BEIRUT/DUBAI: Leo Burnett MENA has triumphed as Agency of the Year at the third edition of the MENA Cristal Awards, 2008. In addition to the highly sought after title, the agency scooped a total of 12 major awards across its various regional offices as well as 3 Grand Prix. The winners were announced during the regional festival, held at Beirut's InterContinental Mzaar Hotel, with Leo Burnett Beirut earning seven awards, LB Cairo three and LB Dubai two. Furthermore, LB MENA scooped three Grand Prix for the Melody Tunes TV campaign, P&G's Head & Shoulders integrated campaign and P&G's Koleston outdoor campaign, making the agency the most awarded in the region. Submissions were reviewed by an international jury led by Olivier Altmann, co-president and executive creative director and chairman of the worldwide creative board of Publicis Conseil. Leo Burnett Mediterranean's Chief Executive Officer, Raja Trad added; "Our continuous commitment to creatively building and refreshing our clients' brands has been deservedly recognized, and we look forward to applying the special Leo Burnett mix of world-class creative expertise, enthusiasm and a progressive drive for brand excellence - throughout a productive and successful 2008. In addition to the awards ceremony, the festival hosted a number of creative workshops and conferences, one of which was led by Farid Chehab, Chief Creative Officer for Leo Burnett Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa The festival, dedicated solely to the celebration of creativity in the Middle East and North Africa region in the French, Arabic and English languages, was created by the Méribel Ad Festival, an international, prestigious award ceremony. About Leo Burnett MENAThe Leo Burnett Group of Companies, Middle East and North Africa, whose origin dates back to 1974, has always been progressive in its thinking and approach. From a single brand agency, Leo Burnett as a group has grown to encompass a comprehensive range of communications solutions, including advertising, media, public relations, digital and CRM. The group offers both specialization and holistic integration to answer the ever-changing needs of both clients and the marketplace. About Leo Burnett WorldwideFounded in Chicago in 1935 with eight employees and three clients, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Inc. today operates a global network of over 200 operating units including a variety of specialty marketing services and 94 full-service advertising agencies in 82 countries. Leo Burnett creates ideas that inspire enduring belief for many of the world's most valuable brands and successful marketers, including McDonald's, Disney, Procter & Gamble, Marlboro, Altoids, Heinz, Kellogg and Nintendo. The world's eighth largest agency network (as ranked by Advertising Age in April 2005), Leo Burnett Worldwide (www.leoburnett.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Publicis Groupe (www.publicis.com). For more information, please contact:Hala SamyCommunication Manager Manning Selvage & Lee public relationsTel: 202-24618000
