Leo Burnett extends creative reach for Cannes 2008 Predictions Event

The unique event, which has become an annual fixture on Leo Burnett Dubai's creative agenda, will put an even greater focus on creativity this year by widening the participation.

Next week, Leo Burnett employees, clients, local media and delegates from the IAA will converge on the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, where up to 300 attendees will be shown 50 entries to the Cannes Lions 55th International Advertising Festival 2008, and will be given the unique opportunity during the evening to select which advertisements they think will be winners.

Raja Trad, CEO of the Leo Burnett Group of Companies, Middle East and North Africa commented on the significance of the annual gathering; "At Leo Burnett, innovation forms the heart of our work, and we are committed to constantly driving original creative output from this region to match that around the globe. By hosting this event, we can not only enjoy- but we can benchmark and learn from- the high caliber of international advertising talent during the Cannes Predictions Night in an informal and fun setting."

At the event, attendees will watch commercials that come from creative agencies around the globe, and will be asked to select the 20 adverts that they think are the most likely to be given a Lion by the Cannes jury during the prestigious annual event, that will this year be held from the 15th - 21st June.

The attendee that guesses the most correct answers will be announced the winner following the conclusion of the Cannes Lions 2008.

Kamal Dimachkie, Managing Director of Leo Burnett Dubai and Kuwait stated; "This exciting event is an inventive opportunity for our staff and clients to see some of the world's best creative product. In presenting this relaxed opportunity for brand builders and brand guardians to meet and share ideas and opinions on which adverts they think will be successful and why, we are essentially providing a mass forum for creativity and ideas to flow, which can be positively harnessed for inspiring and encouraging even greater creativity in the Middle East."

Each year the Cannes Predictions reel is made up of advertisements representing a wide variety of categories.

In so doing, Leo Burnett Worldwide seeks to introduce the best creative work to its employees and stakeholders, to showcase how the approaches to- and the influences on- ideas and innovation, can change across geographies.