Brian Lott

Chief Communications Officer 
Mubadala
UAE

When it comes to the development of public relations in the Middle East, few have played a leadership role greater than that of Brian Lott. As chief communications officer of Mubadala Investment Company—the sovereign-owned business development giant and one of the region’s most sophisticated users of PR — Lott oversees a mandate that is as broad as it is deep. Responsible for stewardship of the brand and management of the group’s corporate communications requirements, Lott has also focused on recruiting and developing local public relations talent to manage the reputations of the company and its various portfolio units.

That mandate gives Lott more insight than most into the Middle East’s growing influence from a communications perspective. Beyond Mubadala, Lott has served as chair of the Middle East Public Relations Association, helping define the organization’s mission and vision and spearheading its contribution to professional development in the region, and as a member of Zayed University’s International Advisory Board. And he was the 2022 chair of the Page board of trustees.

Lott began his career in Washington DC, where he served as chief of staff, spokesman and campaign manager for two members of Congress. He is a published author and former journalist. Before joining Mubadala, Lott worked at global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller for 10 years.

Can you share a moment in your career when you saw PR's direct impact on business performance?

Across the industry, how companies responded to Covid.

What are the communications industry's biggest challenges and opportunities in the year ahead?

Managing the turmoil affecting companies and ESG.

What have you most admired about the communications industry over the past year, and what has disappointed you? 

Our ongoing failure to deal with disinformation.

How have you switched off from work and maintained wellness over the past year?

I have failed.

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has helped you get through the past year or provided inspiration?

Smartless, the podcast.

If I wasn't working in marketing/communications, I would be...

Teaching.