Doing PR in… the United Arab Emirates

Against its dynamic backdrop, what is it really like to work in PR ‘on the ground’ in the UAE? What are the pitfalls? And how can professionals hope to communicate effectively with such a diverse mix of stakeholders? The UAE, and Dubai in particular, is used to doing things on a grand scale. Home to the world’s tallest building and the largest manmade island it also lays claim to housing the world’s only 7* hotel and the ‘richest’ horse race along with the largest ever shopping mall. Phew!

Against this super-charged backdrop is the well-known fact that Dubai has grown in recent decades to become a leading global business hub representing over 202 nationalities and over two million people. Ranked in numerous top ten power city lists, including Forbes’ 2014 Most Influential Cities list, Dubai has risen from the 1970s to become a city of considerable impact in our global business landscape.

It stands to reason, then, that the PR and communications scene is set up to facilitate the continued growth and strategic management of key cities within the UAE, with many of the world’s heavyweight agencies laying claim to local offices and sister agencies across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Not only this, but local media is developing with a number of established Arabic outlets alongside English titles and newswires. According to the CisionPoint Database there are 5792 "Media Contacts" in the UAE with the majority being journalists who are based in Dubai. Over half of these are listed as Arabic reporters.

In the first of a series of impactful webinars run by CIPR International, exclusive access will be given to two senior industry stalwarts – Alex Malouf, Vice Chair of MEPRA’s Academy Committee, and Taryam Al Subaihi, Director of Corporate Communications of TAQA (the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company). With decades of experience of working in PR and strategic communications between them, alongside expertise in journalism, crisis communications and advocating on the future of the profession, this promises to be a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear from and question leading local experts.

Register your interest now to join CIPR International on 5 October from 14.00 – 15.00 BST at http://bit.ly/DoingPRinUAE and take part in what promises to be an eye-opening webinar!

Learn more about our ''Doing PR in...'' webinar series here. Follow CIPR International on Twitter. Join the conversation on Facebook and LinkedIn.