ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller named ‘PR Agency of the Year’ at International Business Awards

ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, the region’s leading public relations consultancy, has been named the Middle East and Africa PR Agency of the Year at the 2009 International Business Awards.

ASDA’A B-M was selected from the 1,700-plus submissions received from organizations and individuals in more than 30 countries. Organizations across the world are eligible to compete in the International Business Awards, which include 40 categories spanning the communications, marketing, management and corporate worlds.

The award, for work implemented between January 2008 and May 2009, was presented at a gala ceremony on September 14, 2009, at the St. Regis Hotel, New York.  Andrew Goldberg, Chairman of US Corporate & Financial Practice, Burson-Marsteller, accepted the award on behalf of ASDA’A B-M.

Michael Gallagher, president of The Stevie Awards, presenters of the International Business Awards, said: “”The quality of ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller’s work, its innovative approaches and effective delivery stood out in its various campaigns for its clients and in its record of work across 2008 and 2009. Both entries drew high marks and praise in the initial and secondary rounds of judging. We are very pleased to see work of this calibre from the Middle East, and hope to welcome many more in years to come.”
Sunil John, Chief Executive, ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller, said: “The last 18 months have been exceptional. During one of the world’s most tumultuous economic periods, the agency elevated its practice in existing areas of strength, activated new disciplines to anticipate market needs and delivered quality results for the regional governments, global and local businesses and NGOs we count as clients. The International Business Awards represent international recognition of our efforts and successes.”
The agency’s Public Affairs, Technology, Corporate, Financial, Consumer and Healthcare practices were singled out for their work on record-breaking regional IPOs, blue-chip corporate profiling and government relations across the region. The ASDA’A B-M Arab Youth Survey, launched in November 2008, the first attitudinal survey of 18- to 25-year-olds in six Middle East nations, was also a highlight of its recent performance.

Previous winners of the International Business Awards include Accenture, BT Group, IndianOil, INSEAD and Samsung Electronics. Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson and Donald Trump have received Lifetime Achievement Stevie Awards. International public relations agencies including Golin Harris London, Ketchum Brazil, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, Pleon Europe, Weber Shandwick Singapore and Edelman Asia Pacific also rank among the award’s alumni.

Nicknamed the Stevie® for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards are approximately 16 inches tall, hand cast and finished in 24-karat gold and depict an individual holding a crystal pyramid.

About ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller
Established in 2000, ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller is the region’s leading public relations consultancy, with over 130 communications professionals in 11 fully-owned offices across the Middle East and North Africa. The firm has an additional 11 affiliates covering a total of 18 markets in the MENA region. The agency provides services to governments, multinational businesses and regional corporate clients through its six practices in the sectors of Technology, Corporate, Finance, Healthcare, Consumer Marketing and Public Affairs. Its services include reputation management, media training, crisis & issues management, digital communications, media relations, media monitoring and analysis and event management.
For more information, visit www.asdaa.com, www.burson-marsteller.eu

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales and Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. For more information, visit www.stevieawards.com.