Jon Barber

Senior Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Investor Relations, Digital and Social Media specialist with experience in Government & Private industry throughout the Middle East.  Currently Vice Chair of MEPRA (Middle East Public Relations Association).  Chartered Member of CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations), and named in PR Week's Middle East Power Book of top 100 PR Professionals in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.   Professional marketing and corporate communications executive, with over 25 years experience in the Middle East and Western Europe. A Broadcast Journalist graduate of Nottingham Trent University, I spent more than 10 years with the BBC as a news and sport journalist. For the past 16 years I have worked in the UAE and KSA as a leading communicator for many of the UAE's most notable brands including TECOM Group, ADNOC, Ferrari World, DAMAC Properties, Dubai World Trade Centre and ACWA Power.  Worked in the Middle East region with Public Relations agencies and in-house, developing powerful Marketing and Public Relations programmes, Crisis Communications counsel, Media Relations and Speech Writing. Developed ROI-driven social media activation for a range of corporate businesses.

What tip would you give to entrants when they are creating their entry?

Really focus on the major points which truly justify what makes your agency number one. Find unique elements and values which make you stand out from the crowd.