Leo Burnett Mena chairman and CEO of CEEMEA (Central Eastern Europe and Middle East and Africa) Farid Chehab has won ArabAd’s Man of the Year award, for his numerous accomplishments.

The award event at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut follows the release of ArabAd’s latest issue, which chronicles Chehab’s impressive work and impact in the world of advertising, in Lebanon, the region, and around the world.

Starting as an illustrator in the 1960s, he went on to become the chief creative office of Leo Burnett Central, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with his position as chairman for the Mena region, the article said.

“Rather than having adopted the viewpoint that creativity is just another cost to be absorbed and therefore one to be reduced, Chehab has rightly identified it as his agency’s primary product, a key differentiator in the face of competition, and therefore a worthy recipient for the investment of time, money and energy,” said Walid Azzi, editor in chief of ArabAd.

ArabAd also noted that Chehab has transformed the advertising field in the region, emerging as a standard by which other agencies are measured.

Furthermore, the article highlights Chehab’s unique ability in creating world-class talent out of budding creatives, giving them the education and experience needed to develop and become leaders in the field.

The article goes on to discuss Chehab’s remarkable talent by pointing out the way he has transformed his agency from a relatively minor player in Lebanon into a regional force to be reckoned with.

It points out a key differentiator in Chehab’s vision and life’s work: his singular devotion to creativity and his early adoption of true partnership and team work. As Chehab mentioned in his ceremony speech: “this is not my title, this is the title of Raja Trad, Maher Achi, Bechara Mouzannar, and the Leo Burnett teams that together helped me get there”.

Praise for ArabAd’s choice has come from various people around the world, most notably from Maurice Levy, chairman & CEO of Publicis Group, who wrote, “[Farid] has a very singular understanding of people, their feelings and their traditions, and he knows how to bring big ideas to life in a compelling and relevant way.” – TradeArabia News Service