The newest telecom operator in the UAE - du - was named as the 'Best Brand' in the Middle East at the annual Telecom World Awards Middle East 2007, held recently in Dubai.

The operator received the accolade based on its innovative branding and outstanding success since beginning operations in the UAE earlier this year.

In addition to the Best Brand award, CEO of du - Osman Sultan, was a finalist for the Special Merit Award, while the company also received top honors as a finalist in the Best New Service, Best Customer Experience and Best Operator categories.

He commented; 'A strong brand is the basis for the success of any organization and it is through the continual hard work of the du team, and the solid contributions from all of our agency partners in helping to build our brand, that have enabled du to be awarded this prestigious accolade.'

Kamal Dimachkie, the Managing Director of Leo Burnett Dubai and Kuwait - the agency responsible for du's televised advertising campaigns and du's creative collaterals commented; 'It is a privilege for Leo Burnett to share in du's success, knowing that our agency's collective creative, imaginative and innovative endeavors have contributed to the brand's success, and du's achievement in being recognized as the leading brand in the Middle East's telecoms sector.'

'Since du's inception in the UAE, they have tirelessly worked to create a brand which is unique in the region and one that is dedicated to implementing its brand promises - they deserve this recognition,' Dimachkie added.

du was recognized in the 'Best Brand' category - where all fixed and mobile operators were eligible to compete. The category recognizes the most effective carrier or service provider in successfully creating a compelling brand. The criteria for entry and eligibility for the award was either a single or multiple campaign implemented since June 2006, in any media.

The Telecoms World Awards Middle East was created to recognize and celebrate leaders, innovators and pioneers in the telecoms industry.

Leo Burnett Dubai gets a jump on the Cannes Lions 2007 by hosting its annual screening of 50 TV commercials from around the world that it believes are most likely to pick up awards at this year's competition.

The lively screening attended by Leo Burnett's clients, executives and members of the media gives guests a chance to view some of the world's most creative and innovative advertisements and then pick the ones they think will win at Cannes. The person who identifies the most Lions at the Leo Burnett Cannes Prediction Night will win a trip to next year's festival.

Raja Trad, CEO of the Leo Burnett Group of Companies, Middle East and North Africa, said, "Although this is an enjoyable and good-spirited gathering that brings the best of Cannes to Dubai, the event also is important to us because it reflects our commitment to creating work every day that stands out, not just among our peers in the MENA region, but globally as well.'

Leo Burnett Worldwide compiles the reel from the best TV work developed during the year, irrespective of which agency produced it. The commercials cover a full range of industries, products, services and geographies.

Kamal Dimachkie, Managing Director, Leo Burnett Dubai and Kuwait, said, 'It is no accident that Leo Burnett is the only agency to produce such a Cannes reel. It grows out of our incessant drive to deliver results to our clients by pushing ourselves harder to develop big ideas that resonate with consumers.'

Nearly 200 people are expected to attend the event, which will be held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Meyana Auditorium.

The rules for the Cannes Prediction Night competition are simple: attendees will view the 50 commercials and then select the 20 they think are most likely to be awarded Lions by the Cannes juries. After the Festival concludes on June 23, ballots will be counted, and the guest who has predicted the most awards will win the contest.

Now that autumn is here classes have begun for most students, but for the interns of Leo Burnett Dubai, classes are conducted not in the classroom, but in the fast paced world of an elite advertising agency. Two students from the American University in Dubai’s Department of Visual Communications were chosen to intern for a full semester at Leo Burnett, one of the world’s leading brand agencies.

“This program is part of a long history that Leo Burnett has in investing in the talent of the future. By working with young talent we contribute to our industry’s future success and the academia of the marketing world,” said Kamal Dimachkie, Managing Director Leo Burnett Dubai and Kuwait. “We are committed to fostering creativity in young minds, and by working with the best and brightest university students in the region, we succeed in moulding new talent and giving to our industry and clients fresh and exciting ideas.”
The program that the students have taken part in has allowed the two students to work directly for the top managers of Leo Burnett, and to be involved in many of the day to day activities that advertising professionals engage in.

Gayatri Talwakar, a 23 year old student majoring in Advertising and Marketing was one of two students invited to the program. “I’ve been able to take a real hands-on approach to work at Leo Burnett,” she commented on her time at the company. “I’ve gone to photoshoots, seen TV commercial editing, and worked with many of the client servicing executives. My supervisor that I was assigned has helped me tremendously as well. I want to go into the advertising industry for my career and working in this internship at Leo Burnett has convinced me that I am making the right choice.”

For Rami Zahran, a 21 year old Advertising and Marketing major at AUD as well, Leo Burnett allowed him to be involved with the internal communications of the agency. “I’m getting a chance to see the inner workings of perhaps the best known advertising agency in the region,” said Zahran. “I’ve been involved in everything an entry level executive would be involved in, and I’ve been challenged with the high quality work I’ve been given. I’ve been given a great opportunity, and I’ve been able to make the most of it. I definitely want to work in the advertising industry, and hopefully if I’m lucky I’ll be able to work here.”
The program takes students in the 90th percentile of their class, and takes into account several factors in the students’ performance in school, including their extracurricular activities, communication skills, presentation skills and interpersonal skills. The internship programs myriad challenges demand that a student be more than merely academically talented. Students must possess a range of skills in order to prosper at the agency.

“Working with such an eminent brand agency like Leo Burnett allows these talented students to apply what they have learned in their degree courses at American University in Dubai,” said Dr. Lance de Masi, President of The American University in Dubai. “This internship program will put them to the test, and will give them a challenging taste of a possible future career in the world of advertising.”

The internship program will last at least two months to one full semester and require student participation for between 30 to 35 hours per week.