Saeed Al Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – The world communication leader, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, appointed Ibrahim Al Bloushy as general manager of the firm's operations in Saudi Arabia, reporting directly to Sconaid McGeachin, regional president and chief executive officer for India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey, the company said in a statement Saturday. “With 30 years' experience in journalism, marketing and public relations, Ibrahim is one of the Kingdom's most experienced and professional communicators,” said McGeachin. “As a Saudi national he brings not only great professionalism and leadership to our teams in Jeddah and Riyadh, but also adds a much deeper level of insight and consultancy advice to clients in one of the most important markets in the region,” he added. “In addition to his local insight and world class communications skills, Ibrahim will focus on enhancing the development of our client service excellence in the Kingdom and deepen collaboration across our global network, allowing us to better advise Saudi clients and those doing business or exploring opportunities there,” McGeachin further added. Al Bloushy is the first Saudi national to be appointed as general manager in the firm's global network. He joins H+K Strategies from Red Bull where he was national communications manager in Saudi Arabia for eight years. “It is a huge honor and a real privilege to join H+K Strategies as the first Saudi to be appointed in this position,” said Al Bloushy. “Since being founded as the world's first public relations firm in 1927, H+K has led the global communications industry, and it was the first international agency to open offices in the Middle East in 1987.” “What is really exhilarating is that H+K's growth strategy is based on experienced, homegrown talent mentored and supported by international consultants. The depth of knowledge, insight and experience across H+K's 2,500 consultants means that it can offer senior communications counsel across virtually every geography, sector and communications practice.” Al Bloushy believes that the communications sector in the Kingdom is on the cusp of incredible growth as both the public and private sectors better understand the value of reputation and the tangible business benefits that accrue. “Social media has transformed communications in Saudi Arabia just as it has around the world. Now everyone has the tools to express their opinion openly and immediately. We need to put the public back in public relations and show brands how they can evolve their communications from the traditional blunt instrument of a press release to a two-way dialogue,” he said. “It's our job as communications consultants to define the reputation gap, frame the story and use the right channels to have the appropriate conversations with the people who matter to win trust. Trusted companies are successful because people are more likely to buy their products and services, and forgive them more readily when things go wrong. They also attract and retain the best talent,” Al Bloushy added. — SG
