Local agency O2 Branding looks to KSA as a trend setter in the regional market

Al Riyadh - KSA, June 9, 2010 – Companies across the region flocked to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) this week for the “Saudi Brand and Communications Summit 2010”—held in Riyadh from June 5 – 8, 2010.  Noting the incredible potential in the KSA market for all kinds of communication expansions, Mohammed Johmani, CEO and Founder of O2 Network, spoke at the summit about the key drivers of Saudi branding and marketing sectors. Johmani’s agency O2 Branding served as a main sponsor of the event.    

Research reports suggest that total advertising spending in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will recover at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 10 percent from 2009-2013, with internet advertising expected to grow at nearly 32 percent.  With Saudi Arabia’s GDP being pegged as the highest in the Arab region, those in the branding and communications industry are excited to explore new innovations in the KSA media market.

“The strong foundations of the Saudi economy have encouraged companies to spend on growth during a time where most organizations are looking to cut costs, especially in marketing,” says Johmani.  “O2 Branding has definitely focused more of its energy on the Saudi market in the last few years, and this summit is the ideal platform to view the latest trends while networking with key decision makers in the region.”

O2 Branding is a perfect exemplar of the opportunities afforded to regional entrepreneurs looking to grow communication companies within KSA and the Arab world as a whole.  Part of the multi-discipline O2 Network, the agency assesses all aspects of a company’s “brand potential”, offering strategy design and development, brand-activation counseling, and company-wide workshops for brand management. 

O2 Branding grew out of the understanding that brands are organic in nature; an insight that is reflected in their mission to create ‘Living Brands’. The agency recognizes that brands look, speak, and behave according to their surroundings. In order to ensure an integrated brand culture, O2 Branding draws upon the expertise of the entire O2 Network, including interactive, PR, and advertising agencies, to offer clients integrated communication solutions.

Commenting on the ‘Living Brand’ approach, Johmani said: “To create living brands, we align brand strategies to consumer touch points.  O2 is unique in its communications approach because of its fundamental understanding that people interact with brands and experience them through multiple channels, which translate to the practices of marketing, public relations, and interactive digital media, all of which contribute to shaping certain characteristics of a brand. This approach ensures a comprehensive platform for the creation of an attuned brand culture. ”

Johmani was amongst amongst elite of regional and global figures who are speaking at the summit including Patrick Jephson, Former Private Secretary, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales; Mohamed El Fatatry, CEO, Muxlim, (Voted One of The World’s 500 Most Powerful Muslims); Werner Baumgartner, Managing Director, Swarovski Middle East; Terry Kane, Director Of Digital Strategy, Jumeirah Group; Majdi Al-Sahhaf, Director Marketing And Corporate Communications, Saudi Industrial Property Authority ‘MODON’; Shadi Bakhour, Director Sales And Marketing, Saudi Xerox; Rayan Qutub, Head Of Corporate Business Development And Investment Promotion ,Emaar, The Economic City; Cameron Walker, Director Corporate Communications, National Commercial Bank;  Siva Kumar; Global Head Of Customer Experience, HSBC; Tarik Hamou Hadi, Vice President Sales, Marketing And Innovation, Savola Foods; Mousa Obeid, Head Of Marketing KSA, Nokia;  Yasser Al-Kharobi, Head of Corporate Marketing, Rotana Media Group; Howard Belk, Co-President and CEO, Siegel+Gale.

Major topics of discussion at this year’s summit included connecting with Saudi youth, rules of branding in a post-recession environment, and the unique traits that define the Middle East communications industry within the larger, global scene. 

Dubai, March 16, 2010: UAE-based communications agency O2 Network has announced the opening of a new regional office in Doha in line with the company’s aim to leverage the growth of Qatari marketing industries, which are projected to expand alongside Qatar’s expectations for 17 % economic growth in 2010. The move reflects the company’s expanding presence in the country as recent contracts with Qatar Energy City and Maya La Chocolaterie are secured, amongst others.  The O2 office in Qatar office will represent the conglomerate of O2 Network’s agencies, including Marketing Communications (O2MC), O2 Public Relations (O2PR), O2 Interactive (O2i), O2 Branding (O2B) and the To Know research agency.

Qatar ranks high in advertising spending by which it grew by 12% over the past year, bringing the total ad spending to USD $402 million. The growth of the public relations industry has also been exceptional, which in 2009 grew nearly 25% despite Qatar maintaining its ranking as fourth in the GCC for most advertising expenditures.

According to Mohammed Johmani, Founder of O2 Network, the goal of the expansion is to strengthen an industry which is witnessing significant development yet lacks creative diversity.

“Qatar’s economic boom is incredible, especially in cities like Doha,” says Johmani, pointing at increasing foreign direct investment and government regulations set to encourage economic growth.  “At the same time, the market is expanding so quickly that the demand for support services is constantly changing. From human resources to marketing professionals, companies are starving for people with creative expertise and experience in growing regional markets.”

Winning numerous regional awards for its creative campaigns both in the UAE and greater GCC, the company will offer a comprehensive selection of the network’s services, including market research, PR consultancy, advertising and branding, as well as interactive web products through its new office in Doha.

Operating in cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, Muscat, and Hong Kong, Johmani says that the company is ideally positioned to connect the interests of these rapidly developing metropolises to build integrated campaigns across the GCC.

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O2 Network—the award-winning marketing communication network—recently held in Dubai its 4th annual gathering which was attended by all 80 employees of the company’s different branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain,KSA, Oman, Qatar and Hong Kong. Read the full story

Attendance numbers exceed projections as representatives from local and multi-national organizations kick off week-long forum

Mr. Kosta Petrov, Conference Director for IIR Middle East

Panel discussions began today for the oldest and one of the largest public relations conferences in the region, the Middle East Public Relations Congress.  Produced by IIR Middle East and in association with Dubai Media City and supported by the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA), the annual event is the most powerful PR networking and evaluation platform in the Middle East. Read the full story

Week-long forum welcomes professionals from across the region to discuss “Staying Alive” in light of today’s evolving consumer trends

Nermin Habib, Creative Strategist for O2 Branding

Panel discussions began today for one of the largest marketing communications conferences of the year, Brand Summit 2009.  Produced by IIR Middle East and in association with Dubai Media City, the annual event is advertised as the most powerful platform for the industry to reveal new insights, discuss collective challenges, and clarify standards across the global branding community.  Now in its seventh year, “Staying Alive” is the theme for Brand Summit 2009, which saw over 150 participants attend last year.  It is being held from November 8-12 at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai.

There were a number of notable highlights from the first day, including speeches from individuals such as Mohammed Salama, Head of Marketing for Sony Ericsson Middle East and North Africa; Nermin Habib, Creative Strategist for O2 Branding; and Sean Costello, Director of Marketing and Business Development Middle East for PricewaterhouseCoopers.  Participants considered a wide range of topics on the first day, spotlighting the diversity of the Dubai marketplace and how multi-national companies need to create ‘Living Brands’ that are relevant to evolving—and increasingly fragmented—audiences.

Ms. Nermin Habib, Creative Strategist for O2 Branding—the Headline Sponsor of Brand Summit 2009—said:

It’s amazing that whether you work in pharmaceuticals or telecommunications, there are similar challenges across the board.  Sharing those experiences is extremely rewarding from a professional perspective, and I am looking forward to coming back for tomorrow’s agenda. ”

In addition to executive-led discussions, this year’s Brand Summit will also organize one-on-one meetings between conference participants, and will offer half-day intensive clinics conducted by renowned industry experts.  Still on the agenda are talks from individuals such as Mazan Nahawl, Managing Director at Media Watch, and Samer Costantini, PR Manager for Global Operations at Cisco Systems.

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About IIR Middle East

IIR Middle East is the provider of up-to-the-minute information in a practical, highly interactive environment through training seminars and conferences. Covering every aspect of business from manufacturing to logistics, strategic planning to health and safety, information technology to marketing and sales, conferences are compiled using in-depth industry analysis. Participants will learn and network with a host of regional and international experts through case studies, round table discussions, panel debates and academic sessions. Attending IIR Middle East’s highly educational events gives consumers the opportunity not only to learn, but to question, reason and discuss industry trends and best practices. Visit www.iirme.comfor detailed information on specific training programmes and conferences.

About O2 Network

The O2 Network is an award-winning, research-oriented agency that has been established to fill the gap in the Middle East’s communications industry.  Founded in Dubai in 2005, the O2 Network consists of four agencies: O2 Marketing Communications (O2MC), O2 Public Relations (O2PR), O2 Interactive (O2i), and O2 Branding (O2B).

The O2 Network is renowned for its innovative communications strategies rooted in extensive market research. Through its unique approach “KNOW YOUR MARKET FIRST”™, O2 aims to put businesses, consumers, and the market at the core of all strategic planning.  This research methodology enables O2 to develop successful campaigns that effectively engage the consumer through multiple channels.  O2 Network prides itself on its high-profile client base, which has included partners like Al Ain Dairy, aswaaq, Dubai Municipality, Durrat Marina, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, Tameer Holding Investment LLC, and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University. O2’s vision is to be the first independent, UAE-based regional marketing communications network to compete on the international stage.

To learn more about this unique concept, please visit the O2 website at www.o2mc.net.

For more information, please contact:

Kosta Petrov

Conference Director- IIR Middle East

Office: + 971 04 3365161

Kosta.petrov@iirme.com

Maan Dalghan

PR Account Manager - O2 Public Relations

Mobile: +971 0504735351

Phone: +971 43122777

Fax: +971 43122788

Email: maan.d@o2pr.net

Exhibition will encourage visitors to take a proactive approach to brand management

Mohammed Johmani, Managing Director of the O2 Network

O2 Network, the award-winning and research-oriented marketing communications agency, will be hosting an exhibition at this year’s Leaders in Dubai Business Forum highlighting the creative campaigns that have propelled the agency from a single office in Dubai to a regional network of award-winning marketing communications agencies. Read the full story

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Mohammed Johmani, O2 Network’s Managing Director

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