Oman
Sohar International Sweeps Three Top Honors at TOMI Awards 2025: Sohar International has strengthened its position as a leader in strategic marketing and brand innovation after winning three major accolades at the TOMI Awards 2025. The bank received Best Overall Advertising Campaign, Best Event of the Year, and the prestigious Gold Marketing ICON Award, presented to Dr. Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, Chief Marketing Officer of Sohar International.
Held at the Crowne Plaza Qurum, the high-profile ceremony celebrated excellence in marketing across the Sultanate of Oman. The event brought together leading brands, agencies, and industry pioneers to recognize creativity, measurable impact, and visionary leadership.
Leadership Links Brand Strategy With Long-Term Value
Commenting on the achievement, Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, emphasized the strategic foundation behind the awards.
“These awards reflect the clarity of purpose and disciplined execution shaping Sohar International’s transformation into a future-ready financial institution,” Al Murshidi said. “We see our brand not merely as a communication tool, but as a strategic platform that defines our identity, aligns transformation efforts, and delivers long-term value. Every initiative—from marketing to experience design—supports our broader strategy, accelerates digital transformation, and contributes to Oman Vision 2040.”
He added that the recognition reinforces the bank’s ability to balance commercial performance, institutional excellence, and national responsibility, while strengthening trust and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Digitalization Campaign Drives Customer Growth
At the heart of Sohar International’s success is its award-winning Digitalization Campaign, which secured the Best Overall Advertising Campaign title. Anchored in the bank’s strategic positioning of “Always a Step Ahead,” the campaign presented a unified, secure, and seamless digital ecosystem for both retail and corporate customers.
Moreover, the campaign transformed digital empowerment into a compelling narrative, embodied by national sports icon Ahmad Al Harthy, who symbolized agility, control, and forward momentum. Supported by extensive media outreach, influencer-led storytelling, and targeted on-ground activations, the initiative delivered more than 100% year-on-year growth in mobile app transactions, reaffirming Sohar International’s leadership in digital banking.
Best Event of the Year Recognizes Regional Expansion
In addition, Sohar International won Best Event of the Year for the inauguration of its flagship KSA branch. The event delivered an immersive, culturally grounded experience that blended strategic ambition with an authentic expression of Omani identity. As a result, the launch demonstrated the bank’s ability to design meaningful engagements that balance regional growth with cultural relevance.
Gold Marketing ICON Honors Visionary Leadership
The Gold Marketing ICON Award recognized Dr. Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi for his outstanding contribution to shaping Sohar International’s brand identity. With more than 25 years of marketing leadership experience, Dr. Al Raisi has played a pivotal role in the bank’s evolution—from the establishment of Bank Sohar to its transformation into Sohar International—strengthening its communications framework and regional competitiveness.
Multiple Honors Reinforce Market Leadership
Beyond the TOMI Awards, Sohar International has earned several prestigious recognitions in 2025. These include the OER Corporate Excellence Award 2025 in the Large Cap category, the Best Performing Company Award at the Alam Al-Iktisaad Awards, and three accolades at the New Age Banking Summit 2025—Best Bank – Growth, Most Innovative CSR Initiative, and Best Digital Transformation Initiative.
Shaping the Future of Banking
Collectively, these achievements underscore Sohar International’s innovation-driven growth strategy, strong leadership, and enduring commitment to creating sustainable value for customers, shareholders, and the nation. As the bank continues its transformation journey, it remains focused on shaping the future of banking—rather than merely responding to change.
