Grameenphone
10th Commward: Grameenphone's campaigns win 28 awards
Grameenphone's communication partners have won 28 awards at the 10th edition of "Commward," the flagship initiative of the Bangladesh Brand Forum that aims to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding marketing campaigns run by brands in Bangladesh.
The telecommunications service provider's media agency, Asiatic Mindshare, won 13 awards, including one gold, six silvers, and as many bronzes.
Grameenphone's creative agency Grey Advertising obtained gold for two of their campaigns along with two silvers and five bronzes; digital agency, Magnito Digital, won one gold award, along with three silvers and one bronze.
Read: Grameenphone receives Asian Leadership Awards 2021
Also, production house Half Stop Down won bronze in the film category.
In total, the telecom operator won four gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze awards in 14 out of 26 different categories.
"Grameenphone is a brand that has been built by the trust of the customers and we have always focused on what matters most to our customers. I am delighted to see that this has been reflected and recognised again in this award," said Grameenphone Chief Marketing Officer Sajjad Hasib in a media statement.
Read Grameenphone awarded for resolving highest cases through ADR
The 10th Commward was different from the previous ones, as the nominations phase continued from May 1, 2019, till May 31, 2021.
Despite the restrictions posed by the pandemic, this year, there were 1100+ nominations under 26 categories, and each of the category-winners was ranked in the ascending order of bronze, silver, gold, and Grand Prix.
"Commward is a critical initiative of the Bangladesh Brand Forum to shape the brand-building ecosystem. The platform celebrates the most creative and impactful works every year. Grameenphone, since the beginning of Commward, has continued to produce powerful, impactful, and thought-provoking communication, which has impacted the company's brand equity and business," said Shariful Islam, founder and managing director of the Bangladesh Brand Forum.
Read GP Explorers: 2nd batch graduates from Grameenphone's in-house skill academy
Grameenphone, UNDP join hands to make Bangladesh's youth future-ready
To equip the country's youth with skills for the jobs of the future, Grameenphone and UNDP are all set to launch a unique virtual learning series.
Titled 'Get Future Ready: Need for Skills', the virtual learning MasterClass series is part of their commitment made on World Youth Skills Day. The sessions will be held from August 28 to September 25.
Read: Grameenphone, Brac team up to support Covid-hit families
A pool of prominent industry leaders and experts will guide the participants with the aim to enable economic opportunities for all, especially in the post-pandemic era.
Sudipto Mukerjee (Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh), Rubana Huq (Past President, BGMEA), Ridwan Kabir (Vice President, AT&T), Zaved Akhtar (CEO, Unilever), and Yasir Azman (CEO, Grameenphone) will interact with participants on Zoom.
The speakers will discuss various aspects of inclusion, entrepreneurship, global professional scenario, innovation, leadership, and other business and career highlights.
Selective university students currently doing the Communication Skills, Digital Marketing & Entrepreneurship course under GP Explorers – a skills-led digital academy by Grameenphone – will join the sessions.
Read: Grameenphone receives Asian Leadership Awards 2021
“We have the crucial advantage of a demographic dividend, which we need to utilise to the fullest,” said a Grameenphone representative.
"Through sessions like masterclass, our youth will get the opportunity to connect and learn directly from a handful of distinguished professionals. They can ask questions to satiate all their queries, from which other young audiences watching the live sessions can also benefit. Hopefully, this is going to be an immensely fruitful initiative for all of us,” he said.
UNDP’s Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee said, “This series of MasterClass, will orient young people to the kinds of soft skills and values which are increasingly considered essential in any workplace and in turn equipping them to become good professionals.
"UNDP is working with all development actors including the private sector to co-create platforms to help youth to not only access more dignified economic opportunities but through that becoming better able to contribute a modern and prosperous Bangladesh for all”.
Read: UNDP launches 'MyResponse' campaign against cyberbullying
The first session of the series shall be conducted by Mukerjee on August 28 from 7.30pm.
All sessions of the MasterClass series will be broadcast live on Grameenphone, UNDP, and Prothom Alo’s Facebook platforms.
GP offers up to Tk 80 cashback on MyGP
Grameenphone users can now enjoy up to Tk 80 cashback through its app MyGp.
This cashback offer can be enjoyed upon their availing of various voice packs, bundle packs, data packs, and recharge offers through its dedicated mobile app – MyGP, said a media release Tuesday.
Powered by SSLCOMMERZ, the cashback feature will be available till August 31 on MyGP app.
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Users can enjoy cashback starting from Tk 7 to Tk 80, based on the type and volume of their purchases. Voice and bundle packs ranging from Tk 64 to Tk 307 are available with different validity periods, bonuses, and cashback. Data packs, from 1GB to 50GB, can also be purchased under this offer to enjoy reward bonuses and cashback. A detailed description of the offers can be found at – https://mygp.li/cbaug.
MyGP users can enjoy this offer upon recharging through any payment method available at the app, said a press release.
Read: GP offers enhanced maritime communication
The offer shall be applicable for recharges made using MyGP only.
Recharge from any other online channels or physical retail outlets will not include the offer.
All Grameenphone (except Skitto) customers can obtain this offer. Users can avail this offer as many times as they want.
Read Avoy App for the Safety of Girls: A Splendid Step to Build a Secure Bangladesh
Grameenphone, Brac team up to support Covid-hit families
Over 33,300 families received financial support from Grameenphone as part of "Dakche Abar Desh," a Covid response initiative of Brac.
The initiative is part of a series of Grameenphone's "Covid-19 responses," which plans to tackle the impact of the pandemic and help societies, namely support the families who have been hit hardest by lockdowns.
Read: GP pays another Tk 1000 crore to BTRC
"Dakche Abar Desh" (Bangladesh Calls Again) has been one such activity designed to help the vulnerable families living in poverty and surviving on daily wages since the inception of the outbreak.
On July 16, Grameenphone announced it would team up with Brac. So far, 33,333 families have received financial aid through mobile financial services.
Read Grameenphone sued for showing caged indigenous bird in ad
The disbursements have been completed using Grameenphone's contribution to the cause.
The telecommunications service provider's employees also came forward to respond to the nation's call and joined the cause.
Read Grameenphone contributes Tk 31.4 crore to Labour Fund
Also, Grameenphone and Brac responded to the crisis last year by providing financial support to over 100,000 families.
Covid vaccine registration now available on MyGP
Grameenphone has incorporated the national Covid-19 vaccination management portal "Surokkha" into its one-stop digital solution MyGP.
So, MyGP users can now enjoy the opportunity to access the government's authorised portal for Covid-19 vaccine registration.
Also read: Covid-19 vaccine registration now possible through imo
They will find a freshly added card to access the Surokkha portal in the "What's New" section of the app. Upon clicking the card, users will be taken to the webpage directly from where they can register for a vaccine.
Also, the portal allows one to check for the registration status updates, collect cards and certificates after vaccination; and answers the FAQs regarding the total campaign.
Also read: Registration for Covid vaccination to restart Thursday
Solaiman Alam, chief digital and strategy officer at Grameenphone said: "Bringing more people under the vaccination process is indeed going to be extensive. Grameenphone has decided to play its role in the mammoth task by incorporating the Surokkha portal into its official app MyGP which has a huge reach. This will facilitate registration for vaccination in hopes of a pandemic free world tomorrow."
Grameenphone sued for showing caged indigenous bird in ad
Bangladesh Forest Department's Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU) filed a case against Grameenphone with a Dhaka court Wednesday for featuring a caged indigenous bird in its advertisement.
WCCU Director Nargis Sultana lodged the case with Dhaka's Chief Judicial Magistrate Court under sections 38(2), 41 and 46 of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012.
Also read: Grameenphone receives Asian Leadership Awards 2021
In a recent Grameenphone advertisement, a young girl was shown being gifted a caged parrot. The depiction of a caged rose-ring parakeet, which is an indigenous bird, sparked controversy on social media platforms.
"By showing this bird in a cage in their commercial advertisement, Grameenphone violated three sections of the Wildlife Act 2012," Nargis told UNB.
Also read: Grameenphone contributes Tk 31.4 crore to Labour Fund
Grameenphone receives Asian Leadership Awards 2021
Grameenphone has been recognised as the best organisation for workplace and people development in the Organisational Awards category of Asian Leadership Awards (ALA) 2021.
The 19th Edition of the prestigious award ceremony took place Thursday.
Grameenphone's efforts to ensure employee wellbeing during Covid-19, focus on nurturing an inclusive workplace, digitalisation of human resource (HR) services, and a unique approach in fostering a learning culture and upskilling effort were commended at the event.
Also read: FinanceAsia Awards: SCB Bangladesh wins Best International Bank
The ALA is recognised in the industry for patronising and promoting the value of business leadership in Asia. Since 2011, the award has been inspiring hundreds of organisations and professionals to go the extra mile to ensure the healthy and consistent growth of the workforce.
This year, the program was held virtually, where the seasoned jury council of the ALA recognised Grameenphone's effort.
Also read: Grameenphone announces 15,500 4G towers in country
Syed Tanvir Husain, chief human resource officer of Grameenphone, said: "As a connectivity partner to digitalisation journey of Bangladesh, we have been continuously putting our efforts to innovate and build future-fit skills at Grameenphone while keeping our employees wellbeing, inclusive culture, project automation, digitally-operated HR on the top in our agenda."
"We feel honoured to have been the recipient of the Asian Leadership Award 2021, and we dedicate this achievement to all the employees of the Grameenphone family."
Read Korvi honoured with "Commonwealth Point of Light Award"
Grameenphone contributes Tk 31.4 crore to Labour Fund
Amid the global pandemic, Grameenphone (GP) contributed around Tk 31.4 crore to the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation Fund under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
A five-member delegation led by Grameenphone’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Syed Tanvir Husain handed over the cheque to State Minister for Labour and Employment, Begum Monnujan Sufian at the ministry Tuesday.
READ: Grameenphone board approves 275% cash dividend
At the cheque handover ceremony State Minister for Labour and Employment and the Chairman of Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation Begum Monnujan Sufian said, “The government has formed a foundation fund under the Bangladesh Labor Act for the welfare of working people. During this disastrous time of coronavirus, around two thousand workers have been provided assistance worth Tk 6.25 crore from this fund,”
GP CHRO Syed Tanvir Husain said, “We believe that our humble contribution to the labour welfare fund will inspire many others to come forward and stand by the workers in need.”
Around 165 local, foreign and multinational companies, including Grameenphone, have been regularly contributing a certain portion of their dividends to this fund which is increasing every month.
READ: Grameenphone announces 15,500 4G towers in country
Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment K.M. Abdus Salam, Director General of Bangladesh Workers Welfare Foundation Begum Jebunnesa Karim, Shakila Zerin Ahmed, Director of Workers Welfare Foundation, Director-General of the Department of Labour Gautam Kumar, Grameenphone’s Head of Regulatory Affairs Hossain Sadat, HR Business Partner & Circle HR Head Yeasir Mahmood Khan, Grameenphone’s Industrial Relations Head K M Sabbir Ahmed and Md. Asaduzzaman a member of Grameenphone’s Industrial Relations Department were present among others at this event.
BTRC reminds users of least-promoted service: 'Do Not Disturb' for promo texts!
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has asked mobile phone users to use the "Do Not Disturb" service to stop receiving unwanted and promotional texts on phones.
Mobile phone users often receive phone calls and messages that they do not want. Although such messages are sometimes meant for informing people, they can be annoying to many users.
Following the instructions of the BTRC, the mobile operators launched the option of blocking promotional SMSs for the customers several years ago.
However, unaware of the service, many customers still complain to the regulator about the nuisance texts.
So, the BTRC has started sensitising people about the solution that already exists for the problem.
Anyone who does not want to receive promotional SMS on their mobile can dial the following short code and activate the Do Not Disturb service, the regulator said in a statement on Saturday.
To stop it, Grameenphone users will have to dial *121*1101#, Banglalink users *121*8*6# and for Robi and Airtel it is *7#.
Grameenphone board approves 275% cash dividend
Grameenphone's board of directors Monday approved a 275% cash dividend for 2020 in its annual general meeting (AGM).
The 24th AGM was held through a digital platform following the instructions of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission and the risk of the virus spreading among the participants of the meeting, the company said in a statement.
Grameenphone's board of directors announced a cash dividend of 145% of the paid-up capital or Tk14.5 per share of Tk10 each.
Read GP Explorers 2.0 launched to upskill 357 youths
With this cash dividend pay-out, the total cash dividend stands at 275% of the paid-up capital, including the previous 130% interim cash dividend pay-out, amounting to 99.86% of profit after tax for the year 2020.
At the meeting, Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman said: "In 2020, we were agile, innovative and delivered a solid performance by running our operations following contingent ways of work in the face of Covid-19 pandemic and natural calamities while ensuring the safety of our employees and our supply chain partners."
Grameenphone wants to focus on its operational efficiencies and strategies to ensure better coverage and customer-driven initiatives.
Also read: Grameenphone announces 15,500 4G towers in country
The company has acquired an additional 10.4 MHz spectrum in the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) auction, amounting to a total of 47.4 MHz spectrum.
On top of additional spectrum acquisition, Grameenphone has also celebrated 50 years of Bangladesh on March 26, 2021, by announcing all its 15,500 towers 4G enabled across Bangladesh.
Jorgen C Arentz Rostrup, chair of Grameenphone Board, said: "Our focus for the year ahead will be to ensure Grameenphone's long-term sustainability. We continue to adapt to the challenges of the current Covid-19 reality. The company focuses on ensuring a better network experience, ensuring growth, innovation, modernisation, and stand by society with responsible business conduct."
Read Grameenphone announces 15,500 4G towers in country