Presented during an event held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City, the award recognises Rivoli's achievements and excellence in branding.

More than 1,160 UAE brands were judged by the Superbrands Council and jury, out of which 64 were awarded the prestigious 'Superbrand' status. Measured against the Superbrands Council's stringent selection criteria, Rivoli was judged among the highest scoring brands. Voters evaluate and score many of the leading brands available within the UAE, based on criteria like market dominance, longevity, goodwill, customer loyalty and market acceptance.

 'We are honoured to be ranked as a Superbrand in the region. It is a big achievement to win recognition as one of the UAE's best brand names. Rivoli is proud to play such an important part helping to shape the vibrant and diverse retail scene that distinguishes Dubai and the UAE as among the world's leading retail destinations,' said Ramesh Prabhakar, Managing Partner, The Rivoli Group.

The Superbrands Council comprises over 3,000 individuals with exceptional aptitude in business and thorough knowledge of respective markets and methods employed. Receiving Superbrand status is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand's exceptional status.

Only brands that achieve the level of recognition set by the independent Superbrands Council are eligible for inclusion in the Superbrands UAE book, which is produced annually and traces the history and achievements of each brand.

Superbrands Middle East announced that Masafi has won the 'Brand of the Year' award at the 5th Superbrands tribute event, which was held at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City on Sunday. Seventy four leading brands from the country were awarded Superbrands status and the 2009 Superbrands book was unveiled at the event, also dubbed as the 'Oscars of Branding', where the UAE's strongest brands were honoured. 

Speaking at the event Mr. Mike English, Director, Superbrands Middle East, said, "The tribute event is a true celebration of many of the country's highest profile brands. We are happy to announce that Masafi has been voted as the 'Brand of the Year' as it scored the highest points amongst all the brands, showing us that regardless of the slow economy, strong brands not only survive but prosper."

"Masafi may have started out as a humble mineral water brand but has diversified into flavoured water, juices, tissues and gourmet chips taking the market by storm with the launch of each new product. The brand has now become synonymous with water in the UAE. As part of its corporate social responsibility, Masafi launched its corporate recycling service - a unique initiative aimed at reducing the environmental impact of plastic bottles for which the company also won numerous awards," Mr. English added.

Seventy four brands scored more than 80% of the total possible mark and were declared Superbrands by the Brand Council. To win this accolade is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand's exceptional status.

The Superbrands Council, which comprises of some of the leading names in UAE business circles, score all the brands and the top scoring brands which meet the stringent criteria set by the council are awarded with Superbrands status This year, Superbrands were voted not only by the brand council but also by online voting, which has expanded the voting base to almost 3,000 marketing professionals.

The Superbrands programme acknowledges and rewards the highest standards of branding. Over the years, the Superbrands organisation has achieved international acclaim for being the independent authority and arbiter of branding excellence. The organisation is committed to the cause of promoting exceptional brands and the discipline of branding in the region.

Seventy four top brands were awarded out of thousands available in the UAE. Most of the selected brands appear in the Superbrands UAE book, which traces the history and achievements of each of the brands. The 2009 Superbrands book is a coffee table book, which includes a two-page profile of each Superbrand tracing the foundation and development of the brand and a 'Things You Didn't Know section' highlighting interesting facts about the brand and its unique achievements.

The glittering tribute event was attended by the country's most prominent senior business, marketing and branding executives.

Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding, today announced that they will be hosting a tribute event to honour the UAE's strongest brands for their achievements and excellence in branding at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. The event, which will be held on June 28th, 2009, will also see the unveiling of the 5th Edition of the Superbrands book as well as the announcement of the much anticipated 'Brand of The Year'.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Mike English, Director, Superbrands Middle East, said, "We are delighted to host our fifth tribute event to celebrate the success of the UAE's strongest brands, which are among the most recognised brands in the world. This year, Superbrands were voted not only by the brand council but also by online voting, which has expanded the voting base to almost 3,000 marketing professionals. The brand with the highest score will be awarded 'Brand of the Year' at the event."

Sixty four leading UAE brands, which met the stringent selection criteria set by the Superbrands Council, were awarded 'Superbrand' status. The Superbrands Organisation also introduced the new voting system where over 3,000 professionals were invited to vote along with the Council. More than 1,160 leading UAE brands were scored by the Superbrands Council and invitees. The Superbrands voters evaluated and scored hundreds of brands available within the UAE and the highest scoring brands were then designated as Superbrands. Only brands that achieve the level of recognition set by the independent Superbrands Council are eligible for inclusion in the Superbrands UAE book, which traces the history and achievements of each of the brands.

The Superbrands Council comprises individuals who have shown exceptional aptitude in business and who have a thorough knowledge of the market and methods of business. To be voted as a Superbrand by the Council is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand's exceptional status.

The Superbrands Organisation will unveil the much coveted coffee-table style Superbrands book, which includes a two-page profile of each of the Superbrands, at the Tribute event. "The brands featured in the book range from corporate giants to FMCG brands. We are happy to see so many of the UAE's local brands included in the book alongside key international brands. Participation in the Superbrands book is by invitation only and acknowledges the intrinsic strength of the organisation and its brand value," Mr. English adds.

The Superbrands tribute event is set to be a true celebration of many of the country's highest profile brands, and promises to live up to its global reputation as the "Oscars of Branding".                                      

THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SUPERBRANDS COUNCIL (2009):

Mike English, Director Superbrands

H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director, Dubai Duty Free

Piyush Mathur, Regional Managing Director MENA & Pakistan, The Nielsen Company Kim Redman, Regional Director, Middle East Council of Shopping Centres

Mishal Kanoo, Deputy Chairman, UAE & Oman, The Kanoo Group

John Brash, Managing Creative Director, Brash Brand Strategy & Design

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai shopping Festival
John Deykin, CEO - tmh / Freelance Broadcaster

Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director - Damas

Mike Simon, Divisional SVP Corporate Communications, Emirates

Iain Potter, VP marketing - Home & Personal Care - Unilever North Africa & Middle East

Midas Furniture was awarded the Superbrands 2008 title by the Superbrands Organization last week in recognizing Midas as one of Kuwait’s most powerful and customer-friendly brands.

The Director of retail Operations, Mr. Russell Brown, expressed excitement upon Midas’ achievement, pointing to reasons attributed to the explosive success Midas has enjoyed since first opening in 1994: The superior qualities  found at Midas, A dedicated team of tasteful designers who are kept up to date with the latest trends. Attractive prices geared towards multiple segments of Kuwait’s diverse population.  World-class presentation furniture & accessories. The continuous and strategic openings of unique showrooms to guarantee customer reach. Expansion in company product lines and activities in surrounding markets in the GCC and Arab world. Midas’ continuous effort to provide unique and outstanding services to all customers before and after their purchase.

Mr. Russell added: “Midas Furniture owes its customers for being able to meet the high standards set by Superbrands, pointing to that customer trust is the company’s most valuable asset and is the driving force behind Midas has taken the lead in Kuwait’s furniture retailing industry.

He also pointed out that unlike others, Midas has always exclusively offered furniture-related products, allowing the company to focus enough time and resources on becoming the market leader.

Midas has recruited an international team of seasoned interior designers who are well-acquainted with Kuwaiti tastes. They have access to the world’s greatest furniture producers to ensure style, quality and value are always at their maximum. With this principal in mind, along with the above points, Midas now commands a massive market share by entering 150 houses in Kuwait daily.

Superbrands evaluates brands according to global standards under designated committees for each country. The commission in charge of Superbrands for Kuwait is composed of Dr. Anas Al-Rasheed, Badr Al-Humaidi, Khalid Al-Khalid, Maha Ghunaim, Dr. Saad Al Barrak, Nabila Anjari, Alqbandi Mohammed, Saleh Alshaya, Matthew Danilyz, and FadiRoyce.