Global advisory and advocacy firm APCO has announced a strategic partnership with Columbia University to launch a series of specialist training workshops aimed at professional communicators in the MENA region. The initiative, taking place this October, will bring together the academic expertise of Columbia?ÇÖs School of Professional Studies and the practical insights of APCO Institute to empower 20 mid-level communication professionals.The joint program, delivered by Columbia University faculty and APCO?ÇÖs senior global staff, will consist of four intensive workshops designed to sharpen essential communication skills and prepare participants for the evolving demands of the profession.The sessions will kick off with Leadership Across Cultures, exploring how to navigate the nuances of language, social dynamics, and cultural diversity in global teams. Mastering Influence will delve into communication strategies that leverage social networks and influence to drive innovation. AI and the Future of Strategic Communication will offer practical applications for integrating artificial intelligence into communication planning and execution. The final workshop, Strategic Communication Management, will focus on developing, implementing, and assessing communication strategies across internal and external platforms.?Ç£As technological disruptions continue to transform the communications landscape, this collaboration will equip our clients and colleagues with the tools and insights to navigate complex operating environments,?Ç¥ said Mamoon Sbeih, President of APCO in the MENA region. ?Ç£Through this initiative, we will empower our teams and clients to achieve their goals and maximize impact.?Ç¥Professor Kristine Billmyer, Director of the Strategic Communication Master?ÇÖs Degree Program at Columbia University, added, ?Ç£The centrality of strategic communication to an organization?ÇÖs core mission and functions cannot be underestimated. It defines brand, drives business goals, and powers reputation across industries and sectors around the world. We look forward to strengthening ties with PR professionals in this critical region of the world.?Ç¥Established in 2022, the APCO Institute aims to build strategic communications capabilities for professionals by offering exposure to international best practices, practical tools, and cutting-edge knowledge. In addition to professional development workshops, the Institute provides coaching for senior executives, government officials, and technical experts to effectively engage key stakeholders.APCO Institute?ÇÖs continued partnerships with leading global academic institutions underscore its commitment to elevating the role of communication in advancing business and policy outcomes. This latest collaboration with Columbia University reinforces the Institute?ÇÖs mission to shape the next generation of communication leaders in the MENA region and beyond

Global advisory and advocacy firm APCO has unveiled a new leadership structure for its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) operations, setting the stage for further growth in 2025 and beyond. Samer El Hachem, currently serving as chief operating officer for the region, will now take on the role of deputy president for MENA, where he will drive the region?ÇÖs development as a key growth engine for the company.Supporting El Hachem in this transition, Muhannad Al Badri has been promoted to managing director, Public Sector?ÇöUAE, while Mohamed Bahaa will serve as managing director, Private Sector?ÇöMENA, alongside his role in APCO?ÇÖs global public affairs leadership team. Additionally, Yomna Kamel, PhD, has joined the firm to lead APCO?ÇÖs government advisory center, bringing over two decades of experience in advising UAE-based government entities on their communication strategies.To lead APCO?ÇÖs expansion in Saudi Arabia, Andrew Bone has been appointed managing director of the company?ÇÖs operations in the Kingdom. Bone, who has more than 30 years of experience in communications and crisis management, has worked extensively with Saudi ministries on Vision 2030 projects. He will be joined by Hala Hayek, former director at APCO, who will co-lead operations as deputy managing director of the Riyadh office.Meanwhile, Imad Lahad, former managing director of the Dubai office, now leads APCO?ÇÖs global AI business solutions team. This division is focused on advancing Margy, an adaptive intelligence platform that leverages APCO?ÇÖs collective expertise to provide enhanced insights for clients.Commenting on the leadership changes, Mamoon Sbeih, President, MENA, said:"For nearly two decades, APCO has built a legacy of advisory, advocacy, and impact across MENA. As we enter a new phase of growth, seamless integration across our markets is key to strengthening our capabilities and delivering even greater value. I?ÇÖm proud to announce Samer as deputy president. His leadership will enhance our MENA offering and deepen our regional practices, ensuring APCO continues to lead and thrive."Samer El Hachem added: "I?ÇÖm honored to step into the role of deputy president at APCO in MENA during this exciting time. Our region is evolving rapidly, and we are committed to expanding our offering, strengthening our market-leading practices, and driving impactful solutions for our clients. Together, we will build on APCO?ÇÖs strong foundation, unlock new opportunities, and shape the future of advisory and advocacy in MENA."CEO Brad Staples emphasized the company?ÇÖs vision for sustainable growth in the region:"As we continue to expand our footprint in the MENA region, our vision is to drive sustainable growth by leveraging our deep understanding of local markets and aligning our strategic initiatives across all offices. This new leadership structure will enable us to harness the collective expertise of our teams, ensuring seamless integration and collaboration. We are well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions and unparalleled value to our clients, further solidifying APCO?ÇÖs position as a trusted advisor in the region."Andrew Bone, newly appointed managing director for Saudi Arabia, highlighted the importance of the Kingdom: "As the G20?ÇÖs fastest-growing economy and an increasingly influential player on the global stage, Saudi Arabia presents one of the most important markets for APCO. I?ÇÖm very pleased to navigate these seismic shifts alongside Hala, a powerhouse in her own right. We are working closely with our public and private sector partners in the Kingdom to help harness the opportunities created by Saudi Vision 2030."New Appointments in Key Growth AreasAPCO also announced several new leadership appointments to strengthen its specialized practices in MENA:?Çó Christophe Guibeleguiet, former partner and global Business & Society lead at Brunswick Group, will lead APCO?ÇÖs Climate & Sustainability practice in MENA, supporting clients with their ESG strategies and climate commitments in line with national and global agendas.?Çó Fr??d??ric Cornet has been appointed to lead APCO?ÇÖs new MENA capital markets arm, created following the acquisition of financial communications firm Camarco. Cornet, formerly managing partner and head of Capital Markets, MENA at Instinctif Partners, specializes in investor relations strategies and financial communications for public companies.?Çó Geoffrey Pelham-Lane, chair of APCO in the UK and CEO of Camarco, noted:"The recent surge in IPOs in MENA, driven by strong investor confidence, continues to buck global trends. With Camarco expanding to the region, spearheaded by Fr??d??ric, we are positioned to support issuers on all the region?ÇÖs bourses."Expanding Sector Specialties in MENATo better serve its clients, APCO is introducing new sector specialties across MENA. The newly structured practices and sector leads include:?Çó Public Policy & Government Affairs ?Çô Led by Mohamed Bahaa?Çó Internal Communications, Change Management & Transformation ?Çô Led by Tim Walmsley?Çó Crisis & Risk Management ?Çô Led by Nicolas Labuschagne?Çó Creative & Brand Strategy ?Çô Led by Mohammad Kamal?Çó Family Office ?Çô Led by Jolyon KimbleAdditionally, key industry sectors will be overseen by specialized leaders:?Çó Arts & Culture ?Çô Siwar Bandar?Çó Tourism ?Çô Sofia Santos?Çó Health ?Çô Co-led by Sanaya Pavri, Jumana Nabulsi, and Ramla Ben Ammar?Çó Defense & Technology ?Çô Co-led by Mathilda Saad and Ramy Reda?Çó Food & Beverage ?Çô Anshu Gupta?Çó Technology ?Çô Co-led by Sarah Raafat, Benjamin Leakey, and Thamer Alharbi?Çó Financial Services ?Çô Co-led by Amir Matar and Robert KopitschWith this newly structured leadership team and sector-focused approach, APCO is poised to drive further growth and innovation across the MENA region.