Maybank is Malaysia’s most valuable brand

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.

No	Brand	Ranking (USD)	Ranking (RM)
1	Maybank	US$2.877 billion	RM9.638 billion
2	Public Bank	US$2.048 billion	RM6.861 billion
3	Maxis	US$1.583 billion	RM5.303 billion
4	Genting	US$1.369 billion	RM4.586 billion
5	Celcom	US$1.215 billion	RM4.070 billion
6	CIMB	US$1.021 billion	RM3.42 billion
7	Astro	US$985 million	RM3.3 billion
8	Hong Leong	US$924 million	RM3.095 billion
9	Perodua	US$729 million	RM2.442 billion
10	DiGi	US$625 million	RM2.094 billion
11	Giant	US$616 million	RM2.064 billion
12	Malaysia Airlines	US$513 million	RM1.719 billion
13	Sime Darby	US$455 million	RM1.524 billion
14	TV3	US$328 million	RM1.099 billion
15	Petronas	US$274 million	RM918 million
16	YTL	US$218 million	RM730 million
17	RHB Bank	US$195 million	RM653 million
18	Ambank	US$194 million	RM650 million
19	Air Asia	US$99 million	RM332 million
20	The Star	US$95 million	RM318 million
21	Dutch Lady	US$89 million	RM298 million
22	Kurnia Insurance	US$87 million	RM291 million
23	Proton	US$71 million	RM238 million
24	MAA Insurance	US$69 million	RM231 million
25	Affin Bank	US$68 million	RM228 million
26	Padini	US$63 million	RM211 million
27	Parkson	US$37 million	RM124 million
28	Sunway	US$27 million	RM90 million
29	Mamee Double Decker	US$26 million	RM87 million
30	Bonia	US$22 million	RM74 million

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.”

By The EDGE (By Kathleen Tan)