Exceptional and impactful storytelling and communication skills are being recognized through a new award. The Media Savvy Awards will recognize business leaders within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for their excellent traditional and new media skills and leaders who take a proactive, strategic and targeted approach, and deliver their message with impact and clarity.

It showcases best practice examples of customer, shareholder, staff, supplier, and other stakeholder communication.

"We want to recognize those business leaders who through their presentation style are able to attain and retain their audience's attention, and inspire them to act, interact and transact," said Mark Laudi, Awards Convenor, former CNBC anchor and Managing Director of Hong Bao Media.

"You cannot lead in a communications vacuum, and we must recognize and applaud executives who are able to communicate effectively with the public and other key stakeholders," said Alex Malouf, APACD's Gulf Co-Chair, and PRCA MENA Board Member.

"The Media Savvy Awards are an opportunity for the industry to push home the message that clear, impactful communications help organizations build relationships and foster trust. We should encourage executives and officials to better communicate with their stakeholders, especially in a region where everyone is online and always looking to engage with brands and organizations," added Malouf. The awards are celebrating their fifth year in Singapore and Malaysia, with the addition of a new Best Webcast/Hybrid Event Presentation category, in line with the changing times.

"As economies reopen post-pandemic, communication skills are now more important than ever. We forecast senior business leaders will not go back to an offline environment, presenting only to audiences physically present before them – nor are they going to remain in a purely virtual environment where they speak to audiences only through a video conferencing platform. We will see a hybrid model emerge where both face-to-face and virtual communication skills are essential. Internal communications, sales briefings, and conference presentations have all moved to video conferencing platforms. Together with virtual Annual General Meetings, live casting has become the norm and brought exceptional talent to the fore," said Laudi. 

Nominations are now open at www.mediasavvyawards.com until Saturday, April 30, 2022.