Page 17 - SAMENA Trends - February-March 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

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 led the telecom sector and the building initiatives. Etisalat has also
worlds’ Top 3 Telecom CEOs and is among the world’s region with the deployment of the 5G led digital innovation in the country by
Top 100 CEOs, overall. Dowidar’s contribution to network setting a major benchmark working on several digital initiatives
Etisalat’s strategy and vision of driving the digital in the industry. Most recently Etisalat in infrastructure, entertainment and
future to empower societies is evident. Under his made a huge leap forward with the smart cities. Etisalat has reached
leadership the brand was named the fastest network landmark announcement of achieving out and engaged with its consumers
in the world – in itself a significant achievement – the world’s fastest 5G download across markets with global branding
Dowidar will now be setting his sights on long-term speed of 9.1 gigabits per second. initiatives by sponsoring global
transformation, turning the brand into a truly global Etisalat’s pioneering 5G efforts in football teams and clubs aligning
player. His experience across a variety of global the region and delivering one of the with the brand’s priorities of being
markets – including in Asia, Europe, and Africa fastest, smartest and best-connected at the forefront of major sporting
- will help to expand the brand’s footprint from places on earth for the upcoming events. Etisalat also launched the
its current standing of 16 nations and 149 million global mega Expo 2020 Dubai has brand campaign ‘Together Matters’
subscribers. Etisalat has also retained its title as attributed to its success as a brand to highlight togetherness among
the most valuable telecom portfolio of brands for in the region. As the premier digital its subscribers in today’s world of
the fifth year in a row with an impressive portfolio services and telecommunications connectivity. Brand Finance is the
of brands touching more than AED 40 bn including partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Etisalat is world’s leading independent branded
Etisalat Misr, Mobily, Ufone, Maroc Telecom, PTCL prepared to deliver the event’s visitors business valuation and strategy
and is also the only telecom brand to retain AAA and delegates 5G connectivity that consultancy, and is the organization
brand rating. Operating in 16 countries with 149 brings the Expo themes to life for behind the Global 500 Brands and
million subscribers across Asia, Middle East and the millions of visitors. The success Telecom 300 league table of the
Africa, Etisalat’s success can also be attributed to and growth of Etisalat’s brand value world’s biggest brands ranked by
its continued efforts to provide the best solutions is mainly driven by an innovative their brand value, assesses the dollar
and services in the various markets in which it customer service strategy, adapting value of the reputation, image and
operates, its support for community initiatives and well to a digital savvy marketplace, intellectual property of the brand.
events, and its adoption of digital transformation leading the 5G revolution and the
strategies in its various operations. Etisalat has successful launch of global brand

17 FEB-MAR 2021