CommsLife by APCO Worldwide

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, mental health and well-being has plunged.In 2020 alone, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25%. Widespread concerns around this drastic spike in mental illnesses prompted 90% of countries surveyed by the World Heath Organisation to include mental health and psychosocial support mechanisms in their COVID-19 response plans.But today, major gaps and concerns remain, as the working world accelerates through this recovery phase, working hours get longer and working work remote options mean you're never far away from your inbox.So, how do we overcome this mental health morass and design more inclusive, wellbeing-oriented working environments?Joining us to find some answers is Lianne Braganza-D'Sylva, Chief Marketing Officer, MEA at Cigna Insurance Middle East.*Disclaimer: Cigna Insurance Middle East is an APCO Worldwide client. Participation in APCO content is not compensated.

The inevitable rise of e-commerce, waves of customer analytics, personalized sounds, smells and experiences and automated home delivery. The future of the retail landscape looks very different to the bricks and mortar physical buildings we interact with today. So how do conglomerates maintain the loyalty of their consumer base? And what role, if any can, rewards programmes play in incentivizing consumers who are more and more used to having what they want, when they want, to stay loyal to outlets?Joining me to discuss this topic and more are Amir Atiatalla, Head of Dubai Holding's Centre of Excellence and Ashwini Chitnis, Vice President of Marketing at Dubai Holding.

With the UAE transitioning to a new Monday to Friday working week, the business landscape in the Middle East has altered irreversibly. So, what are the challenges of this new playing field – for businesses, organisations and governments? And will more countries follow the UAE's lead? Scott Armstrong, Editor in Chief of Arabian Business, joins CommsLife to discuss what's going on.

Licy DoCanto, managing director of APCO's headquarters in Washington DC's and Stephanie Waties, senior director, APCO Worldwide, Washington, D.C., join the CommsLife team to discuss the future of travel.As the fallout from the pandemic continues to evolve, the way we move, interact, and do business has been forever altered. The travel industry has encountered and embraced substantial change. For business travelers, what was once commonplace—a ticket purchase, pass through security and stop by concessions—faced extended pause. For industry leaders, raising the bar on health and safety standards was first in order. In 2020, total global business travel expenses contracted by 52 percent. While the recovery is in motion, the road ahead is predicted by many to be long and uneven one.So what does this mean for the future of business travel, travel generally, and what impact does that have on our line of work – communications?

ESGs. SDGs. GHGs. NDCs. Whether it's acronyms or the word itself, sustainability is on the tip of the tongue of every communicator today. Likewise, it's at the top of every corporate and government agenda. But what is the substance behind the buzzword of the decade of action, and how do we know if something is genuinely sustainable, or if it's simply greenwashing?

We are witnessing a "phenomenal pivot" from oil companies reinventing themselves to become energy companies. Strategic communications is pivotal to their success. Former CNN Emerging Markets Anchor John Defterios joins us in the CommsLife studio in APCO Worldwide's Dubai office to announce his move into strategic communications after a three-decade long career as a bastion of broadcasting, and to share his thoughts on the role of communications in positioning emerging markets like the UAE as the centre of today's globalized world. **The CommsLife podcast by APCO Worldwide is available wherever you get your podcasts from, on any of the links here: https://linktr.ee/CommsLife **Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR) Artist: Nomyn Title: Astral Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

"The pandemic highlighted that healthcare and logistics are intricately bound. The million-dollar question is, how do we ensure vaccines are as widely and fairly distributed as possible?" - Craig Arnold, Vice President of UPS Healthcare talks about the challenges facing logistics companies getting medicines where they need to be in time to help the global economy bounce back as soon as safely possible.This is part one of the CommsLife special Healthcare series - talking to the experts behind the unprecedented global effort to vaccinate and immunize the world against COVID-19. BBC article cited: “Covax: How will Covid vaccines be shared around the world?”: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-55795297 The CommsLife podcast by APCO Worldwide is available wherever you get your podcasts from, on any of the links here: https://linktr.ee/CommsLife​ Disclaimer: UPS is an APCO Worldwide client. However, participation in APCO content is not compensated ***Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR​) Artist: Nomyn Title: Astral Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs​ Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

"Young people most likely will be paying for the consequences of the pandemic, for a long time to come," a quote from Othman Almoamoar, the Chair of the 2020 Youth20 Engagement Group and research lead at Misk Foundation, on this week's episode of CommsLife.  Communique-ting youth priorities with the top table of international policymakers. This week, Othman Almoamoar and host Thomas Billinghurst discuss the Youth20’s responsibility to represent young people and the impacts COVID-19 will have on the youth's ability to make an impact on the world we live in today.   *New York Times article: Young People More Likely to Believe Virus Misinformation, Study Says –  September2020 The CommsLife podcast by APCO Worldwide is available wherever you get your podcasts from, on any of the links here: https://linktr.ee/CommsLife​​Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR​​)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs​​Wiljan: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic​​Xandra: https://soundcloud.com/xandra​​https://facebook.com/XandraaMusic​​Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

Casual and fine dining have been the most disproportionately affected sectors in the global food and beverage industry, with sales in the US down by 80 and 85 percent respectively, in 2020.With many of the world’s most esteemed restaurants unable to offer customers the experiences they pay top dollar for due to global lockdown restrictions, many have had to pivot, find alternative ways of generating revenues, or shut down – either temporarily or indefinitely.So, how do they come back? And what are the most pressing challenges facing communicators in the f&b and hospitality space?Joining us to discuss this topic is Mark Sansom, Content Editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Bars and 50 Best Discovery.* Forbes cited: World-Renowned Chef Daniel Boulud Shares His Recipe For Success Amid Covid-19 The CommsLife podcast by APCO Worldwide is available wherever you get your podcasts from, on any of the links here: https://linktr.ee/CommsLife​​Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR​​)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs​​Wiljan: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic​​Xandra: https://soundcloud.com/xandra​​https://facebook.com/XandraaMusic​​Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

As we celebrate and recognise the theme for International Women’s Day 2021, Choose to Challenge, we bring on Samar Alshorafa, Founding CEO of She is Arab to dive into the topic of women empowerment in the region. We identify how and who the change drivers are in changing perceptions of the modern working woman and more exclusively, how the platform She is Arab is overturning female stereotypes in the Arab World.* CNN Business Article cited: Female Fortune 500 CEOs reach an all-time high, but it's still a small percentageThe CommsLife podcast by APCO Worldwide is available wherever you get your podcasts from, on any of the links here: https://linktr.ee/CommsLife​​Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR​​)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs​​Wiljan: https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic​​Xandra: https://soundcloud.com/xandra​​https://facebook.com/XandraaMusic​​Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s*Disclaimer: She is Arab is an APCO Worldwide client. However, participation in APCO content is not compensated

"Now is our time to turn the corner on racism and communicators can be leaders in that" - Charlene Wheeless, Senior Advisor for Equity and Justice at APCO Worldwide talks with Licy Do Canto, Managing Director for Washington, DC Office at APCO Worldwide, about the role of corporate America in elevating the dialogue around Black History Month, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, from acts of commemoration to a deeper emphasis on advocacy and transformation. APCO Worldwide’s theme for Black History Month in 2021 is “Change Agents”. We’re looking at the emerging leaders, proactively changing the way America is, and is perceived – from representation to leadership and power dynamics.*The Guardian transcript of Amanda Gorman's poem "The Hill We Climb" cited: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...​ The CommsLife podcast by APCO Worldwide is available wherever you get your podcasts from, on any of the links here: https://linktr.ee/CommsLife​​ Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR​​)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs​​Wiljan:https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic​​Xandra:https://soundcloud.com/xandra​​https://facebook.com/XandraaMusic​​Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

"There is still so much division as to whether climate change is real, and how best to address it" - Damian Brandy, Communications officer in IRENA’s Strategic Management and Executive Direction Division on how the need for a “green recovery” is being communicated, as governments and organisations respond to the dual crises of the public health emergency and an economic slump affected by the pandemic. *Fast Company article cited: "The U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement. Now comes the hard part" by Adele Peters: https://www.fastcompany.com/90596791/the-u-s-rejoined-the-paris-agreement-now-comes-the-hard-partMusic provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR​)Artist: NomynTitle: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcs​Wiljan:https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusic​Xandra:https://soundcloud.com/xandra​https://facebook.com/XandraaMusic​Music provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

"We need to produce more content for millennials to get them engaged with business" - Lubna Hamdan, Host of business talkshow Greenback on how new media should be involving younger audiences in the world of business. We also talk about the rise of the hybrid journalist-influencer and the perils of influencers posing as journalists in a post-truth, fake news world and the unpaid work experience needed for a media career.*The Gulf Business article cited: "Dubai radio presenter Kris Fade wants to hire you, but..." - https://gulfbusiness.com/dubai-radio-presenter-kris-fade-wants-to-hire-you-but/ Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcsWiljan:https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusicXandra:https://soundcloud.com/xandrahttps://facebook.com/XandraaMusicMusic provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

"The average person doesn't know where to turn online for information today and there's very little editorial control of that" - Mukul Devichand, Executive Editor of Voice & AI at the BBC on the rise of voice command technologies, social media--driven journalism and the responsibilities of communicators using new AI technologies. *The Guardian article cited: "A robot write this entire article. Are you scared yet, human? " - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/08/robot-wrote-this-article-gpt-3 Music provided by HearWeGo (https://goo.gl/nDS3zR)Artist: Nomyn Title: AstralListen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C5OUN5OEBcsWiljan:https://soundcloud.com/wiljanmusicXandra:https://soundcloud.com/xandrahttps://facebook.com/XandraaMusicMusic provided by RFM: https://youtu.be/SyE_Nfp191s

"There's pressure on diplomats to become more like journalists" - James Watt, former British Ambassador to Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, talks about the crossovers between the communications and diplomatic spheres. he also offers the diplomat's view on expectations for a new era of stability in the Middle East in light of the historic Abraham Accord signed by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Israel.*The National News article cited: "A new era towards security and prosperity’: UAE and Israeli foreign ministers meet in historic first" - https://bit.ly/3miIAwJ

“We don’t have to manufacture relevance. There’ve been many brands who have been trying to keep themselves relevant during a time when they haven’t been active, but we actually had a role to play” – in the final episode of CommsLife's first season, Firas Wahbeh talks about the frontline municipal disinfection campaign led by Bee’ah’s during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We discuss the challenges of communicating the waste management process and educating citizens and residents of a transient populace to contribute to the UAE’s efforts to build a greener, sustainable future.*Episode 12 marks the final chapter of CommsLife's inaugural season. The APCO Worldwide team will be back in September 2020 with more guests and big topics for a second season.

Despite the financial uncertainty of the pandemic, a growing number of people are looking to move to bigger homes, as they're spending more time working from home - Julian Redman, Head of Marketing at Dubai Asset Management, discusses the trends, impacts and challenges facing Dubai's real estate industry in the wake of COVID-19.*Dubai Asset Management is an APCO Worldwide client. However, participation in APCO content is not compensated.

Vertical farming will use "anywhere between 10 to 100 times less water, fertilizer and land, compared to conventional farms", making a potential game changer when it comes to feeding an ever-growing global population says Stuart Oda, Founder & CEO of Alesca Life. We talk to Stuart about the nuances and complexities of communicating a technology that the world is still grappling with and how it can be rolled out into various markets to supply the various needs of the consumers from low income all the way through to high income geographies.

“The worst slump in [job] hiring has already occurred, we are on the way to recovery” – Najat Abdelhadi, Communications Lead at LinkedIn MENA and Lynn Chouman, Editor at LinkedIn, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the job market in the MENA region and which industries have been hit the hardest. We also discuss how job seekers and thought leaders can stand out from the crowd in the hyper-competitive, shifting job markets of 2020 and beyond.*LinkedIn MENA is an APCO Worldwide client. However, participation in APCO content is not compensated

“We need to do more than reset, we probably need to reinvent; there will be big questions for the new world order” – Rob Willock, Director of The Economist Corporate Network for MENA discusses the road to economic recovery as the world adapts to life under the lingering clouds of COVID-19.

“We should reconsider how we approach the start-up boom” – Karin Gabriel, Project Lead at Dubai Future Accelerators, discusses why start-up founders and entrepreneurs must refocus their efforts away from the exit. Rather than chasing unicorns they should be looking to build camels, she explains. Having worked with more than 250 start-ups from 37 countries in the last three years, Gabriel talks about the merits of bringing emerging tech start-ups from around the world to work with government entities on solving pressing solutions in Dubai with 4IR tech. She also tells us why COVID-19 got her talking to her house plants…

“Is it green wash, is it propaganda, or is it a PR stunt? To some extent, there will always be an issue with perception" - Her Excellency Dr. Nawal Al-Hosany, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), talks about overcoming the prevalent misconceptions of the UAE’s energy strategy, her experiences of gender discrimination and building equality in a traditionally male-dominated industry, as well as the challenges and chances COVID-19 has thrown the way of the renewable energy industry to build a greener future for all. She also tells of her conquest of Mount Kilimanjaro!

"Lose your job successfully to AI, and learn from it" - Toby Ruckert, Founder and CEO of Unified Intelligent Brain (UIB), talks about the moral, sociological and educational responsibilities we have in building artificial intelligence (AI) systems that support human intelligence without eradicating it. When it comes to communications, we should be ready to embrace and integrate their increasingly human characteristics into our work.

“It is no longer about issuing a press release for optimum reach and coverage – that’s not going to happen anymore.” Lena Terlaare, Director of Marketing and CSR at Transguard Group, explains how storytelling has evolved over the last 20 years and why communications and media professionals must adapt and quickly if they are to stay relevant to modern audiences, while paying homage to traditional industry practices.

"Social media has been horrible, a pernicious force that's wrought more damage than good" - Kelsey Warner, Future Editor at The National, says the integrity of well-researched, fact-driven reporting from qualified journalists is crucial for separating the hype from the reality when it comes to reporting on the future. We discuss the future of journalism and news in a media landscape shaken by the eruption of social media and civilian journalism.

“There’s no such thing as a work-life balance.” Margery Kraus, founder of APCO Worldwide, says the notion of a 9 to 5 working day never really existed. Today, as the way we work changes quicker than ever before and with more people experiencing some form of mental illness than at any other time, the author of “Roots and Wings” discusses how the two could be linked and what we can do to overcome this sudden psychological paralysis affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Margery opens up about her personal experiences of mental health, she discusses how the perception of mental well-being has shifted over her 50-year professional career, and she tells us of fond memories of living above a bakery.

Commercial aircraft are "as safe as an Intensive Care Unit" - Alan Peaford, editor in chief of Arabian Aerospace, said consumers shouldn't worry about the hygiene of airplanes when we return to flying. We also talked how the leaders of the Gulf carriers have communicated strength and empathy during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the ways that the potential $100 billion-plus hit to aviation revenues is producing a disastrous domino effect on vital industries around the world.