Abstract
This study traces the historical development and current state of public relations practice in the Middle East, focusing on Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as two major Gulf Cooperation Council economies. Using primary research through in-depth interviews, the paper identifies key turning points in the region’s PR history, current practices and challenges, and the factors shaping future growth, finding that technical expertise and press agentry dominate in Qatar while the UAE has developed a more flourishing sector blending local and international agencies.
