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Nairobi, Kenya: MTN, New Vision and Mukwano are among the sixty four regional and international brands that were awarded East Africa Superbrands status during the unveiling of the first edition of the EA Superbrands publication at the Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Friday last week.
The awards were presented by Steve Dodgson, Superbrands Chief Operating Officer and presided over by Kenya’s Minister for Information Hon. Samuel Poghisio and the Permanent Secretary for EA Commission David Nalo.
Speaking during the occasion, Superbrands EA regional director Dawad Jaffer said that it was encouraging to see homegrown brands challenging for top accolades and competing closely with internationally renowned brands. “We believe the Superbrands certification and the publication will help local brands to become even more competitive both locally and internationally because it gives them an opportunity for exposure”.
Superbrands is an independent brand assessment and certification system that periodically monitors brands and their performance and documents those that are considered to have achieved the Superbrands status in a publication. It is the first time that brands in East Africa have been subjected to this system.
Commenting on MTN’s recognition as an EA Super brand, the company’s Head of Marketing Isaac Nsereko said the award was an added feather in the brands international move towards being a global Super brand because already Interbrands, an internationally acclaimed brand valuation Agency had estimated that the intangible value of MTN at $10bn, making it the 39th most valued brand in the world, ahead of renown brands such as investment banking Giants UBS Warburg($9,838m), Cereal Makers Kellogg’s ($9,341m), Ford Motor Company ($8,982m), Electronic giants Philips ($7,741m) and Siemens ($7,737m).
“MTN has been voted the Most respected company in Uganda for the last three consecutive years and is the largest tax payer over the same period. The Brand in Uganda has now been valued at ABOUT US$ 300m by the renowned Brand valuation consultancy Interbrand Sampson” said Nsereko.
For the last ten years, MTN has been the most dominant brand in Uganda and had influenced rapid change in telecommunication through introduction of cutting edge innovations and proactive market engagements with consumers. The Brand’s use of its telltale yellow color ushered in the use of color branding for quick recognition. Today MTN has close to 3 million subscribers and every 7 out of 10 calls in Uganda are made on the MTN network.
About the MTN GROUP
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: "MTN". As at 30 September 2009, MTN recorded 108,4 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East. Please visit www.mtn.com andwww.mtnfootball.com
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