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  • Comment: The tone is that of a magazine article, or a character reference. We do not want a paean of praise, we want a neutral article 🇺🇦 FiddleTimtrent FaddleTalk to me 🇺🇦 18:56, 23 July 2024 (UTC)

Mitchell Prather is an accomplished international communications professional with over 35 years of experience spanning multiple continents, including Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan in the United States. He is a seasoned expert in public relations, financial, and corporate communications, and has worked with high-profile organizations such as Burson-Marsteller and Mubadala Development Company.[1] Prather is the Chief Executive Officer of Djembe Consultants[2] a unique organically grown communications consultancy committed to amplifying an African and Middle Eastern narrative founded on collaboration, entrepreneurship, growth, and innovation.[3]

Education and Career

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Prather graduated from San Diego State University in 1989, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Marketing. The same year, he started his career at Georgeson & Company[4] in London where he worked as an Account Executive providing investor relations support across Europe and North America. In Burson-Marsteller, Mitchell was hired as Manager of Client Services, developing investor relations programs for international ADR and domestic clients on US exchanges in New York and London.

From June 1995 to July 1996, Prather became the Manager of Client Services at Ludgate Communications in New York where his former EVP boss at Burson-Marsteller recruited him to execute investor relations programs for international ADR and domestic clients, leveraging his expertise in financial communications. As the Deputy Managing Director of the Investor Relations Group in London from August 1996 to January 1999, Prather expanded the international business development drive of the agency and led the firm to increase its global presence and client base.

Prather served as Managing Director at Arnold Public Relations, London from February 1999 to February 2022, establishing European operations for the Boston-based corporate communications agency and successfully expanding the agency's footprints in Europe. From March 2002 to October 2006, Prather became the Managing Director of RR Communications in London. He established a cross-border corporate communications agency with offices in Boston and London, demonstrating his ability to lead and manage international operations.

Prather joined GolinHarris[5] in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November 2006 as a Senior Director and was later promoted to Joint Managing Director, a position he held until July 2010. He co-led a 28-strong Pan-GCC corporate communications consultancy, where he was instrumental in driving the firm's growth and reputation across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. At Mubadala Development Company,[6] Prather managed financial communication requirements for M&A deals, international financing activities, and corporate results reporting. He also handled corporate communication for key assets, including the Guinea Alumina Corporation, and enhanced employee engagement strategies.[7] In July 2012, Prather served as the Managing Director at Grayling[8] in Dubai.[9] ] In this role, he primarily focused on supporting the launch of the Angolan Sovereign Wealth Fund's (FSDEA) private equity investment activity and developed the Fund's Social Charter programs. Additionally, he handled the firm's corporate communication for the Middle East and Africa, further solidifying his expertise in the MEA region.

Working at the intersection of communication, public relations, and investor relations for over 35 years, Prather's career spans multiple continents including Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Specifically, he has experience working in several countries, including Angola, Australia, Bahrain, Botswana, Canada, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, New Zealand, Oman, Nigeria, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Djembe Consultants

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Prather is now the Chief Executive Officer at Djembe Consultants,[10] a communications and public relations agency he founded in 2014 that focuses on regional development projects in Africa and the Middle East. Under his leadership, Djembe has grown significantly and is one of the best and most reliable PR agencies in the MEA[11] region. With Djembe, Prather recruited a team of young African minds dedicated to changing the African narrative to one of innovation and potential through promoting local context and deploying more effective best-in-class communication practices. He is arguably one of the leading authorities in public relations and communications in the continent given his commentaries on Africa's prospects for growth and development.[12] According to the Holmes Report[13] for the Best New Agencies for EMEA 2015, "Djembe is one of the best of the new generation of African PR firms, combining high-level strategic consultancy with a rigorous understanding of local market conditions across the continent."[14]

Notable Projects

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Public and Private Investments in Angola (2012–2018)

Prather managed sovereign reputational risks and promoted Angola's first Public Private Partnership, Porto de Caio, and the $5 billion sovereign wealth fund (FSDEA).[15] His strategic guidance, stakeholder management, and key positioning efforts were critical in attracting international investments.

Sovereign Host for Innovation Prize for Africa Awards Event (2016)

Prather facilitated high-level government outreach, developed pitch materials, and secured sponsorships for the African Innovation Foundation. His work included meetings with key government ministries and Presidential Offices in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo, promoting the Innovation Prize for Africa.

Joint Venture Communications for Guinea Alumina Corporation (2010–2012)

Prather developed and implemented local and regional communications programs for the Guinea Alumina Corporation joint venture. He managed local reputational risks and coordinated activities with JV partners Global Alumina and BHP Billiton, ensuring effective communication and stakeholder engagement.[16]

Awards and Recognition

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Prather has received multiple accolades throughout his career. In 2017, he was named PR Professional of the Year at the African Excellence Awards.[17] Additionally, in 2016, he was recognized as part of the Innovator 25 by PRovoke Media,[18][19] highlighting his significant contributions and innovative approaches in the PR industry. His leadership has also led Djembe Consultants to be shortlisted for a series of awards including the 'Best International Agency Awards' at the PRWeek Global Awards[20] in 2020[21] and the African Consultancies of the Year at the Davos Communications Awards[22] which honors leading communications agencies and professionals globally.[23]

References

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  1. ^ Prather, Mitchell. "Mitchell Prather - Author Biography". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  2. ^ https://djembeconsultants.com/
  3. ^ Writer, Staff (2019-10-16). "Q&A: Djembe Consultants CEO on how he put together a new kind of African communications consultancy". How we made it in Africa. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  4. ^ https://www.georgeson.com/us
  5. ^ https://golin.com/emea/office/uae/
  6. ^ https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mubadala-development-company.asp
  7. ^ Prather, Mitchell. "Mitchell Prather - Author Biography". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  8. ^ https://grayling.com/
  9. ^ Prather, Mitchell. "Mitchell Prather - Author Biography". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  10. ^ https://djembeconsultants.com/
  11. ^ https://istizada.com/list-of-mea-region-countries/#:~:text=MEA%20is%20a%20designation%20given,distribution%20and%20customer%20support%20services.
  12. ^ Writer, Staff (2016-03-09). "Q&A: Insight into Africa's public relations industry". How we made it in Africa. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  13. ^ https://www.provokemedia.com/agency-playbook/agency-profile/the-holmes-report
  14. ^ Week, Comms (2015-06-16). "African PR Agency to Ramp up Presence in Nigeria". Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  15. ^ July 15, Anna Reynolds; 2015. "Africa's Djembe Communications eyes UK expansion". www.prweek.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ December 08, Mitchell Prather; 2016. "African comms firms embrace the new world economy as the continent eyes growth". www.prweek.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12. {{cite web}}: |last2= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ https://af-pr.excellence-awards.com/winnerlist-2017/
  18. ^ https://www.provokemedia.com/
  19. ^ "Africa Consultancies of the Year". PRovoke Media. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  20. ^ https://www.prweekglobalawards.com/
  21. ^ Djembe (2020-03-16). "Djembe Consultants Shortlisted for Best International Agency Award - Djembe Consultants". Djembe Consultants - Communications Consultancy. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  22. ^ https://www.wcfaglobal.com/awards/winners/2023
  23. ^ "Winners - 2023". www.wcfaglobal.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
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