UAE’s leading brands, which range from FMCG brands to local family owned businesses, featured during the seventh annual Superbrands Tribute Event in Dubai on Monday. Union National Bank (UNB) was felicitated at the Superbrands Event held at Dubai Festival City. Abdulla Alrashedi, SVP & Head of Management Services Group, UNB, received the award at the ceremony. UNB has recently won the Best Domestic Retail Bank Award at the 2011 Banker Middle East Industry awards, CEO Middle East Award 2010-Banking Category and the Bank of the Year Award 2010 at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards, in addition to being awarded Superbrand Status for 2011. Under Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UNB Group Chairman’s guidance, UNB has grown from strength to strength and has delivered outstanding financial results based on a robust customer-focused business model, in spite of the challenging economic and financial circumstances of recent years. Speaking to The Gulf Today at the sideline of the Superbrands event, Mike English the director of Superbrands Middle East said that he was happy that many local brands, which include new entrants, had made it to the Superbrands list this year in addition to globally recognised brands. The tribute event, English said is a celebration of many of the country’s strongest brands and in turn recognition of the people who work hard to ensure the success of their brands. He said to win the Superbrands award is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand’s exceptional status. “These brands were not only voted for by our distinguished brand council members but also by 2,500 marketing professionals, who voted through an online poll,” explained English. Fifty two other leading UAE brands were also awarded ‘Superbrands’ status at the ‘Oscars of Branding’ evening, which was attended by the country’s most prominent senior business, marketing and branding executives. Meanwhile, Dubai Duty Free (DDF) made history by winning the coveted ‘Brand of the Year’ award for the second year in a row. DDF which achieved record sales of $1.27 billion in 2010, has been acknowledged as the largest single duty free operation in the world. Al Ansari Exchange was awarded ‘Superbrand’ status for the sixth consecutive year by the UAE Superbrands Council. LG Electronics was recognised for its branding activities. From / Gulf Today