Celebrating Brand Excellence online with SLIM

The 20th SLIM Brand Excellence Awards press conference was held online this year on September 8, 2021.

Under the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards, five main awards and eight special awards will be given. The five main award categories include Product Brand of the Year, Service Brand of the Year, Global Brand of the Year, Local Brand of the Year and Export Brand of the Year. 

The special eight awards include, Innovative Brand of the Year, Turnaround Brand of the Year, Best New Entrant of the Year, B2B Brand of the Year, CSR Brand of the Year, Online Brand of the Year, SME Local Brand of the Year and SME Export Brand of the Year. 

There will be awards awaiting the brands that have persevered towards their goals for this year, whatever they may be. Last but certainly not least, the most coveted Ultimate Brand of the Year Award awaits a brand that has outshone the others, proving that they have a position of excellence within the Sri Lankan economy. 

Speaking of the event, SLIM President Thilanka Abeywardena stated, “For two decades, SLIM Brand Excellence has provided a scientific process to brand building and created a platform for marketers to keep raising the bar, getting well-deserved recognition for their work. I take this opportunity to recognise Professor Liyanage as the first to outline this process and spearheaded the process that we have continuously developed till the present. Sri Lanka is in a time where we need more and more brands to be created, to help take products and services to the world. We focus too much on raw material exports and white goods but having dedicated brands will continue to put us on the global stage. It will also help us earn the much-needed FDIs and achieve local market growth. Despite the current challenges, Brand Excellence was scheduled for this year to encourage marketers to showcase their best as they strive towards recognition.”

SLIM Brand Excellence 2021Project Chairperson Manthika Ranasinghe drew the attention to his main concern of “increasing the number of organisations that were scheduled to take part in the Brand Excellence Awards as opposed to fewer entries”. 

He added, “I learnt there are some misconceptions about Brand Excellence but we will address this through communication to advocate for the corporate sector.”

“While a proactive public response may not be appropriate for most, many brands have seized the opportunity to strengthen connections with their target prospects and build valuable goodwill and loyalty. In a time of so much uncertainty, when daily decisions about personal safety and financial well-being are made, most consumers are reaching for brands they trust. This is a year like no other and as we read your submissions, we were surprised by your insight, awed by your initiative, warmed by your response and impressed with your performance,” commented SLIM Brand Excellence 2021 Head of Jury Imal Fonseka.