Up-and-coming business executives
(CNN) -- Few of the following business executives are famous -- yet.
That's part of the reason TIME and CNN have chosen these particular young executives as the 2002 Global Business Influentials. Selected from more than 100 nominees named by TIME correspondents around the world, each of these up-and-coming business leaders has accomplished something this year that transcended borders.
All are regarded as leaders in their industries but more accomplishments may lie ahead in their careers. Hailing from a variety of countries, these 18 executives share a sense that the world is their market -- and their home.
Robert Hori
Robert Hori's brain started churning when cell phones were merely a medium to conduct conversations. The profits came soon thereafter.
Today his company, CYBIRD, which began doing business in late 1998, is a pioneer in the mobile technology field, making and marketing products and programs that allow phones and other mobile devices to download screen savers, amend ring tones and much more.
Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in east central Japan, the 37-year-old CEO has brought fresh ideas and a swagger to his job, becoming known for his sharp wardrobe and displaying surfboards in CYBIRD's Tokyo conference rooms. (More from TIME)
Ancle Hsu and David Ji
In three years, David Ji and Ancle Hsu have literally gone from the scrap heap to the top of the electronics world.
Before founding Apex Digital in 1999, Ji and Ancle Hsu scraped up revenues by selling scrap metal to China. Now they are dealing in high-end electronics, and Apex Digital has accumulated more than $500 million in sales. (Full story)
Last year, the company sold 1 million low-priced, Chinese-made DVD players at Wal-Mart alone, beating out electronics behemoth Sony in North American sales. This summer, Apex Digital introduced 18 TV models, shooting to make inroads into that market as well. (More from TIME)
Eric Kim
Samsung's brand value has more than doubled since 1999, making it one of the world's fastest growing brands. Eric Kim, as the South Korean-based company's global marketing chief, has helped lead the way, forging key partnerships in managing a marketing budget of more than $900 million in 2002.
Born and bred in California, Kim has tied Samsung with key U.S. retailers such as Best Buy, Radio Shack and Circuit City. These partnerships helped to improve the electronics stalwart's standing in the American market, increase its revenues overall and reinvent its image among consumers. (More from TIME)
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