Occasion represents the end of Zain Group's previous "MTC" branding across all of its owned and managed operations

Zain Group's Chief Executive Officer, Nabeel Bin Salamah: The launch of the new brand coincides with Touch's serving more than two million customers

Zain Group's Chief Commercial Officer, Hisham Akbar: We look forward to continuing Zain's successful management agreement and leading position in Lebanon under the new brand

Launch event attended by Lebanon's Minister of Telecommunications and other dignitaries

Beirut - 23 June 2012: Zain Group, a pioneer of mobile telecommunications in the Middle East and North Africa, has revealed the new brand name for its management operation in Lebanon. After many successes and accomplishments achieved in the country over the past eight years under the name "mtc touch", the company has unveiled a vibrant new brand - "Touch - Managed by Zain".

On this occasion, Zain Group's Chief Executive Officer, Nabeel Bin Salamah said: "The launch of the "Touch" brand, was supported by a significant promotional campaign using the theme: "In My New World", which is aimed at supporting the company's strategic direction. The introduction of the new brand also represents the end of Zain Group's previous "MTC" branding across all of our operations."

Bin Salamah continued: "The launch of this new identity represents Zain Group's hopes and aspirations in Lebanon's telecommunications sector, in which the company has achieved several milestones and asserted its leading position especially with a customer base which exceeds two million customers."

To introduce the new brand, "Touch" held an impressive event at a reception venue in Baabdat under the patronage of the Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications, H.E. Nicolas Sehnaoui, and numerous Lebanese dignitaries, government officials, and industry leaders including the Minister of Information, H.E. Walid Daouk, the Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Hussein al Hajj Hassan and the representative of the Lebanese Army, Brigadier-General Jean Kahwaji, Colonel Henry Ibrahim, as well as editors and media figures, business partners and Touch management and employees.

An extensive entertainment program was scheduled for this event, which peaked with a performance from the superstar Ragheb Alameh who performed some of his best songs from his large repertoire. The master of ceremony for this special event was the renowned media figure Mr. George Kordahi who was also a guest of honor. The entertainment program also included a show from 8eme art, and an act from "Ma fi Metlo". Launching this program was the innovative unraveling of the new logo with the laser show from the French performance artist, Theo Dari, followed by a live transmission from the Touch headquarters at Charles Helou which lit the skies with its light show. 

Zain Group was first awarded its management contract for "Touch's" network in June 2004 a deal that lasted for a period of four years, and was characterized by Zain operating and growing one of the two mobile operators in Lebanon. This initial management agreement has been renewed several times since, with the last 12-month renewal coming on February 1, 2012.

On the occasion of the rebranding, Hisham Akbar, Zain Group's Chief Commercial Officer said that "Touch - Managed by Zain" values the close collaboration between Zain and the Lebanese government, represented by the Ministry of Telecommunications, which were both instrumental in facilitating the launch of the new brand.

Akbar said: "Zain Group has come a long way in the past eight years to establish itself as a valued asset to the people of Lebanon. It has done everything in its power to gain their trust, and today as the new brand is introduced, we enter a new era of service to the society, as we strive to offer excellent mobile services."

Akbar continued: "As a brand, "Touch" carries a set of values that reinforce positivity and hope of a new world where each and every one of our customers can dream for and work towards a better life."

H.E. Nicolas Sehnaoui, the Lebanese Minister of Telecommunications, said: "I would like to congratulate "Touch" on the launch of its new brand, through which it brings alive people's aspirations and dreams in line with its "In my New World" campaign."

H.E. Sehnaoui concluded his speech by saying: "We encourage and support communication, especially that the word "Touch" means communication via mobile network."

At the brand reception, Claude Bassil, "Touch's" General Manager commented: "This is the last time I address you in the name of mtc touch. This occasion takes me back eight years, specifically to June 2004 when our mother company, Zain (then MTC) won the contract for the operation of MIC2, which went on to carry the brand mtc touch all this time."

"From that time to this, the company has gained the trust of our customers and I am pleased and proud to announce for the first time that the number of customers that "Touch" is currently serving has surpassed two million."

Bassil offered his thanks to the Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications, which has been a key partner to the success of "Touch" throughout its history. Bassil also extended his gratitude to Zain Group and "Touch" employees alike, as well as to every partner that has contributed to the operator's growth and success.

Part of "Touch's" successful rebranding campaign involved interacting with customers through social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook, with many users detailing their dreams and wishes. "Touch" received more than 600 comments and suggestions from customers, as well as additional feedback through other channels related to the company's "In My New World" campaign.

About Zain
Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and North Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 40.3 million active customers as of 31 March, 2012. With a commercial presence in 8 countries, Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan. In Lebanon, the company manages 'mtc-touch' on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain has a 15.5% stake in Wana Telecom, now branded 'INWI', through a joint venture. Zain is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (stock ticker: ZAIN). For more, please email info@zain.com or visit:

www.zain.com

www.facebook.com/zain

www.twitter.com/zain

www.youtube.com/zain

© Press Release 2012