Now that autumn is here classes have begun for most students, but for the interns of Leo Burnett Dubai, classes are conducted not in the classroom, but in the fast paced world of an elite advertising agency. Two students from the American University in Dubai’s Department of Visual Communications were chosen to intern for a full semester at Leo Burnett, one of the world’s leading brand agencies.
“This program is part of a long history that Leo Burnett has in investing in the talent of the future. By working with young talent we contribute to our industry’s future success and the academia of the marketing world, ,” said Kamal Dimachkie, Managing Director Leo Burnett Dubai and Kuwait. “We are committed to fostering creativity in young minds, and by working with the best and brightest university students in the region, we succeed in moulding new talent and giving to our industry and clients fresh and exciting ideas.”
The program that the students have taken part in has allowed the two students to work directly for the top managers of Leo Burnett, and to be involved in many of the day to day activities that advertising professionals engage in.
Gayatri Talwakar, a 23 year old student majoring in Advertising and Marketing was one of two students invited to the program. “I’ve been able to take a real hands-on approach to work at Leo Burnett,” she commented on her time at the company. “I’ve gone to photoshoots, seen TV commercial editing, and worked with many of the client servicing executives. My supervisor that I was assigned has helped me tremendously as well. I want to go into the advertising industry for my career and working in this internship at Leo Burnett has convinced me that I am making the right choice.”
For Rami Zahran, a 21 year old Advertising and Marketing major at AUD as well, Leo Burnett allowed him to be involved with the internal communications of the agency. “I’m getting a chance to see the inner workings of perhaps the best known advertising agency in the region,” said Zahran. “I’ve been involved in everything an entry level executive would be involved in, and I’ve been challenged with the high quality work I’ve been given. I’ve been given a great opportunity, and I’ve been able to make the most of it. I definitely want to work in the advertising industry, and hopefully if I’m lucky I’ll be able to work here.”
The program takes students in the 90th percentile of their class, and takes into account several factors in the students’ performance in school, including their extracurricular activities, communication skills, presentation skills and interpersonal skills. The internship programs myriad challenges demand that a student be more than merely academically talented. Students must possess a range of skills in order to prosper at the agency.
“Working with such an eminent brand agency like Leo Burnett allows these talented students to apply what they have learned in their degree courses at American University in Dubai,” said Dr. Lance de Masi, President of The American University in Dubai. “This internship program will put them to the test, and will give them a challenging taste of a possible future career in the world of advertising.”
The internship program will last at least two months to one full semester and require student participation for between 30 to 35 hours per week.
About Leo Burnett MENA
The Leo Burnett Group of Companies, Middle East and North Africa, whose origin dates back to 1974, has always been progressive in its thinking and approach. From a single brand agency, Leo Burnett as a group has grown to encompass a comprehensive range of communications solutions, including advertising, media, public relations, digital and CRM. The group offers both specialization and holistic integration to answer the ever-changing needs of both clients and the marketplace.
About Leo Burnett Worldwide
Founded in Chicago in 1935 with eight employees and three clients, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Inc. today operates a global network of over 200 operating units including a variety of specialty marketing services and 94 full-service advertising agencies in 82 countries. Leo Burnett creates ideas that inspire enduring belief for many of the world’s most valuable brands and successful marketers, including McDonald’s, Disney, Procter & Gamble, Marlboro, Altoids, Heinz, Kellogg and Nintendo.
The world’s eighth largest agency network (as ranked by Advertising Age in April 2005), Leo Burnett Worldwide (www.leoburnett.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Publicis Groupe (www.publicis.com).
