Leo Burnett launches book to honour Yasmin Ahmad, proceeds to go to charity

Ahmad, who died in July 2009 following neurosurgery, was the executive creative director at Leo Burnett Malaysia. But she was also a film director, writer and scriptwriter. 

To commemorate the third anniversary of her death, the book entitled “Yasmin How You Know?” was launched on Saturday at the CausewayEXchange (CEX) Festival, a joint arts and cultural initiative between Singapore and Malaysia, at The Arts House.

Contributed by those close to her, the book records how she moved people’s emotions through her works and words. It also reveals her as an accomplished poet and photographer, with personal poetry and candid snapshots from her personal collection, as well as her last two TV commercial scripts.

“I will always remember Yasmin for her ability to consistently produce relevant and meaningful work,” said Tan Kien Eng, CEO of Leo Burnett Group Malaysia.

“She does it simply by observing what is happening around her and what she believes is needed by people," Tan added. "She is able to dig deep into her rich life experience and by injecting wit and charm into it to produce memorable work that inspires not only the industry but the entire nation. She takes the form of a leader, a mentor, a joker, a mother and an inspiration.”

The proceeds from the sale of the book will aid Ahmad‘s favorite charity organisation Mercy Malaysia, founded by her friend and mutual admirer Jemilah Mahmood.

Jarek Ziebinski, president of Leo Burnett Asia-Pacific, noted that the book only shows the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Ahmad left behind.

“Always referring to herself as the storyteller, Yasmin is also an incredibly generous person," he said. Hopefully with this book, we help to share her stories with more people and in the meantime, raise more money for Mercy Malaysia.”