2026 MEPRA AWARDS ENTRY GUIDELINES & PROCESS
IMPORTANT DATES
- Entry open: Thursday, 23 April 2026
- Early-bird entries close: Monday, 25 May 2026, 11:59 PM Gulf Standard Time
- Final entries close: Thursday, 16 July 2026, 11:59 PM Gulf Standard Time
- Finalists announced: W/C 19 October 2026
- Young Communicator of the Year interviews: 29 October 2026
- The MEPRA Awards Presentation Ceremony and Winners Announcement: Thursday, 26 November 2026 in Dubai
Entry Fees
Members:
Early-Bird Entry Fee: AED 865 (23 April – 25 May 2026)
Additional Category Early-Bird Entry Fee: AED 435 per additional entry for the same campaign in each additional category
Standard Entry Fee: AED 1,050
Additional Category Entry Fee: AED 520 per additional entry for the same campaign in each additional category
Non-Members:
Early-Bird Entry Fee: AED 1,295 (23 April – 25 May 2026 )
Additional Category Early-Bird Entry Fee: AED 649 per additional entry for the same campaign in each additional category
Standard Entry Fee: AED 1,600
Additional Category Entry Fee: AED 780 for the same campaign in each additional category
CATEGORIES & SCORING
Main Submission Criteria for all Campaign Categories
Total word count – up to maximum 1,000 words
Identification of Issue & Objective Setting (15%) – up to 150 words
• Was the issue or challenge clearly defined from both a business and communications perspective?
• Were the objectives relevant, well-defined, and aligned with addressing the identified challenge?
• Were clear and measurable communication objectives outlined?
Research & Data (15%) – up to 150 words
• How was research used to inform the strategy and objectives?
• Did the entry demonstrate how insights shaped decisions?
• Was a range of data sources used to develop a well-informed approach?
Strategy & Planning (15%) – up to 150 words
• Was a clear, logical, and insight-led strategy presented?
• Did the strategic rationale directly connect to the identified issue?
• Was the tactical plan aligned with the strategy and appropriately structured?
Channels & Tactics (15%) – up to 150 words
• How well did the chosen channels and tactics align with the target audience and campaign objectives?
• Did insights inform channel and tactic selection?
• Were the tactics creative, innovative, and well-integrated?
• Was the execution clear, effective, and feasible?
• Were challenges addressed and managed effectively?
Why Should the Campaign Win? (20%) – up to 200 words
• What makes this campaign distinctive, innovative, or category-defining?
• How does it stand out compared to other campaigns in the same category?
• What was its overall impact on the target audience, stakeholders, or community?
• Why should it be recognised as best in class?
Results & Evaluation (20%) – up to 200 words
• Were clear outputs, outcomes, KPIs, and success metrics (traditional, digital, or social) defined?
• How was success measured and evaluated?
• Did the campaign demonstrate measurable impact (business, reputational, behavioural, or societal)?
• Was evaluation clearly linked back to the original objectives?
Eligibility & Submission Requirements
The Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards are open to public relations consultancies, freelancers, in-house teams, digital agencies, media owners, students, and academics. Submissions are accepted from organisations headquartered in or actively operating within the Middle East region.
Entries may be submitted either directly by the organisation or on behalf of another party; however, it is the entrant’s responsibility to secure all necessary permissions for the use of any brand, client intellectual property, or third-party materials.
Freelancers may submit work they have delivered; however, they must ensure they have obtained all necessary permissions from clients to do so.
For team-based categories, financial information must reflect the organisation’s most recent full financial year.
Sector Eligibility
Campaigns may be entered into sector-specific categories even if the organisation’s core business does not sit within that sector, provided that the campaign is clearly relevant to and designed for that sector.
Eligibility Period
All entries must relate to work delivered between 1 May 2025 and 16 July 2026.
Please note that entries previously submitted to MEPRA Awards are not eligible and will be disqualified.
Tailored Entries & Multiple Category Submissions
Entrants may submit the same campaign to multiple categories, provided that each submission meets the following requirements:
Tailored Submissions
Entries must be tailored specifically to the chosen category. Submitting identical or copy-pasted content across multiple categories is strongly discouraged and may result in disqualification.
Category Relevance
The insights, strategy, channels, tactics, and results must clearly align with the discipline being judged (e.g. Social Media vs Integrated vs Influencer).
Supporting Evidence Alignment
Any supporting materials must reinforce the category-specific focus of the written submission.
Maximum Category Submissions
Each campaign may be entered in a maximum of eight (8) categories.
This approach ensures that judges can accurately evaluate work based on discipline-specific excellence.
Submission Format & Requirements
Word count (up to maximum 1,000 words per entry)
All campaign entries must be structured across the following sections:
- Identification of Issue & Objective Setting – up to maximum 150 words
- Research & Data – up to maximum 150 words
- Strategy & Planning – up to maximum 150 words
- Channels & Tactics – up to maximum 150 words
- Why Should This Campaign Win – up to maximum 200 words
- Results & Evaluation – up to maximum 200 words
All entries must be submitted directly through the awards platform using the designated fields and word limits for each section.
The platform enforces the maximum word count and will not allow submissions that exceed the specified limits.
Entrants should ensure responses are clear, concise, and well-structured. As judging is based primarily on the written submission, clarity of language and logical flow are essential for effective evaluation.
Use of AI Tools
To ensure fairness, authenticity, and the integrity of the Awards, all entries must be the original work of the submitting organisation. The use of AI tools to generate or write entry submissions is not permitted.
Similarly, judges are required to assess entries independently and must not use AI tools to support or influence their evaluation. Any breach of this may result in disqualification.
Supporting Materials
Any supporting materials must reinforce the category-specific focus of the written entry submission. Supporting materials may be uploaded separately and are intended to provide additional context only.
- Upload supporting files (JPEG, PNG, PDF, or links), maximum 5MB per file
- Video content must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo (password-protected links accepted with passwords provided)
- URLs must remain active throughout the judging period
- Ensure all links, logins, and passwords are accessible
Submission Platform Requirements
All entries must be submitted through the official 2026 MEPRA Awards Platform
Entrants must also provide:
- A maximum 40-word overview (for possible publication)
- A maximum 150-word summary (for possible publication)
- One high-resolution campaign image (for publication if shortlisted)
- Organisation and client logos in high-resolution vector/ai format
Please ensure that organisation names, client names, and campaign titles are accurate at submission. No amendments will be permitted after submission.
Confidentiality
Entrants may mark specific sections of their submission as confidential. Confidential information will only be accessible to judges and will not be published.
A non-confidential summary must still be provided for use in announcements and marketing if shortlisted.
Disqualification & Quality Control
MEPRA reserves the right to disqualify entries that:
- Are not tailored to the selected category
- Contain identical or duplicate content across multiple submissions
- Do not meet eligibility or category requirements
- Contain false, misleading, or unverifiable information
- Fail to provide required permissions for use of client or third-party content
Quality Assurance Note
All submissions will undergo an initial administrative and editorial review prior to judging to ensure compliance with category relevance and duplication guidelines. Entries identified as non-compliant may be disqualified before reaching the judging stage.
Permissions & Responsibility
Entrants are solely responsible for securing written permission from clients to use their name or logo in any entry and associated online mentions. MEPRA disclaims all accountability for any legal disputes arising from the failure to obtain such permission.
Multiple Submissions & Fees
You may submit multiple categories for the same campaign. A 50% discount applies to additional submissions of the same campaign.
Entry fees may be paid by credit card, cheque, or bank transfer.
Entries will not proceed to judging unless payment is received within five working days of the final closing date.
Membership Rate Eligibility for Teams Categories
To qualify for member rates within the People & Teams categories, organisations must hold a membership tier that corresponds with the category entered.
Example: If a Silver member agency enters the Large Agency of the Year category, it must upgrade its membership tier or pay the non-member entry fee.
For membership verification, contact: community@mepra.org
Judging Basis, Confidentiality & Publication
- Judging is based primarily on the written submission. Supporting materials are supplementary and will not compensate for weak or incomplete entries.
- Judges will evaluate entries based on strategic clarity, insight-led thinking, creative execution, and measurable impact aligned with the stated objectives.
- All judges sign confidentiality agreements.
- Judges recuse themselves from scoring entries from their own organisation or in cases of conflict of interest.
- To be shortlisted, campaigns must achieve a minimum score of 70% based on the defined criteria. Only the ten highest-scoring campaigns will be selected for the shortlist.
- An independent adjudicator(s) oversees fairness.
- The organisers may publish the summaries of winning and shortlisted submissions. Sensitive content (e.g., budget figures) should be marked “not for publication”.
Force Majeure and Contingency
MEPRA reserves the right to amend timelines, processes, and event delivery where circumstances beyond its reasonable control arise. This includes, but is not limited to, regional instability, conflict, government restrictions, public health considerations, or any other force majeure event.
In such circumstances, MEPRA may, at its sole discretion:
- Adjust entry deadlines, judging timelines, or interview schedules
- Modify the format of the judging process or Awards ceremony (including virtual or hybrid delivery)
- Postpone or reschedule key milestones or the Awards ceremony
Any such changes will be communicated to entrants, judges, and partners in a timely manner. MEPRA will take all reasonable steps to ensure the integrity and fairness of the Awards process is maintained.