Inaugural Media Savvy Awards GCC won by three senior business leaders from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia

DUBAI, Sunday, July 31, 2022 - The inaugural Media Savvy Awards has been awarded to three senior business leaders from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

They are:

• Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Founder & Managing Director of Emaar Properties, interviewed on CNN
• Mr Khaldoon Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala, interviewed on CNBC
• Mr Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia, interviewed on CNN

"The Media Savvy Awards GCC 2022 have proven what we have known since we started coaching media skills and executive presence in the Gulf in 2007: That there are many homegrown business leaders here who can hold their own in media interviews, and are just as good talent, if not better, than their western counterparts," said Mark Laudi, principal trainer at Hong Bao Media and convenor of the Media Savvy Awards during a visit to Dubai.

There were a total of 131 nominations: 58 from the UAE, 28 from Bahrain, 15 from Oman, 11 from KSA, 10 from Kuwait and 9 from Qatar.

"I am thrilled at the number and quality of nominations from each of the GCC markets. The judges had a difficult task shortlisting nominees and ultimately selecting winners from such a strong field of candidates. I thank them for their efforts."

Alex Malouf, Co-Chair for the Gulf Chapter of APACD, said: "The ability to effectively engage with the media should be part of every executive's repertoire. The best business and public leaders are able to communicate effortlessly, to not just share talking points but actually tell stories that capture the attention of any audience. The winners of this year's inaugural Media Savvy Awards for the Gulf do just that, and set the bar for how our region's business executives and officials communicate."

The Media Savvy Awards GCC 2022 is convened by Hong Bao Media, a leading provider of media and communications services. The company was founded by ex-CNBC anchor Mark Laudi, who launched the awards in 2018 in Singapore and Malaysia to recognise business leaders for their media skills, and to showcase skilled and credible home-grown communicators.

The Media Savvy Awards GCC are endorsed and supported by the Dubai Chapter of the Asia Pacific Association of Communications Directors (APACD), and the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA).

We also gratefully acknowledge Bahrain Polytechnic for their logistical support in running the awards.

While the Media Savvy Awards GCC is concluding for this year, the Media Savvy Awards for Singapore and Malaysia is only just getting underway. Now into its fifth year, the awards celebrate great homegrown orators and media performers, and encourage other local business leaders to follow their example. Nominations are now open at www.mediasavvy.asia until October 16, 2022.