Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/817563
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 2017 Events 45 Coca-Cola's one brand strategy unveiled in Malta DESPITE the challenging in- terest-rate landscape and com- petitive environment, APS Bank Group reported all-round growth in 2016, with operating income increasing by 10% to €34.9 mil- lion, pre-tax profit by 2% to €15.8 million and total assets/liabili- ties by 16% to €1.28 billion. In a year marked by significant investment in new technology and infrastructure projects, hu- man capital, reorganisation as well as increasing compliance and regulatory requirements, the group returned a cost-efficiency ratio of 54.4% and a strong total capital ratio of 16.9%. These results were announced at the 2016 Presentation of Fi- nancial Results, held on Wednes- day. Chairman E.P. Delia described the results as "very satisfactory … as they encourage us to look ahead with confidence". He not- ed that "such a performance was underlined by the Group's values of social and ethical banking and the collective contribution of all stakeholders". 2016 was also marked by a num- ber of significant milestones, such as the successful imple- mentation of a new core bank- ing system, initiation of a branch network transformation as well as strong business growth at the level of retail, MSME and mid- cap commercial facilities, with deposits and lending activity in- creasing by 16%. Another mark reached was the surpassing of the €100 million under management in APS Funds SICAV and the formation of a wholly-owned investment man- agement subsidiary ReAPS Asset Management Limited. APS Bank has also been making progress in the suite of products and services it offers, from home finance to EIF-supported busi- ness schemes. The bank will also shortly be launching a range of social banking services. CEO Marcel Cassar hailed the results as "fruits of a strategy that draws on the Bank's market strengths and maximises on the business and revenue opportuni- ties that they offer." Referring to the various pro- jects and reforms in progress, he emphasised that "APS will re- main a customer-friendly bank … we will not use technology to replace personal interaction with the customer". APS CEO Marcel Cassar Atlas goes blue in Autism Month DURING April, which was Autism Month, Atlas Group held an ex- tra dress down to raise awareness about this condition, with all staff wearing blue. In fact, the slogan for 2017 for Autism month was Light It Up Blue – for greater un- derstanding and acceptance. "We felt it was important to en- courage staff to learn more about this condition, and promote un- derstanding and acceptance, to support people with autism," said Jackie Attard Montalto, HR and Marketing Manager. "We also wanted to raise aware- ness with our clients by piquing their curiosity, to ask us why we were all wearing blue!" COCACOLA'S new "One Brand" global marketing strat- egy – that uses one visual iden- tity system featuring Coca-Cola Red as a unifying colour – was unveiled this week by GSD Mar- keting Ltd, official bottlers and distributors of Coca-Cola prod- ucts in Malta. The new Coca-Cola visual identity was launched by GSD Marketing Ltd Chief Operat- ing Officer, Maria Micallef, and GSD Marketing Ltd Gen- eral Manager, Brian Galea, to the company's clients, media and employees during a series of events held at General Soft Drinks which saw the bottling plant serve as a backdrop for the one visual identity system. The new identity is designed to enable consumers to choose the Coca-Cola beverage that best suits their taste, lifestyle and diet. The Red Disc, the signature element of the new "Taste the Feeling" global cam- paign, appears prominently on the packaging underscoring the company's commitment to provide choice. To clearly iden- tify each product, the signature color is featured throughout the packs with black for Zero, silver for Light and Diet and green for Life. Announcing the new strat- egy, GSD Marketing Ltd Sales and Marketing Senior Manager, Martin Aguis, said that Coca- Cola was one of the most-loved brands in the world. "But the world is changing and today we are providing our consumers a way to keep enjoying the brand they love by simply choosing the Coke that fits their tastes and lifestyles. This is a power- ful reinforcement of our com- mitment to make our low and no-calorie Coca-Cola products more accessible and appeal- ing while making it easier for consumers to make informed choices." The new packaging will also include the unique product name and benefits on front of pack to help consumers make an informed choice: • Coca-Cola original taste • Coca-Cola Diet: unique taste, no calories • Coca-Cola Zero: zero sugar, zero calories • Coca-Cola Life: 36% less sugar, with stevia leaf ex- tract Ira Losco performing at the launch of Coca-Cola's "One Brand" global marketing strategy APS Bank registers all-round growth in profits, revenue and assets Ian Stafrace, Christopher Zerafa, Angelita Delicata, David Cassar, Marija Abela, Doreen Cuomo, Christabel Tabone, Shaun Bonello, Maria Borg ZIPPO SWAP MEET AVID Zippo collec- tors had a great op- portunity this month created for them by NM Arrigo Ltd, which organised a Zippo Swap Meet at Ten green bottles, Haz- Zebbug on the 8th April from 3pm-6pm and 9th April between 10am-1pm. Those who wished to swap any of their Zippos met fellow Zippo Collectors, at a great opportunity to meet like minded people. There was also a great selection of Zippos in stock, probably one of the largest selection of Zippos in Europe. Dis- counts were available in store throughout April. Those interested may make on: Zippo@nmarrigo.com or else phone on Telephone number: 21223755/21225039.