Maybank is Malaysia's most valuable brand
The Edge Daily
November 18, 2007

By Kathleen Tan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Public Bank Bhd, Maxis Communications Bhd, Genting Bhd and Celcom (Malaysia) Bhd have each been valued at over a US$1 billion (RM3.35 billion), it was revealed at the Malaysia’s Most Valuable Brands (MMVB) Gala Night on Nov 16.

Maybank Group was ranked the country’s most valuable with a brand value worth US$2.88 billion dollars (RM9.64 billion), followed by Public Bank at US$2.05 billion (RM6.86 billion), Maxis at US$1.58 billion (RM5.30 billion), Genting (RM4.588 billion) and Celcom (RM4.073 billion).

The glitzy event here was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the guest of honour.

Congratulating the 30 brands, Najib said: “The role of branding in nation-building cannot be underestimated. Brands are the engine of economic growth. The growth of Malaysian brands will herald the arrival of Malaysia as a key contender in the global marketpace.

Global brand consultancy Interbrand was commissioned by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) to evaluate the top 30 brands in the country based on financial analysis, role of brand and brand strength, culminating with the MMVB.

The valuation is based on a proven methodology by Interbrand which pioneered the brand valuation practice and is now recognised worldwide for its annual global brand valuations with corporate publication Business Week.

4As president Datuk Vincent Lee said: “This study must act as a catalyst to inspire the great players in this country to look forward to being in the global top 100 brands.”

He said the MMVB was 4As' initiative to “act as a catalyst to inspire companies to strive towards breaking into the global top 100 brands.”

Malaysia now joins a select few countries in Asia that have commissioned such a study by Interbrand. Taiwan, China and Singapore are the other markets that have recently embarked on similar studies.

Interbrand chief executive Jez Frampton said brands were powerful drivers of a business and any company who makes it to the Malaysian top 30 brands league shows they are world class.

“With the top five Malaysian brands each valued at over a US$1 billion, it is not impossible for Malaysian companies to be among the top 100 international players,” he said.

Frampton, who presented the MMVB league table, said the inaugural ranking would assist in emphasising the role of brand contribution in business performance. The rankings provide top line measures of economic performance, stating what the brand is worth overall and among competition.

Commenting on its top ranking in the MVVB, Maybank Group chief executive officer Datuk Amirsham A Aziz said the key to creation of value for stakeholders was focusing on the customers.

“The judge at the end of the day is our customers, so we have to increase their accessibility to our products and services,” he said, adding that Maybank was incorporating more e-banking facilities in addition to brick and mortar outlets to extend their reach.

4As vice president Tony Savarimuthu said it hoped that the government would support next year’s event as 4As was a non-profit body which would have to look for funding.

He added that the 4As was grateful for this year’s media sponsors whose “spread of tools is amazing.”

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