Sunil John, the founder and chief executive officer of ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, has been presented with the Chairman’s Award at the Middle East PR Awards 2016.

John was recognised with the award during a glittering ceremony organised by the Middle East Public Relations Association (Mepra) held at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai on Wednesday.  

The Chairman’s Award, one of the top prizes at the industry’s biggest event, is given to an individual for his overall contribution to the PR profession in the Middle East and was handed over by Brian Lott, chairman of Mepra.

In a speech during the ceremony, John dedicated the award to the roster of senior PR professionals who helped build the sector in the region.

“The PR industry today provides a huge opportunity for young people, particularly young Arabs – and it’s fantastic to see how it is attracting some of the top talents in the market place,” John said. “Just by looking around this evening, I am convinced that the future of our profession is in exceptionally capable hands.”

John has been at the heart of the region’s public relations industry for more than two decades, and founded ASDA’A in 2000. In 2001, along with four peers in the industry, he also helped found Mepra, the region’s first and foremost representative body for public relations and communications professionals and students.

John was also the first PR professional from the Middle East to receive the Outstanding Individual Achievement SABRE Award (EMEA), from the Holmes Report in 2014.

Now in its eighth year, the Middle East PR Awards recognises agencies, corporates, teams and individuals who have shown exceptional return on investment, creativity and strategic impact. – TradeArabia News Service