MEA UAE Business Awards 2017

MEAMARKETS / UAE BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 71 , InsigniaWorldwide Group (IWG) is a unique strategic consultancy offering seamless strategy, branding, design and communication services for travel and hospitality brands. We invited Founder & CEOGaurav Sinha to talk us through the company and the range of services it provides. Best Hospitality Brand Development Company 2017 Established in 2003, IWG currently works with over 180 hotels across 20 countries, 165 restaurants and over 40 leisure and lifestyle destinations. From anthropology to authorship and activation IWG provides integrated business support solutions for owners and operators of hotels, restaurants, spas, shopping malls, theme parks, entertainment shows, leisure and lifestyle destinations, tourism boards, airlines and travel companies. Gaurav discusses how the firm works alongside clients to ensure that they receive the service they need. “Today’s fast paced and dynamic marketing environment demands progressive companies to align with partners who understood their business, its complexities and its aspirations, bridging those gaps through imaginative thinking, agility and intelligence. At IWG we recognize that clients are not looking for yet another creative agency, but looking for business solution providers that generate positive impact for their bottom line and can align with them through the complete value creation cycle. Uniquely positioned at the intersections of strategy and design, IWG builds relevant and impactful solutions, positioning our clients’ brands at the heart of their business. “Perseverance and quality have been critical to our growth and success. As we enter our fifteenth year, we are committed to our higher purpose of making the world worthy of travel. With billings of over USD 150M since inception, we have advised countries on their national image, institutional asset owners on optimizing value, international hotel operators on creating distinction and at the other end of the spectrum we love to support the aspirations of start-ups and entrepreneurs.” Looking ahead, Gaurav foresees many exciting developments for the hospitality industry, which he believes will provide IWG many great chances for further success. “The hospitality industry is experiencing the most vibrant era of disruption. From new entrants to technology and design concepts – there is a seismic shift in the way hospitality used to flourish and what the future holds. There are new concepts evolving rapidly as people seek more originality and authenticity. Asset owners are developing projects with new perspectives on how to create destinations that are distinct and engaging. With Airbnb and other room aggregators and online distribution platforms providing clever ways to manage and sell inventory, we see an era of new and original concepts capturing the imagination of future travellers. Selling an experience is very different from selling a product. Our understanding of the complexities of hospitality operations and deep understanding of guest aspiraitons places us in at a unique intersection, where art and science converge to create distinct and authentic brand narratives. Our thought-leadership is quantified by decades of industry-specific experience, we employ ex-hoteliers, interior designers, graphic and branding specialists and strategists who have profound knowledge about the dynamic nature of the travel and hospitality industry. Overall, Gaurav believes that his firm’s expertise and culture of cultivating long-lasting relationships is what sets it apart, and moving forward this will remain a key focus for the company. “Ultimately, our sectorial specialization and seamless strategic consultancy services transition into compelling creative and design support our clients’ brands, ensuring they stand out from the crowd and stand for a larger purpose. Across the team, we bring forth decades of experience building some of the world’s most revered brands both on the agency side as well as on the client side, and moving forward we will continue to draw on this and support our clients.” Company: Insignia Worldwide Group Email: [email protected] Address: 1708, GROSVENOR BUSINESS TOWER, BARSHA HEIGHTS, Dubai, P.O. BOX 75397, UAE Phone: +971 4 439 3434 Website: www.insigniaworldwide.com