The Middle East Public Relations Association (Mepra) has launched its annual public relations (PR) awards for the region.

The Mepra 2011 Awards, which will be presented at a gala dinner on November 30, recognise PR industry best practice in 14 categories spanning group and individual expertise. agencies and individuals, who are either Mepra members or who can fulfil Mepra's qualification criteria.

Entries have to be submitted by October 13.

"The popularity of the Mepra Awards is a reflection of the competitive nature of agencies offering ever increasingly high standards of service to clients," said Mepra chairman Guy Taylor.

"But whilst most entries traditionally come from agencies, we also wish to gain greater participation from in-house practitioners. Mepra sets out to be an inclusive association, representing the interests of all those engaged in public relations throughout the region. We are keen, therefore, to obtain entries and support from across the Middle East," he added.

The Mepra 2011 Awards reflect the depth of the professional communications industry in the region, covering a range of disciplines including corporate communications, government, consumer relations and financial and investor relations.

Entries must involve public relations and communication activities completed and evaluated between August 1 last year and July 31.

Continuous campaigns undertaken over a period of more than 12 months can also be nominated.

Mepra is a non-profit, professional body for public relations and communications professionals in the Middle East. It has a membership of over 350 individual members and 33 registered agencies. – TradeArabia News Service