NISSAN
Car showrooms in the Middle East have started to use a new high tech form of customer communications tool to enhance their customer experience. The trend is the latest initiative aimed at bringing fun to the car showroom experience. The introduction of this new form of customer communication was announced by Nissan Middle East last week. The tool is now available at Nissan showrooms across the region and is referred to as interactive touch screen “SurfPods”. The new touch screen pods reflect Nissan’s innovative edge and encourage a new level of interactivity between Nissan, its products and the customer through technology. The new SurfPods are equipped with an array of features including a “Build My Own Car” option where customers can choose the specification, color, rim style, etc., of their preferred Nissan model and then view how the vehicle will look. A customer can even take his/her picture with the car and e-mail it to their friends.
SPLASH
High street fashion brand Splash recently added Italian youth fashion icon Underground Music Movement (UMM) to its rock chic gamut. UMM was born in the 1980’s as a record label and rapidly succeeded as one of the reference labels in the house music scene worldwide. Famed for clothing that epitomizes urbane youth ethnicity, UMM is an eclectic collection of casual wear that draws inspiration from the ‘80s and ‘90s clubbing culture that went beyond the sphere of music to leave an indelible mark on lifestyle. Raza Beig, CEO of Splash, which is part of the Dubai-based Landmark Group, said: “As an Italian fashion house that symbolizes youth, it was just apt for us to bring us closer to our customers. Splash is constantly expanding and with this in mind, has always endeavored to get global brands from across the world to the Middle East. We are confident that our customers will be ecstatic with the latest offering at Splash.”
AL-RAJHI CAPITAL
Al-Rajhi Capital (ARC) recently opened of its new Ladies Wealth Management Division in Riyadh. This was announced at a seminar organized by Al-Rajhi Capital. The establishment of this unit aims to meet the growing demand for financial services by Saudi women and expand the company’s offerings. The unit also keeps up to date with developments of the Saudi financial sector. ARC CEO Marcus Andrade said: “Al-Rajhi Capital has been a leader with a preeminent position in the diverse investment industry. Our client base, especially women, is expanding due to the growing demand for the financial and investment services provided by our company. The opening of the new division further demonstrates our deep commitment toward this segment of clients. It also encourages the growing role played by Saudi women in commercial and financial sectors in the Kingdom.” ARC has 35 investment centers around the Kingdom. In addition it provides an active array of 15 competitive mutual funds. It also offers corporate finance services
LG
LG Electronics, a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, has appointed Jung Hoon (John) Lee as GM-Saudi operations, in place of Simon Lee. Earlier, he worked at the company’s Tehran office in the capacity of digital display products manager, then he became the TV marketing group leader in Dubai MEA office, after which he assumed the responsibility of the MEA business unit leader in the regional headquarters. Lee’s appointment comes in line with LG’s planned roll out of a series of new and innovative products, which are expected to secure a unique market position for the company in Saudi Arabia. Simon Lee said: “We are confident that with Jong’s experience and expertise, we will be able to launch our new products with much impact and success, and hopefully achieve great success over the long term.” An MBA holder from Yousei University, the new GM’s aspirations include making LG the top brand in the Kingdom and globally in all product categories by 2012.
EMIRATES NBD
Emirates NBD, described as the Middle East’s largest bank by asset size, unveiled recently its first fully rebranded branch, reflecting the successful conclusion of the merger process between Emirates Bank and National Bank of Dubai. The unveiling of the rebranded group head office of Emirates NBD in Deira, Dubai, which has also been entirely wrapped with the bank’s new corporate identity, will be rapidly followed by the UAE-wide brand integration of all 110 bank branches and 650 ATMs, the largest such network in the country. The complete external and internal rebranding of the Emirates NBD domestic network is expected to be concluded in just 60 days, underscoring the bank’s commitment to efficiently finalizing this significant stage of the merger process. In parallel, the bank is also rebranding its international network including branches in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UK.
GCF
The Saudi Fast Growth 100, the second annual list of the 100 fastest-growing businesses located in the Kingdom, will be announced on Jan. 25. The Saudi Fast Growth 100 brings to light fast growing Saudi companies that represent the future of the Kingdom. Through their energy and innovation, these companies are building a more competitive and dynamic Saudi economy. They are the Kingdom’s “leading indicator” of competitiveness. The 2010 winners will be announced at a gala celebration as part of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority’s (SAGIA) Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Approximately 500 national and international business, academic, government and civic leaders will be in attendance. The winners will also participate in the exclusive Saudi Fast Growth Leadership Summit, a dynamic business meeting for current and past winners that includes discussions with Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, the world’s foremost authority on strategy, as well as sessions with past winners and international experts. “SAGIA has committed to making the Kingdom one of the most competitive nations in the world. To achieve this ambitious goal, the Kingdom must nurture emerging growth companies since they are the oxygen of the economy,” said SAGIA Gov. Amr Al-Dabbagh. “The Saudi Fast Growth 100 offers examples of success and represents the most potent signal that Saudi Arabia is one of the best places to grow a new business.”
DANUBE
Danube Building Materials FZCO, a major player in the building material, interior decoration and shop fitting industry, has reported annual revenues of AED1 billion in 2009, despite the challenges the construction industry faced in the past year due to the global economic slowdown. The company has also announced its goal to achieve 50 percent growth in 2010, as well as plans to open at least 12 more showrooms in malls and standalone outlets across the region. Danube is especially upbeat about the first quarter of the year, stating it aims to secure 30 percent out of its 50 percent annual growth target within this period. The company has been significantly active in several high profile projects, having been involved in the construction of the Yas Island development, Dubai Airport Terminal 3, Meydan Race Course, Dubai Sports City, Motor City, Emirates Golf Course, Palm Jumeirah, and the Burj Khalifa. Danube’s strength was also underlined by its stability throughout the year, and while it did not register significant growth in 2009 compared to the 70 percent it achieved during 2007-08, the company has successfully buffered itself from the effects of the recession. “The GCC was an important market for us in 2009, considering the developments that transpired in the region despite the recession. In 2010, we are confident that it will be easier for us to boost our business and achieve our targets given that the impact of the global financial crisis has not been as severe in the region as in other part of the globe,” said Rizwan Sajan, chairman, Danube Building Materials.
KEC
Against the backdrop of unprecedented and coordinated policy measures across the globe to ensure that the world economy is again recovering from the worst economic downturn in the postwar era, an investment drive in Saudi Arabia has gained additional momentum. In particular, investment appetite in the Knowledge Economic City (KEC), the third of four economic cities being developed in Saudi Arabia — has increased, as demonstrated by the tremendous outcome of the recent “Business Opportunities Forum” hosted by KEC on its project offerings. Tahir Bawazir, CEO of KEC, announced at the forum that contract agreements worth SR1.5 billion would be signed early this year on construction of infrastructure and related facilities for the first phase of the KEC project. The contracts would cover hospitality industry, commercial/retail malls, business parks and educational facilities for information technology, health education, and management tourism courses, among others. KEC continuously receives a lot of pre-qualification bidders for a host of projects at stake, he added. At the moment, a lot of investment opportunities in KEC await potential investors, said Jones Lang LaSalle, which has been the real estate adviser to KEC for the past 3 years, in its presentation at the forum. Jones Lang LaSalle said investors could take advantage of KEC’s “attractive commercial terms” to enhance their expected returns. It noted that investors have the opportunity to acquire land for development in Phase 1 of KEC.
YELLOW HAT
Abdullatif Alissa Group opened in Riyadh the first two showrooms for Yellow Hat, a Japanese company specializing in auto accessories and services. Alissa Group obtained the exclusive dealership in Saudi Arabia for the well-known Japanese brand, which will offer wide range of high quality car accessories and fast services. Essam Almojalad, CEO of Abdullatif Alissa Group — Automotive Section, says Yellow Hat’s presence in Saudi would provide a new and distinguished level of service car accessories and other high quality products and services. Yellow Hat was founded in 1961, and has more than 500 branches in Japan, Taiwan, China and the United Arab Emirates, and provides more than 20 thousand products of external and internal accessories for cars, SUV’s and motorcycles, audio and video systems, tires and wheels and fast services. Almojalad said: “We offer, through Yellow Hat, a new concept of car accessories and fast services, in a large number of showrooms which provide comprehensive services including selling and installation of accessories, audio and video systems by specialists who have received extensive training by experts from the Japanese company.” The first two showrooms of Yellow Hat were opened in Riyadh, the first one opened at the Eastern Ring Road, exit 13, and the second one at the Southern Ring Road, exit 25. More branches are to be opened in the Eastern and Western provinces in due course.
TRACCS
Immediately following the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, communications and media experts from around the world will gather for the “Communication on Top” Forum to be held at the Swiss resort from Feb. 8-9. The honor of delivering the welcome address on behalf of the PR industry in the MENA region goes to TRACCS CEO Mohamed Al-Ayed. Established in Jeddah over 12 years ago, TRACCS was founded with the goal of building an indigenous Arab public relations industry. With more than 200 professionals across a network of 14 offices spanning the MENA region, TRACCS was ranked among the top 40 fastest growing companies in the Kingdom last year. “Coming in the wake of the global financial crisis Communication on Top is a timely opportunity for the communications industry’s top managers to share their experience and expertise to develop professional solutions that overcome geographical, political, religious, corporate and cultural differences,” said Al-Ayed. “The economies of nations and the prosperity of their citizens, as well as the finances of companies and industries, can be enhanced by the global communications community, which by influencing attitudes and expectations has the capability to shape the future of business, politics and culture.” Al-Ayed will take “Communications — Bridging the Global Gap” as the theme of his keynote speech.
