KUALA LUMPUR: Star Media Group (SMG) bagged the prestigious gold award in the Media and Networks category at the 2024 Putra Brand Awards, second time in a row, having won gold last year.
The Star managing editor Brian Martin represented the media powerhouse to accept the award yesterday.
SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said SMG is happy that the people’s paper won gold again at the Putra Brand Awards.
“This is a people’s choice award, signifying the trust that the Malaysian public has in The Star,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mydin managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin won the Putra Personality of the Year.
“It’s a very proud moment for a local company that started very small, selling at pasar malam,” he said.
He added that the win is a collective effort of his staff and family members, and he thanked the people for choosing Mydin.
“When the rakyat choose it, they must be right,” he said.
Other prominent brands that won the awards are PETRONAS, Astro, IJM Land, Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia.
Over 1,000 participants attended the Putra Brand Awards’ glitzy gala night with more than 160 brands awarded at the event.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) deputy chief executive officer (export acceleration) Abu Bakar Yusof said the awards reflect the deep professional connection between Malaysians and their favourite brands.
“The Putra Brand Awards truly reflects the genuine value your brand brings to the public,” he said.
He added that Matrade as the Brand Champion Partner is thrilled to be part of the awards.
“At Matrade, we understand that branding can shape the success of Malaysian businesses. Brands are not merely names or logos; they are the essence of the company’s values, culture and beliefs,” he said.
Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) acting president Ryusuke Oda said the Putra Brand Awards is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
He said it is a symbol of the strong connection between brands and the people in Malaysia.
“The reason this award enjoys unwavering trust is because it is chosen through public vote,” Oda said.
He applauded the brands for demonstrating unwavering dedication and emphasising integrity and humanity in their brand efforts, even amid challenges such as unstable international situations, rising prices and labour costs.
“The Putra Brand Awards and 4As remain committed to supporting your brands in shining even brighter and achieving even greater heights in Malaysia,” he said,
Awards organising chairman and 4As senior adviser Datuk Johnny Mun said it takes a village to create, build and raise a brand.
He said the collective and united effort from senior management to administrative staff members plays an instrumental role in ensuring the brand reaches its fullest potential.
Mun revealed that a record-breaking number of 50,000 respondents voluntarily participated in the survey to vote for their favourite brands.
“This demonstrates that consumers are watching,” he said, adding that consumers are key to a brand’s success.
Launched in 2010, the Putra Brand Awards is also known as the People’s Choice Awards, with the winners decided by the public based on their favourite brands in the local market.
Public votes and responses are collected and analysed by the market research specialist, Ipsos, before the winners are chosen and endorsed by the 4As board of governors.
The awards are given out based on platinum, gold, silver or bronze to showcase the brands’ achievements across 24 categories.
The categories include apparel and accessories; automotive; automotive fuel, lubricants and accessories; banking, investment and insurance; alcoholic beverages; non-alcoholic beverages; dairy beverages; cameras, IT and office equipment; communication devices; communication networks; and education and learning.
The rest are foodstuff; health; household products; home improvement products and stores; media and networks; entertainment; personal, household and outdoor appliances; personal care; property; retail; restaurants and fast food; transportation, travel and tourism; and e-commerce.
Also present at the event was SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang.
The awards were organised by 4As in collaboration with SMG as the official media partner.
It is endorsed by Matrade as the Brand Champion Partner and supported by the Malaysian Advertisers Association, Media Specialists Association and Malaysian Digital Association.
