Brands
Huawei upgrades on Brand Finance list
MUMBAI: Huawei advanced to become the world’s 40th most valuable brand in 2017, up seven places from its position a year ago, according to the “Global 500 2017 world’s most valuable brands” list. In its annual ranking, British brand valuation firm Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation firm, valued the Huawei brand at US$ 25.23 billion, up 28% from the previous year.
Every year, Brand Finance evaluates thousands of global brands to determine its “Brand Finance Global 500” list of today’s most valuable brands. In 2017, Brand Finance used its Royalty Relief methodology to calculate a theoretical brand royalty rate. The rate estimates the theoretical cost of utilizing a brand, based on the assumption that the brand is not already owned. The evaluation also included a thorough analysis of public awareness, brand loyalty, promotional events, marketing investment, employee satisfaction and corporate reputation. Brand Finance also took into account the brand’s future anticipated income.
In 2016, Huawei boosted its worldwide branding efforts through a series of device launches and global marketing campaigns. Thanks to its innovative, premium flagship P and Mate Series smartphones, which represent Huawei’s industry-leading design, Huawei’s brand made significant global gains last year. In 2016, Huawei shipped over 140 million smartphones globally, which made it the world’s third largest vendor, with a market share of 10%, up 29% from a year ago. Figures indicate that Huawei is growing faster than the industry average. Huawei Consumer Business Group revenue for 2016 topped 178 billion RMB, an increase of 42% from 2015, marking the fifth consecutive year of steady growth.
To continue to raise its brand profile worldwide, Huawei focused on implementing world-class global marketing campaigns that included design, fashion, entertainment and sports. According to an IPSOS survey, Huawei’s global brand recognition rose to 81% in 2016, up from 76% in 2015. The success of Huawei’s branding efforts is best reflected by customer sentiment. Overseas customer consideration and preference improved significantly by 66.7% and 100% respectively, compared to 2015.
Brand Finance isn’t the only organization that has recognized Huawei’s significant brand impact. In fact, multiple global agencies have noted Huawei’s rising star, including WPP’s Millward Brown, BrandZ and Interbrand. Published by WPP’s Millward Brown, BrandZ ranked Huawei at No. 50 on the Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands list, while Interbrand named Huawei No. 72 on its 100 Best Global Brands of 2016. Huawei has featured on both lists for consecutive years, demonstrating Huawei’s continued successes in building an exceptional global brand.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
