INVESTCOM
Investcom LLC has been awarded The Banker magazine’s prestigious ‘Deal of the year’ award for the UAE, in honor of its landmark initial public offering (IPO) on the Dubai International Financial Exchange in 2005. The listing of Investcom, an international provider of mobile telecommunications services with operations in 10 countries in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, was the first on the newly opened exchange. Investcom’s IPO was selected for the award from a large number of UAE entries by an independent panel of judges for its complexity, execution and innovation. “We’re pleased to receive the accolade from such a respected institution,” Investcom Executive Director Jamal Ramadan said. The awards were presented during the 1st ‘Middle East IPO Summit’ held in Dubai recently.
ARAMEX
ARAMEX, a total transportation solutions provider in the Middle East and South Asia, has announced the appointment of Nabil Amasha as its new chief marketing officer. Amasha will lead a specialized marketing team to develop and implement a marketing strategy aimed at enhancing ARAMEX’s positioning to offer all transportation services under one roof. “The new tasks charged to Nabil, who previously held the position of regional marketing manager at ARAMEX, attest to the dynamic and unique marketing strategy we’ve at ARAMEX,” its President & CEO Fadi Ghandour said. “The marketing efforts will be in line with the company’s global expansion plans that aim at strengthening our position in the express and logistics business, both regionally and globally,” he added.
LEO BURNETT
Leo Burnett Kuwait has won the creative account for Global Investment House (Global) in a competitive three-way pitch. The agency will help the Kuwait-based diversified investment bank leverage its strong reputation for market insights and knowledge to raise its profile and increase loyalty in a campaign focused on print ads and some television. “Leo Burnett presented an integrated communication plan that reflected a clear understanding of our business and strategic growth objectives, as well as good knowledge about regional markets,” said Global Vice Chairman & MD Maha Al-Ghunaim. “Global is recognized for its forward looking vision, regional market insights and results. As such, we were able to develop a clear and powerful brand idea for the company,” said Kamal Dimachkie, MD, Leo Burnett Dubai & Kuwait.
UNILEVER
Unilever is joining forces with the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) to improve oral health throughout the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Unilever will be working with the FDI and National Dental Associations (NDAs) to increase awareness and improve education about the importance of oral health. The new partnership will fund a range of schemes. It is part of a wider global partnership between Unilever and the FDI called ‘Live, learn and laugh,’ which aims to increase oral health education and promotion in countries across the world. “We’re excited to be putting funds toward national oral health care projects. Working with the FDI and various countries, we’ll identify and launch oral health programs,” Unilever’s Global Professional Marketing Director Dr. Analia Mendez said at a meeting in Dubai recently.
CREDIT SUISSE
Credit Suisse is among the first major global financial institutions to be awarded a license to set up operations at the Qatar Financial Center (QFC). The license will enable Credit Suisse to open a subsidiary in Doha, thus further expanding its footprint in the Middle East. Credit Suisse has been granted a financial services license by the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority. At the same time, the QFC Authority authorized Credit Suisse Financial Services (Qatar) LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Credit Suisse, to do business at the QFC in Doha. Through its new office, Credit Suisse expects to provide high net worth individuals and institutional clients with a comprehensive range of investment advisory services and products in Qatar, Michael Philipp, CEO of Credit Suisse in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, said.
THE PEARL-QATAR
United Development Company, owner and developer of The Pearl-Qatar, the multibillion-dollar offshore island and one of the largest real estate developments in the country, recently hosted a delegation from the German Business Council of Qatar (GBCQ) for an extensive project presentation and tour of the project. Headed by Wolfgang Herget, board member of the GBCQ, the 35-member delegation toured the project. They witnessed first-hand how the project was progressing and learned about the vast array of services and facilities to be offered. Chief Communication Officer Roger Dagher, Investor Advisor Farid Kouti and Dr. Alexander Babovic led the tour on behalf of UDC and The Pearl-Qatar. Officials from the GBCQ said the tour was an eye-opening experience and were pleased to have been given a site-tour.
PANASONIC
Panasonic announced its Middle East launch of 65-inch plasma TV, the TH-65PV500, at a press conference in Dubai yesterday. “Panasonic is totally committed to Plasma technology and testimony to this is the introduction of Viera 65 inch plasma TV in the Middle-Rast today,” Panasonic Marketing Middle East’s MD Seiji Koyanagi said. “The new TV marks a significant milestone for Panasonic, as we look to further enhance our production capacity and manufacture plasma TV with larger screen sizes. Plasma technology is the future of TV, both globally and regionally and Panasonic aims to be the largest plasma TV manufacturer in the world,” he said. The 65-inch display highlights unique characteristics of plasma TV such as excellent handling of fast-paced movement, dynamic contrast, bright crisp images and natural colors.
ECC
Etihad Crystal Cargo (ECC), the cargo division of UAE national carrier Etihad Airways, has announced its plan to join the Cargo 2000 quality initiative. Cargo 2000 is an IATA Interest Group that brings together more than 50 major airlines, freight forwarders, ground handling agents, trucking companies and IT providers. The goal of the initiative is to implement a new quality management system for the worldwide air cargo industry and improve the efficiency of air cargo, enhance customer service levels and reduce operational costs. ECC’s services are based on ultimate information transparency, 21st century technology and total customer focus. “Cargo 2000 will enable us to further improve our cargo service in all these fields that are crucial for customer satisfaction and outstanding performance levels,” ECC’s VP Ingo Roessler said.
DOLLAR RENT A CAR
Continuing to ride the tide of success, Dollar Rent A Car, a car rental entity of the region, has announced details of its Q2 2006 strategy which will witness additions to its fleet, the opening of several new outlets in the UAE, and unveiling of a new headquarters’ building in Bur Dubai. Reflecting the growing demand from Middle East residents for reliable and cost-effective vehicle rental, Dollar acquired over 1,000 new cars in 2005 and its current vehicle stock now totals 1,650. In the next three months, Dollar will open new rental outlets at Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports, and in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, and also see an increased emphasis on the company’s luxury line. “The launch of an elite range is in direct response to what we perceive to be a growing demand to fill this niche,” Dollar Rent A Car’s GM Sumit Chopra said.
BRAUN
Braun has launched its ‘360 Degree Complete’ electric shaver. “It’s the latest, closest shaver ever,” Braun’s Regional Business Manager Manoj Nair said. “This is a new addition to Braun’s electric shaving portfolio and is specifically designed to meet men’s varied shaving requirements,” he told a press conference at the Jeddah Hilton. “The new shaver tackles all types of hair growth, making it the most flexible electric shaver in the market,” he said, adding that the new shaver uses five technologies to ease the shaving process, building on more than 50 years of Braun’s industry expertise combined with research. It uses a patented ‘Power comb’ to deal with frustrating neck hairs by lifting them closer. It boasts precision comfort blades and automatically cleans, lubricates, dries and recharges at the touch of a button.
MERCURY MOUNTAINEER
Mercury Mountaineer has earned the US government’s highest rating, five stars, in the new car assessment program frontal and side impact crash test for drivers and passengers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), achieving the best available crash test rating reflects a vehicle’s ability to reduce the likelihood of injuries and fatalities when accidents occur. “We’re pleased that NHTSA has recognized Mountaineer with its highest possible crash test ratings,” says Sue Cischke, VP, Environmental and Safety Engineering. “The redesign of the vehicle for 2006 has resulted in increased safety by offering a new package of safety features, all leading to a more refined and capable vehicle than ever before.” The car has advanced safety technologies, seven of which are new to the midsize SUVs.
