Asia’s consumers vote DHL the super brand

Bangkok--Sep 2--PR&Associates Readers and consumers have voted DHL as a Reader’s Digest Superbrands 2004 award winner for Thailand and for Asia Survey by Synovate and Asian Integrated Media also ranks DHL 1st among express and logistics companies; 22nd in Top 1000 list DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, has come out tops in the mindset of Asia’s consumers as well as in a survey of leading brands across eight Asian markets. With more than 180,000 mailed questionnaires inserted in the October 2003 issue of Reader’s Digest and telephone another 3,000 telephone interviews conducted by Nielson Media Research, readers and consumers were asked to nominate which single brand they most admire across a range of 41 categories covering Lifestyle and Everyday product. The result placed DHL the Reader’s Digest Superbrands 2004 award winner for Thailand and also for Asia. Platinum Winners Gold Winners Asia 1st DHL 2nd FedEx Hong Kong 1st DHL 2nd FedEx Malaysia 1st DHL 2nd FedEx Philippines 1st DHL 2nd FedEx 3rd LBC Singapore 1st DHL 2nd FedEx Taiwan 1st DHL 2nd FedEx Thailand 1st DHL 2nd FedEx Table1: Reader’s Digest Superbrands 2004 award winners in the Airfreight/Courier Service category The SuperBrands 2004 award is based on the annual consumer research project conducted by Reader’s Digest in six markets across Asia - Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. It is regarded as the most exhaustive and accurate undertaking of its kind. According to Reader’s Digest, a SuperBrand demonstrates benchmark factors: quality, value, trustworthiness, strong image and understanding of customer needs. Mr. Herbert Vongpusanachai, Managing Director of DHL Express, Thailand, said, "DHL always strives to provide innovative products and services that make one-stop shop of express and logistics services convenient and efficient for our customers.” In addition, the Top 1000 Brands of Asia survey conducted by global market research company Synovate, together with Asian Integrated Media, placed DHL first in the survey's courier brand category. DHL secured 29.36% of all votes cast, placing it almost 10 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival in the category. Moreover, DHL came in 22nd among companies across nine major product and service categories, amongst them alcohol, financial services, automotive, consumer electronics, luxury goods services, personal quality goods, other personal products and consumer goods. This Top 1000 Brands of Asia survey brings together all the companies from across all the different categories. DHL is the highest placed among all express and logistic companies, and is one of only two such companies in the top 100. “We are honoured to be recognised as a leading brand by consumers. This is only possible when you combine our infrastructure investment in the region and commitment to the customer with our hard work and marketing and advertising efforts,” explained Mr. John Mullen, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Express Asia Pacific. “With our investment in excess of USD 1.13 billion in facilities and infrastructure across Asia Pacific over the last few years, we are in a position to provide customers with customisable express and logistics solutions and allow them to move their goods across borders seamlessly and quickly, thereby ensuring customer satisfaction and building trust in the DHL brand.” Concluded Mr Mullen, “With this win, we will not rest on our laurels and we will endeavour to work harder to reinforce our leading position in ensuring that we continue to stay top of our customers’ minds.” About Reader’s Digest SuperBrands 2004 Reader's Digest partners with Nielsen Media Research to conduct the SuperBrand survey in 6 markets across Asia -Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. The key objective of the survey was to identify brands that are most appealing to Asian consumers. Apart from Reader's Digest's readers in Asia, the sampling frame also includes 3,000 consumers in the region via telephone interviews. Brands which ranked in the top five positions in three of the sampled markets will receive Gold SuperBrand Award in Asia. If a brand has attained a rating score of more than 3 times the nearest other brand; or a rating score of more than 2 times the nearest other brand plus an average overall quality rating of 4 or above, it would receive Platinum SuperBrand Award in Asia. Further information, please visit the web-site: http://www.superbrandsasia.com/2004/index.html About the Top 1000 Brands of Asia survey This Top 1000 Brands of Asia survey is commissioned by Superbrands Asia and conducted by global market research company Synovate, together with Asian Integrated Media. It is covered eight Asian markets, namely China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Participants aged between 15 to 64 were interviewed and they had to answer a series of questions to determine, amongst other things, the most trusted brand as well as the brand with the best reputation. The results were weighted to the population composition of the markets covered within the survey areas to provide a representative cross-section of society. More information of the survey can be found at http://www.synovate.com/en/news/press_details.php?id=55. About DHL With annual revenues of nearly €22 billion in 2003, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customised solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Over 160,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. DHL is 100% owned by Deutsche Post World Net. Press contact: Ms. Salinla Seehaphan DHL Express (Thailand) Ltd. Tel: 0-2345-5602 Fax: 0-2285-5531 Email: [email protected] Ms. Wanpen Lolertpiphop PR&Associates Ltd. Tel: 0-2651-8989 ext 332 Fax: 0-2651-9649-50 Email: [email protected] End. --InfoQuest (NT)--