Leo Burnett Sri Lanka crowned Gold for South Asian Agency 2012

Leo Burnett Solutions (LBSI), the local office of the global advertising network Leo Burnett Worldwide walked away with glowing honours and mingled with the stars at the high-profile Campaign Asia Awards, held in Singapore on 10 December 2012.

Leo Burnett Solutions won two Gold awards for the categories of ‘Rest of South Asia Creative Agency of the Year’ and ‘South Asia Creative Agency of the Year’, emerging the front-runner amidst some much-awarded agencies from across Asia. In addition to these accolades, Executive Creative Director Subhash Pinnapola and LBSI Head of Planning Murtaza Tajbhoy, were both awarded ‘South Asia Creative of the Year’ and ‘South Asia Account Person of the Year’ runner up awards respectively.

Leo Burnett Solutions Managing Director Ranil de Silva enthused “We are delighted with the success that Leo Burnett and our team has achieved at the campaign Asia Awards in the presence of some of the greatest advertising personalities in the Asian continent. At Leo Burnett, our strategic vision for 2012 was to leverage the best ideas, from the best people, to be the best agency and I am thrilled that we were able to bring this to fruition on this landmark occasion, where Leo Burnett stood tall amongst its peers. My heartfelt congratulations go out to Arvind Sharma, Subhash Pinnapola, Murtaza Tajbhoy and the entire Leo Burnett local and regional team for their support to help us reach for the stars. Leo Burnett continues to set a creative benchmark in Sri Lanka’s advertising industry through innovative and bold ideas and our passion for being the best and bringing out the best in our people runs deep.”

Successful advertising creates a bond between people and brands; Leo Burnett’s Human Kind philosophy is a true testament of that as it is all about: building lasting connections through a deep understanding of people and behaviour. This is the belief that drives all Leo Burnett’s communication. The company’s people are the core that all its ideas spring from. Undoubtedly, the agency possesses some of Sri Lanka’s brightest and best creative talent and sharp marketing minds proven for delivering effective communications which have created enduring brands. Handling a diverse range of renowned brands in a multitude of categories from the likes of Commercial Bank to Cargills Food City and from Akzo Nobel to CIC Holdings, Leo Burnett plays a vital role in building brand equity.

Leo Burnett Asia Pacific President Jarek Ziebinski, stated “Leo Burnett Sri Lanka is a highly valuable member of the global Leo Burnett family and I would like to congratulate the entire team for its spectacular success at the Campaign Asia Awards 2012. This year the agency has achieved multiple successes on the business front and across leading award shows including Cannes, Appies, Effies, AdFest and now Campaign Asia Agency of the Year. I’m especially proud of the fact that the agency is leading the charge on putting the spotlight on the Sri Lankan advertising industry and raising the bar in creativity locally. This is only the beginning and a great kick off that will fuel us to achieve even more.”

Leo Burnett Solutions Executive Creative Director Subhash Pinnapola and Runner up for South Asia Creative of the Year, commented “This award has come as a wonderful recognition from a distinguished jury and to be singled out from amongst even more brilliant peers, makes it all the more special. At Leo Burnett, we are free to dream and dream big! This award is a testimony to the creative excellence that we are all encouraged to pursue at the agency.”

Today, LBSI is a leading agency in the communications and advertising industry. Led by its mission to nurture the best people, the agency gives precedence to the training and development of its people. Training, both local and international is an important aspect the company focuses on. LBSI also has a series of tailor made training programs for all levels of staff in all disciplines. Its people and culture, play an integral role in LBSI’s success. As a result the agency has led the way in incorporating social sustainability projects and nurturing creative talent in the Sri Lankan community.

Innovative and effective communications have been the key driving force in all the work deployed by Leo Burnett, which has resulted in delivering outstanding results for the agency’s clients. This is proven by the many effectiveness awards won by the agency through its history of 13 years.  

2012 has been a momentous year for Leo Burnett Solutions. Earlier this year the agency was the first and only agency in Sri Lanka to bring home a Cannes Lion Award. In addition, the agency has been recognised with several other wins locally and internationally such as the Gold award at the Asia-Pacific Appies and the five awards at Effies Sri Lanka to name a few.  Winning a Gold award as the ‘South Asia Creative Agency of the Year’ is a clear demonstration of LBSI’s excellence at an international level which has been recognised by regional peers.  

In addition to LBSI’s wins, the Leo Burnett network also took centre stage at the awards. Winning more Gold Awards were Leo Burnett Australia for Australia Creative Agency of the Year and Leo Burnett Malaysia for the Digital Agency of the Year. Two other big accolades for the night included Leo Burnett Malaysia’s CEO Kien Eng Tan being awarded Southeast Asia Agency Head of the Year 2012 and Arvind Sharma, Chairman of Indian Subcontinent for Leo Burnett being awarded as a runner up for the Indian Sub-Continent South Asia Agency head of the Year 2012. The award show recognises the best performers in the industry both locally and regionally and thus, these wins are a true testament of the network’s strength and capability.