UPS CENTENARY
UPS (United Parcel Service) is celebrating its centennial anniversary this year. From its humble beginning in 1907, UPS is now the world’s largest package delivery company. Serving more than 200 countries and territories, UPS operates the world’s eighth largest airline, a fleet of almost 92,000 vehicles and offers an ever-expanding array of supply chain services. The company is one of the world’s largest employers, with some 427,000 around the world. “Today, on our 100th anniversary, we celebrate the people of UPS who have contributed to our shared success throughout the years, from drivers in Hamburg to pilots in Hong Kong and everyone in between,” said Mike Eskew, chairman and CEO of UPS. “UPS’s success is the result of the combined efforts of thousands of UPS employees who share a deep commitment to our customers. It is their dedication that will carry UPS well into our next century.” UPS (UAE) LLC began operations more than 10 years ago and quickly established itself as one of the leading package delivery and logistics solution providers. More recently, the company has extended its express operations by opening its largest-ever facility to accommodate the rise in demand for express delivery and logistics solutions in the Emirates. Currently UPS has more than 16 aircraft that fly in and through the Dubai air hub from Europe (Cologne, Germany) and Asia (Hong Kong, China, Philippines) every week, carrying goods and packages assigned for delivery in the Middle Eastern, African, European and Asian markets.
BATES PANGULF
Bates PanGulf Group has unveiled a new corporate identity that reflects the company’s rise from modest beginnings 26 years ago as an advertising agency to become the leader in the field of integrated marketing communications in the Middle East. A key result of the major rebranding exercise is the change of name — from Bates PanGulf to BPG. However, the existing logo, a hand-drawn sun, which is the longstanding visual icon of Bates Worldwide, will continue to be used with the BPG identity. The abbreviated version, BPG will now be used across all verticals of the agency and will be a prefix to the different SBUs — BPG Advertising, BPG 141 (Activation) BPG Public Relations, BPG Design, BPG Public Advocacy, BPG Media (media asset management) and BPG Healthworld. Historically, Bates Worldwide is best remembered for inventing USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and giving the world the popular phrase, “Think Global, Act Local”, both of which have become a part of the global business lexicon. Unveiling the group’s rebranded image, Avi Bhojani, BPG’s Group CEO, said: “The new corporate identity reflects the unique integration of multi-disciplinary skills that is fast becoming the hallmark of our group, and a powerful differentiator for us in the marketplace. Our new identity reflects the changes that have taken place in our group over the last few years and it brings the delivery of innovative and integrated communication solutions into even sharper focus.”
PAMPERS
Pampers recently launched its new “Active Baby Stretch” diaper. It claims to provide extra protection, flexibility, comfort and ease, allowing uninterrupted hours of “movement and play” for the baby. The “extra stretch” factor is a result of Caterpillar Flex (Flexy) — a distinctive feature in the diaper to flex back into shape leaving no room for gaps or leakage. Research has revealed that during activity, when a baby constantly stretches and twists, the tummy can expand and contract by up to 8 cm. Based on this insight, Pampers devised the new diaper, which easily contracts to conform to the baby’s shape whenever and however he/she moves to give a snug comfortable fit — so there is no room for leakage and there is full freedom of movement. Karim Kamel, Pampers brand manager — Arabian Peninsula, said “our products are developed by experts from all over the world who keep babies growth and development at the forefront. This professional understanding has helped Pampers develop a range of diapers that best meet the needs of babies at their different stage of development and help your little one stay clean and comfortable.”
ITHMAR BANK
Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based investment bank with global reach, has announced the appointment of Chartered Accountant Ravindra Khot as group chief financial officer. He is responsible for planning, managing and directing the consolidated financial accounting and reporting of the bank and its subsidiaries and associates — Swiss-based Faisal Private Bank, Pakistan-based Faysal Bank Limited (FBL) and Bahrain-based Shamil Bank of Bahrain, Solidarity (the global Takaful company), First Leasing Bank (FLB), and Ithmaar Development Company (IDC). Khot, an Indian national with more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, has taken charge of consolidated financial, regulatory and management reporting, as well as the annual budget process. He will also be involved in supporting the bank’s strategic planning process, and will be providing proactive and key assistance in management decision-making. “A strong CFO is fundamental to the long-term success of any organization,” Michael P. Lee, CEO, Ithmaar Bank, said.
SAMSUNG U100
Samsung Gulf Electronics has announced in Riyadh the launch of another addition to its Ultra Edition II series; the Samsung U100, the “world’s slimmest” phone. The Ultra Edition U100 is thin enough to disappear if turned on its side, yet incredibly robust and packed with innovative features for everyday use. A groundbreaking technology, and an embodiment of the term slim yet powerful, the U100 measures 5.9mm and weighs a mere 57 grams. The phone’s exterior shape is complimented by the contrasting color. Samsung U100 comes with a 1.93” color LCD screen with a 220 x 176 resolution and features 262,000 colors for exceptional image clarity.
