Former U.S. vice president Al Gore received the first “Brand Icon of the Year” award from Swiss luxury watch brand Corum and the Global Brand Forum. This is the first year for the award, which is designed to recognize individual contributions in global branding. Gore was honored at the 2007 Global Brand Forum, held Aug. 6 and 7 in Singapore.

Al Gore accepts a Corum Romvlvs watch 
from Corum president Michael Wunderman.

In presenting Gore with the the award—a Romvlvs timepiece by Corum—Michael Wunderman, president of Corum Timepieces said that Gore represents “the kind of determination and commitment to excellence” admired by so many companies.

“We are very pleased to co-present this honor with Global Brand Forum 2007,” he said. “I have high admiration and respect for Mr. Gore for his passion, determination and resolve to … conquer challenges whether as a politician or environmentalist, [to be] a ‘cutting edge’ brand leader of great … responsibility to humankind.”

A Global Brand Forum statement said the award was created to “highlight the achievements [of those] in the global arena who have made a significant contribution to the branding industry and the world community at large.”

Gore was chosen as the inaugural Brand Icon of the Year for “his unique and valuable contributions in the fields of media and the environment.”

JCK