BBDO makes history

LAHORE (PR): BBDO Pakistan made history this week, winning the first-ever
Cannes Lion for Pakistan. The agency won a Bronze Lion in the direct category for its work for Reprieve/Foundation for Fundamental Rights at the International Festival for Creativity in Cannes, the largest celebration of advertising creativity in the world."Not a Bug Splat" scored four shortlists across the Promo & Activation and Direct categories, going on to take home a Bronze in Direct. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the civilian casualties killed in drone strikes and targets drone operators who often refer to those hit as ‘bug splats’. BBDO worked with local artists to install a super-sized portrait of a child in the fields of the heavily bombed north-west border region of Pakistan.
 Drone operators are confronted with the image, rather than anonymous ‘bug-like’ dots on their camera screen, persuading them The installation, part of French artist JR’s ‘Inside Out Movement’, was also designed to be captured by satellites to make it a permanent part of the landscape on mapping sites. Amir Allibhoy, General Manager of BBDO Pakistan said of the win: “Having consistently seen the wonderful and recognized work produced by our neighbor across the border, securing the first ever Cannes Lion was a monumental achievement for Pakistan & BBDO.
This milestone has given us and the entire advertising fraternity a true sense of pride and new sense of creative re-ignition for future success at award shows. I personally am glad that my team and I, in such a short time, have lived up to the creative potential and prowess that the BBDO name so proudly stands for worldwide.” Please click here to view the work.

BoP, ZONG & Inov8 ink MoU
ARACHI (PR): BOP, Zong and Inov8 signed an MoU to announce their partnership for digitizing government flows via the branchless channel. Branchless Banking is the provision of financial services through neighborhood retail shops whereby the financial services are offered to the unbanked population at their doorsteps.
This is a first of its kind arrangement wherein service providers with existing market experience are coming together to provide the services which are aimed at poverty alleviation and financial inclusion of the under privileged masses. 
There are 2 areas to focus for successful implementation: i) The Technology ii) The Agent Network (distribution side). BoP has entered into an MoU with Zong and Inov8 as both organizations have local market presence, expertise and existing experience which they aim to bring together to build synergies for best service offering.
Speaking at the occasion Mr. Naeemuddin Khan said “The Bank of Punjab is pleased to sign MoU with Zong and Inov8 Limited to extend financial services to the grass root level of the population.
This initiative will not only bring prosperity to the region but also help the underprivileged to enjoy financial services at their doorstep.”
“Mobile financial services has become an important characteristic for the Pakistani consumer and we at Zong look forward to fulfill each of our consumer’s needs through our vast portfolio of services. I am honored to enter into this MoU with The Bank of Punjab for getting Pakistan’s largest G2P payments program from the Government of Punjab through a competitive and transparent process and we see at it as a forerunner to the e-government implementation in the province of Punjab” Said Mr. Fan Yunjun, Chairman & CEO Zong.

Rahat Fateh launches new album

KARACHI (PR): Rahat Fateh Ali Khan released his latest music album “Back to Love” at McDonald’s Pakistan. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and McDonald’s Pakistan both are pretty excited about the release of this new album.
The launch event was made even more exciting when Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sang a few songs from Back to Love much to the surprise of the audience, who loved the live performance.
McDonald’s support for this launch was greatly appreciated by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and he said that through this 25-day advertising campaign his fans will be able to get a free CD of his new music album Back to Love. What’s more, fans will get prize coupons as well which can be entered into a lucky draw out of which 3 lucky winners shall be chosen for a free trip to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s concert in London.
Commenting about his album, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan said that the album has a lot of romantic songs which he is sure the listeners will love. It’s an honour that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan chose McDonald’s as a platform to release his new album Back to Love.