Arab Social Media Award announces opening of entries for participation

• Award to honor best social media initiatives in 20 categories
• Individuals and organisations wishing to participate can nominate themselves or others at www.arabsocialmediaaward.ae

Dubai, 30 June 2014 - The organizing committee for the Arab Social Media Award, which was launched at the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that entries for the award are open from June 29, 2014, and nominations can be submitted until September 15, 2014.

Individuals and organisations wishing to participate can nominate themselves or others on the award website: www.arabsocialmediaaward.ae.

The award includes 20 categories: Government Sector, Private Sector, Blogs, Media, Sport, Tolerance, CSR, Education, Youth, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Economy, Politics, Health, Arts, Safety, Security, Shopping, Environment, Tourism and Entertainment, in addition to the Personality of the Year Award.

'With entries open for the award, we expect significant participation, especially from the highly populated Arab countries. We are confident that the award would stimulate a surge in the positive impact of social media on the realities of the Arab world, and encourage all influencers in the field to focus on innovative ideas and initiatives that take forward our communities towards the development path,” H.E. Abdullah Al Basti, Director General of the Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, said.

The Arab Social Media Award is based on three main standards: Communication, Creativity and Impact. It recognises communication within communities, tangible benefits for social development, and the contribution of positivity to progress and prosperity.

The award, which is the first of its kind in the region, reflects the UAE government's commitment to harness social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook and leverage their role as major communication channels to drive the development of government, society and business in the Arab world.