Published by Grafdom & Gulf Business. The methodology employed in compiling the Top 50 Social Media Brands involved listing Gulf brands that are most active on social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This generated 1,398 brands, which were short-listed to the top 100 to qualify for the next stage. Values were rechecked during an 8 hour period to ensure relative consistency, and the final top 50 brands were then extrapolated for the final list. To qualify, brands need to maintain a GCC targeted presence on at least two social networks and be listed on either of the following indices (socialbakers.com, socialwatchlist.com) Grafdom - Web Design & Social Media Marketing Barsha Business Center, Near Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, PO Box 211156, Dubai, UAE Tel: +9714 3453033

1. How Much
Are You
Worth In
Clicks?
The rise of social media is giving companies a new way of engaging
and interacting with customers. With online marketing gaining traction
over traditional marketing, there are few businesses that dare to be
left behind. So how are companies in the GCC stacking up against each
other in this arena? Gulf Business takes a look.
research provided by grafdom
48 / SEPTEMBER 2012

2. TOP 50 social media brands
F
rom the time we wake up to tectonic shift Gulf Business joined compiling the Top 50 Social Media Brands
the time we go to bed, we hands with digital media powerhouse involved listing Gulf brands that are
are inundated with brands. Grafdom to enlist the 50 most influential most active on social media platforms
Whether it’s the ubiquitous and recognisable brands in the GCC. such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
McDonald’s sign we pass on our drive The data acqusition sources included This generated 1,398 brands, which were
to work, or the call we take on our socialwatchlist.com and socialbakers.com. short-listed to the top 100 to qualify for
BlackBerry, to the Emirates ad we see The methodology employed in the next stage. Values were rechecked to
on our Sony TV, and the Mashreq bank ensure fairness in terms of comparison,
ATM we stop at before heading out for “Gulf brand followers and the final top 50 brands were then
dinner with friends. and mentions on social extrapolated for the final list.
In the digital world these brands also media have increased The results were in line with
follow us, albeit in a different form. A expectations in many ways; underscoring
substantially this year as
retweet may attract our attention to a the powerful reach of the media sector,
car sale at Toyota, a Facebook like could
more companies engage while also showing how imperative
list a charitable initiative of the Qatar in posts, comments and telecom and retail are is in this region.
Foundation, and a YouTube video would tweets. We’ll continue seeing There were many surprise entrants too,
educate us about the latest features of a a greater shift to newer and such as traditional brand underdogs like
new Nokia smartphone. specialised platforms to fulfill education and the arts.
The entry of brands into the social See page 60 for the tabular results and
specific needs.”
media space has redefined the way - Farid Gasim, read on to find out the most popular
we live, eat and think. In view of this Director of operations, Grafdom brands in the GCC.
Criteria
Brand must be
present on at least
two social networks.
Sectors
Media, F&B, technology, PLATFORMS
entertainment, The choice was
education, retail, FMCG, between Facebook,
airlines, government, Twitter and
auto, property, finance YouTube.
Methodology
and telecom.
COUNTRY
infographics: TARAK PAREKH
GCC – Saudi Arabia,
indicators UAE, Kuwait, Qatar,
Bahrain and Oman.
Number of likes;
number of followers;
number of views.
gulfbusiness.com / 49

3. TOP 50 social media brands
#1 Al Arabiya
D
espite an affinity for headlines videos sent in by viewers, the first such Brotherhood, Zionist thoughts, in Egypt
like “Torn by Porn” and programme in the Arab world. and the Arab World.” Subsequently in
“Syria Leaks” this news Although Al Arabiya’s website has a August their website was also blocked,
channel has an impressive captive audience in Saudi Arabia and the allegedly by a Distributed Denial of
online and social media presence. Head- UAE, almost 20 per cent of its visitors Service (DDOS) attack.
on-head with international stalwarts like are from the US, Canada, UK and France. Moves like this, contrary to their
BBC and Fox News, Al Arabiya.net is the The channel uses a crossover-marketing intention, only serve to underscore how
most visited Arab website. model synergising between television and powerful Al Arabiya is and the sentiment
After launching Al Arabiya TV in 2003 online advertising. it evokes as the leading news channel in
and an Arabic-language online portal But success comes with its caveats. the Arab world. With Arab users of social
AlArabiya.net, the company initiated The Al Arabiya website is vulnerable to networking sites surging to a record 43
English, Farsi and Urdu news websites. It attacks as demonstrated by a hacking million on Facebook and 1.3 million on
then entered the multimedia platform with of its Facebook account in April, where Twitter in 2012, the Arab language will
web TV and slideshows, set up a financial allegedly the Syrian Electronic Army gain significance in the online world, and
news site, which has one of the largest posted false news on its page and also platforms with an established presence –
share of ads among Arab websites, and declared that the channel worked “day like Al Arabiya – will only stand to gain
introduced a programme that broadcast and night to broadcast venomous, from this popularity.
#2 Al Jazeera English
I
f there’s one media outfit deeply live streaming, RSS feeds and mobile and – in true journalism spirit – is not
entrenched in showcasing the TV, it’s no surprise that this channel has afraid to ask for it.
Arab world to the West, it is global an unfathomable 387 million views on Although established six years ago,
network Al Jazeera. Airing from YouTube. as compared to CNN that’s been around
New York to Jakarta, Qatar-based Al Al Jazeera also launched a multi- for thirty plus years, the channel already
Jazeera is widely recognised as the Arab lingual educational campaign about has 60 bureaus that reach 250 million
mouthpiece. social media, with YouTube videos households across 130 countries. The
The power of social media in news – explaining how to use Twitter, Facebook Al Jazeera network itself has over 20
that has recently covered everything from and other online platforms. By making channels covering everything from sports
the Egyptian turmoil to the Syrian uprising people more media-savvy, Al Jazeera to business to documentaries.
– cannot be underestimated. In fact so hopes to raise a generation of citizen In wake of the Arab Spring, an
much of the Middle East revolution was journalists in a low-cost way, which earthquake in Iran, and Qatar being
internet-fuelled that Al Jazeera flagged off will also, cleverly enough, allow declared the world’s richest country, the
the trend by launching a Sharek (meaning coverage from places that they cannot role that Al Arabiya plays in providing
“share”) platform called The Stream, normally access. real-time information about Arab
which is even said to be forging the future Launching innovative campaigns like countries to the world is expected to
of social TV. “Demand Al Jazeera in the USA” Al widen, and the power this brand draws
Abetted by real-time blogs, podcasts, Jazeera definitely knows what it wants will likely continue its reign.
gulfbusiness.com / 51

4. #o3 Pepsi Arabia #o4 KFC Arabia #o5 STC
Rivalling leading news networks in As if being the largest chicken restaurant Taking a break from news and food,
the social media space is a tough task, brand wasn’t enough, KFC Arabia is the telecom giant Saudi Telecom (STC)
unless you distinguish yourself with a Middle East’s most recognisable fast- is a welcome addition to the Top 50
“secret ingredient”, which in Pepsi’s food chain. It may place second after Social Media Brands. Nudging out other
case seems to be the Pepsi Arabia TV McDonald’s around the world, but it’s regional bulwarks like Etihad Etisalat and
portal. Users post their Arabic-language clear that in this region Colonel Sanders Zain Saudi is no mean feat, but being
videos on the website, including is king. the largest telecom company by market
trending topics, and Pepsi Arabia thus capitalisation in the region does have its
effectively engages users to associate benefits.
the brand with light, fun moments
which they can share with loved ones.
National
#o6 Geographic
Abu dhabi
#o7 Qatar 2022 #o8 Emirates
Taking photos of the stunning Sheikh When one of the world’s richest country There is rarely a ranking list in this
Zayed Mosque and covering a Camel decides to host one of the world’s richest region that does not carry the name of
Beauty Pageant may just be the football associations, it makes headlines. this revered airline. In its quest to be the
best way to become popular in the As the first Arab country to present the world’s largest airline by 2017, Emirates
GCC. In just three years of launching FIFA World Cup, Qatar is pulling out launched a stellar marketing campaign
National Geographic Channel – the all stops. Spending approximately $36 to overhaul its brand proposition from
first international factual entertainment billion to build a metro system, $4 billion a service to a lifestyle provider. No
channel in the Arabic language – in for stadiums and $100 billion more on wonder this airline is synonymous with
collaboration with Abu Dhabi Media infrastructure like airport, hotels, housing, creating new benchmarks for quality,
Company, this brand has become one ports, roads and bridges, this may be the safety and delivery.
of the most renowned in the region. costliest brand on our list.
52 / SEPTEMBER 2012

5. TOP 50 social media brands
Pizza hut
#o9 mobily #10 middle east #11 Eye of riyadh
Just a couple of notches below Saudi With three food joints in the top ten This city news and marketing portal
Telecom, the Etihad-Etisalat consortium’s brands, it’s obvious that the way to cleverly hooks its local community with
Mobily managed to break this the Middle East’s heart is through the useful content – from jobs and events to
incumbent’s monopoly in Saudi Arabia. stomach. Adding more than 800 fans daily news and government announcements.
Pegged as the fastest growing mobile on its Facebook page, this global brand is It sure helps to be in Riyadh, which –
operator in the MENA region, Mobily aggressive in marketing new promotions with a population of over five million –
plans to expand its brand strategy – from Crown Crust Carnival to Cheesy is the largest city in Saudi Arabia. For
in line with global trends in mobile Bites Remix. Yum! Brands, that owns local info, Eye Of Riyadh is one of the
telecommunications and broadband both KFC and Pizza Hut, sure makes for a first ports of call, hence the site’s
services. strong case in branding. impressive social media engagement
and content sharing figures.
Sony
#12 middle east #13 Ana zahra #14 just falafel
As the highest ranked tech company Anazahra.com reaches out to modern This fast-growing UAE falafel chain owes
on our list, Japanese electronics firm Arab women with fashion tips, celebrity much of its success to social media.
Sony has tapped into the region’s taste news and a sense of interactive Recently, Just Falafel’s ‘Help Us Help
for gadgets – running hot previews, community. Launched in 2012, You’ campaign was launched in January
tips and competitions on social media, the portal features popular editors, 2012, tying together social media, creative
including ‘Ramadan Surprises’ and ‘The contributors, bloggers and some of the arts and academic support through an
DJ Challenge’. With intense competition most influential personalities from the innovative initiative via its Facebook page.
in the TV, laptop and gaming market Arab world. The site attracts an average The firm’s social media channels have
from Apple, Lenovo and Samsung, Sony of 622,000 unique visitors and seven seen hundreds of thousands of fans view
is successfully utilising online media to million page views daily. the brand’s personal and humorous online
grapple for a share of the region’s wallets. videos and corporate clips.
gulfbusiness.com / 53

6. Blackberry
#15 Fatafeat #16 Zain #17 Middle East
Based in Dubai and broadcast to 21 Kuwait’s largest telco is a pioneer in It’s been a bumpy time for Canadian
countries, Fatafeat is the first 24-hour social media. The firm even celebrated smartphone maker, RIM. In the last
free-to-air cuisine television channel. International Social Media Day in June full financial year, the firm made a
Fatafeat’s programming features foodie this year by gathering social media net profit of $1.2 billion, markedly
menus and celebrity cooks, while the enthusiasts and entrepreneurs for face- down from $3.4 billion in the previous
channel’s Facebook page allows readers to-face interaction and engagement with year. BlackBerry lost significant share
to share recipe tips and watch the chefs the Zain brand. Currently the brand is to other smartphones in 2011, which
in action on YouTube. running the ‘Instagram Daily Challenge’ means the company has re-energised its
where readers are encouraged to upload focus on multi-million dollar marketing
their social media photos each day to a campaigns, competitions and online
new theme. communities.
Saudi Carnegie
#18 Tourism #19 Mellon
University
#20 OSN
With a population of over 27 The prestigious US-founded Carnegie As one of the largest pay TV networks
million, Saudi Arabians love to travel Mellon University opened its Qatar in the MENA region, OSN uses its large
domestically. The homebodies spent campus in 2008. The university has the subscriber base to tap into Western,
over $22.5 billion travelling their turf advantage of leveraging its international Arabic and Filipino communities with
last year, visiting cultural hotspots campus base of more than 10,000 regular entertainment listings updates
such as Mecca and Medina. The Saudi students, 70,000 alumni and 4,000 staff and previews. OSN’s Facebook page
Tourism information portal taps into this to boost its social media community. The gives users the chance to share their
local market, as well as the Kingdom’s school’s regular educational YouTube views on the latest ‘Suits’ series or box
growing international visitor profile with videos have proved to be a global hit. office films.
pictorial teasers and lively debates on
Facebook and YouTube.
54 / SEPTEMBER 2012

7. TOP 50 social media brands
Toyota
#21 Saudi Arabia #22 NasAir #23 Qatar
Airways
Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) group, the Launched in 2007, the Saudi Arabian One of the fastest growing airlines in the
exclusive distributor of Toyota in the carrier already has a young fleet of 16 world, Qatar Airways flies to over 100
Kingdom, is focusing heavily on social aircrafts and covers 24 international destinations worldwide, and is looking to
media to market the Japanese car brand. destinations. Currently in a strong social widen its market through social media.
For instance, Toyota offers a free iPhone media drive, NasAir is competing with Last month, the carrier conducted a
and iPad application that allows users five global airlines in the ‘Best Use of competition on Twitter called ‘Tweet-
to book vehicle service appointments, Social Media to Drive Revenue’ category a-Meet’ where the first three winning
calculate installments and receive at the annual SimpliFlying Awards For teams with the highest number of tweets
promotions. ALJ recently won a 2012 Excellence, to be held in October. won a pair of business class tickets to
Facebook Application Award for its ‘Me their chosen destination.
and My Toyota’ online campaign.
The First Qatar
The Dubai
#24 Group #25 Mall #26 National
Bank
The Dubai-based luxury property Spread across 12 million square feet The largest bank in the GCC (by assets),
developer operates residential and (and growing), The Dubai Mall has Qatar National Bank was established
commercial projects in the UAE and over 1,200 stores and 160 F&B outlets. in 1964 as the country’s first Qatari-
Africa. The company has tie-ups with The enormous shopping destination owned commercial bank. Despite being
famous sports personalities, such as welcomed more than 54 million visitors a relatively older company in the region,
Michael Owen, Nwankwo Kanu and in 2011 to become the world’s most- the lender has been quick to adapt to
Svetlana Kuznetsóva, and promotes itself visited shopping and leisure destination, social media, and keenly interacts with
on social media by offering merchandise according to Emaar Properties, the mall’s its audience through competitions and
signed by these stars to competition developer. offers on Facebook.
winners.
gulfbusiness.com / 55

8. Ferrari
Carrefour
#27 Saudi Arabia #28 World
Abu Dhabi
#29 Mirdif City
Centre
Synonymous with retail supermarkets Ferrari World Abu Dhabi already has Given that multi-themed (and air
across the world, the French brand the best branding any theme park could conditioned) malls offer the main
Carrefour entered Saudi Arabia in wish for. The world’s first Ferrari themed source of entertainment in the region,
2004, and has seen a rapid expansion park, its enclosed indoor area is large it’s not surprising that Dubai’s Mirdif
in the Kingdom. In a bid to cater to its enough to fit seven football fields. The City Centre (MCC) is the second mall
local consumers, Carrefour SA recently park, which offers over 20 thrilling rides, on the list. Developed by Majid Al
released a mobile app that allows users is understandably popular on Facebook, Futtaim Properties (MAF), MCC has over
to download chosen Surahs from the adding over 8,400 ‘likes’ in the month of 430 stores, leisure and entertainment
Holy Quran. July alone. attractions.
Deira City Samsung
#30 Centre #31 Namshi #32 Mobile Arabia
Following closely behind Mirdif City Namshi is fast becoming the UAE’s One of the world’s most famous brands,
Centre is another mall developed by leading local online shopping hub for Samsung is as widely recognised in
MAF, Deira City Centre (DCC). Launched the latest fashion brands, items and the Gulf as it is globally. While Apple
in 1995, DCC has over 370 stores must-haves. The online fashion outlet and its iPhone products are becoming
and attracts over 20 million visitors a recently began shipping to wider parts of stronger in the region, Blackberry is still
year. The mall closely interacts with the Middle East and North Africa. It also universally popular. Samsung comes in
its Facebook fans through regular launched an Arabic language interface as third but, particularly in the GCC, it faces
competitions and promotional offers part of a wider outreach. a tough battle to usurp its rivals.
and even had an interesting ‘fun facts’
section this Ramadan.
56 / SEPTEMBER 2012

9. TOP 50 social media brands
Doha Film
#33 Institute #34 Etisalat #35 Tang Arabia
Interest in Qatar for all things movie- As the largest network provider in A fruit drinks company that has more
related has exploded in recent years, with the UAE, Etisalat has a region-wide colour in one of its adverts than your
much of it focussed on the Doha Film presence. Etisalat is aggressive with average rainbow, Tang recently launched
Institute and its now regular event, Doha communication, offering updates, offers an inspired campaign using children as
Tribeca Film Festival. Still a fledgling and news streams on social media superheroes. The Krafts Foods-owned
newcomer to the worldwide film-making platforms. Notwithstanding a decline company encouraged children across the
scene, DFI is already beginning to in revenue, Etisalat is one of the most Gulf to do more to help the less fortunate
attract interest from the world’s biggest recognisable brands in the Middle East, in the charity-giving month of Ramadan.
superstars, like rapper Kanye West, who and still stronger than its arch-rival Du,
recently filmed a video in Doha with the at least on this list.
help of DFI.
KIA Motors
#36 Jamaluk #37 UAE #38 Qtel
Jamaluk is a beauty and lifestyle website The UAE is a difficult market for this Qatar’s biggest network provider, Qtel,
based in Saudi Arabia, covering health international auto brand. Not because is as recognised a brand as they come
and fitness, beauty secrets, make-up and the market is flooded with rivals, but in the Gulf. Taking on a new approach
fashion. With plans to reach the wider more because the high purchasing power to brand management, this telecom
GCC region, Jamaluk hosts a family and in the UAE allows many residents to company set up a reward system for
community discussion section, while also splurge on high-end wheels. Though Qatari medal winners at the London
posting a new ‘prayer day’ story every KIA faces competition from elite brands, Olympics, in celebration of their
day of Ramadan. such as Ferrari, Bentley and Mercedes, achievement.
it continues undeterred, recently even
announcing the launch of its revamped
Cerato model.
gulfbusiness.com / 57

10. Etihad Nokia Saudi
#39 Airways #40 Souq KSA #41 Arabia
Abu Dhabi’s flagship carrier has been on The original souq.com launched its Saudi Fending off severe competition from RIM
a mission to snap up minority shares in Arabian version five years ago and hasn’t and Apple, Nokia is bent on making
other airlines, creating new partnerships looked back since. The e-commerce site, mobile devices a lifestyle experience. In
with Virgin Australia and Aer Lingus. with its all-Arabic interface, is the online September, Nokia’s technology will be
The brand has also used extensive one-stop-shop for thousands of buyers incorporated throughout the Social Media
sponsorship to promote its name and sellers across the region. Options Week in Jeddah, connecting attendees
across the world, including sponsoring range from phones to computers, health through real-time conversation, a
England’s top professional football and and beauty products to cars. location check-in experience and sharing
rugby teams last season. of mobile devices.
Mall of the Museum of
#42 Emirates #43 Du #44 Islamic Art
This Dubai Mall deserves the Gold Award Not only does this UAE-based telecom As a centre for presenting arts of the
for Best Digital Marketing Campaign that provider offer social media packages Islamic world, the museum engages
it received in 2011. The mall has engaged to customers, but it also engages global audiences and serves as a
customers, especially on Facebook, using them with some highly innovative platform for dialogue and cultural
fashion campaigns for women like Style online campaigns. During Ramadan, exchange. Showcasing a multi-million
Moments or the virtual looks application for instance, Du initiated social media dollar collection and Qatar as a cultural
that alone won it 30,000 new fans. initiatives with a Holy Quran recitation destination, has propelled the popularity
competition and ‘Ask the Sheikh’ that of this Doha-based museum.
garnered it huge popularity.
58 / SEPTEMBER 2012

11. TOP 50 social media brands
MOJEH
#45 Al Rajhi Bank #46 Wataniya #47 Magazine
Being one of the largest Islamic banks in Being a customer-driven company has The fifth fashion-related entry on this list
the world ensures that you still get close led to Wataniya clinching 80 per cent of tells us how much importance is given to
to 10,000 followers, despite not tweeting the mobile market penetration in Kuwait. looking good in the Middle East. Using
a lot. With the largest customer base in The telecom’s Facebook and Twitter key placements in premier locations
the Kingdom and 8,400 employees, this accounts are constant with activity from throughout the world, this Dubai-based
Saudi-based bank has clocked in a lot of cool contests and exclusive promotions bi-monthly high fashion and lifestyle
well-wishers on the social media space. to answering queries by customers on magazine sure knows how to keep
products and services. readers engaged.
Vodafone Qatar Bahrain City
#48 Qatar #49 Foundation #50 Centre
Vodafone Qatar is the first and only Qatar Foundation’s social media The mall was awarded ‘Best Facebook
telecom operator in the Middle East to presence on Facebook, Twitter and Page’ on several key merits including
open its doors to customers exclusively YouTube is rare in that it contains unique content, fan interaction and
via an online store. This teamed with its information in both Arabic and fan engagement including updates and
trail-blazing online brand engagement English. Engaging people using useful response times. Considering that it’s
programme – an e-commerce website information about CSR initiatives, Bahrain only entry and therefore the
with offerings like number reservations, recruitment drives, cultural opinions country’s most recognisable brand,
creative campaigns via Ramadan-Kareem. and economic news, the foundation establishes its position as a leader in
net, and even a new website for buying has launched new social media the way shopping malls interact and
and selling SouqIt.com, helps make it channels focussed on its partnership engage with their customers in an
one of Qatar’s most popular brands. with FC Barcelona. effective and informative way.
gulfbusiness.com / 59

12. TOP 50 Social media Brands
TOP 50 SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDS IN GCC
BRANDS COUNTRY CATEGORY FACEBOOK TWITTER YOUTUBE
Likes Talking Followers Tweets* Subscribers Views Total
Al Arabiya KSA Media 2,060,333 127,544 1,204,204 84 86,786 82,940,220 3,351,323
Al Jazeera English Qatar Media 1,115,470 19,746 20,342 7 261,442 387,581,639 1,397,254
Pepsi Arabia F&B 1,306,248 116,239 648 7 86 243,709 1,306,982
KFC Arabia F&B 1,091,264 10,046 495 3 109 15162 1,091,868
STC KSA Telecom 642,948 11,136 307,329 6 9664 5,858,758 959,941
Nat Geo Abu Dhabi UAE Media 733,568 24,986 12,047 5 87 576 745,702
Qatar 2022 Qatar Event 663,918 2,133 7,621 3 1,341 3,135,978 672,880
Emirates UAE Airline 624,776 50,143 28,246 3 1,456 4,198,687 654,478
Mobily KSA Telecom 440,125 6,274 184,126 3 4620 2,403,630 628,871
Pizza Hut Middle East F&B 614,701 8,990 – – 418 1,203,448 615,119
Eye of Riyadh KSA Media 586,405 13,383 5,601 4 20 5,599 592,026
Sony Middle East Technology 588,472 19,837 1,091 5 337 245,738 589,900
Ana Zahra UAE Media 478,176 9,511 13,368 17 4,270 9,248,411 495,814
Just Falafel UAE F&B 486,911 5,441 1,376 6 75 25,452 488,362
Fatafeat UAE Media 428,362 11,612 47,274 14 1596 1,126,088 477,232
Zain Kuwait Telecom 365,321 5,259 103,992 15 1,121 1,266,542 470,434
Blackberry Middle East Technology 424,000 5,804 4,123 9 735 230,208 428,858
Saudi Tourism KSA Gov 382,921 10,052 – – 169 67,896 383,090
Carnegie Mellon University Qatar Education 361,054 987 1,286 3 351 50,362 362,691
OSN UAE Media 348,214 27,623 6,419 7 1078 141,942 355,711
Toyota Saudi Arabia KSA Auto 340,626 8,967 12,565 17 277 152,635 353,468
NasAir KSA Airline 306,306 30,902 34,901 2 147 12,389 341,354
Qatar Airways Qatar Airline 300,874 4,486 35,455 6 1,010 133,422 337,339
The First Group UAE Property 306,673 7,763 3,862 3 5 732 310,540
The Dubai Mall UAE Retail 286,150 3,492 39,107 13 566 385,901 295,732
Qatar National Bank Qatar Finance 281,919 23,901 7,427 16 114 109,916 289,460
Carrefour Saudi Arabia KSA Retail 262,509 9,682 30 3 35 12,839 262,574
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi UAE Entertainment 251,139 2,878 6,100 1 680 714,149 257,919
Mirdif City Centre UAE Retail 246,804 12,177 2,677 5 18 23,640 249,499
Deira City Centre UAE Retail 234,836 6,739 1,992 2 3 2,443 236,831
Namshi UAE Retail 230,071 17,083 1,711 2 2 1,800 231,784
Samsung Mobile Arabia Technology 210,031 7,784 10,498 7 4,008 741,553 224,537
Doha Film Institute Qatar Entertainment 198,739 753 17,642 10 245 67,168 216,626
Etisalat UAE Telecom 131,070 1,880 85,338 13 118 23,383 216,526
Tang Arabia FMCG 202,524 21,802 1,026 2 20 91,050 203,570
Jamaluk KSA Media 169,944 13,413 26,602 7 1067 2,950,904 197,613
KIA Motors UAE UAE Auto 193,727 1,101 1,449 1 4 343 195,180
Qtel Qatar Telecom 169,278 1,398 18,088 14 161 61,246 187,527
Etihad Airways UAE Airline 178,365 20,606 7,198 9 1,698 5,770,159 187,261
Souq KSA KSA Online 175,327 9,849 5,450 1 6 766 180,783
Nokia Saudi Arabia KSA Technology 153,115 6,757 18,067 3 1059 282,061 172,241
Mall of the Emirates UAE Retail 164,763 3,275 3,589 11 5 3,345 168,357
du UAE Telecom 144,367 1,698 20,571 16 309 188,669 165,247
Museum of Islamic Art Qatar Entertainment 151,342 4,146 1,147 5 – – 152,489
Al Rajhi Bank KSA Finance 135,238 878 9,439 5 111 4,238 144,788
Wataniya Kuwait Telecom 92,527 5,818 50,034 69 821 1,490,579 143,382
Mojeh Magazine UAE Media 126,542 1,812 16,114 5 0 46 142,656
Vodafone Qatar Qatar Telecom 121,349 1,365 10,176 12 130 64,151 131,655
Qatar Foundation Qatar Gov 92,002 1,882 31,843 4 57 14,678 123,902
Bahrain City Centre Bahrain Retail 123,336 1,316 3,270 4 – – 123,336
* PER DAY
60 / SEPTEMBER 2012

13. TOP 50 Social media Brands
TOP 50 SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDS (Country-wise)
BRANDS CATEGORY FACEBOOK TWITTER YOUTUBE
Likes Talking Followers Tweets* Subscribers Views Total
SAUDI ARABIA
Al Arabiya Media 2,060,333 127,544 1,204,204 84 86,786 82,940,220 3,351,323
STC Telecom 642,948 11,136 307,329 6 9664 5,858,758 959,941
Mobily Telecom 440,125 6,274 184,126 3 4620 2,403,630 628,871
Eye of Riyadh Online 586,405 13,383 5,601 4 20 5,599 592,026
Saudi Tourism Gov 382,921 10,052 – – 169 67,896 383,090
Toyota Saudi Arabia Auto 340,626 8,967 12,565 17 277 152,635 353,468
NasAir Airline 306,306 30,902 34,901 2 147 12,389 341,354
Carrefour Saudi Arabia Retail 262,509 9,682 30 3 35 12,839 262,574
Jamaluk Media 169,944 13,413 26,602 7 1067 2,950,904 197,613
Souq KSA Online 175,327 9,849 5,450 1 6 766 180,783
Nokia Saudi Arabia Technology 153,115 6,757 18,067 3 1059 282,061 172,241
Al Rajhi Bank Finance 135,238 878 9,439 5 111 4,238 144,788
QATAR
Al Jazeera English Media 1,115,470 19,746 20,342 7 261,442 387,581,639 1,397,254
Qatar 2022 Event 663,918 2,133 7,621 3 1,341 3,135,978 672,880
Carnegie Mellon University Education 361,054 987 1,286 3 351 50,362 362,691
Qatar Airways Airline 300,874 4,486 35,455 6 1,010 133,422 337,339
Qatar National Bank Finance 281,919 23,901 7,427 16 114 109,916 289,460
Doha Film Institute Entertainment 198,739 753 17,642 10 245 67,168 216,626
Qtel Telecom 169,278 1,398 18,088 14 161 61,246 187,527
Museum of Islamic Art Entertainment 151,342 4,146 1,147 5 – – 152,489
Vodafone Qatar Telecom 121,349 1,365 10,176 12 130 64,151 131,655
Qatar Foundation Gov 92,002 1,882 31,843 4 57 14,678 123,902
UAE
National Geographic Abu Dhabi Media 733,568 24,986 12,047 5 87 576 745,702
Emirates Airline 624,776 50,143 28,246 3 1,456 4,198,687 654,478
Ana Zahra Media 478,176 9,511 13,368 17 4,270 9,248,411 495,814
Just Falafel F&B 486,911 5,441 1,376 6 75 25,452 488,362
Fatafeat Media 428,362 11,612 47,274 14 1596 1,126,088 477,232
OSN Media 348,214 27,623 6,419 7 1078 141,942 355,711
The First Group Property 306,673 7,763 3,862 3 5 732 310,540
The Dubai Mall Retail 286,150 3,492 39,107 13 566 385,901 295,732
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Entertainment 251,139 2,878 6,100 1 680 714,149 257,919
Mirdif City Centre Retail 246,804 12,177 2,677 5 18 23,640 249,499
Deira City Centre Retail 234,836 6,739 1,992 2 3 2,443 236,831
Namshi Retail 230,071 17,083 1,711 2 2 1,800 231,784
Etisalat Telecom 131,070 1,880 85,338 13 118 23,383 216,526
KIA Motors UAE Auto 193,727 1,101 1,449 1 4 343 195,180
Etihad Airways Airline 178,365 20,606 7,198 9 1,698 5,770,159 187,261
Mall of the Emirates Retail 164,763 3,275 3,589 11 5 3,345 168,357
du Telecom 144,367 1,698 20,571 16 309 188,669 165,247
Mojeh Magazine Media 126,542 1,812 16,114 5 0 46 142,656
KUWAIT
Zain Telecom 365,321 5,259 103,992 15 1,121 1,266,542 470,434
Wataniya Telecom 92,527 5,818 50,034 69 821 1,490,579 143,382
BAHRAIN
Bahrain City Centre Retail 123,336 1,316 3,270 4 – – 123,336
* PER DAY
62 / SEPTEMBER 2012