The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has announced the return of its flagship event, the UAE Leadership Majlis, which will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at NYU Abu Dhabi. Now in its 10th edition, the forum will gather the region?ÇÖs most influential voices to explore the critical theme: ?Ç£Communication Through Change.?Ç¥Held at a pivotal time for the communications industry, the 2025 Majlis will offer a platform for dialogue and strategic foresight in response to shifting global dynamics, rapid industry transformation, and the rise of new tools and technologies.This year?ÇÖs event will examine how communication leaders can build resilient brands, protect reputations, and connect with audiences in meaningful ways, all while navigating disruption and evolving consumer expectations.Notable speakers confirmed for the 2025 edition include:?Çó Mazen Nahawi, Group CEO, Carma?Çó Faheem Ahamed, Group Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, G42?Çó Rania Masri El Khatib, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer, IMI?Çó Jagruti Mistry, Senior Director, Head of Communications ?Çô North Africa, Levant & Pakistan, Visa?Çó Brendan Hodgson, Executive Strategy Director, Burson?Çó Menna Zaki, Global Communications & Brand Strategy Executive, ex-PepsiCoKate Midttun, Chairperson of MEPRA, shared her perspective on the milestone edition: ?Ç£As we mark the 10th edition of the MEPRA Leadership Majlis, we do so at a time when change is not an exception, but a constant. In an increasingly complex global environment, communication is no longer just about telling stories?Çöit is about shaping resilience, protecting reputations, and forging human connections that endure. This year?ÇÖs Majlis will challenge our industry to move beyond adaptation and to lead through transformation with strategic clarity, cultural relevance, and impact.?Ç¥The 2025 Majlis is supported by Carma, Telum Media, The Conscious Comms Collective, and First and Ten Productions.

PRCA Mena, the regional arm of Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), has announced its line-up of panellists, speakers and moderators for its annual conference, taking place on 14 November at Taj Business Bay, Dubai. Promising to be a pivotal moment for communications professionals across the Middle East and North Africa, this year the conference will feature a keynote address by Her Excellency Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Media Strategy and Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, who will speak on ?Ç£The Future of Media: Innovation, Regulation, and Economic Impact.?Ç¥ Her Excellency will present a forward-looking vision for the media landscape, focusing on how innovation, regulation, and economic growth are interconnected.Moderating the panels are Conrad Egbert, Head of PRCA Mena, James Hewes, CEO at PRCA and Oscar Wendel, Partner at Flow & Editor-at-Large at MEA-Finance. Their expertise and leadership will ensure an engaging and thoughtful discourse on the most pressing topics in the communications industry.Guest Speakers include some of the region?ÇÖs most influential figures - Mazen Nahawi, Founder & Group CEO at Carma, John Rynehart, Head of UAE at Kekst CNC and Joe Lipscombe, Partner Mena at The Romans.Panellists feature industry thought leaders who will address key challenges and opportunities within the PR and communications industry:?Çó ?Çó Imad Lahad, Managing Director, Dubai and Global Head of AI Comms Lab at APCO Worldwide?Çó ?Çó Ghaleb Zeidan, Regional Managing Director, UAE, Culture, L&D, and PartnershipWeber Shandwick MENAT?Çó ?Çó Jamal Al Mawed, Founder and Managing Director at Gambit Communications?Çó ?Çó James Piecowye, Dean and Associate Professor at Zayed University?Çó ?Çó Kate Hartley, Co-founder at Polpeo?Çó ?Çó Sophie Simpson, Managing Director & Founder at Atteline?Çó ?Çó Peter Van Der Merwe, Managing Director at Weber Shandwick Riyadh?Çó ?Çó Gregg Fray, Co-Founder at Seven Media?Çó ?Çó Ahmed Soudodi, Vice President, Product & Marketing at Kia Middle East and Africa?Çó ?Çó Saad Abu Touq, Managing Director, PR at Memac Ogilvy?Çó ?Çó Alaa Badawi, Associate Partner at Instinctif Partners MENA?Çó ?Çó Judy Bakieh, Associate Integrated Communications Director at Gambit Communications?Çó ?Çó Petra B. Spanko, Regional Director at Katch International?Çó ?Çó Abdulrahman Abed, Founder and General Manager of Legends PR Company?Çó ?Çó Thomas Morris, Senior Partner at FINN Partners, UAEConrad Egbert, Head of PRCA Mena, said:"The PRCA Mena Annual Conference 2024 is the leading platform for PR and communications professionals to exchange ideas, collaborate and drive the future of our industry in the region. With a remarkable lineup of speakers and panellists, we look forward to discussing key trends and the growing influence of media and communications on regional development."James Hewes, CEO of PRCA, added:"This year?ÇÖs conference is set to be a key event for the global communications community. With thought leaders from across the region, the discussions will highlight not only the innovations but also the strategic importance of communications in shaping the economic and societal future of the region.?Ç¥

Carma, a global leader in communication insights and technology, has named Tim Webb as its new CEO for Europe and the Americas. Webb takes the reins from Richard Bagnall, who steps down after nearly six years of service.Webb brings extensive experience to Carma, having spent nine years with Time Out Group, most recently leading their Asia-Pacific operations and global franchising. He also boasts a strong background in publishing, digital, and technology from his time at Dennis Publishing and Incisive Media.Beyond leading the European and American sectors, Webb will become a key member of Carma's executive committee, shaping the company's global long-term growth strategy.Bagnall, previously chair of AMEC, a measurement and evaluation body for PR and communications, joined Carma in 2018. During his tenure, he successfully reshaped the company's presence in the UK, Europe, and the Americas. Bagnall said that he will still be very active in the sector helping comms pros handle the greatest challenge that they face these days: how to demonstrate the value of their work rather than just showcasing activity. "The need for PR to demonstrate its impact and value in terms that the C-suite understands has never been greater. More from me on this in due course,?Ç¥ he added. Excited about Tim's appointment, Carma global CEO Mazen Nahawi said: ?Ç£His extensive experience and entrepreneurial mindset will help lead the opening of new offices across Europe and America and accelerate the fast-growing demand for products and services in those markets.?Ç¥