Reputation management in the Middle East

This blog will be my record and thoughts on corporate reputation issues in the Middle East.  And when I say ‘corporate’, I include the reputation of governments, and indeed of Emirates and nations within that definition. 

I am fortunate to be leading the Middle East business of Regester Larkin at a very exciting time to be observing and involved with reputation management in the Middle East.  The level of corporate scrutiny from both an increasingly sophisticated and international media, and an emerging civil society sector, is steadily increasing.

Another factor that makes reputation management so interesting here at the moment is the confluence of three different strands of reputations:

1. international companies seeking to deploy and capitalise on their global reputations as they seek to grow their business in the Middle East
2. GCC-based companies and government investment vehicles building their reputation both at home and abroad, where they are increasingly attaching their brand to investments which would in the past have been made as silent (and hidden) partners
3. and the Emirates and nations of the GCC each seeking to build a reputation globally, both through centrally orchestrated initiatives (eg: the Office of the Brand of Abu Dhabi) and through individual corporate initiatives (eg: Etihad or Emirates sports sponsorships, and the private purchase of Manchester City Football Club).

So I will use this blog to record my own observations of these trends, and would very much welcome the thoughts and comments of others who may either be involved in these endeavours, or a member of the global or regional audience for such initiatives.  Or indeed anyone else who stumbles across this blog and has a view to share.

I look forward to meeting you online …