Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, Named “Brand Builder of the Year”

The 2014 World Branding Awards gave special recognition to Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group CEO, naming him “Brand Builder of the Year” for his outstanding work in building the low cost airline brand.

AirAsia was also named “Brand of the Year” in the airline category. The airline was the only regional winner, having scored the highest for a low cost airline in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

68 brands from 25 countries were honoured at a glittering awards ceremony at the prestigious One Whitehall Place in London. Global winners include Apple, Coca-Cola, Del Monte, Heinz, HSBC, Louis Vuitton, McDonald’s, Samsung, Sony PlayStation and VISA.

“It’s an honour for me to receive this award and I would like to thank the World Branding Awards for the prestigious recognition. Branding has always held a special part in my heart and we are very proud to be where we are in just a little over a decade,” said AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes. “AirAsia is what it is today due to the can-do attitude of each and every person that makes up the AirAsia family. Every single one represents the brand, showing the world how we do things differently via constant innovation and I share this award with them. Our innovative trait is the key in elevating our brand and sets us apart from the rest of the field.”

Richard Rowles, Chairman of the World Branding Forum said, “It takes years to build a strong brand, and brands that make the list at these awards deserve recognition. Their work inspire those who work in the branding industry, and these are also brands that have a strong relationship with consumers. In addition to a brand valuation, voting by consumers show that connection that winning brands have with the general public.”

After taking over the then struggling airline in late 2001, Tony and his management grew the airline which has now flown more than 250 million people to date. From a fleet of two aircraft, one destination and staff of 250, the AirAsia Group now operates a fleet of over 170 aircraft and 90 destinations.

Tony’s leadership, drive, creativity and enthusiasm of driving liberalization across the region has opened countless new markets for AirAsia, bringing affordable air travel to millions of travelers and high growth levels to countless tourism destinations in a remarkably short time.

Winners of the 2014 World Branding Awards were judged through four streams: brand valuation, consumer market research, public online voting, as well voting by the World Branding Forum Advisory Council, which is made up of luminaries from the world of branding.