The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) has announced details of its third annual KSA MEPRA Leadership Majlis, which is set to be hosted on 18 October 2022 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The gathering of leading industry professionals will address the evolving role of communications in the Kingdom and explore ways in which the industry can help turn today’s global challenges into opportunities to communicate with renewed clarity and purpose.
Held under the theme ‘Communicating Effectively in Unprecedented Times’, the event will bring together more than 100 senior representatives from consultancies, media houses, corporations, giga-projects, and government entities in an intimate and exclusive setting. Participants will explore key factors impacting Saudi Arabia’s socioeconomic development as the momentum behind Vision 2030 continues to accelerate the Kingdom’s transformation.
The Majlis will take a deep dive into the vital role of communications in consolidating and elevating Saudi Arabia’s position as a global economic powerhouse against a backdrop of issues ranging from climate change and rising energy prices to ongoing geopolitical instability.
Download the full agenda here.
Speakers
Abdullah Alzahrani
Abdullah Alzahrani is the head of Brand and Marketing in both The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALA which are part of Vision 2030’s ambitious blueprint for the future.
In his role, he manages two of the world’s most promising luxury tourism brands that targets the global market. His core responsibility is to deliver those brands and marketing activities through the development and execution of a fully integrated marketing plan.
Key areas of expertise include strategic marketing, brand and performance marketing, destination marketing and corporate communications.
Alzahrani brings around 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications working for international, regional and local corporations in various sectors from mixed use development, hospitality to food and beverage, banking and automotive. He holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Marketing from Brunel Business School, London and he is a Fellow Member at The Charted Institute of Marketing (CIM) and The American Marketing Association (AMA).
Abdulrahman Al-Ahaideb
Abdulrahman Al-Ahaideb has 15 years of experience in communications management, where he worked in a number of international companies, such as BAE Systems as Head of External Communication and Media Affairs, and PepsiCo as Head of Communications for Middle East and North Africa, in addition to his work as a consultant for a number of entities.
He also has an extensive experience in the media sector for more than 10 years, where he worked with a number of TV channels, in which he played several roles, including presenting, press editing and training.
Abdulrahman Al-Ahaidib’s experience covered crisis management during his work throughout this period, and training and preparing official spokespersons to deal with the media.”
Alyah Abdullah Almuslat
She started her career at Al-Faisal University, then joined flynas, in digital marketing, and then moved to Nass Holding as director of digital marketing. After that, she joined the General Civil Aviation Authority as Director of Communications and Marketing. Then she became the head of the marketing department at Dammam Airports Company.
She began her career in the Local Content and Private Sector Development Unit “Namaa” as a communication advisor since October 2017, and in early 2019 she was appointed to her current position in the authority.
Dur Kattan
Dur is an executive leader and advisor in communications, brand development and arts and culture management. She has a proven track record of being a highly effective leader; experienced with establishing collaborative teams, effectively communicating objectives, and achieving organizational goals. She has an exceptional ability to think strategically and execute creatively. Dur has been building, developing, and leading communication and creative teams in the public sector for the past 10 years.
As the first Deputy Minister for Communications and Media at the Ministry of Culture (MoC), Dur oversaw the development and execution of the MoC’s communication and brand strategy both locally and internationally. She also orchestrated the Ministry’s inauguration event in 2019. Her day-to-day activities at the ministry involved overseeing external strategic engagements and campaigns that support telling the story of the country’s cultural transformation, leading on projects such as the Saudi participation at the Dubai 2020 Expo as well as developing all the cultural collateral for the country’s G20 Summit Presidency. She has also led nationwide cultural initiative such as the National Cultural Awards and the Cultural Year of Saudi Coffee 2022.
Dur has continuously provided strategic advice to senior officials across government on a wide range of initiatives. She has also been a jury member on various prestigious nationwide selection and advisory committees. Prior to her appointment at the ministry, Dur was the Executive Director at The National Center for Performance Measurement (Adaa), where she orchestrated the national launch of the center and led the global campaign for the International Performance Hub at the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos. Her previous roles also include the Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior Transformation Program.
Dur is a Georgetown University graduate, with a master’s degree in Communication, Culture and Technology and she is currently pursuing her second master’s in Arts and Cultural Enterprise from Central Saint Martins at the University of Arts London. She holds a double major bachelor’s degree from Al Yamamah University in Management Information Systems and Marketing.
Kenana Dahlan
Kenana has recently joined Edelman as the head of the Saudi office. She has more than a decade of communication experience managing diverse projects through the planning, execution, implementation and evaluation of effective communication projects.
In her role with Edelman, Kenana provides senior-level communication, PR, and strategic counsel. She is responsible for providing ministerial-level communication planning and training and works to ensure all programs are sharing compelling stories with original content.
Prior to joining Edelman Kenana has worked with some of the Kingdom’s most prominent projects including n-house positions at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, NEOM, the Vision Realization Office, and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources among other significant development projects and experience counseling senior officials, ministers and chief executive officers.
Kenana holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Ottawa, Canada, has more than a decade of experience in directing high-profile corporate and government communications campaigns.
Khaled Abdulgader Tash
Khaled Abdulgader Tash is assistant director general for communications at the Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, the holding entity for Saudia airline, Flyadeal and several business units in the aviation industry.
Before his latest appointment, he was vice president for corporate communication, with a mission to reposition the corporation in line with Vision 2030 and the opportunities it opens for the tourism, culture, sports, entertainment and logistics sectors.
Tash served as deputy governor for the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in 2018, where he led the launch of the Kingdom’s global investment promotion brand “Invest Saudi,” with campaigns across the world.
Following that, he was appointed deputy minister for marketing and communication at SAGIA, leading the launch of the first Ministry of Investment in the Kingdom.
Between 2016-2018, Tash served as an adviser to several public entities, including the Public Investment Fund and the Ministry of Housing, as well as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Misk Foundation.
Tash began his career in marketing with Procter & Gamble, where he was responsible for international brands such as Pampers and Pringles.
Later he became the first marketing director appointed to launch King Abdullah Economic City and the Knowledge Economic City in Madinah. Tash holds a bachelor’s degree from King Fahd University for Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran. He has also attended executive programs at Harvard Business School, INSEAD and the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
Mamdouh Aloqaili
Mamdouh Aloqaili is the Director of Branding and Communication at SAMI, he is leading and overseeing the branding and communication of SAMI and several companies within SAMI Group. Mamdouh gained intensive experience in the fields of branding, communication and marketing from several government and semi-government entities throughout his career with a demonstrated history of working within the programs and projects of Saudi Vision 2030. Prior to joining SAMI, he worked as the Branding Manager and Internal Communication Manager at Capital Market Authority.
Mazen Nahawi
Mazen Nahawi is the President of News Group, an organization dedicated to strengthening client communications across the Digital and PR Industry. The organization includes several strategic businesses, including CARMA, a global media intelligence leader; SOCIALEYEZ, a digital engagement agency and Interactive Ltd, a software development company focused on eGovernment services. With over 25 years of experience under his belt, Mazen’s leadership provides proven results in Media Monitoring, Analytics, Communications, Strategy and Digital Media. As a thought leader on a range of topics at the cross-section of media, technology and communications, Mazen has been featured extensively in mainstream and trade media, including the likes of New York Times, PR Week and Campaign Middle East and has spoken at numerous industry leadership conferences including MEPRA Leadership Majlis KSA, Zayed University NAC-Use of Technology in Media, IPR Research Symposium in Dubai, European Communication Summit 2018, The Circle 2018 at Pousada de Lisboa, Lisbon Portugal. In 2007, Mazen launched the Middle East PR Measurement Summit, an event that brings together the brightest minds in PR and measurement.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Abaalkheil
Mohammed masters the role of an orchestrater where he adds value in bringing teams together, and reflecting the true personality of an organization and its children (projects, and subsedaries) and assuring the envolvment of all stakeholders while discovering opportunities and potential for all.
With his undergraduate Architectural Degree and an MSc in Architecture along with an MBA, Mohammed had managed to build a solid base in designing solutions for organizations. An approach that would allow organizations to have a better impact within their businesses.
Mohammed believes that local understanding of culture and how different they might appear in addition to understanding the perspective of individuals and their expectations play an integral roles in problem solving and successful business development and achievements.
Specialties: Mohammed is an architect by degree and a marketeer by practice and education. Mohammed is a leader in what he does and is specialized in organizational re-engineering by building business personalities through all brand touch points including culture and its physical environment of a business and its development. He is a strong believer of omni-chanel solutions for better customer experience as it plays an integral role in business strategies enabling a business for a greator impact and sustainable development and growth.
Mohammed Alshiha
Mr. Mohammed Alshiha has been leading the Media Affairs and External Communications department at the Public Investment Fund since 2017. His responsibilities include overseeing the Press Office, Reporting, International Affairs, Executive Communications and Investment Communications functions. Mr. Alshiha’s main responsibilities are to communicate PIF’s strategy and achievements, while managing PIF’s overall sentiment and reputation.
Prior to joining the Public Investment Fund, Mr. Alshiha held various Marketing and communications senior roles in global corporation. He brings with him extensive knowledge across various communications spectrum, enabling him to strengthen the general understanding around PIF’s mandate and progress locally and internationally.
Mohamed A. Al Ayed
Mohamed Al Ayed has been engaged in communications in the Middle East for more than 27 years and came to prominence in 1998 when he established TRACCS in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In over 20 years, he has grown the single operation to become the largest communications network in MENA, with 14 offices across 13 markets, serving a diversified portfolio of international brands, leading local companies, government agencies, and NGOs.
Mohamed provides strategic counsel, communications training and senior advisory to a wide array of high-level government and private organizations across the region, including Saudi Customs Authority, Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, General Authority for Military Industries, and Ministry of Civil Services, among many others.
Committed to establishing an indigenous communications industry imbued with a natural understanding of regional cultures and sensitivities, Mohamed has built TRACCS by employing and training local talent. Over the years, he has helped up-skill hundreds more through training programs conducted for industry professionals including C-suite executives and government officials. In addition, Mohamed served as the lead trainer for 94 government officials involved in the National Transformation Program and has conducted several training workshops to date.
Together with the Senior Leadership Team, Mohamed has enabled TRACCS to earn a place on the list of the fastest-growing companies in Saudi Arabia and the region, gaining global recognition with 76 regional and international awards.
