TBWA\RAAD welcomes TBWA WORLDWIDE's global management team to Dubai

The quarterly meeting traditionally takes place in New York, London or Paris.

TBWA\RAAD, the youngest, most disruptive and fastest growing advertising agency group in the Middle East, will host its parent company's worldwide operating group meeting on March 15-17.

The attendees to the Operating Group meeting in Dubai are:

• Jean-Marie Dru, President and CEO TBWA Worldwide

• Jonathan Ramsden, Chief Financial Officer, TBWA\WORLDWIDE

• Tom Caroll, Vice Chairman TBWA Worldwide

• Robert Le Plae, President of TBWA\North America

• Paul Bainsfair, President of TBWA\Europe

• Nicolas Bordas, President of TBWA\ France Group

• John McNeel, President and CEO of \G1 Worldwide

• Perry Valkenburg, President of TBWA\Central and Eastern Europe and chairman and CEO of TBWA\Germany;

• Nick Baum, President of TBWA\Western Europe

• Keith Smith, President of TBWA\Asia Pacific

• Reg Lascaris, President - Africa, Middle East and Mediterranean TBWA\WORLDWIDE;

• Rod Wright, Director of Development, TBWA\WORLDWIDE

• Denis Streiff, Chief Financial Officer - international, TBWA Worldwide

• Jeremy Pagden, President & CEO TEQUILA Worldwide

• John Hunt, Worldwide Creative Director, TBWA Worldwide

Announcing the meeting, Reg Lascaris said: "Dubai's reputation has been on the rise over the past five years, while the economy of the Middle East in general has been booming.

"These factors have led to TBWA\WORLDWIDE deciding to hold the 2006 first quarter meeting of our operating group in the UAE, where TBWA\RAAD continues to play a vital role in the development of the Middle East communications industry."

Ramzi Raad, Chairman and CEO of TBWA\RAAD added: "Most multinational companies have been focusing on China and India in recent years, which they all seem to have agreed to label as the world's most promising emerging markets.

"We are therefore delighted to have added the Middle East to TBWA\WORLDWIDE's emerging markets' list. The decision to hold the operating group meeting here is a flattering recognition of the role that our young agency has played in the past six years in changing the rules of advertising in the Middle East."

"Our vision, when we embarked on this journey back in February 2000, was to establish the first world class agency out of the Arab world. Today TBWA\RAAD has permanent seats on TBWA's global steering committees for Nissan, MasterFoods and Etihad Airlines in recognition of the active role we have been playing for global clients not only in our region but beyond.

"Having the core leadership team of the 'World's Most Awarded Agency' here in Dubai will definitely further enhance our market status and prospects."