PETALING JAYA: There’s been an impressive growth and triumph of many local brands on the global stage, says Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
He said the collaboration between Matrade and the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) in the prestigious Putra Brand Awards continued to provide recognition to these Malaysian brands globally.
“We have witnessed the impressive growth and triumph of many local brands.
“The Putra Brand Awards indeed signify more than just celebrating excellence; they embody the spirit of evolution and leadership in the face of change.
“As we gather to recognise the outstanding brands of 2023, let’s embrace the transformative power of change and commit to leading our industries to achieve greater heights,” he said in his address at the 2023 Putra Brand Awards – People’s Choice held at the One World Hotel here yesterday.
The organising chairman and 4As Malaysia senior adviser Datuk Johnny Mun also said the coveted awards will further elevate local brands and bring them to greater heights.
He added that the winners had been selected by thousands of Malaysians, which proved these brands were the people’s choice.“Money can’t buy the awards. The winners tonight were chosen by the people through over 60 platforms.
“This will help elevate the brands not only locally but also internationally,” he said.
Cause for celebration: (From left) Members of the Putra Brand Awards board of governors comprising Media Prima CEO and group managing director Rafiq Razali, Mun, 4As honorary life president Tan Sri Vincent Lee, Mohd Mustafa, 4As acting president Ryusuke Oda, Ipsos Malaysia managing director Arun Menon, Spritzer executive director Dr Chuah Chaw Teo and Yeow at the Putra Brand Awards 2023. — GLENN GUAN/The Star
The prestigious Putra Brand Personality Award of the Year 2023 was won by Spritzer founder and managing director Datuk Lim Kok Boon.
Sunway University bagged the Putra Enterprising Brand of the Year, while Golden Screen Cinemas brought home the Hall of Fame award.
Watsons Marketing Team was awarded Putra Brand Marketer of the Year, and Touch n Go eWallet walked home with Putra Brand of the Year.
A total of 149 brands were also awarded as Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in the 24 categories that were up for grabs.
The platinum winners for categories of apparel and accessories were Uniqlo, automotive (Toyota), automotive fuel, lubricants and accessories (PETRONAS), beverages-alcoholic (Carlsberg), beverage-non-alcoholic (Milo), beverage-dairy (Farm Fresh), communication devices (Samsung), and communication networks (Telekom).
The Star successfully brought home the gold award under the category of media and networks.
Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng accepted the award.
“This is such an honour for SMG and will only spur us to push ourselves further to be the people’s media. I thank those who voted for us,” she said.
Also at the event was SMG group chief executive officer Alex Yeow.
The Putra Brand Awards are the only brand awards given by and for brand managers and owners, aiming to recognise brands that connect with and build strong relationships 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 the Putra Brand Awards organisers, in 2023, over 11,000 consumer responses were received during the eight-week-long survey period from September to October last year who responded to “invitations-to-participate” advertisements that were published on 62 websites.
Consumer responses are captured directly by the research company Ipsos and thereafter compiled for endorsement by the board of governors.
The board consists of the chief executive officer of Matrade, the honorary life president of 4As, and heads of various media groups as well as advertiser associations.
