This year 460 entries were submitted, with the most entered in the Best Integrated Campaign and Best Creative Approach During COVID-19 categories.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, together with MullenLowe MENA and Markettiers MENA, lead nominations with six for their entry 'The World’s Tallest Donation Box'. The campaign places the Burj Khalifa’s 1.2 million lights up for sale to raise funds and provide meals for hard-hit communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year brought in new contenders for the Small Agency of the Year title, with more entries submitted for this category than ever before. New entrants including Gambit Communications, Sticky Ginger, Cylka Corporate Social Responsibility and Matrix PR join Atteline, Acorn Strategy, Brazen MENA, Kekst CNC, Markettiers and Sociate battling it out for the category.
Havas PR is this year’s new nominee in the Large Agency of the Year category, joining regular contenders APCO Worldwide, ASDA’A BCW, Four Communications, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Weber Shandwick MENAT.
Finalists will be awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze during a virtual MEPRA Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 9 December 2020.
MEPRA has developed an online showcase, which includes a preview of all shortlisted entries for each category.
This year marks the 12th edition of the MEPRA Awards, which celebrate and recognise the most creative and impactful practitioners in the Middle East.
Entries were assessed by a panel of more than 50 regional and international industry experts to select the 2020 finalists and winners.
The judging process was also reviewed by CARMA chief executive Richard Bagnall, who served as an independent adjudicator.
“Once again I have been honoured to chair the judging panel for the annual MEPRA Awards. This year I have reviewed nearly 50 entries from across the region, allowing me to see the brilliant and diverse PR and comms work being undertaken,” he said.
“As we face a challenging economic environment, it is critical that PR and comms professionals can tell a meaningful measurement story and evaluate their activity with credible and relevant metrics. We saw many examples of entries linking their communications strategy to desired organisational outcomes, which is to be celebrated, and truly represents international best practice.”
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