Interbrand expands in SL thro’ Michel Nugawela
Ashish Mishra, Michel Nugawela and others.
Interbrand, one of the world’s largest brand consultancy companies, along with its local partner MND has embarked on an expansion programme of Sri Lankan brands globally.
“Interbrand first entered the Sri Lanka market in 2016 to rebrand the Hatton National Bank with our Sri Lankan partner MND,” said Ashish Mishra, Managing Director of Interbrand India at a media briefing held at the Hilton Hotel in Colombo recently. MND Managing Director Michel Nugawela also participated at the briefing
Mr. Mishra said following Interbrand’s establishment in India in 1974 it first entered into brand consulting with Dunlop Tyres of India in the same year.
”We educate our clients in business organisations to use tools to expand their businesses by using brand value, etc. Earlier it was the advertising industry that dominated, advertising of products by projecting a false image.” He said it was their duty to educate businesses to understand the role they play to increase profitability. “That’s how brands create value and strong brands also create a premium.” He said the nation’s brands have a huge impact on the global economy to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). “As we compete with other nations, local brands help to attract tourists in to Sri Lanka. Brands can also help to create value addition.”
Interbrand has a network of over 33 offices in 27 countries on the recently launched inaugural Interbrand Breakthrough Brands Report in partnership with Facebook, Ready Set Rocket, and the New York Stock Exchange. Interbrand’s Best Annual Global Brands report also highlights the guide to the world’s 100 most valuable brands and values each brand’s financial performance, role and their strength. The report examines emerging companies that are by brand led-organisations that have business models and strong brands. The report further states that Interbrand’s Best Global Brands spotlights emerging brands especially those that are bringing change.
Interbrand’s portfolio of clients include HSBC, American Express, Credit Suisse, Barclays, Swiss Re, Allstate, Bank of America in financial services, and GE, Shell, IBM, KPMG and Godrej in diversified sectors; and FedEx, UPS, DHL, British Airways , KLM, Thai, Iberia, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and Maersk in logistics and transportation; and Unilever, P&G, Nestle, Kraft, Nivea, Knorr and Wrigley in CPG/FMCG; and FIFA, Rugby Football Union, Ryder Cup, USGA and Sochi Olympics in sport branding; Gucci, Prada, Rolls Royce, Cartier, Hugo Boss, Bulgari and Remy Martin in the luxury segment as well as cities, regions, and nations such as Edinburgh, Johannesburg, Manitoba, South Korea, Holland and Chile.
Interbrand’s Sri Lankan partner has branded and repositioned many of Sri Lanka’s renowned brands that include Aitken Spence Plc, Elephant House, Goodhope Plc, Lion Lager and Ceylinco Life.