Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, Etisalat among only 3 Telecom CEOs to Feature in the World's Top 100 CEOs
Etisalat has made history by emerging as the strongest brand across all categories in Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. This feat puts Etisalat among the top 25 brands globally in the strongest brands index by Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy. This global accomplishment was made possible due to Etisalat’s brand strength and performance with continuous efforts and investments in accelerating its value by engaging with consumers across markets with launching many successful innovative global branding initiatives.
With this ranking from Brand Finance, Etisalat is now among the world’s strongest brands including Ferrari, Coca Cola, Apple, among others making it to the global top 25 strongest brands in the world. Continuing its growth streak, Etisalat is turning its sights on transforming into a truly global player and climbed 17 spots in the global 500 brand value ranking this year from 225th to 208th . Another noteworthy achievement this year is being ranked among the top five strongest telecom brands across global markets and the strongest telecom brand in MEA region.
This achievement is further enhanced with the recent ranking by Brand Finance for Etisalat GCEO, Hatem Dowidar, who features among the worlds’ Top 3 Telecom CEOs and is among the world’s Top 100 CEOs, overall.
Dowidar’s contribution to Etisalat’s strategy and vision of driving the digital future to empower societies is evident. Under his leadership the brand was named the fastest network in the world – in itself a significant achievement – Dowidar will now be setting his sights on long-term transformation, turning the brand into a truly global player. His experience across a variety of global markets – including in Asia, Europe, and Africa - will help to expand the brand’s footprint from its current standing of 16 nations and 149 million subscribers.
Etisalat has also retained its title as the most valuable telecom portfolio of brands for the fifth year in a row with an impressive portfolio of brands touching more than AED 40 bn including Etisalat Misr, Mobily, Ufone, Maroc Telecom, PTCL and is also the only telecom brand to retain AAA brand rating.
Operating in 16 countries with 149 million subscribers across Asia, Middle East and Africa, Etisalat’s success can also be attributed to its continued efforts to provide the best solutions and services in the various markets in which it operates, its support for community initiatives and events, and its adoption of digital transformation strategies in its various operations.
Etisalat has led the telecom sector and the region with the deployment of the 5G network setting a major benchmark in the industry. Most recently Etisalat made a huge leap forward with the landmark announcement of achieving the world’s fastest 5G download speed of 9.1 gigabits per second.
Etisalat’s pioneering 5G efforts in the region and delivering one of the fastest, smartest and best-connected places on earth for the upcoming global mega Expo 2020 Dubai has attributed to its success as a brand in the region. As the premier digital services and telecommunications partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Etisalat is prepared to deliver the event’s visitors and delegates 5G connectivity that brings the Expo themes to life for the millions of visitors.
The success and growth of Etisalat’s brand value is mainly driven by an innovative customer service strategy, adapting well to a digital savvy marketplace, leading the 5G revolution and the successful launch of global brand building initiatives. Etisalat has also led digital innovation in the country by working on several digital initiatives in infrastructure, entertainment and smart cities.
Etisalat has reached out and engaged with its consumers across markets with global branding initiatives by sponsoring global football teams and clubs aligning with the brand’s priorities of being at the forefront of major sporting events. Etisalat also launched the brand campaign ‘Together Matters’ to highlight togetherness among its subscribers in today’s world of connectivity.
Brand Finance is the world’s leading independent branded business valuation and strategy consultancy, and is the organisation behind the Global 500 Brands and Telecom 300 league table of the world’s biggest brands ranked by their brand value, assesses the dollar value of the reputation, image and intellectual property of the brand.
Source: Etisalat Press Release