Gulf-based communications consultancy Narrative Shapers has partnered with the United Kingdom-based PR Academy to develop and deliver specialized training courses and workshops for marketing and communications professionals across the Gulf region.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on courses covering a range of subjects, including internal communications, crisis management, strategic communications, change management, digital engagement, sustainability, and artificial intelligence.
The workshops, which will run for one to two days, will be offered either on-site in the Gulf or in the UK. The initiative aims to enhance the skills of in-house marketing and communications teams as Gulf countries pursue ambitious economic and social transformation agendas, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 strategy.
According to the partners, the training programmes are designed to combine communications theory with practical frameworks and best practices, helping professionals strengthen their storytelling and strategic communications capabilities.
“Having worked in the Gulf for over two decades in the fields of communications and marketing, I know how much I would have benefited from these training courses,” said Alex Malouf, founder and managing partner, Narrative Shapers. “For the first time, in-house teams and executives will be able to benefit from the best possible learning delivered in the Gulf. Best practices, including local examples, will be anchored in theory, and attendees will be engaged in learning that is both engaging and informative as we help them to better tell the region’s stories both at home and abroad.”
Founded in 2007 by Ann Pilkington and Kevin Ruck, the PR Academy is one of the UK’s largest providers of bespoke public relations training. The organization has trained thousands of communications professionals globally and is known for promoting flexible learning models and community-driven engagement tools.
“The Gulf region is one of the most exciting public relations markets today, and what stands out is the ambition to tell the region’s story on a global scale. What we are here to do is to provide Gulf-based professionals with the means and the tools to be able to best tell their stories through face-to-face training in partnership with Narrative Shapers,” said PR Academy Director Ann Pilkington.
The partners said the training programmes are intended to support communications professionals in adapting to evolving industry demands and contributing to the region’s broader development goals.
