Doha – 25 May 2016- QNB, a leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has announced today the signing of a contract with international star soccer player Xavi Hernández, by which Xavi will be brand ambassador for the Group.
The contract will give QNB exclusive rights to use Xavi’s image in its promotional materials and campaigns to promote the Group’s products and services, as well as in its events and sponsorships and any other marketing materials and promotional campaigns in the Middle East and Africa, as well as India, China, Southeast Asia, and the bank’s branches and representative offices in these areas.
In a special event to celebrate the occasion, Mr. Yousef Darwish, QNB’s GM – Group Communications, signed the contract with the former Barcelona player and current Qatar’s Al-Sadd Sports Club midfielder Xavi Hernández Creus.
“Spanish soccer star Xavi is considered one of the best playmakers in the international soccer, just as our Group excels in the international banking sector as the leading financial institution in the Middle East and Africa as well as the most valuable brand in the region. That is why our Group chose Xavi as its brand ambassador,” said Mr. Yousef Darwish, commenting on the occasion.
He added that the agreement included Xavi’s appearance as a QNB brand ambassador in many promotional and marketing campaigns, as well as QNB events and sponsorship events in Qatar and abroad. He stated that the materials will be appearing soon in chosen Middle East and Asian markets.
On his part, Xavi commented on his signing of the contract with the Group, saying: “I am pleased with this partnership with QNB Group, which has become an icon for excellence in the banking sector for its unique services, as well as its great and much appreciated efforts to support CSR projects and initiatives in all the societies in which it operates.”
Xavi deservedly won the Player of the Year award during the Euro 2008 and 2009 UEFA Cup Finals. Xavi also played on the Spanish national squad that won the 2010 World Cup, earning many nicknames from his admirers and soccer fans worldwide, including “the maestro” and “the king”.
Xavi is also famous for being a legendary playmaker with FC Barcelona for over a decade, in which the club achieved 4 great accomplishments, namely winning the UEFA cup 4 times from 2008 to 2012. The player also won the2010 FIFA World Cup with his national team, as well as the UEFA Euro twice.
The Group’s presence through its subsidiaries and associate companies extends to more than 27 countries across three continents providing a comprehensive range of advanced products and services. The total number of employees is more than 15,300 operating through more than 640 locations, with an ATM network of more than 1,400 machines.
QNB also sponsors many CSR initiatives across its international network through a distinguished CSR strategy that focuses on 6 main areas: culture and arts; economic and international affairs; health and the environment; social and humanitarian affairs; sports and education and youth.