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KPR

KPR partners with global talent firm, welcomes new clients

Dubai-based communications agency, KPR (formerly KeenePR) has announced a partnership and a lineup of recent client wins.  
 
The agency has established a strategic collaboration with global talent firm Global Talent Network (GTN), to deliver brand and talent solutions across key markets. This combines KPR’s expertise in hospitality, travel, F&B and lifestyle communications throughout the GCC, with Global Talent Network’s experience in talent acquisition​, working across global clients such as Formula 1, Wimbledon, Frieze Artfair, Caprice Holdings, Inception Group, Gucci, Fashion Week, Goodwood, Bombay Sapphire, and Longchamp​. As well as celebrity and influencer partnerships for international brands​, ​working​ with Irina Shayk, Bella Hadid, Prince Harry, Cate Blanchett, ​Rosie Huntington-Whiteley​, Jason Statham, David Gandy, Thierry Henry, and Dua Lipa​. Together, the two agencies aim to create integrated, results-driven campaigns that merge strategic public relations with talent activations, strengthening brand positioning and audience engagement on a global scale. 
 
KPR has also welcomed Dubai F&B brands Mezzanine Bar & Kitchen, 99 Sushi, The Black Sheep, Frankie’s Chippy, and the first international franchise of the UK’s Sandwich Sandwich to its client roster, and continues to strengthen its relationship with Emirates Leisure Retail, handling upcoming launches for their DXB airport brands including the first Saddle Coffee franchise, GRIND Café, Qinwan, and homegrown donut brand Here-O. Beyond the UAE, KPR has also signed a long-term partnership with Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. 
 
​​“The past few months have been huge for KPR - from the announcement of our rebrand to launching in Saudi and now our exciting collaboration with Global Talent Network, it had enabled us to expand our client base and welcome exciting new wins,” said Ellie Keene, Founder and CEO of KPR. “It’s amazing to see the confidence brands place in us to help them shine and share their stories in such a vibrant and fast-moving market like the Middle East, especially in the F&B space. We’re looking forward to a strong Q4 and ending the year on a high note.”​​​ 
 
​​​​“We’re thrilled to partner with KPR to strengthen our presence in the GCC. VIP culture plays a vital role in brand growth today, but achieving true ROI requires a strategic approach. Through this collaboration, we’re confident brands will experience exceptional success as our agencies unite to deliver maximum impact,” ​​said Francesca Donnellan, CEO of GTN​​​​​ 
 
In addition, the agency also signed British gastropub The Coterie and homegrown favourites Leen’s, Soyfish and El Moreno Taqueria. In the lifestyle and fitness sectors, the team worked with GRIP Sports Club, Revolution Studios DXB, and bespoke tailoring brand Suited & Booted. Earlier this year, the KPR played a key role in the UAE pre-opening and launch party of London-born Swingers Crazy Golf. 
 
The team also supported IGNITE Water Sport’s Pink is Punk campaign for the second year running as part of its commitment to CSR, providing pro bono media exposure to the initiative in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

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Medill survey identifies key capabilities for the modern CCO

Medill Executive Education at Northwestern University has released its Medill 2026 CCO Monitor Survey Results, “The Medill CCO Monitor: Defining the Competencies of C-Suite Success.”

Conducted between September and November 2025, the survey features responses and insights from 125 senior communications executives from across industries.

Participants shared insights into the modern chief communications officer role, including the importance of being a business leader first, a comms leader second; developing leadership, judgement, and influence; and maintaining curiosity and learning.

Key survey findings include:

  • Respondents ranked strategic business thinking and financial acumen (66 per cent), executive presence and ability to counsel C-suite leaders (66 per cent), and mastery of the communications craft (53 per cent) as the three most important skills for success as a CCO.
  • Business and financial acumen (24 per cent) and executive presence(24 per cent) were also selected as the top skills CCOs needed to develop on the job most after becoming a senior communications leader, followed by cross-functional leadership; influencing without authority (19 per cent).
  • Respondents ranked the same three qualities as the top skills that the senior leaders on their current team need for the CCO role: business and financial acumen (76 per cent), executive presence (64 per cent), and cross-functional leadership (56 per cent).
  • In response to the most important professional development experiences for future CCOs, 91 per cent of participants selected working across comms disciplines as the most critical, followed by managing teams (68 per cent) and crisis management (55 per cent).
  • AI and automation (66 per cent), growth of misinformation (38 per cent), and political and social polarisation (30 per cent) topped the list of external forces CCOs expect to shape their role over the next three to five years.
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Mad Hat Asia secures sportswear brand PR mandate

PUMA Malaysia has appointed Mad Hat Asia as its PR agency of record following a competitive pitch.

Effective from February 2026 to January 2027, the 12-month partnership will see the agency serve as the brand’s dedicated PR point-of-contact, overseeing local press office functions and media relations. The scope includes media and influencer engagement, narrative localisation, relationship management, campaign activation coordination and event support.

Commenting on the appointment, Rengeeta Rendava, Founder and Managing Director of Mad Hat Asia (pictured right), said, “PUMA’s focus on growing communities around sport across different skill levels and interests makes this an exciting fit for how we approach communications at Mad Hat Asia. We believe the strongest lifestyle brands are built through community-first storytelling that generates participation and conversation, not just visibility.”

The appointment follows the agency’s renewed partnership with Bel Group for 2026, where it leads integrated communications, brand-building initiatives and consumer engagement. 

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Stefanie Francesca is promoted to Head of Brand Experiences

Stefanie Francesca has stepped up at iD Collective as Head of Brand Experiences. She has been with the agency for more than 11 years and was most recently General Manager of PR and Communications.