The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) announced the finalists for the 2020 MEPRA Awards, the largest-ever edition, with more than 80 organisations shortlisted across 51 categories.

460 entries were submitted this year, with the most entered for ‘Best Integrated Campaign’ and ‘Best Creative Approach During COVID-19’. More than 30 entries were submitted for each category, providing a clear indication on where the industry’s work was focused in 2020.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, together with MullenLowe MENA and markettiers MENA lead the nominations for their entry; The World’s Tallest Donation Box, a campaign which put the Burj Khalifa’s 1.2 million lights up for sale to raise funds and provide meals for hard-hit communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The submission is up for six awards.

This year brought in new contenders for the Small Agency of the Year title, with more entries submitted for this category than ever before. New entrants; Gambit Communications, Sticky Ginger, Cylka Corporate Social Responsibility and Matrix PR join Atteline, Acorn Strategy, Brazen MENA, KEKST CNC, markettiers and SOCIATE in battling it out for the coveted title.

Havas PR is this year’s new nominee for the Large Agency of the Year category, joining the usual contenders; APCO Worldwide, ASDA’A BCW, Four Communications, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Weber Shandwick MENAT.  

For the first time, the Dave Robinson Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year Agency & In-House winners will be invited to join the MEPRA Youth Board and with six former winners to help shape MEPRA’s strategy for engaging and supporting young communicators in the region.  

Finalists will be awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze during a virtual MEPRA Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 9th December 2020. For the first time, MEPRA has developed an online showcase, which includes a preview of all shortlisted entries for each category so entrants can review their competition ahead of the awards ceremony next month.