Leo Burnett’s Young Professionals attend AFAA’s Fast Track Programme in Malaysia
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 Programme. Fast Track is a programme designed to coach young leaders to take up their leadership roles with ease. This programme which was conducted over a three-day period in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is an annual programme conducted by AFAA and is moderated by 95% - The Advertising Academy. A total of 28 participants from five countries participated in the programme 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. further 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.”
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.
This year Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. celebrates its 15th anniversary in Sri Lanka. Over the years, the agency has built many powerful brands and meaningful partnerships with its clients, whilst delivering gratifying results and gaining industry recognition in Sri Lanka, the region and globally. The company handles a diverse portfolio of clients; it is one of the world’s largest agency networks and is a member of the Publicis Groupe, the world’s fourth largest communications company. Leo Burnett believes in creating meaningful connections through its HumanKind philosophy. HumanKind works by relating with people, then engaging with them in order to build an enduring purpose for brands. ‘Acts’ with a purpose are central to the HumanKind philosophy and unlike traditional media, ‘Acts’ have the ability to transform the way a person thinks, feels and ultimately, behaves.(KH/SI)
