Best Practice Categories

1.       Multi disciplinary communications

For the best campaign combining marketing, advertising and public relations and using multiple media channels to support business objectives.  Entries must also demonstrate a measurable return in reputation, sales, and/or establishing a market profile.

2.       CSR and Community affairs
For the best campaign supporting a company’s environmental and social credentials.  Entries must demonstrate campaign is effective in reaching target groups.

3.       Research led communications

Best campaign using research to support a business objective.   Entries can either present research that was developed to inform the strategy for a campaign or was used as standalone research to create a news angle.  Judges will be looking for research that meets best practice – clear goal setting, execution, measurement and evaluation of outcomes as well as a successful campaign.  

4.       Government communications
For the best campaign undertaken by a municipality, emirate, or national government organization to reach its target audience(s). Entries must include measurement of results.

5.       Employee engagement
For the best campaign promoting corporate objectives to employees within an organization. Entries must include measurement of results.

6.       Corporate Image / Reputation
For the best campaign that builds awareness and enhances an organization’s reputation with its stakeholders. Entries must include measurement of results.

7.       Consumer Relations
For the best campaign to promote or launch new products or services to consumers or PR support for an established brand.  Entries must include measurement of results.

8.       Financial and investor relations 
For the best campaign to influence investors and the financial community on behalf of a listed company, merger or acquisition, or new company looking for funding.  Entries must include measurement of results.

9.       B 2 B
For the best campaign to promote products or services to the business sector. Entries must include measurement of results.

10.   Regional campaign
For the best campaign to address a key issue in the Middle East. Entries must include measurement of regional results. 

Team Awards

11. Agency of the Year 

Open to any agency performing consultancy services within the Middle East.  This award recognises agency excellence over the last three years.  Judges will want evidence that showcases the agency’s focus on clients, staff and operational effectiveness (eg financial growth, low over-servicing levels, healthy profit margin, client list growth, client retention, staff retention and PR innovation).  

12. In-house team of the Year

Open to any in-house private or public sector PR/Communications team based in the Middle East. This award recognises in-house excellence over the last three years. Judges will want evidence of the role PR plays in the wider organisation: how the team has been able to embed communications in organisational planning and strategy as well as delivery, contribution to the organisation’s objectives and effective use of resources (budget growth, staff retention and development).  The entry can include examples of successful campaigns.

Individual Awards

11.   Outstanding Young Professional of the Year
Open to PR professionals in agencies or in-house departments who are under the age of 30 as of  July 31, 2009. Nominations should be made by employer and include nominee’s career history and qualifications.  Entry must include a 200 word statement from the nominee outlining why he/she should win the award.  Judges will look for evidence of outstanding achievement in handling PR campaigns, showing creativity and results, and commitment to continuing learning.
 
12.   Communicator of the Year
Nominations are invited from individuals who nominate themselves or others. Judges will look for a person – who need not be a PR professional – who has demonstrated outstanding communication success in reaching stakeholder audiences in 2009-2010.
 

to submit an award go to http://awards.mepra.org