Dubai, UAE, 9th June 2010: Total Communications has resumed its long standing working relationship with Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE).

The Dubai-based PR agency has signed a new long-term contract to provide comprehensive PR support for all ATCUAE events and activities both within and outside the motor sport arena, as well as for Sulayem's increasingly influential role with the FIA.

The ATCUAE President is Vice President of the FIA and the first ever Arab member of its most powerful body, the World Motor Sport Council, which decides on rules, regulations, safety and development of motor sport at every level, from karting to Formula One. 

Total Communications is the Arabian Gulf partner for ECCO International Communications, which offers PR and marketing support in over 40 countries, and is one of the UAE's longest established public relations firms.

Celebrating its 20th year of operation in 2010, the agency provided PR support for Sulayem and his sponsors for much of his career as a record breaking rally driver. He was Middle East champion 14 times and scored more than 60 international rally victories.

From its launch in 1991, Total Communications helped Sulayem establish the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as the top event in the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies and its motor bike equivalent, the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship. And after Sulayem became President of the ATCUAE in 2006, the agency worked closely with him as he developed the Club into the leading national motor sport authority in the Middle East.

"We have enjoyed a close relationship with Mohammed since the company was formed," said Tony Lewis, Managing Director of Total Communications. "We're delighted to be working with him and the ATCUAE again after a short break."

Sulayem said: "We have long-term plans to build on what has been achieved at the ATCUAE and it's important to have a long-term partnership with a PR agency which has the knowledge and specialist experience to support us across our full range of events and activities."

Sulayem has restructured the ATCUAE over the last 12 months, with Emirati Mahir Badri stepping in as Chief Executive to head an operations team including Sean O'Connor as Director,  John Spiller as Motor Sport Director and Ronan Morgan as Sports Project Director.

Total Communications has a wide range of long-standing clients including Hertz, IIR Middle East, Porsche Middle East & Africa, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Streamline Marketing Group.

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About the ATCUAE
The ATCUAE (www.atcuae.ae) is the officially nominated representative in the Emirates of the FIA, motor sport's world governing body, and its motor cycling and classic car counterparts, the FIM and FIVA.

On their behalf it oversees the complete range of motor sport activities in the UAE, including more than 140 events per year in rallying, karting, drag racing, hill climbs, moto cross and other motor bike events. The Club also has overall responsibility for circuit racing events, including the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix. 

In the area of mobility it provides a growing range of services for motoring tourists and travellers, supports road safety, car safety and "green" vehicle initiatives, and runs a UAE-wide road assistance operation. 

It is also the only FIA authorised organistaion in the UAE to issue International Driving Permits, as well as Carnet de Passage en Douane (Trip Tickets) and International Certificates which simplify customs formalities for motoring tourists and travellers.

For further press information please contact:
Tony Lewis / Lindsay Johnston       
Total Communications
Tel: + 971 4 336 9909
Fax: + 971 4 336 9905
Email: tony@totalcompr.ae / lindsay@totalcompr.ae /

© Press Release 2010