Horizon.FCB, the expert agency in integrated marketing communications services in the Middle East, has bagged the prestigious "Agency of the Year" Award at the 2007 Kuwait Arab Advertising Awards, held recently in Kuwait.

Horizon.FCB achieved this distinction after competing against more than 1,500 of the best advertising works from 60 local, regional and international advertising agencies. Horizon.FCB also won the maximum number of awards at the competition.

Said Zeineddine, General Manager, Horizon.FCB Kuwait, represented the network at the event. He said, "This is a great honour for Horizon.FCB and we are delighted that our creativity and innovative thinking has been recognized at such a prestigious forum. Horizon.FCB continues to be committed to an ethos of excellence and performance where we harness the best talents to partner with our clients to effectively contribute to the building of their brands' success. This latest achievement is yet another testament of our enduring efforts to set new standards in the field of marketing communications services in the Middle East and to generate a rewarding return on ideas".

Horizon.FCB's business has expanded considerably over the past years, with 2007 recording even more significant gains in terms of client portfolio. The company also continues to invest heavily to nurture its team of dedicated professionals.

Organized under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, on June 23, the Awards selected the best advertising campaigns from across a range of categories, including press, outdoors, ambient and TVCs.

In total, Horizon.FCB grabbed an impressive 19 Awards, including 6 Gold, 5 Silver and 8 Bronze. The awards went to the agency's diverse team contributions from Lebanon, Egypt, UAE and Kuwait.

Horizon.FCB, one of the region's top marketing communications networks have been appointed by Noor Islamic Bank as their overall communications agency.

Overcoming stiff competition from some of the top regional agencies, Horizon. FCB won the pitch to handle the launch of the bank due to take place in 2008. Noor Islamic Bank, which is built on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is set be the largest Islamic Bank in the world and will have a presence globally.

Hussein AlQemzi, Group CEO, Noor Investment Group, commented, 'Launching the world's largest Islamic bank is a challenge that requires determination, hard work and tremendous concentration. With Horizon.FCB as a partner, we feel confident that this project is bound to succeed.'

Noor Islamic Bank will evolve the concept of Islamic banking by focusing on excellence of products and services that better customers' lives. The bank will offer state-of-the-art financial management whilst highlighting the concept of Islamic banking as a lifestyle choice.

Eddy Azzam, Managing Director for Horizon.FCB, added, 'We are delighted to have been chosen to partner with Noor Islamic Bank. The vision and objectives of the Bank may be challenging, but they also inject enthusiasm and reinforce a commitment to excellence throughout the Agency.'