In This Month's Issue

Cover

Creative planners: the industry’s new X-men
Whether because of economic circumstances or technological developments, agencies are changing. As we steer into a different genre of advertising, both structures and roles must evolve, says Intermarkets’ Siddhartha Banerjee
“Rusted porsches”
… and other more optimistic predictions for the future of agencies. Through the power of Twitter, we hand it over to you
The agency of the future
The pace of change in the industry has become so fast it’s hard to know what’s next. Undaunted, Communicate asks regional marketers to gaze into their crystal balls

Shorts

Grand National
As the paper celebrates its first birthday, Communicate finds the title still has a long way to go
Ladies’ night
No toil or trouble at Adwomen ME’s first TrendTalks sessions

Advertising

Sex offender
Women have long been stereotyped as blank bimbos or kitchen cleaners in Lebanese advertising. Industry watchers say this is gradually changing, but few are clamoring for liberation
Afghan bound
The war-ravaged country is proving surprisingly fertile for a few bold marketers

Agencies

Back to basics
Michael Maedel, president of JWT Worldwide, helmed the fourth edition of the MENA Cristal Awards this year. He shares with Communicate his observations on the regional advertising industry. And the global crisis? Nothing to worry about

Media

Law of the land
UAE’s new media law ignores new media

Marketing

Lacy fare
The authors of The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie talk about Syria’s saucy side
Brief Encounters
There are few bigger challenges than marketing lingerie in Saudi Arabia
How to deal drugs
Communicate gives the medicine marketing industry a check up, and finds a strong pulse

Q&A

First Draft
Draftfcb’s chairman says it’s time for the agencies of the world to unite. They have nothing to lose but their silos
Waiting game
Leo Burnett’s global CEO says forward planning has prepared his agency well for the economic slump. But all any agency can do now is watch and see what develops