MESTEC 2024 Concludes with Key Insights on Strategic Communication Challenges and Opportunities
The 12th edition of the Middle East Strategic Communications Conference (MESTEC 2024) got here to a near on Wednesday, marking a considerable gathering of specialists, thought leaders, and industry experts at the IntercityHotel Muscat. The event, prepared via Muscat Media Group (MMG) and supported by the Gulf Center for Strategic Communications (GSC) and the Council of Arab International Relations (CARINTER), centered on the subject matter “Turning Strategic Communication Challenges into Opportunities.” Over the direction of 2 days, contributors delved into essential discussions about the evolving role of media, print journalism, public family members, and crisis control in the context of rapidly changing technology, economic pressures, and global communique trends.
Thematic Focus and Key Takeaways
The conference supplied an invaluable platform for specialists to discover the pressing demanding situations and rising opportunities within the realm of strategic communications. Experts from diverse fields mentioned the effect of recent technology, including artificial intelligence, on traditional media and public relations industries, and examined how these sectors can adapt to stay relevant in an more and more digital international.
Salem Al Jawhari, Vice President of the Omani Journalists’ Association and Vice President of the Asian Media Federation, set the tone for discussions through addressing the economic demanding situations confronted by way of private media outlets. He careworn that the worldwide economic recession has deeply affected media establishments, specially in phrases of declining advertising sales and sponsorships. Al Jawhari mentioned that these outlets play a crucial position in defending a rustic’s identity, comparing their significance to countrywide establishments like airways, and recommended for stronger government aid to make sure the sustainability of these entities.
Moanes Al Mardi, Editor-in-Chief of Bahrain’s Al Bilad newspaper, took this subject matter in addition, addressing the demanding situations dealing with print journalism especially. With the rise of virtual platforms and artificial intelligence, he highlighted the need for traditional media to adapt and proactively adapt to remain aggressive and applicable in the cutting-edge media panorama. Al Mardi entreated media outlets to embrace technological improvements as opposed to worry them, emphasizing that innovation may want to offer possibilities for media to maintain playing a vital function in society.
In a similar vein, Khaled Orabi, Managing Editor and Business Development Manager at Muscat Media Group, provided insights into the kingdom of public family members in Oman. While the public relations quarter has potential, he mentioned, it has not but reached its full capability, with many nearby PR firms struggling to compete with global groups. Orabi emphasised the crucial function that public family members performs in shaping public perception, advertising, and selling authorities regulations and organizational messages, underscoring the need for a much better local PR industry.
Media’s Role in Crisis Management
One of the significant discussions of MESTEC 2024 revolved around the media’s position in disaster management. Dr. Tariq Al Shammari, Chairman of GSC and CARINTER, highlighted the significance of media neutrality and professionalism in dealing with crises. Drawing on Oman’s method to disaster management, he praised the country’s media professionals for their adherence to a coverage of non-interference, a precept introduced through the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and continued with the aid of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Dr. Al Shammari emphasized that powerful disaster control requires close cooperation among government groups, media businesses, and the general public, and presented examples of a hit disaster communique techniques carried out inside the Gulf region.
Dr. Yousef Al Sharif, a media professional and lawyer from the UAE, also touched at the broader impact of media on society. He discussed how media can definitely have an impact on family dynamics by running within felony and legislative frameworks to guide own family-associated issues, specifically inside the context of social media’s growing have an impact on.
Marketing and Innovation inside the Media Landscape
The conference also featured a sequence of classes at the evolving position of advertising in communication techniques. Zayana Al Badaei, Corporate Communications Manager at Daleel Petroleum, spoke approximately the critical role of advertising in supporting organizational fulfillment and shared practical insights into making plans powerful advertising campaigns. She stressed the want for corporations to be adaptive and forward-thinking of their advertising techniques, specifically in a area characterized by way of speedy financial and technological change.
Karma Al Taher, Senior Marketing and PR Manager at Orascom Development Company/Muriya, provided a paper on progressive advertising procedures, detailing how Muriya has employed diverse techniques to beautify its logo presence and have interaction with its audience successfully. Al Taher’s presentation underscored the significance of adapting advertising techniques to the specific characteristics of the Middle Eastern market, where nearby lifestyle and values play a good sized function in shaping purchaser conduct.
Qut Al Qulub, a task developer, media advertising professional, and content author, shared her reviews in creating countrywide and significant content. She emphasised that impactful content material doesn’t ought to be sensational or trivial to capture attention. Instead, it must goal to inspire and unify communities, reflecting shared values and fostering a experience of collective identification.
Health and Nutrition Communication
The convention also addressed specialized sectors like fitness conversation. Nadia Al Hamzi, Marketing Director at Mazoon Dairy, and Dr. Ghedeir Alshammari, a health communications expert from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia, mentioned a way to communicate correctly on fitness and nutrition-associated subjects. They highlighted the significance of clear and sincere verbal exchange techniques, in particular whilst addressing public health issues, and the challenges concerned in overcoming misinformation in an era of rapid information dissemination.
Honoring Contributions to Strategic Communication
The occasion concluded with a ceremony honoring remarkable contributions to the media and communications sectors inside the Arab international. The prestigious Gulf and Arab Press and Media Awards were offered to individuals and companies for his or her excellence in promoting Arab identity, cohesion, and innovation in media and strategic verbal exchange.
Salem Al Jawhari obtained the Press Award of the Year for his tireless work as Vice President of the Omani Journalists’ Association, at the same time as Muscat Media Group turned into commemorated with the Media Award for its incredible contributions to the media panorama within the region. The award became conventional via Salim Al Habsi, Advisor to the CEO of Muscat Media Group, in popularity of the organization’s ongoing commitment to advancing media excellence.
The Role of Nexus Novel in MESTEC 2024
The occasion become controlled by using Nexus Novel, a leading advertising and branding corporation regarded for its modern strategies and comprehensive service offerings. Their involvement in MESTEC 2024 ensured that the conference maintained a excessive popular of professionalism and creativity, contributing to the occasion’s average success.
Conclusion
MESTEC 2024 served as a extensive platform for professionals across the media, communications, and advertising and marketing sectors to talk about rising challenges and possibilities in strategic verbal exchange. By addressing important issues just like the function of media in disaster control, the effect of recent technologies, and the need for innovation in advertising and public members of the family, the conference highlighted the evolving nature of verbal exchange inside the Middle East and beyond. As the area keeps to revel in speedy technological and economic adjustments, activities like MESTEC provide priceless insights and set the level for future advancements inside the discipline of strategic communications.
