Saman Qodousi, acting head of public relations at the Petroleum Ministry,
said the rapid rise of digital platforms, new media formats and fake news has
significantly increased the sensitivity of communications management in the oil
and petrochemical industries.
“Public relations today requires professional management,
precision and institutional support,” Qodousi said at a ceremony marking the
appointment of the new acting public relations chief of the National
Petrochemical Company (NPC).
Qodousi praised the NPC’s leadership for prioritizing
communications, adding that the importance of public relations remains
underestimated in many organizations despite its critical role in crisis
management and countering disruptive information flows.
He stressed the need for stronger managerial backing for
communications teams, particularly during periods of “media warfare” and
reputational risk.
Highlighting the petrochemical sector’s strategic
contribution to Iran’s economy, Qodousi said its role in export revenues and
economic performance has drawn increased public attention, placing greater
responsibility on industry communicators.
He called for closer coordination between petrochemical
companies, private holdings and Petroleum Ministry bodies to ensure consistent
and timely dissemination of industry achievements, including project launches,
production milestones and technological innovations.
“Structured and professional communication of these
developments can reinforce the petrochemical industry’s standing in public
opinion,” he said.
Qodousi also underscored the importance of systematic
engagement with media outlets, noting that the scale and diversity of oil and
petrochemical coverage demands careful planning and deep understanding of the
media landscape.
Focus on branding and media presence
Reza Mir Mehrabi, NPC’s newly appointed acting head of
public relations, said enhancing the petrochemical industry’s media profile
would be a priority, with particular emphasis on strengthening NPC’s branding
strategy.
“We aim to deliver a tangible shift in communications and
branding while advancing the industry’s media position,” Mir Mehrabi said,
calling for cooperation across management and communications teams.
Former acting public relations chief Peyman Karimi thanked
NPC executives for their confidence during his tenure, describing the
experience as valuable despite its short duration.