.”
Dave Robinson’s comprehensive presentation entitled ‘The role of the PR consultant in advising corporations on CSR policy and implementation’ focused on what PR professionals need to consider when advising clients on CSR activities. Dr. Badran A. Badran’s provided an academic perspective with his presentation entitled ‘Modern business theory and how CSR plays to the bottom Line’, while Jasim Wahab’s presentation provided an international case study from Coca-cola.
"By highlighting credible case studies, such events greatly contribute towards improving the skills of existing members. I was extremely pleased by the overwhelming attendance and the positive feedback received so far. PR is an industry that constantly needs to adapt to specific situations and exchanging views and solutions is an effective way to counter those challenges," said Sadri Barrage, chairman of MEPRA and Managing Director of Headline PR.
The next MEPRA seminar is expected to take place in June of this year and will focus on the specialist area of Crisis Communications.
Since its inception in 2001, MEPRA has grown to 38 members, comprising 18 full members, three associates, four affiliates and 13 individual members and collectively providing a comprehensive range of PR services for a broad spectrum of local and multinational companies and organisations. MEPRA’s members provide regional representation for most of the leading global PR players, including Brodeur|Pleon Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller, ECCO, Edelman, Euro RSCG, GCI, GolinHarris, Hill & Knowlton, MS&L, Ogilvy, Porter Novelli International and Weber Shandwick.
