Pinnacle Awards 2015, an awards show to recognize and celebrate outstanding Trade Marketing Executives (TMEs) and distributors of Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC) was recently held at Hilton Colombo amidst its employees and other invitees. 
CTC constantly challenges its employees to look beyond the limits and boundaries and the Pinnacle Awards celebrates those trade marketers and distributors who performed exceptionally during the previous year and motivates them to do better in the future.
Four outstanding TMEs were awarded at Pinnacle Awards 2015 in the trade category and eight awards were given to the best distributors of 2014. The highest recognition of the night, the Trade Marketing Executive for the Year 2014 was awarded to Jermaine Ferdinandus. This was the first time a TME in ‘Channels’ had been recognised for their outstanding achievements.
Furthermore, Thiwanka Bulankulame and Esala De Livera Tennekoon were awarded as the first and second runners-up, respectively, with Shareez Johar walking away with the award for the Most Promising TME of 2014.        
Speaking at the event, CTC Marketing Director Rajeev Meewakkala said, “The Pinnacle Awards are all about recognizing and celebrating the people who make CTC a success and on behalf of the company, I want to thank each and every one and their families for the commitment, hard work and support.” 
Winners of the Pinnacle Awards are chosen based on their extraordinary achievements, ability to create innovative marketing approaches, ability to manage crisis situations and value additions and innovations introduced. The awards for the best distributors are judged based on their performance in 2014 and their credit scores.  
Commenting on his achievement, Trade Marketing Executive of the Year for 2014 Jermaine Ferdinandus said, “It is an unexpected but great honour indeed to be recognised for my work during the past year and it is humbling to be the first TME in Channels to receive this award. I believe the reason for my success is focusing on the basics and executing them right and executing them well and this award motivates me to continue to achieve success in this manner.”    
Being a part of one of the most challenging and exhilarating industries, the annual Pinnacle Awards showcases CTC’s appreciation towards the tireless effort of its employees. Considered as the most glamorous event in the calendar of CTC, this year’s event was themed under the 1920s, with CTC employees living the spirit of the era for the night.