Action Global Communications is celebrating 55 years of growth, innovation and impact, marking a milestone that reflects the local intelligence, cultural understanding and Meaningful Connections the agency has developed across some of the world’s most dynamic and transforming markets. Founded in Nicosia, Cyprus, in October 1971 by PR pioneer Tony Christodoulou, Action has grown into one of the region’s most established independent communications networks. Today, the multi-award-winning agency operates through eight wholly owned offices across Cyprus, Greece, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria and Ukraine, supported by a global network of affiliate partners, serving some of the world’s most renowned brands, institutions and public sector organisations. Over the past five and a half decades, communications channels, technologies and audience behaviours have transformed significantly. Today, organisations operate in an increasingly connected and fast-moving environment, where narratives can spread globally in seconds, with misinformation and competing narratives making trust harder than ever to earn.As Chris Christodoulou, CEO of Action Global Communications, explained, understanding people, communities, cultures and the stakeholder dynamics that shape perceptions and decisions has become more critical than ever to building trust, reputation and influence.“Today, we have access to more information than ever before. We’re constantly connected, constantly informed and constantly exposed to new perspectives and opinions. AI is reshaping how information is created, shared and discovered, yet trust has never been harder to earn,” said Christodoulou. “Communication is no longer just about being heard. It is about being trusted. People are looking for information they can rely on, organisations they can trust and messages that genuinely reflect their realities, values and priorities. That is why local intelligence matters more than ever.” For 55 years, Action has developed the local intelligence, cultural understanding and trusted relationships that help organisations navigate complexity, build trust, strengthen reputation and create meaningful influence. “Our anniversary is not simply a celebration of longevity. It is a celebration of what those 55 years have enabled us to build: local intelligence, long-standing relationships, cultural understanding and Meaningful Connections,” added Christodoulou. That impact is also reflected in the recognition Action's work across PR, digital and creative campaigns has earned over the years, including international accolades from PRWeek, ICCO Global, MEPRA and PRCA, as well as numerous regional and local distinctions. Each award is a testament to the trust placed in Action by its clients, partners and communities, and reinforces the agency's commitment to delivering communications that create meaningful and measurable value.Looking ahead, Action remains committed to investing in its expertise, market understanding, strategic advisory capabilities and digital and creative solutions, while continuously evolving to help organisations navigate complexity and respond with confidence to a rapidly changing world“Our legacy is not defined by our history alone, but by our ability to remain relevant through every era of change. After 55 years, that remains our greatest strength,” concluded Christodoulou.

Action Global Communications has formed a strategic partnership with Dawson Walker, the UK-based specialist employer brand consultancy, to expand its services to network clients across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).The partnership reflects the changing needs of businesses as they navigate transformation, talent pressures, changing employee expectations, and increasingly complex workplace cultures. It also marks a further step in Action’s continued evolution of its communications and consultancy services in response to evolving client needs.Employer brand has moved well beyond its traditional association with recruitment. Today, how an organisation is experienced by its people can directly influence its reputation, ability to manage change, retain talent, engage employees and ultimately deliver on its business strategy.Through the new partnership, Action and Dawson Walker will help organisations shape employee experiences that support reputation, engagement, and business performance, from defining an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and brand strategy to employee engagement, internal communications, and activation.The partnership brings Action Global Communications' 55 years of local intelligence, cultural understanding and expertise in delivering impactful communications together with Dawson Walker's 30 years of specialist experience in EVP development, employer branding and employee engagement.Grounded in a nuanced understanding of the cultural and market dynamics that shape employee expectations and influence perceptions of employers, the partnership enables organisations to develop employer brands that resonate with their people, strengthen reputation and support broader business objectives across diverse markets.Kathy Christodoulou, (pictured), director, Action Global Communications, said: “We're seeing a significant shift in how businesses think about employer brand. It's no longer viewed just as a recruitment activity. Increasingly, leaders recognise its role in shaping culture, supporting transformation, strengthening engagement and building trust.“The most successful employer brands are not only communicated, but also experienced. When people believe in a company's purpose and understand the role they play in its success, they become advocates for the company and invested in its future.“By partnering with Dawson Walker, we are strengthening the specialist employer brand expertise available to our clients while building on the deep local market knowledge, cultural understanding, and stakeholder insight Action is known for. Together, these complementary strengths enable us to create employer brands that truly resonate and deliver meaningful results.”Adam Winterton, client services director at Dawson Walker, said: “A strong employer brand is built on truth and trust. It's about helping employers clearly articulate what makes them distinctive and ensuring that the workplace experience aligns with the promises being made.“At its best, employer branding creates a shared sense of purpose. It helps people understand what their employer stands for, how they contribute to its success and why their work matters. When that happens, the impact can be felt throughout the business.“Strong employer brands create clarity, alignment and confidence. Those qualities help organisations navigate change, improve engagement, retain talent and build stronger workplace cultures capable of driving performance and growth.“What makes this partnership particularly exciting is the combination of complementary strengths. Action brings exceptional local communications expertise and deep market knowledge, while we bring specialist employer brand and EVP expertise. Together, we are able to offer clients a powerful blend of strategic insight, specialist expertise and market execution.”The partnership will support organisations across a wide range of sectors and markets, helping them strengthen employee engagement, define compelling employee value propositions, enhance employer reputation, and build employer brands that contribute to long-term business success. It reflects Action's commitment to continuously evolving its capabilities in line with client needs, combining deep understanding of their businesses and ambitions with services that deliver meaningful value.

The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) hosted its prestigious 16th annual awards, bringing together over 550 industry professionals at a glittering ceremony to celebrate the standout achievements in public relations and communications. This year?ÇÖs awards featured 62 top agencies and professionals vying for titles across 53 categories, showcasing the best in creativity, strategy, and impact.With 770 entries evaluated by a distinguished panel of 130 industry veterans, the event highlighted campaigns and professionals that have redefined excellence in PR. Memac Ogilvy led the evening, securing 27 awards, followed by Gambit Communications with 22 and Weber Shandwick with 16.Key Highlights:?Çó Chairman?ÇÖs Award: Jamal Al Mawed, Founder & Managing Director of Gambit Communications.?Çó In-House Team of the Year: Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi.?Çó Large Agency of the Year: Memac Ogilvy.?Çó Medium Agency of the Year: Gambit Communications.?Çó Small Agency of the Year: Matrix Public Relations.?Çó Homegrown Agency of the Year: Gambit Communications (for the third time).Campaign Excellence:?Çó Best Business-to-Business Campaign: Dubai Holding?ÇÖs Gift It Forward Ramadan Campaign 2024.?Çó Best Fashion and Technology Campaigns: TASAWAR-Taking the Runway by Snap Inc and Weber Shandwick MENAT.?Çó Best Government Communications: Burson for I Care.?Çó Best Crisis Communication: Matrix Public Relations.?Çó Best Retail Campaign: Gambit Communications and City Centre Mirdif.Individual Accolades:?Çó Best Communicator of the Year: Iman Isa, Burson.?Çó Young Communicator of the Year: Rebecca Rego, Edelman.?Çó Outstanding Student Campaign: Astha Kurup, Arvy Moga, and Jared Rallos from Murdoch University Dubai.Industry Insight:Kate Midttun, Chairperson of MEPRA, commended the winners, stating:"The Middle East?ÇÖs PR industry continues to set global benchmarks, demonstrating resilience and creativity in navigating tighter budgets and deadlines. From embracing AI and technology to crafting compelling narratives, our trailblazers prove that innovation and adaptability remain at the heart of our success."PartnershipsWeber Shandwick collaborated as Diamond Partner for the third year, joined by Platinum Partners MSL Group Middle East, Action Global Communications, and Memac Ogilvy. Supporting partners included CARMA, Edelman, Mubadala, TECOM Group Dubai, and others.

Action Global Communications, a multi-award-winning integrated communications agency, has officially relaunched in Saudi Arabia. The move further solidifies Action?ÇÖs presence in the Middle East, complementing its existing offices in the UAE and Qatar which, respectively, celebrate 30 and 20-year operational milestones this year.  Building on three decades of legacy in the GCC, the independent agency brings its extensive regional expertise and global capabilities to the Kingdom. Based in Riyadh, Action Global Communications Saudi Arabia offers 360?? integrated services, ranging from traditional communications solutions to digital strategies and creative production. The expansion and re-entry into Saudi Arabia follow Action Global Communications?ÇÖ recent recognition at the prestigious PR Week Global Awards in London, where the group was named Best Agency in the Middle East 2024.  Action?ÇÖs on-the-ground relaunch in Saudi Arabia builds upon numerous high-profile projects in the Kingdom led by the company?ÇÖs regional team, including two consecutive years of spearheading PR and media relations at LEAP - the world's largest tech gathering. Other notable events by Action include the cybersecurity conference BlackHat MEA, InFlavour, the PFL MENA Fight series, and a prestigious Disney concert featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Lang Lang at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dammam. Additionally, Action oversees communications for InterContinental Hotels Group in Saudi Arabia and the broader region, as well as corporate communications in Saudi Arabia for multinational technology group, Zoho Corporation.  Commenting on the significance of Action?ÇÖs official re-entry into the Saudi market, Euan Megson, managing director, Action Global Communications MENA, said: ?Ç£In recent years, Saudi Arabia has firmly established itself as a global hub for innovation and business growth. The Kingdom is undergoing a transformative journey of diversification and modernisation through its Vision 2030. By bringing Action?ÇÖs three-decade regional legacy and extensive expertise in communications, marketing, and production to the Saudi market, we align with the evolving landscape of Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Re-launching our presence in the Kingdom marks a significant milestone in Action's history and reaffirms our steadfast commitment to the Middle East.?Ç¥  Barry King, general manager of Action Global Communications in Saudi Arabia, added: ?Ç£Our regional teams have delivered exceptional work in the Kingdom over the past half decade, achieving results which have yielded a robust pipeline of multi-sector opportunities. With the continued growth and evolution in Saudi Arabia, now is the optimum time for us to re-establish a physical in-market presence to ensure we continue delivering high quality work, and value, for current clients and future prospects.?Ç¥