Amex (Saudi Arabia) Limited appoints Memac Ogilvy as strategic public relations consultant for Saudi Arabia

This comes as a culmination of a winning proposal pitched by Memac Ogilvy amongst a number of competing agencies in July 2007.

As a leading player in the global industry of credit cards and within a consistent focus on external communication and integration of public relations strategies and media vision worldwide, Amex (Saudi Arabia) Limited aims to further promote its brand's excellence and establish greater presence in Saudi Arabia, as it represents one of the largest and most developed markets in the region.

Mr. Priyan Attygalle, Chief Executive Officer of Amex (Saudi Arabia) Limited, commenting on this agreement said: "With an increasing focus on this region, American Express is witnessing an unprecedented success especially in the Saudi market. We aim at maintaining this success and boosting it through partnering with a company of strong presence & validated experience, working very closely to promote as well as upgrade the aspirations of Amex Cardmembers and business associates. Thereby, we have decided to appoint Memac Ogilvy to counsel and participate in the planning and implementation of our corporate relations programs and media strategy in the Saudi market based on its long track record of achievements and its globally recognized reputation of supporting top international trademarks like American Express around the world."

George Laham, Country Managing Director of Memac Ogilvy Saudi Arabia, said: "Ogily's relationship with American Express goes on firmly established with a history of more than 50 years of prolific multi-faceted collaboration around the world. We were greatly heartened by Amex Saudi Arabia's accession to our portfolio of prestigious clients in the kingdom". Mr. Laham added "We are always keen to put the essence of our team's experience in Saudi Arabia to the best of our clients, and so we look forward to playing this effective role in achieving the desired objectives for American Express in Saudi Arabia and continue to provide distinctive services that raise the sector's standards to the level of our aspirations."

"A subtle public relations and media strategy that meets the special needs of every market highlights one of the major challenges facing the business sector today," said Mr. Sami El Natour, Head Of Marketing & PR at Amex (Saudi Arabia) Limited. "The Saudi market is of particular importance for the innovative products that American Express offers seeing that the Kingdom enjoys the highest gross national income in the region." Mr. El Natour explained "The electronic payment services sector in Saudi Arabia is a very promising one and involves enormous potential of growth. We are confident that our partnerships with Memac Ogilvy will play a pivotal role in the enrichment of our corporate relations profile and the strategic development of our programs serving our clients and the society in which we work."

American Express enjoys a lead status in the Saudi market at the level of creativity and innovation providing high-end products and services. Since 2001, the company has begun providing Credit Cards in local currencies in the region, issuing a wide range of personal & Corporate Cards. In 2005, It launched the first American Express Chip Based Card in the region, Blue From American Express. The Cards are accepted at millions of retailers and merchants outlets, in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.