SLIM Brand Excellence introduces new category

by Rohana Jayalal

The 14th SLIM Brand Excellence invites brands to take up the challenge of racing ahead of the rest and fight head-on in the business world to be the champion.

The competition is organised by the national body of marketing, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and applications will close on July 27. The awards ceremony will be held on November 5 at the BMICH.

SLIM Brand Excellence 2015 will see a new category, Online Brand of the Year, where brands using internet or internet related media to generate 80% or more of its revenue can compete.

Year-on-year, SLIM Brand Excellence has grown in scale and quality.

"This awards show rewards brands and brand custodians excelling in the brand marketing arena," SLIM President, Ruwan Liyanagamage said.

Participants can compete in thirteen categories, including the newly introduced 'Online Brand of the Year. The others being, Product Brand of the Year, Service Brand, Innovative Brand, Turnaround Brand, Local Brand, Best New Entrant, International Brand, SME, CSR, Export, B2B and Regional Brand Recognition Award.

"Criteria developed by SLIM Brand Excellence is adopted by some organisations where organisational brand planning follows the step-by-step approach of brand intent, content, process and performance. Hence we encourage marketeers to attempt following this well-crafted and proven process," he said.

"The organisers expect a record number of entries for this year's competition as well. It is indeed an honour to chair an eminent panel of judges of SLIM Brand excellence in its 14th edition," said Head of the Panel of Judges, CEO, Softlogic Retail (Pvt) Ltd., Nasser Majeed.

"This year, the panel represents a wide range of professions and industries. The expertise and proficiency they bring including experience in international markets will no doubt help to single out the outstanding from the excellent," he said.

"With the number of participants increasing, the task of the judges becomes more challenging. We know our responsibility and in making the selections we will be fair and independent," said Majeed.