Dubai, UAE, 28 November 2010: Leo Burnett Group of Companies MENA recently appointed Raja Sowan as Regional Director for its Retail Engagement Practice division - Arc Leo Burnett. This appointment comes as a further demonstration of the company's desire to stay ahead of the competition in what is proving to be an increasingly important area of competence in the marketing and communications world.

"Raja is a veteran of the industry for 28 years. We are delighted that Raja will be leading this division. I believe it takes a strong personal affinity and a superior ability to connect and engage with clients to direct this charge. Raja's wide-ranging industry experience and deep understanding of our clients make him the ideal candidate to be driving this area," said Kamal Dimachkie, Managing Director Leo Burnett UAE, Kuwait & Lower Gulf.

Leo Burnett has incorporated retail engagement practices since 1986 in the campaigns of such giants as Phillip Morris, Bel, Procter and Gamble, Mars and Kellogg's. To reinforce our commitment to driving brands with purpose we have now decided to expand those practices into a full division under the name of Arc Leo Burnett.

Thanks to his previous years at ARC and Leo Burnett, Raja Sowan has accumulated a long record of involvement in the area of retail engagement, long before the discipline was even formalized.  Raja's longevity with the group has also equipped him with a comprehensive and diverse experience across all channels and a holism that has now become a prerequisite in the field of communications.

"Lately, and particularly as a result of the economic slowdown, the industry had caught up with retail and shopper marketing as the newest buzz words. In reality, retail activation and shopper marketing have always been at the heart of all our truly integrated communication campaigns since the mid 80s. It's no secret that connecting, engaging and gauging active participation with consumers is one of the hottest topics on marketers' radars. What isn't widely known is how to use such conversations to drive sales directly. I am very excited about the prospect of using my skills and experience to further develop this division. By integrating a successful retail engagement strategy into Leo Burnett's already strong broader communications strategy, the company can reach optimum levels of exposure and sale-driven returns and continue to build brands that change the world," added Raja Sowan.

The position includes direct responsibility for a variety of Dubai-based businesses that have a clear retail focus, ensuring Leo Burnett's position as one of the most respected front runners in this sector. Sowan will lead these businesses and develop them, while raising the agency's public profile in the retail sector.

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About Arc Leo Burnett
Part of the Publicis Groupe, the 3rd largest communications group worldwide, Arc Leo Burnett is the global marketing services brand, specializing in retail engagement and promotional marketing.  In the MENA region, Arc Leo Burnett specializes in retail engagement, experiential marketing, shopper marketing and acts as the retail engagement stronghold, bringing big ideas to life through creative integrated campaigns.

About Leo Burnett MENA
Since its inception in 1981 as the first multinational agency in the region, the Leo Burnett Middle East and North Africa group of companies 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.
 
Today, the group has offices in Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Cairo, Beirut, Casablanca and Amman. A network team of more than 370 talented employees is committed to enhancing their clients' competitive advantage through an integrated, multidisciplinary communications approach that converts brand buyers into brand believers.

For more information visit: http://www.leoburnettmena.com/

© Press Release 2010