Our Blog

Friday is here, and Ogilvy Noor is on hand to help you build your brand and your business with Muslim consumers.

Did you know that there are an estimated 1.8 billion Muslims in the world?

Did you know that the Muslim consumer market is worth around USD$2.1 trillion?

Did you know that the most influential segment amongst Muslim consumers – those that our research identified as the ‘Futurists‘ – are well-educated, tech-savvy, and most of all they feel that they want to invite brands into their circle of friends, and see brands as an extension of who they are?

This week at Ogilvy Noor

This week we are focusing on a new brand launched for the Futurist segment, called Ala Magazine. In our AdCritique feature we look at their imagery and positioning, discussing the fact that “Women’s magazines go headscarf and high fashion.”

Ogilvy Noor is also featured in the news this week, as our President explains to Bangladesh’s Daily Star how Islamic Branding is an untapped opportunity.

And we are also offering a perspective on the increasing number of Muslim lifestyle publications. These are just one of the many channels opening up in recognition of the consumption and spending power of the Futurists.  For brands, they are one way to speak to this segment; but more importantly they indicate that this is a segment that is growing globally, and one which is yearning for brands to reach out to them.

News about Muslim consumers and the world of Islamic Branding

Let’s start with Muslim women and fashion, a topic that is making news across the world. In a story that surprised many, the world’s first Muslim modeling agency plans to target Gulf talent for its books.

A new Turkish clothing website targets fashionable, conservative Muslim women.

Fashion designers from the Philippines created collections aimed at Muslim women, and showcased them in Manila.

Turning to the subject of the Internet and social media, a report shows that the Internet makes up a bigger slice of Malaysia’s GDP than it does of the USA.

For shy consumer brands, they are encouraged to brave the digital world. If you need any incentive, it’s worth knowing that UAE residents spend about 15 hours a week online.

Wael Ghonim, a key figure in the Arab Spring looks at social media’s effect in the Middle East.

In a surprising trend amongst Malaysia’s youth, it turns out that they use social media as the ultimate expression of commitment – by sharing their passwords with their partner.

And in subjects of a technological nature, the first online halal auction market will be launched today

When it comes to Muslim travellers, Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau hopes to increase the number of halal certified eateries in order to attract more visitors from Muslim nations.

Hotel group ITC designs specific women-only levels in its hotels offering as they believe Muslim women are searching for reassurance and safety whilst they are travelling.

In general news about opportunities for halal products and services, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister for International Trade talks of the huge potential of the halal market amongst Muslims as well as non-Muslims.

Finally, on an optimistic note of consumer confidence, according to the latest research, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are in the top ten countries for consumer confidence. They all have overwhelmingly large Muslim majority populations, so if you want to build brands with Muslim consumers, these are great places to start!