The inaugural Digital Media Forum - Dubai 2012, an event to discuss the rapidly growing digital arena, has revealed a number of key trends predicted for the coming year. The event served as a meeting point for industry leaders to share concepts and ideas, as well as forecast developments in the fields of social network marketing, e-commerce and e-education, mobile applications and digital media regulations.

Publicis Groupe announced today its acquisition of Flip Media, a leading digital agency in the Middle East. The agency will be folded into Leo Burnett Worldwide and will retain its name.Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Dubai (UAE), Flip Media has more than 100 employees across the Middle East and India, and has worked with some of the region's most well-known brands. The agency provides end-to-end digital solutions, including strategy, design and production, content and delivery, and technology across all platforms. In the years since its inception, Flip has been recognized across the region for its award-winning creative and pioneering technology. Its founders, Martin Diessner and Dinesh Lalvani, will continue to be involved as non-executive directors with Flip and Yousef Tuqan will remain CEO reporting into Leo Burnett’s Middle East North Africa CEO, Raja Trad.

Leo Burnett Middle East was recently named the Agency of the Year by Campaign ME, in the publication’s first ever roll-out of the title. The Humankind Agency was chosen based upon a number of measurable factors that set it apart, in a year that was far from the best for the industry.  

The Dubai International Advertising Festival, the leading awards for creative excellence in advertising and communications in the Middle East and North Africa, is proud to announce that Raja Trad, CEO of Leo Burnett Group MENA and member of the Leo Burnett Wordwide Global Leadership Council (GLC), will be presented with the prestigious Dubai Lynx Advertising Person 2012 Award.