Curtain raiser at Global Brand Forum Malaysia

Malaysia – The Global Brand Forum, which debuts in Malaysia in early December, will help to encourage Malaysian businesses to build brands instead of replicating Western creations, said Karthik Siva, the forum's chairman.

"The forum will help convince Malaysian corporations that brand building is a worthwhile investment in an asset, rather than a discretionary expense," Siva said.

"It will help position the country as a magnet for the world's greatest minds by providing exposure to some of the most outstanding speakers and brand icons," he added.

Media Prima makes Global Brand Forum Malaysia 2008's debut on 4-5 Dec possible and the organiser is targeting an audience of some 700 executives from Malaysian corporations.

Datuk Seri Farid Ridzuan group CEO of Media Prima's Television Networks, said the event is an excellent catalyst to kickstart Malaysia’s role as a competitive and competent knowledge-based economy by raising the level of brand literacy. “Media Prima’s initiative is a decisive response to the government’s call to develop strong brands in this country and it will certainly provide inspiration and knowledge for companies that have committed themselves to growing beyond our borders,” he said.

Big names such as Bill Clinton, leading youth marketing and techno branding guru Martin Lindstrom and retail icon and entrepreneur from the Middle East Majed Al Sabah will be sharing their knowledge at the event.