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Saturday, November 14 - 2009

Diageo names SMG MENA as media agency for GCC and Levant territories

  • United Arab Emirates: Tuesday, May 09 - 2006 at 14:49
  • PRESS RELEASE

Diageo has completed a two-phased move of its entire media planning and buying business to Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) MENA.

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The move started with the Levant business in 2004 and has now concluded by shifting the remaining GCC business. Responsibility for media planning and buying activity for all the active Diageo brands, including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, etc...will be handled by SMG effective May, 2006.

Diageo Marketing Director, Middle East and India Hub, Tony Amine said, "We have been watching the steady growth of SMG MENA in terms of people and network infrastructure and observing the activity they have put out for their clients. Diageo is embarking on an ambitious growth plan and it is important and efficient for us to strategically align our business across the area. We are very passionate about our consumers and their needs and we are committed that our brands provide consumers with great experiences at all occasions."

SMG MENA's Group Director, Marketing and Business Development, Philip Jabbour said,
"We are delighted to welcome Diageo back to our select roster of clients. We are confident that our regional network, historical experience on the brands both regionally and globally will benefit this partnership,"

Jabbour added, "bearing in mind the communication limitations for this category, we are planning a comprehensive exploration of consumer touch points which will go a long way in developing media neutral solutions,."

Diageo General Manager, Gulf, R.L. Rajah, added," This is a great move. We feel that SMG MENA's expertise in this field would complement Diageo's plans envisaged for this part of the globe. There will be a lot more synergies achieved due to the Leo Burnett - SMG partnership".

The account will be handled out of the SMG Dubai office who will be working closely with the SMG Beirut office and the Leo Burnett MENA network.
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Notes and media contacts

About Starcom MediaVest Group MENA
Starcom MediaVest Group MENA (www.smvgroup.com) is the largest brand communications group in the region. SMG MENA encompasses a passionate and integrated network of specialists in media strategy and investment; consumer research; response media; sports and event marketing and digital communications.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Paris based Publicis Groupe, SMG MENA, present
in 8 offices spanning the Arab world from Dubai to Morocco, is backed by a global network of 110 offices in 67 countries. SMG MENA boasts a roster of many of the leading local and global companies, including but not limited to General Motors; Kraft; MasterFoods; Procter & Gamble and Saudi Telecom. SMG MENA develops its partner clients' communication solutions by providing the fuel that powers brand growth. This is achieved through a rigorous process of identifying consumer insights, delivering contact innovation and creating value for our partners.

SMG MENA has enjoyed double digit growth year on year since its launch in 2000. Among its recent wins in 2006 are Aer Lingus, Diageo, KAO Brands, & O2.

About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O), the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 200 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).

The word Diageo comes from the Latin for day (dia) and the Greek for world (geo). Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.

For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.

For further information, please contact:
Philip Jabbour
SMG Group Director - Marketing and New Business Development
Direct line: 3676401

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