Ranil de Silva, Managing Director – Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, Sarah Hassanally, Dilendri Wettewe and Selonica Nalawansa - Selonica Perumal – Director, Publicis Sri Lanka

Two young professionals from Leo Burnett Sri Lanka, will represent the country at the upcoming Young Spikes Media Competition, which is set to take place in Singapore. 

Leo Burnett Sri Lanka’s Sarah Hassanally and Dilendri Wettewe recently named joint winners of theYoung Spikes media competition conducted in Sri Lanka. They responded to a brief on the topic of ‘LBGT-Q’. The teams had to respond to this brief by identifying communication ideas to attract youth to be a part of a campaign that aimed to end discrimination against members of Sri Lanka’s LGBT community.

The local Young Spikes Competition in Sri Lanka is held each year by Metal Factor, in partnership with the industry bodies. The national competition was chaired by Thushari Palipane – Client Servicing Director, Phoenix Ogilvy. This year, Metal Factor facilitated this competition for the ninth consecutive year. Metal Factor is a personal initiative headed by Ranil de Silva, to give back to the marketing communications industry by grooming the next generation of young talent. Each year, Metal Factor gives high performing young professionals from the wide range of disciplines in the industry, the opportunity to compete locally to earn their place to participate at world’s top competitions designed for the youth in the industry's

Sarah Hassanally and Dilendri Wettewe - Joint winners of the Young Spikes media competition

This year, 122 young professionals from the industry participated at the local Young Spikes Competitions. They were issued briefs to which they had to respond within 12 hours. A total of four teams will represent the country at the regional competition, together with two students who will attend the festival’s Young Creative Academy. 

Commenting on this year’s winners, Ranil de Silva, Managing Director – Leo Burnett Sri Lanka said: “I am extremely pleased that two young professionals from Leo Burnett Sri Lanka will join the six other professionals to represent the country at the upcoming Young Spikes competitions at the Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity, which is one of the region’s most valued festivals. The team’s strong performance in the local competition as well as their enthusiasm to make the most from this valuable learning opportunity is most commendable. I am confident that they will gain invaluable learning at the festival. I am hopeful that they will get a better understanding on how to deliver world-class work and effective communications. The entire team of Burnetters in Sri Lanka joins me to wish our two young professionals the very best of luck for the upcoming competition, where they will compete against the best teams from around the region. I do hope they will bring home the Gold award. I wish them the very best and hope that they will truly reach for the stars.” 

The Spikes Asia Festival is the region’s oldest and most prestigious event that recognizes the best work in the categories of Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio, Digital, Direct, Promo and Activations, Media, Design, Poster, Craft, Integrated, Mobile and PR. A collaboration between the organizers of the Cannes Lions Festival and Haymarket, the Spikes Asia Festival provides the region’s rapidly growing creative and advertising industry with an opportunity to network, exchange ideas and think creatively. The festival serves as an important platform, which not only recognizes the best work in the region, but also brings together Asia Pacific’s leading creative thinkers and brightest young professionals. 

This year, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka celebrates its 18thanniversary. Over the years, the agency has built many powerful brands and meaningful partnerships with its clients, whilst delivering gratifying results and gaining industry recognition in Sri Lanka, the region and globally. The company handles a diverse portfolio of clients and is one of the world’s largest agency networks and is a member of the Publicis Groupe, the world’s third largest communications company.