Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the pioneer of marketing excellence in Sri Lanka, has embarked on the long-instigated idea for their award ceremony, which was hosted at the Water’s Edge on the 26th of March 2019 to reward the companies that have significantly contributed to the digital marketing sector of Sri Lanka. The event was aimed at celebrating Sri Lanka’s best digital marketing work, innovation and talent, as well as recognizing the region’s growing influence on the global digital industry.
Executive Committee Member- SLIM and Project Chairman- SLIM Digis Nuwan Gamage, commented on their new venture into providing recognition for the rapidly expanding movement into digital marketing, “We are proud to say that the first SLIM Digis was extremely successful. It has been 3 years since we formulated the idea for the awards show and it has been executed very fruitfully. I would like to thank all the Members of Blue Print Committee, Panel of Jury, Digis Organizing Committee and SLIM Event Team for the support given and our sponsors and partners Lanka Sathosa, DFCC Bank, Lex Duco, PR Partner PR Wire, Production Partner Dimension, Lifestyle Partner Pulse, Event Partners Sign Tech and Ninehearts, Official Business Magazine Partner LMD, Creative Partner JWT, Digital Media Media Partner Loops, Digital and Outdoor Advertising Partner Richardson for making the inaugural SLIM Digis 2018 a great success.”
He further added, “It was astounding to see the amount of participation of all corporations, starting from SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) to MNCs (Multi-National Companies) that were very actively engaged in their movement towards digital marketing. The reception we received, given that this is the first time that such an awards show was hosted in the nation, was exceptionally satisfying. We congratulate all the winners and encourage all participants to keep developing further in the digital marketing industry. The future of SLIM Digis is an extremely promising one. Currently, we have received 2 international applications and we anticipate that next time, we will receive further applications. We expect to invite the SAARC countries and plan to franchise the event in other countries, which is promised to be a better experience for the public”
Under the Best Digital Marketing Innovation 2018, Rexona Sri Lanka of Unilever Sri Lanka Limited won Gold for their campaign entitled “Overriding the Algorithm”, powered by their digital agency Mindshare Sri Lanka and creative agency Mullen Lowe, while Avirate of Avirate Pvt. Ltd. took home the Silver in the same category for “Innovating Fashion Retail”, along with their digital agency Tag3 Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. and creative agency OdloVFX Private Limited.
Under the Best use of Branded Content 2018 category, “Travel the Island with Seylan Cards” campaign of Seylan Bank PLC’s brand Seylan Credit Card shone with the Gold award, powered by their digital agency Blok and Dino Consultants, while Elephant Jazz’s “Create Awareness about the Elephant Crisis” campaign won Silver alongside the help of their digital agency Sarva Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.
Softlogic Life’s “Campaign that saved 2500 lives”, done by Softlogic Life Insurance PLC, along with their digital agency Mindshare Sri Lanka and creative agency Litmus (Pvt) Ltd won Gold under the Best Use of Mobile for Marketing category 2018, while the Bronze was awarded to “Dandex Freedom Run” by Dandex, a brand by Hemas Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, powered by their digital agency Newton Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
The Digital Marketing Grand Prix 2018 was awarded to “Digital Media Inspiration Demand” campaign by Unilever Sri Lanka Limited’s brand Knorr Sri Lanka, aided by their digital agency Mindshare Sri Lanka.
Categories have been selected to reflect the development and growth of digital marketing in Sri Lanka. An independent judging panel, comprising of leading business leaders, marketers, digital practitioners, agency strategists, and other experts in the field of digital marketing, will judge entries. The awards program encourages work which is innovative and contemporary and in line with global standards which would inspire our digital marketing industry and next generation of practitioners. Asia Marketing Federation (AMF) also endorses SLIM Digis to AMF member countries as it has fulfilled all the criteria of AMF guideline. In this all AMF member countries are open for application next year onwards.
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) is the apex body for Sri Lankan Marketers, which was founded in 1970 and subsequently incorporated by an act of Parliament in 1980, recognizing it as the National Body for Marketing and a ‘not-for-profit’ organization. SLIM has been promoting marketing excellence and elevating the status of marketing in Sri Lanka since its inception in 1970. SLIM has been subsequently incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1980. In addition, SLIM is the host and also the principal partner in Sri Lanka’s most acclaimed and reputed awards ceremonies such as SLIM Nielsen Peoples awards, Brands Excellence, NASCO and Effie awards.