Etisalat UAE Appoints APCO Worldwide as Strategic Communication Partner
Dubai-UAE: 13 April, 2013 – Etisalat UAE, a leading telecommunications company in the Middle East and Africa, today announced the appointment of APCO Worldwide, a global communication, stakeholder engagement and business strategy firm, as the agency responsible for handling its public relations in the UAE.
Following a competitive pitch, APCO has been chosen to help Etisalat UAE align and disseminate its key messages to multiple audiences across the region. Working closely with the corporate communications team of Etisalat UAE, APCO will dedicate strategic thinking, creative planning and measurable implementation to aid the nation’s key telecom player to achieve sustained business growth.
As a telecom major committed to growing its network, wholesale and retail operations, Etisalat is currently the highest overall rated telecommunications company in the GCC and the fourth best telecommunications company in the world. Recently, Etisalat was also ranked number one globally in highest fiber to home connections by the FTTH (Fiber to Home) Council.
Ali Al Ahmed, Chief Corporate Communication Officer, Etisalat, said: “As we gear up to enter a new phase in the company’s 36-year history, we are looking forward to upholding our status as pioneers in telecom services. Our communication requirements have matured exponentially, which led to the pursuit of a strategic partner that can provide adequate support to maintain our growth trajectory. We are delighted to have chosen APCO Worldwide based on our shared vision, as well as the agency’s strength in challenging convention and forging relationships with key stakeholders within the media.”
Mamoon Sbeih, Managing Director – Arab Region, APCO Worldwide, said: “Etisalat, from its inception and significant growth to its advanced offerings and future plans, is an amazing success story. Leveraging our strength as an integrated agency, our unified effort at APCO will be to create value by pushing the boundaries of communication to convey Etisalat’s outstanding success to all stakeholders and build stronger brand awareness for the company.”
APCO Worldwide has demonstrated systemic growth since its inception in 2006. Having established a strong public relations practice across various categories, APCO continues to boast a portfolio of prestigious clients from the corporate, financial, real estate, healthcare, hospitality, tourism, retail, IT, media and industrial sectors. APCO Worldwide is frequently recognized by peers for its collaboration with clients and outstanding strategists. Among the industry best distinctions, APCO was named European Consultancy of the Year 2009 – European Public Affairs Awards; Southeast Asia Consultancy of the Year 2011 – The Holmes Report; Large PR Firm of the Year 2011 – PR News; Public Affairs Agency of the Year 2011 – The Holmes Report, and Public Affairs Agency of the Decade – The Holmes Report.
The UAE operation of APCO Worldwide has a team of more than 60 professionals from diverse backgrounds across 20 nationalities. The company enjoys direct access to a strong regional network of over 2,000 media across the Arab world
Etisalat has pioneered mobile services in the UAE including the first 3G, 3.5G and 3.75G services in the region. It is also leading mobile commerce through Near Field Communications and Mobile Remittance. Etisalat is credited with building the UAE’s first and the region’s widest 4G LTE network in 2011, bringing the nation on par with the world’s top countries that provide 4G services to their customers. Towards the end of 2012, Etisalat released voice-enabled LTE smartphones in the UAE. Etisalat is now providing world’s fastest speed of 300Mbps over its 4G LTE network.
About Etisalat
Etisalat is the largest telecommunications operator in the Middle East and North Africa region catering to consumers, businesses, international telecommunication companies, ISPs, content providers and mobile operators.
Servicing over 139 million customers in 15 countries in Middle East, Asia and Africa, Etisalat has achieved more than 20% growth in subscriber base in 2012 across its land line, mobile, and Internet services.
Etisalat is now the highest overall rated telecommunications company in the GCC and the 4th highest rated telecommunications company in the world. It has been rated AA- by Standard & Poor, A+ by Fitch, and Aa3 by Moody’s.
Etisalat UAE has pioneered the launch of the region’s first commercial 4G service on its nation-wide LTE network. In September 2012, Etisalat UAE successfully completed the highest 4G LTE speed test in the world, reaching speeds of 300Mbps.
The corporation offers a variety of hi-tech complimentary services to the telecommunications industry including managerial and technical training, SIMcard manufacturing, e-payment solutions, clearing house services, peering, voice and data transit, and submarine and land cable services.
About APCO Worldwide
Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication, stakeholder-engagement and business-strategy firm with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and six of the top 10 companies on the Fortune 500. The firm is a majority women-owned business.
