DOHA: Qatar Foundation (QF) and its communication partner Memac Ogilvy were recognized for their outstanding public relations and communications strategies at the 16th Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) Awards 2024; held annually in the UAE to recognize exceptional public relations and communications efforts within the region.
Celebrating their collaborative work to put Qatar at the forefront of innovation on the regional stage, the strategic duo more than doubled their MEPRA 2023 efforts, securing a total of 11 awards across nine varying thematic categories - ranging from Best in Healthcare to Best Artificial Intelligence and Best Arts & Culture. The MEPRA 2024 wins included five Gold, five Silver, and one Bronze, with the highest honors for Best in Qatar and Best Corporate Communications campaigns defended for the second consecutive year.
A major achievement from the night was the Bytes of AI content series, which took home Gold in the Best Artificial Intelligence category and was only one of two campaigns in the region to make the shortlist.
The ongoing series creatively transforms complex AI concepts into compelling, accessible stories that engage a wide audience. Through captivating narratives, the series sparks curiosity and fosters a deeper understanding of AI's pivotal role in shaping the future. The other four Golds were awarded for launching the Al-Mujadilah Center and Mosque for Women earlier in 2024.
QF and Memac Ogilvy also celebrated multiple Silver wins, with The City Beyond Education campaign earning Best Sports & Recreation for significantly increasing footfall within Education City, and Decoding Health - a powerful series designed to simplify the intricacies and benefits of precision health - securing Best Education and Best Healthcare. The latter also successfully picked up a Bronze for Best Arabic Language.
Furthermore, the Preserving the Arabic Language, One Minute at a Time (Arabic Minute) campaign received Silver in Best Use of Social Media an initiative aimed at making Arabic grammar more accessible through engaging micro-lessons.
Commenting on the awards, Executive Director of Communications at Qatar Foundation Leila Sibaey said: "At QF, we are committed to perpetuating the rich heritage of the Arab world and driving social progress in several aspects of society, primarily through education. It's a true honor to see our team's work recognized across so many different thematic areas. These accolades are a reflection of the true sense of partnership we enjoy with Memac Ogilvy and the one-team approach to our work, which has resulted in impactful and meaningful work across Qatar and the region."
On her part, Head of Public Relations at Memac Ogilvy Qatar Megan Yarmuth said: "This year's achievements at the MEPRA Awards reflect the strength of our collaboration with QF. Together, we've created innovative, community-driven campaigns that tackle complex topics with clarity and engage audiences across the region. We are proud to have played a part in celebrating Qatar's rich heritage and shaping its future in areas such as AI and precision health."
In 2023, QF and Memac Ogilvy were recognized with five awards (four Gold and one bronze) for their important role in shaping the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 narrative by providing media with unique experiences, access to diverse Qatar voices, and expert commentators.
