Young Leo's to attend GoaFest 2013

Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI), the Sri Lankan office of the internationally acclaimed advertising agency recently concluded its Young Leos Integrated Competition as a lead up to the youth competitions at the international festivals. The Young Leos program is designed to hone the creativity and talents of young Burnetters and to groom them to confidently participate at local and international advertising competitions.

Chrishani Kotalawela, Chief Operating Officer, LBSI and Arvind Sharma, Chairman, LB India Sub-Continent with the winners, Shayani Obeysekera and Sithum Walter

Commenting on the competition, Ranil de Silva, Managing Director, Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. stated, "Here at LBSI our people are our most valued asset. It is our core belief that we must mentor the next generation and provide them the exposure they require to grow to become leaders in this industry. The Young Leos program was designed to prepare our young stars to face competitions and to think differently.''

This year a total of 10 teams participated in the competition who after some training activities were challenged with a brief to create an integrated campaign. This year's Young Leo's winning team consisted of two young art directors Shayani Obeyesekere and Sithum Walter. The jury comprising of leading industry professionals selected their bold and unconventional idea as the best campaign. The team was rewarded with the opportunity to attend the GoaFest 2013 in India as a recognition for being named as the Young Leos 2013. The second place in the competition was secured by Dhanushka Kathriarachchi and Malaka Samith and in third place were Ashani Pandithasekera and Tasneem Siddeeque.

''We are thrilled to have won the competition and look forward to the learning and experiences we would gain at GoaFest and we look forward to meeting the creative fraternity from across South Asia to exchange ideas and to learn different methods of engaging the consumer with innovative creative concepts," Shayani Obeyesekere and Sithum Walter commented on their win.

Arvind Sharma, Chairman and CEO of Leo Burnett India Sub-Continent, said, "We at Leo Burnett believe in harnessing young talent, as it enables us to keep pace with today's ever changing world of marketing communications."