17 July 2016

Gulf's largest dairy company launched a successful social media video in February, which quickly went viral around the world.

Almarai, the Gulf's largest dairy company, on Sunday was named the most popular brand in Saudi Arabia, the same day it reported an 18.6 percent increase in second-quarter net profit.

The 2016 Mid-Year BestBrand Rankings are compiled by online marketing consultancy firm YouGov and involved 150 respondents asked on a daily basis whether they have "heard anything positive or negative about a brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word-of-mouth".

Scores range from 100 to -100 and are compiled by subtracting negative feedback from positive. The latest rankings represent opinion polled between January and July 2016 and over 300 brands were included in the survey.

The dairy brand topped the list after a strong online presence, particularly its 'Quality you can trust' social media initiative, which included a film promoting breastfeeding, which became the second most shared video in the world within one week of launching in February this year.

The news comes as Reuters reported Almarai reported an 18.6 percent increase in second-quarter net profit, benefiting from stronger sales and lower commodity prices.

Below is a rundown of the top ten brands in the UAE, according to the 2016 Mid-Year BestBrand Rankings:

(1) Almarai (Score: 39.7 - up five places)

(2) WhatsApp (Score: 37.4 - Non-mover)

(3) Samsung (Score: 34.5 - Down two places)

(4) Apple (Score: 33.9 - Down one place)

(5) Al Baik (Score: 32.5 - Down one place)

(6) Saudia (Saudi Airlines) (Score: 30.1 - New entry)

(7) YouTube (Score: 28.8 - Up one place)

(8) Toyota (Score: 27.1 - Up two places)

(9) Emirates (Score: 25.6 - New entry)

(10) Google (Score: 24.4 - Down three places)

(Writing by Shane McGinley)

© Zawya 2016