Building Local Brands

When is the best time to invest? What is the smart thing to do in an economic slowdown? According to Media Prima’s Group CEO Television networks / Media Prima International, Dato’ Sri Farid Ridzuan, building brand names continuously at these tiring times would enable local companies to weather the storm and rise higher.

Now, in its 5th year, the Global Brand Forum (GBF) was recently concluded in Singapore with luminaries like Jimmy Wales, Spike Lee, Al Ries, Al Godin and Will Wright. Presented by Media Prima, the Global Brand Forum’s debut in Malaysia will see a smart partnership with Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC) in support of raising the brand consciousness of Malaysian businessmen to compete in the international business arena. GBF Malaysia will see this dynamic collaboration for the benefit of Malaysian business owners who will gain valuable insights from speakers at the forum.


“The collective wisdom of these eminent speakers is priceless and we owe it to the future of the nation to share it with all Malaysians. I am honoured by KLBC’s support for the forum,” said Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan. “Global Brand Forum Malaysia is the answer to the Government’s call to develop strong brands in this country and provide the inspiration and knowledge for companies wishing to grow beyond our borders. In the global economy, only the strongest brands will survive and if Malaysian companies and small and medium enterprises are to survive, branding is a crucial element in business expansion inside and outside the country,” he added. President of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club, Rohana Tan Sri Mahmood, noted that corporate branding is a crucial tool for companies to use in differentiating itself and its products in the global marketplace. “Malaysian companies must work harder at becoming global brands to compete in the world.

Events such as the Global Brand Forum will provide greater insights as to the best methods to use to profile our companies and stand out, both regionally and internationally,” she said. Making its exciting Malaysian debut, the Global Brand Forum Malaysia 2008 will be held at the Palace of the Golden Horses at the Mines and tickets are priced at RM4,800. Called the “Davos of branding”, GBF is one of the world’s most visible thought leadership platforms whose objective is to elevate the quality of commercial branding to help businesses maintain their competitive edge in the 21st century.

It will give local participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn first hand from personalities the likes of Ivanka Trump, Martin Lindstrom, Stewart Butterfield, Joanne Ooi and many others. The Forum also serves as a catalyst to raise perspective and standards of businesses through exposure and interaction with speakers who have redefined business and irrevocable changed the world. The luminaries will take centre stage when the Global Brand Forum comes to Kuala Lumpur from December 4th and 5th 2008. Aptly themed “Creating Leader Brands”, the Global Brand Forum Malaysia 2008 is the ideal platform to learn from these brand ambassadors on how to build, sustain and create brand values for stakeholders.

“Global Brand Forum Malaysia is the answer to the Government’s call to develop strong brands in this country and provide the inspiration and knowledge for companies wishing to grow beyond our borders.”