Middle East Aston Martin today announced that it has become the first fully fledged founding member of the World Luxury Council (WLC), which opened its doors in Dubai last month under the auspices of HRH Prince Michael of Kent.
"We are delighted to be the first Middle East company to join the World Luxury Council for what we know will be a long and successful relationship," said Thomas Kastgen, CEO, Middle East Aston Martin. "As a member of WLC, the international arm of the British Luxury Council, we will be able to further boost our business network both regionally and internationally and take the Aston Martin brand to more people."
Middle East Aston Martin, which plans four vehicle launches this year with the DB9, Vanquish S, DB9 Volante and V8 Vantage, says its first joint initiative with the WLC will be in Bahrain and Kuwait later this month for the DB9 and Vanquish S launch.
"WLC will use its representative offices in each country to ensure that our launch events are attended by the crme of the respective business communities," said Thomas Kastgen. "This will further enhance our brand in each country and allow us to meet with guests we might not otherwise have access to."
As a founder member, Middle East Aston Martin also has access to WLC's international network which includes the recently opened offices in Mumbai and New Delhi and soon-to-be-opened offices in Moscow and Shanghai.
"The global reach of the World Luxury Council, where each international office can provide an entry to the local business community, is an important benefit of membership," said Emma Vague, WLC Regional Director of Sales & Marketing in Dubai. "It is particularly relevant for a luxury brand such as Aston Martin where networking is a key element of the business mix."
With more than 150 Corporate Members of Preferred Partners globally, the WLC works as a strategic communications organization proactively encouraging members to regularly attend networking sessions, events, presentations and receptions in order for members to meet other members, captains of industry, heads of government and other key decision-makers in business.
As well as tailor-making its own events itinerary, the WLC lends its support to member events such as Aston Martin's car launch roll-outs across the GCC.
"We recognize that Middle East Aston Martin has joined us at a key stage in its regional growth and we welcome the opportunity to help the company expand more into the GCC luxury market," said Emma Vague.
Throughout 2005, alongside its car launch agenda, Middle East Aston Martin will be actively marketing its brand throughout the region with planned activities such as corporate golf days, sponsorship opportunities and corporate dinners.
"Globally, Aston Martin has been through more changes during the past three years than in its entire 90 year history and the next 12 months will be the most exciting yet in the company's history as we become a serious contender in the global sports car market," added Kastgen.
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For more information, please contact:
Nathalie Visele
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications (SMC) FZE
PO Box 24459
Suite 712
The Fairmont
Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel.: +971 50 4576525
Fax: +971 4 3124313
E-mail: nathalie@theshamalgroup.com
For further media information please contact:
Emma Hamilton
PR & Marketing Manager
Middle East Aston Martin
Tel: 9714-3300999
Fax: 9714-3300777
Email: emma.hamilton@mideast-astonmartin.com
© Press Release 2005
