The Interbrand global group is more than simply dots on maps. The group has an active focus on communicating and exchanging case studies, know-how and intellectual property, as well as on allowing staff to gain valuable insight and experience from other offices around the world.
The return of Diana Inglis to Interbrand Sampson in Johannesburg after nine months at Interbrand in London is the latest example of Interbrand Sampson's ability to use its global network to optimal effect. Diana was Group Account Director at Interbrand Sampson in Johannesburg before taking up a secondment in the London office in April 2004. She spent nine months operating heavyweight accounts such as Barclays and Barclaycard, the London Underground, London Development Agency, Xansa and Efes (European beer brand), for which she travelled as far afield as Russia. In January she returned to Johannesburg to take the post of Client Service Director, bringing back with her invaluable experience, knowledge and global best practice.
In mid 2004, Gabi Kuhn, Strategic Manager at Interbrand Sampson, spent two months working on brand valuation projects at Interbrand London, developing critical knowledge and skill in this area, thereby adding strength to the South African operation's offering. Interbrand Sampson has recently completed the second valuation of the ABSA brand, and has valued other top brands including Vodacom, Eskom and South African Breweries. With several major brand valuation projects coming up in 2005, developing local experts is key, and continues to position the company as the leader in the discipline. Gabi also travelled to Canada and the USA, and visited Interbrand's head office in New York at the beginning of 2004.
Over October and November 2004, Anton Isering, Creative Director at Interbrand's Zurich office, came on secondment to Interbrand Sampson, and helped the team to develop a strategic brand positioning project for National Brands. And In January 2005 Roger Perowne, Senior Consultant for Interbrand London's Brand Valuation team, spent a week in Johannesburg visiting and consulting with several top clients in preparation for upcoming brand valuation and Reputation Monitor projects.
In October 2004 Giles Shepherd, Joint Managing Director, attended the 5th annual conference on brand internalisation at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, gaining first hand knowledge of the most recent projects for companies such as Lloyds, London Underground, Halifax and Allied Domecq. He also consulted with Interbrand London's internalisation team, sharing case studies and developing global best practice.
Chief Executive Jeremy Sampson completed his third annual Interbrand 'Globe Trot' in November 2004, visiting the London, Zurich and New York offices, before flying to Cancun, Mexico to address the World Congress of Stock Exchanges on the subject of the value of brands. More than a third of the value of the world's stock markets is now attributable to brands.
The Interbrand Group has made a concerted effort to ensure that its global network is a great deal more than blips on the map, but that it provides tangible value to its clients through active knowledge sharing and personal global interaction.
