Gulf Bank spared no effort when it came to communicating important social messages to the community at large

Gulf Bank launched several initiatives in the health, economic, nutritional, personal well-being, and technological fields

Kuwait, 14 January 2020: Gulf Bank wrapped up 2019 as its most socially active year to date — both in terms of its communication efforts with the general public and initiatives that aimed to give back to the local community. As one of the largest banks in the region, Gulf Bank prides itself on its unwavering line of communication with the public it serves, particularly across its various social media channels. Throughout the year, Gulf Bank broadcast several social and educational campaigns, launching initiatives spanning a variety of messages relating to health and wellness, the economy, technology, and more.

Throughout the year, Gulf Bank witnessed an impressive growth in viewership and engagement, with a 240% increase in social media followers across its various channels. Gulf Bank also racked in over 20.4 million views on YouTube, and tallied its engagement reach to over 555,000 comments, likes, and shares. As part of Gulf Bank’s ongoing commitment to outstanding customer service, the Bank’s active call center unit received over 40,000 inbound messages, with all queries answered in a timely manner.

In 2019, Gulf Bank’s social media campaign strategy was determined by a three-pronged approach: customer engagement, corporate social responsibility, and marketing services. As part of an increasing focus on consumer engagement, Gulf Bank introduced shareable content that interested viewers, including news coverage and weather forecast updates. The Bank also introduced weekly competitions with timely topics (including football) and exciting prizes. Gulf Bank also launched a video coverage series at its branches all across Kuwait as a way to connect clients with the day-to-day happenings at the Bank, and bridge the gap between clients, branch managers, and the Bank’s latest service offerings.

Gulf Bank’s corporate social responsibility approach focused on a variety of activities throughout 2019, and included providing live coverage for the Bank’s CSR events as a way to increase their accessibility to the general public. Throughout the year, the Bank provided live coverage for its CSR-related events, including: Gulf Bank 642 Marathon, Mother’s Day, Women’s Day, Breast Cancer Awareness, Earth Hour, and both National and Liberation Days. During the holy month of Ramadan, Gulf Bank also championed the “Ten Minutes” health and wellness campaign, and released a Ramadan ad campaign that generated over 8.5 million views in its first week. Gulf Bank also launched “One-Minute Tip,” their latest segment of short tips on the economy, investing, and personal finance dedicated to raising the state of financial literacy among consumers. The one-minute tips are delivered by Tareq Al-Saleh, Deputy General Manager of the Economic Research Unit at Gulf Bank, and are aired across Gulf Bank’s various social media channels under the hashtag #معلومة_في_دقيقة This year, Gulf Bank also launched “Tech Tuesdays,” which have quickly become one of the Bank’s most anticipated social media segments.

Gulf Bank also utilized its social media channels to introduce its latest services and products to its customer base. Customer security also played a huge role throughout the year, with Gulf Bank offering numerous pieces of security and travel advice in order to ensure their clients’ financial security both locally and abroad.

Commenting on this year’s achievements, Nawaf Aljazzaf, Management Associate for Social Media of External Communications at Gulf Bank, said: “Throughout this past year, we have been working towards this very moment in which we can step back and reflect on all the achievements and goals we reached. Our primary goal has always been to maintain an innovative communication approach with our followers, and we pride ourselves on launching creative initiatives that serve to deepen our relationship with the general public. At Gulf Bank, we are keen on creating interest and taking advantage of all the means available to us when it comes to communicating with our customers, and it is with great pride that we can look back at what we have achieved with our social media presence and activity. We look forward to engaging with our local community in even more innovative ways in the future, and are excited to achieve even bigger milestones in the coming year!”

Gulf Bank's Ramadan campaign garners over 8.5 million views in its first week

Gulf Bank's Ramadan campaign acquired a record number of viewers in the first week of the holy month, garnering over 8.5 million views across various social media channels. The campaign made use of a unique advertising move — the first of its kind in Kuwait and the region — in which viewers were given the chance to determine the ending of the story by voting for one of the two main characters, resulting in wide-spread engagement with the videos.

Last year, Gulf Bank's Ramadan campaign revolved around the story of Lulwa, who as a young girl captures the hearts of two neighborhood boys, Aziz and Nasser. The story of Lulwa’s engagement highlights authentic Kuwaiti customs and values, including girgean, close-knit neighbors, caring families, and the humility and simplicity of the Kuwaiti people. At the end of the main video, both Aziz and Nasser are shown attending Lulwa’s engagement, but it is unclear which of the suitors Lulwa will choose. That decision was left up to the viewers, an advertising decision that marked its debut this year on Gulf Bank’s social media channels. After watching a series of short videos featuring Lulwa’s mother interviewing the two candidates, viewers voted for the candidate they believed would make the best match.

After a round of voting, Aziz emerged as the best suitor. The campaign’s conclusion showing the end of Lulwa’s story was released on Gulf Bank’s social media channels.

“One-Minute Tips” on the economy, investing, and personal finance

Gulf Bank also launched their newest segment, “One-Minute Tip,” dedicated to raising awareness on various financial matters and the latest economic trends. Every week, Deputy General Manager of the Economic Research Unit at Gulf Bank, Tareq Al-Saleh, discusses best practices in finance and investment with the aim to promote a better understanding of the latest happenings in the financial sector. The short and simple tips also aim to teach viewers how to better manage their personal finances and investments. The videos are aired across Gulf Bank’s various social media channels under the hashtag #معلومة_في_دقيقة

“Ten Minutes” for a healthier lifestyle in Ramadan

As part of its Ramadan initiatives this year, Gulf Bank also launched a social media activation in recognition of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holy month. The community initiative, titled "Ten Minutes," consisted of a series of short Instagram episodes highlighting unique tips on how viewers can live a healthier lifestyle by enhancing their nutrition, mental health, fitness, and general well-being in just ten minutes. As part of the series, Gulf Bank partnered with five professionals in their fields: nutritionist Noura AlAskar; fitness and lifestyle instructor, Ms. Rana Al Omani; sports Medicine, physiotherapy and fitness specialist, Mr. Yousef Al Saleh; fitness coach, Mr. Ali Al-Adwani; and mental & well-being specialist, Dr. Mohammed Al-Suwaidan.

This initiative came in the interest of public health, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, during which people are more preoccupied with work and social events. The community initiative urged people to take ten minutes out of their days to practice healthier habits and be more mindful of their physical and mental well-being.

Marathon prep with nutrition & fitness tips

In preparation for the “Gulf Bank 642 Marathon,” Gulf Bank also partnered with nutrition coach, Dana Ghareeb, and founder and head coach of Lose|Gain fitness center, Abdullah AbulQassim to present several exercise and nutrition tips for race participants. The videos aimed to enhance participants’ performances on race day, and encouraged them to maintain healthier lifestyles beyond race day as well.

Technology tips on “Tech Tuesday”

This year, Gulf Bank also coined Tuesdays as “Tech Tuesdays,” taking the opportunity to share various tech-related tips on a weekly basis via Instagram. The topics of discussion every Tuesday can range from a new and innovative way to use one’s phone to photography tips and more. The segment is one of the Bank’s most anticipated social media activities, and is delivered by members of the local youth community who are experts in their respective technological fields.

To stay up-to-date with Gulf Bank’s activities, you can follow Gulf Bank on its various social media channels: Instagram @Gulf_Bank; Twitter @Gulf_Bank; Facebook ”Gulf Bank”; and YouTube “GulfBankChannel”