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Huawei aiming to win big with Messi

Published:Saturday | March 19, 2016 | 12:00 AMShayne Fairman
Raymond Simpson
FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (second left) with Tyrone Liu (left), CEO Huawei Consumer, Business Group Latin America, Kevin Ho (second right) CEO Handsets Business, Huawei Business Group and Walter Ji (right) CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group, Western Europe at the press conference held at the Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos Hotel in Barcelona, Spain last Thursday.

BARCELONA, Spain:

Huawei is the top information communication technology brand in its China-based headquarters, and an impressive third in smartphones globally. Now Kevin Ho, president, Handset Business, Huawei Consumer, feels that with international football star Lionel Messi, the brand will move from challenger to global leaders soon.

The Huawei brand can be found in more than 170 countries around the world including Jamaica and the Caribbean.

It is considered the largest telecommunications equipment manufacturer in the world, having overtaken Ericsson in 2012.

Huawei chose Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as their brand ambassador because his journey to becoming the best player in the world, his domination over his opponents and other inspiring qualities speak to what the brand is seeking to achieve globally.

 

LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP

 

Messi is a five-time FIFA World Player of the Year.

"We are seeking a long-term partnership. He is a win, win. Look to see Huawei and Messi in the future," Ho assured, following Thursday's announcement of Messi as their global ambassador.

He believes the Messi-Huawei partnership will prove vital in helping them to overcome rivals Apple and Samsung.

"He overcame physical challenges as a young footballer to become the best, and the way he dominates on the field and always helps his team win ... is very inspiring to a lot of people," Ho continued.

When asked by The Sunday Gleaner if Huawei could, in the near future, look to contract Jamaican track stars like Jamaica's Usain Bolt, Ho said for now they are happy with Messi, but will always look to grow the business.

Meanwhile, Huawei is set to launch their new P9 smart phone. It is expected to be launched in London on April 6.

According to Ho, five reasons why Huawei devices stand out from others are, "design, craftsmanship, user experience, long battery life and excellent camera quality."