The Star bags gold at 2023 Putra Brand Awards

Ng with the gold award for the Media and Networks category flanked by 4As council member Parames Iyadorai (left) and Media Prima Bhd CEO and group managing director Rafiq Razali at the Putra Brand Awards 2023. – GLENN GUAN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Star has won the gold award for the Media and Networks category at the 2023 Putra Brand Awards.

Representing the publication was Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng.

"This is an honour for Star Media Group and it will only spur us to push ourselves further to be the people’s media.

"I thank those who voted for us," she said.

The platinum award in the same category went to Astro, while Malay radio station Era FM and Harian Metro both bagged the silver. Hot FM and TV3 both received the bronze.

The Putra Brand Awards, held at One World Hotel here on Friday (Jan 19), is the only brand award of, by and for brand managers and owners, aiming to recognise brands that connect and build a strong relationship with consumers.

The winners were chosen through robust consumer research methodology, originally developed by IQ LeanLab, to engage with a minimum of 6,000 consumers in Malaysia to determine the country's favourite brands in multiple categories.

According to Putra Brand Awards organisers, over 11,000 consumer responses were received during an eight-week long survey period from September to October in 2023, comprising those who responded to "invitation-to-participate" advertisements published on 62 websites.

Responses were captured directly by research company Ipsos, and thereafter compiled for endorsement by the Putra Brand Awards board of governors.

The board consists of Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, honorary life president of Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) Tan Sri Vincent Lee and heads of various media groups as well as advertiser associations.