View the Brand Finance Middle East 50 report
The world’s biggest companies are set to lose up to US$1tn in brand value as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, with the aviation sector being the most affected, according to the latest analysis by Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy.
Brand Finance has assessed the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak based on the effect of the outbreak on enterprise value, as at 18 March 2020, compared to what it was on 1st January 2020. Based on this impact on enterprise value, Brand Finance estimated the likely impact on brand value for each sector. Each sector has been classified into 3 categories based on the severity of enterprise value loss observed for the sector in the period between 1st January 2020 and 18th March 2020.
David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, commented:
"The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on global markets is very real. Worldwide, brands across every sector are braced for the Coronavirus to massively affect their business activities, supply chain and revenues in a way that eclipses the 2003 SARS outbreak.
Now is the ideal moment for Qatar’s brands to remain ever present in their stakeholders’ minds, engage across digital channels and show resilience and adaptability in these unprecedented times.”
Qatari banking brands dominate
Brand Finance today released the Middle East 50 report on the Middle East’s top 50 most valuable and strongest brands, which features 9 Qatari brands, of which 5 are banks.
As the biggest lender in the region, QNB (up 20% to US$6 billion) has expanded its portfolio to pursue new markets, with a notable strategic focus on South East Asia. The Group’s strong financial performance and growing international footprint extends to more than 31 countries, where it provides a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. Beyond the financial sector, QNB plays a key role in sporting sponsorships, such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Bank also supports Qatar on its path to self-sufficiency, across areas such as tourism, logistics and manufacturing.
3 notable new entrants this year are Commercial Bank (US$463 million), Masraf Al Rayan (US$450 million) and Doha Bank (US$443 million) – a testament to the growth of Qatar’s banking sector.
David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance said:
“The harsh reality is that many Qatari brands may not make their 2020 targets due to the challenges presented by the Coronavirus outbreak. This is why having a strong brand is now more crucial than ever, as it is this resilience which will truly help to weather the storm and bounce back from this crisis.”
Qatar Airways braced for COVID-19 challenges ahead
Assessed as the hardest hit sector under COVID-19 are airlines, leisure and tourism, aviation, aerospace and defence. While a large number of major airlines have grounded most of their fleets, Qatar Airways (up 10% to US$2.3 billion) has increased capacity by adding extra seats from its hub in Doha to operate repatriation flights to Paris, Perth and Dublin. It is using its A380 fleet for flights to Frankfurt, London Heathrow and Perth while adding charter service to Europe from the US and Asia.
As he prepares to confront a crisis unlike anything ever seen before in the airline industry, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al may need to turn to Qatar’s government for support. Given this strong government support, its strong brand, combined with its active airline shareholdings, Qatar Airways is well poised to bounce back from the COVID-19 turmoil.
QNB is strongest brand in Qatar
In addition to measuring overall brand value, Brand Finance also evaluates the relative strength of brands, based on factors such as marketing investment, familiarity, loyalty, staff satisfaction, and corporate reputation. Alongside revenue forecasts, brand strength is a crucial driver of brand value. According to these criteria, QNB is Qatar’s strongest brand with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 81.7 out of 100 and corresponding AAA- Brand Rating.
Ooredoo in midst of successful transformation
Telecoms brand Ooredoo, active in more than 9 countries such as Indonesia, Kuwait, Myanmar, Maldives, Algeria, Tunisia, has this year achieved a brand value of US$3.6 billion, down 6% compared to last year. The business is successfully transforming itself from the traditional voice focus to digital revenue streams with data now accounting for 50% of group revenues. The brand has also invested heavily in new technologies such as 5G in line with Vision 2030 and the current behavioural shift of consumers to work remotely is expected to have a positive impact on the brand in the short to medium term.
The Ooredoo brand is active in more than 9 countries Indonesia, Kuwait, Myanmar, Maldives, Algeria, Tunisia, this year has achieved a brand value of US $3,557, down 5.9% versus last year.
There is an opportunity for the brand to capitalise on this increased usage of data to increase the relevance of the brand amongst consumers, for example by offering an enhanced offering of its digital services. The brand is very strong with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 77 out of 100; its global partnerships with Lionel Messi and PSG playing a key role in building brand strength across its varied markets.
View the Brand Finance Middle East 50 2020 report here
ENDS
Note to Editors
Every year, Brand Finance values 5,000 of the world’s biggest brands. Brand value is understood as the net economic benefit that a brand owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market. Brand strength is the efficacy of a brand’s performance on intangible measures relative to its competitors.
Data compiled for the Brand Finance rankings and reports are provided for the benefit of the media and are not to be used for any commercial or technical purpose without written permission from Brand Finance.
Methodology
Brand Finance has assessed the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak based on the effect of the outbreak on Enterprise Value, as at 18/03/2020 compared to what it was on 1st January 2020. Based on this impact on Business Value, Brand Finance estimated the likely impact on Brand Value for each sector. Each sector has been classified into 3 categories based on the severity of Business Value loss observed for the sector in the period between 1st Jan 2020 and 18th March 2020.
Brand Finance is the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. Bridging the gap between marketing and finance for more than 25 years, Brand Finance evaluates the strength of brands and quantifies their financial value to help organizations of all kinds make strategic decisions.
Headquartered in London, Brand Finance has offices in over 20 countries, offering services on all continents. Every year, Brand Finance conducts more than 5,000 brand valuations, supported by original market research, and publishes over 100 reports which rank brands across all sectors and countries.
Brand Finance also operates the Global Brand Equity Monitor, conducting original market research annually on over 5,000 brands, surveying more than 150,000 respondents across 38 countries and 31 industry sectors. Combining perceptual data from the Global Brand Equity Monitor with data from its valuation database enables Brand Finance to arm brand leaders with the data and analytics they need to enhance brand and business value.
Brand Finance is a regulated accountancy firm, leading the standardization of the brand valuation industry. Brand Finance was the first to be certified by independent auditors as compliant with both ISO 10668 and ISO 20671 and has received the official endorsement of the Marketing Accountability Standards Board (MASB) in the United States.
Brand is defined as a marketing-related intangible asset including, but not limited to, names, terms, signs, symbols, logos, and designs, intended to identify goods, services, or entities, creating distinctive images and associations in the minds of stakeholders, thereby generating economic benefits.
Brand strength is the efficacy of a brand’s performance on intangible measures relative to its competitors. Brand Finance evaluates brand strength in a process compliant with ISO 20671, looking at Marketing Investment, Stakeholder Equity, and the impact of those on Business Performance. The data used is derived from Brand Finance’s proprietary market research programme and from publicly available sources.
Each brand is assigned a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score out of 100, which feeds into the brand value calculation. Based on the score, each brand is assigned a corresponding Brand Rating up to AAA+ in a format similar to a credit rating.
Brand Finance calculates the values of brands in its rankings using the Royalty Relief approach – a brand valuation method compliant with the industry standards set in ISO 10668. It involves estimating the likely future revenues that are attributable to a brand by calculating a royalty rate that would be charged for its use, to arrive at a ‘brand value’ understood as a net economic benefit that a brand owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market.
The steps in this process are as follows:
1 Calculate brand strength using a balanced scorecard of metrics assessing Marketing Investment, Stakeholder Equity, and Business Performance. Brand strength is expressed as a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score on a scale of 0 to 100.
2 Determine royalty range for each industry, reflecting the importance of brand to purchasing decisions. In luxury, the maximum percentage is high, while in extractive industry, where goods are often commoditised, it is lower. This is done by reviewing comparable licensing agreements sourced from Brand Finance’s extensive database.
3 Calculate royalty rate. The BSI score is applied to the royalty range to arrive at a royalty rate. For example, if the royalty range in a sector is 0-5% and a brand has a BSI score of 80 out of 100, then an appropriate royalty rate for the use of this brand in the given sector will be 4%.
4 Determine brand-specific revenues by estimating a proportion of parent company revenues attributable to a brand.
5 Determine forecast revenues using a function of historic revenues, equity analyst forecasts, and economic growth rates.
6 Apply the royalty rate to the forecast revenues to derive brand revenues.
7 Discount post-tax brand revenues to a net present value which equals the brand value.
Brand Finance has produced this study with an independent and unbiased analysis. The values derived and opinions presented in this study are based on publicly available information and certain assumptions that Brand Finance used where such data was deficient or unclear. Brand Finance accepts no responsibility and will not be liable in the event that the publicly available information relied upon is subsequently found to be inaccurate. The opinions and financial analysis expressed in the study are not to be construed as providing investment or business advice. Brand Finance does not intend the study to be relied upon for any reason and excludes all liability to any body, government, or organisation.
The data presented in this study form part of Brand Finance's proprietary database, are provided for the benefit of the media, and are not to be used in part or in full for any commercial or technical purpose without written permission from Brand Finance.
