Leo Burnett’s young professionals attend AFAA’s Fast Track Program in Malaysia

Monday, 28 July 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Four young professionals from a cross section of the disciplines and brands within Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI) were chosen to participate in the Fast Track Professional Excellence Program. Fast Track is a program designed to coach young leaders to take up their leadership roles with ease. The program which was conducted over a three-day period in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is an annual program conducted by AFAA and is moderated by The Advertising Academy. A total of 28 participants from five countries participated in the program this year. The team from Sri Lanka comprised of Surani Perera, Rinesh Jayaratne, Nilusha Wanasinghe and Rameez Fazal, each representing a different brand and discipline within the agency. These four young professionals were the first Sri Lankan advertising professionals to attend Fast Track, which is yet another first for Sri Lanka’s advertising industry fuelled by Leo Burnett.

Commenting on Leo Burnett’s commitment to developing talent within the agency, Ranil de Silva, Managing Director, Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. Stated: “I learnt about Fast Track when I attended the recent AFAA meeting in Beijing. I believed that it would address a very important training requirement we had for our team as we were facing the challenge of converting high performing executives to leaders. I strongly believe that this goal has been fulfilled with Fast Track.” Kumudini Gomes, Director, People and Culture, Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. added: “Our four young professionals have returned with a new energy leaving behind many pre-conceived perceptions. We are strong believers in investing in our people and this is yet another investment which has paid a rich dividend.” The AFAA Fast Track Professional Excellence Program is designed to give young professionals a boost that will help them make quantum leaps in their career development. The program is an intense three-day residential training programme designed to help young people take on the challenges of a fast-changing world. Fast Track enables participants to explore their role in the advertising and marketing industry and to understand how their contribution can make a difference to themselves, their careers, their organisation and the industry. The program also helps young professionals to explore new ways of thinking, push mind-set limitations and develop people skills that will help them build lasting relationships. Fast Track also focuses on helping young professionals to improve their leadership skills by exercising greater control and influence, whilst reigniting their creativity and passion. Leo Burnett believed in the value of this programme and nominated four young professionals to attend Fast Track this year, in an effort to transform them into extraordinary professionals and leaders in the advertising industry. Through the extensive training they received at Fast Track, they are now better prepared to handle the multiple challenges they face with their roles and responsibilities. Commenting on this learning experience all four of the participants had this to say about the Fast Track program: “Fast Track provided us with a phenomenal learning experience. We learnt so much about ourselves and the barriers we have brought upon ourselves. The programme has taught us how to address the barriers we impose upon us. We now have a better understanding on how to improve our performance as well as the steps we need to take to develop ourselves in our careers.”