Ogilvy affirms leadership in Islamic branding with global PR duties for the WIEF

Ogilvy Noor, the world’s first bespoke Islamic Branding practice, has been selected by the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Foundation to develop and execute a worldwide public relations strategy for the upcoming 8th WIEF to be held in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor from 4-6 December 2012. The 8th WIEF is organised by WIEF Foundation and hosted by Government of Malaysia and Johor State Government. Led by Ogilvy Public Relations Singapore, the global campaign includes engagements across the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. This comes on the back of Ogilvy PR’s appointment to manage the World Economic Forum for the sixth consecutive year.

Aimed at connecting Muslim and non-Muslim communities, the annual Forum brings together global business, financial and political leaders to discuss, collaborate and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing world. Several Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between global organizations including an MOU between Coca-Cola Company and WIEF Foundation were signed at the 7th WIEF held in Kazakhstan last year, bringing the total number of partnerships forged to 15 since 2009.

This year’s Forum will be attended by Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim, Prime Minister of Qatar, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Ikililou Dhoinine, President of the Union of Comoros and Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, President of Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

The 8th WIEF will initiate dialogues across a diverse range of topical issues including the changing dynamics of the global economy, the growing influence of youth and women in the business world, and the role of technology to nurture a sustainable future.

Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of WIEF Foundation said, “Ogilvy has the capabilities and local market insight to effectively communicate the relevance of the World Islamic Economic Forum to the business community worldwide. It is an exciting time and we look forward to making the 8th WIEF in December a success.”

“We believe there are opportunities to cultivate a long-term collaborative partnership with the WIEF Foundation,” said Ogilvy Noor President John Goodman. “Our strengths lie in our global reach and depth of communications experience, which the WIEF values in a strategic partner. This is complemented by our Ogilvy Noor offering, which is the world’s first branding practice to focus exclusively on Muslim consumers. The world’s Muslim populations are undergoing unprecedented transformations, which we believe will have a lasting impact on the global economy. Our partnership with the WIEF will help advance the positive, growing, sometimes overlooked contributions of the Muslim world and promote peaceful, prosperous and relevant cooperation.”

Ogilvy Public Relations Southeast Asia Managing Director Andrew Thomas added, “The WIEF is an excellent platform for leaders, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, to drive collaboration that addresses global business issues. Each participant can expect tangible opportunities and outcomes from WIEF and the chance for their companies to be a part of global developments in Muslim economies.”

Leading up to the 8th WIEF in December, London will host the 6th WIEF Roundtable on October 3, 2012. The roundtable will feature a series of guest speakers and will be divided into two sessions, the first on the challenges and opportunities to doing business with the Muslim world and the latter session to focus on the Eurozone crisis and its lessons for the Muslim world. Throughout 2012, WIEF Foundation has hosted events in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Kenya, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

  Ogilvy, PR, WPP