PRESS RELEASE:

RM56.5 bil in hidden assets uncovered! 4As hires world leader Interbrand to assess Malaysia’s Most Valuable Brands
Tuesday September 18, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR, Tues: Malaysia’s top Brands are worth an astounding RM56.5 billion, it was revealed today. The figure is part of a yet to be released valuation study commissioned by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) and conducted by Interbrand, which pioneered and globally dominates the established methodology of brand valuation.

The study is an annual league table of Malaysian global brands, which will put Malaysia up with a few select Asian countries that recognize the value of brands as a business and economic asset President of the 4 As, Datuk Vincent Lee said.

The results of this study culminated in a list of 30 companies that comprise Malaysia’s Most Valuable Brands.

It is these companies that will be honored during a Gala Night to be held in November, and presided by the honorable Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, as the Guest of Honour.

Datuk Vincent said MMVB will be the benchmark for Malaysian brands and will move manufacturers and emerging brands from original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to original brand manufacturers (OBM).

“MMVB’s objective is also to highlight best branding practices and present the most valuable brands as role models for other companies. This valuation exercise will allow the top brands to compete more confidently on the world stage by leveraging on the strength of their brands,” he said.

"To qualify as one of the most valuable brands in Malaysia, a brand has to originate in Malaysia or be owned by a listed company headquartered in Malaysia for at least 10 years. Also, since the study is based on publicly available information, either the brand or the company owning the brand has to be listed.

On the need to value brands, Interbrand Planning Director, Andrew Martschenko said two-thirds of the world’s wealth lies in corporate brands that were created in the West.

Brands are measurable assets and can even be worth more than the bricks and mortar of a company, so they must be correctly accounted for in Asian markets he added.