Starcom Mediavest Group's 'Superheroes Summit' invites top speakers to inspire agency's key strategists
Starcom MediaVest Group (SMG) asked six of the most inspirational speakers in the region to launch their 2011 ‘SMG Superheroes Summit’ on Wednesday 27th April at The Royal Meridien, Dubai Marina.
The speakers were Saher Sheikh, organizer of Adopt-a-Camp; Kerrie Simon, Chief Editor of Cosmopolitan Middle East; Ali Mostafa, Director of the film, ‘City of Life’; Maha Abdul Rasheed, Owner of Vintage Fashion; and JC Butler, Co-Founder of Dubizzle.
These inspirational men and women were chosen because of their roles as key molders and influencers of contemporary MENA culture, and as shapers of tomorrow’s trends. As Fadi Ghosn, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors, Middle East Operations explains, “SMG is in the business of understanding, predicting and connecting our brands to cultural shifts. I found the whole experience valuable, particularly listening to stories from figures who are having such a profound effect on our culture and on the lives of our consumers.”
SMG’s ‘Superheroes’ program was established in December 2009 with twelve members from SMG’s five MENA offices. Since then it has evolved into a globally respected initiative within the SMG worldwide network, to the extent that other regions are preparing to roll out their own Superheroes programs. 2011 saw membership expand to forty ‘Superheroes’, chosen from all areas of the SMG MENA network (Starcom, MediaVest, Compass, Core and Relay). The criterion for choosing these superheroes was to identify thought leaders – people who were naturally inquisitive and who demonstrated a real passion for media and human understanding. As Mark Hamilton, Strategic Development Director SMG MENA explains, “Our 40 superheroes should be very proud to have been chosen. Their invitation clearly indicates how much we value their contribution today, and highlights the key role we expect them to play in shaping the Agency of the future.”
Laura Krajecki, Executive VP, SMG Global Director Human Experience Strategy, adds, “The Superhero’s Program is central to SMG’s transformation into a Human Experience Company. In the current digital revolution we run the risk of missing the human factor. An initiative like the ‘Superheroes Summit’, which takes inspiration from local industry leaders in film, fashion, beauty and social awareness, help our strategists understand how to create truly meaningful experiences for people.”
The Superheroes program represents SMG’s single biggest investment in growing talent. Hamilton describes it as “A key component in SMG’s desire to challenge the status quo and lead the evolution of change within the Middle East’s media landscape. Its purpose is to bring together the brightest planners from the SMG MENA network and create a virtual regional media planning department to learn, connect, develop and share together.”
Notes and media contacts
About Starcom MediaVest Group: Starcom MediaVest Group MENA (www.smvgroup.com) is one of 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 Media, SMG MENA is present in eight offices spanning the Arab world, from Dubai to Morocco, and is backed by a global network of 110 offices in 67 countries. Its client roster boasts many leading local, regional and multinational companies. SMG MENA focuses on delivering connections that captivate by inventing and mastering engaging touch points, and creating and activating transformative ideas that connect brands to consumers.
The network has enjoyed annual double-digit growth since it launched in 2000. Among its wins in 2008/2009 are Emirates Business, Fox Movies, Hermes, Nakheel, Samsung and Masdar.
SMG MENA has been named the top media shop in the MENA region in terms of billings by RECMA, the leading independent global monitoring and ranking source.
For more information, please contact:
ReemHaroun
Direct line: 04 3472735
