Creative agency - 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, demonstrating Leo Burnett MENA's internationally recognized creative edge and network-wide pursuit of excellence.

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, firmly establishing the agency as the most awarded in the region.

Entries across all media categories were submitted by agencies throughout the region and 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.

Farid Chehab, Chief Creative Officer for Leo Burnett Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa said during the ceremony; 'I congratulate the entire LB team whose recent work has expertly reflected the agency's image and has proved once again that Leo Burnett passionately leads the way when it comes to creativity and innovation.'

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.

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, itself one of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the world.

The Awards round off a successful year for the entire Leo Burnett network - an agency where big ideas are always pushed further and where exceptional brand building creative work is celebrated.

Leo Burnett has recently made the strategic decision to strengthen its presence in Kuwait through the creation of a fully fledged service operation in the country.

The office will be supported by the Leo Burnett MENA headquarters in Dubai. Leo Burnett has been in Kuwait since 1986.

"Kuwait was always a strategic market to us,' said Raja Trad CEO of the Leo Burnett Group of Companies, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 'Today, we renew our commitment by expanding the operation to a full service agency equipped to meet the growing demand for quality strategic thinking and effective services."

The repositioning of Leo Burnett in Kuwait is part of an aggressive business plan to engage the regional market through the support of the agency's talents that has been put to the service of its many clients. The office in Kuwait will continue to demonstrate Leo Burnett's commitment to its unique brand building abilities which have helped clients throughout the region.

"Leo Burnett's passion for building brands is well known the world over,' said Kamal Dimachkie Managing Director of Leo Burnett Dubai, Kuwait and the Lower Gulf. 'Our expanding client base in Kuwait is a demonstration that there are clients who need and value international standards in brand building in Kuwait. We will make sure to extend the hand of partnership to such organisations and work with them in building their brands. Beyond that, such companies can expect Leo Burnett to provide creative solutions for the various communication challenges they face.'

Jad Hindy is the newly appointed General Manager for Leo Burnett Kuwait. He comes to the position with a decade's worth of solid experience in marketing and advertising and has spent the last five years working for the Leo Burnett group. 'Today, more than ever there is a great opportunity in Kuwait for quality communication products and approaches, which is where Leo Burnett has a particularly key role to play,' said Jad Hindy General Manager of Leo Burnett Kuwait. 'Leo Burnett's proven track record in developing communication is what sells and builds brands, and now this is being further strengthened in Kuwait with today's expanded set up.'