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Homerun Sisu Pabasara Varna Mangalya 2009

The Homerun Sisu Pabasara Varna Mangalyaya took place at the Battaramulla Jana Kala Kendraya, under the direct supervision of the Education Ministry recently.

The art competition was held for the fourth consecutive time. The entries this year were of high quality in terms of creativity in addition to the usual six categories there was an open category, which made it possible for art teachers to participate in the competition as well.

Homerun is a local company but it has been successful in being recognized both locally and abroad. Ever since the introduction of Homerun pas in 1959, it has become extremely popular amongst children islandwide.

With this global recognition in the market for high standard of products, Colour Products Ltd is in the number one position and the market leader for quality oil pastels in Sri Lanka. A wide range of round and square oil pastels as well as several new products are all available in the market.

Homerun received the much acclaimed “SLS” standardization certificate from the Sri Lankan Standard Institution for quality systems. Following this success they have also applied to obtain the internationally reputed ISO certification.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha was the chief guest at the prize- giving of the Homerun Varna Mangalya Art Competition recently.

First loyalty card:

SLT launches Prestige Card

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), launched the Prestige Card at a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Telecom Headquarters Auditorium recently.

The Prestige Card concept was initiated by Sri Lanka Telecom Chairperson, Leisha De Silva Chandrasena and is a privilege card for the loyal and most “prestigious” customers of Sri Lanka Telecom, providing them with various benefits and privileges.

This is the first loyalty card introduced by Sri Lanka Telecom and in the initial phase of the customer loyalty program, the company plans to present Prestige Cards to an identified customers.

As a prelude to the wider presentation of the cards, twelve customers were invited to the launch ceremony, where they were presented with their own Prestige cards by Leisha De Silva Chandrasena. The event was also attended by Sri Lanka Telecom, CEO Greg Young and other chief officers. The remaining customers will be duly presented with their Prestige cards.

The Prestige Card confers the cardholder with numerous benefits: firstly, it recognizes the company’s most loyal and valuable customers, providing them with value for their loyalty by means of priority services such as quick and prompt service at service points without the need to stand in long queues, convenience when visiting Sri Lanka Telecom locations which includes priority car parking. Discounts will also be offered on selected purchases and they will be given VIP treatment when it comes to fault clearing, complaint handling and service provisioning.

A web self care facility will also be made available to these customers where they will be issued a username and password to view their account details online. Other benefits include invitation to customer fora and other special events of Sri Lanka Telecom.

These “Prestige” customers will be treated as opinion leaders and their feedback and ideas will be taken into account in the Company’s future product /service development plans, in a demonstration of the value the company places in the needs and suggestions of these customers.

SLT Chairperson Chandrasena said, “Without our customers, who have partnered with us and entrusted their telecommunications needs in our hands, we would not be as successful as we are today. So we felt that it is only right to find a way to show our appreciation and pay tribute to you for your long standing relationship and loyalty to Sri Lanka Telecom - and so, we are launching the Prestige card.

The Prestige card is a privilege card, for our most loyal and prestigious customers, who we have been very privileged to have and serve. I hope that you enjoy and benefit from the privileges offered to you through the SLT Prestige Card”.

Sri Lanka Telecom, CEO, Greg Young said “This is a way of understanding, recognizing and rewarding our customers who have been loyal to us and delivered value to us and this is another demonstration of how Sri Lanka Telecom is becoming more and more customer focused.

Eight awards for brand marketing:

Triad sweeps the boards at Effies

Triad bagged eight Effie Awards for brand marketing at the annual Effie Awards ceremony at the Water’s Edge last week. This is the second consecutive year the

awards are being held Sri Lanka.

The eight Effie Awards won by Triad included a Silver Effie for the Sri Lanka Army Seva Vanitha “Senehasa” campaign in the Non Profit/Public Service category together with seven Bronze Effies - two in the Non Profit/Public Service category for the Ministry of Defense “Api Venuwen Api Vemu” and the Sri Lanka Navy “Proud to be in the Navy” campaigns, two in the Financial Services category for People’s Bank “Say YES to Life” and Sampath Bank “Kalin Cash” campaigns, one for Seylan Bank Crisis Management in the Corporate Reputation/Professional Services category, one for the launch of Laughs Oil in the Automotive Related Products category and one for Keells Super “Lower than the Lowest Price” campaign in the Retail Store category.

These Effie Award wins are the latest in numerous prestigious advertising industry awards that Triad has received over the years - including being adjudged best agency for three consecutive years at Chillies, Triad was also the first ever Grand Prix agency in 2009. In addition, at an international level, they also won the first medal at AdFest in 2008 and this year produced a finalist at Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, together with Silver medalists at the Young Spikes Asia Competition held in Singapore - further strengthening their credo of “Sri Lanka Can”. Now, with the Effie Awards 2009 win, Triad stands stronger than ever to meet the challenges of 2010, retaining its leadership and offering brand centric, consumer driven, locally relevant communication ideas.

According to the Effies jury, the most important criteria for judging advertising in the eye of the marketeer is effectiveness.

Ogilvy wins most Silvers at Effies 2009

The Ogilvy group won two of the three silver awards presented at the Effies 2009, the premier awards ceremony that recognizes creative effectiveness.

Ogilvy Advertising bagged a Primary Agency Silver award and Ogilvy Media won a Secondary Agency Silver award for the ‘Good things come in small packages’ campaign for NDB Bank. Ogilvy also won three Bronze awards at this year’s Effies.

Phoenix Ogilvy Chairman Irvin Weerackody said, “There is only one measure to judge how well a brand has performed in the market, and that is effectiveness or the results. In that sense the market is both judge and jury of effectiveness.” He said “We sell or else... this is an old mantra but this is also the new reality. We are happy we have achieved results for our brands.”

Commenting on the Silver award won for the “Good things come in small packages” campaign, Vice President and Head of NDB Bank’s Retail Banking and Marketing Indrajit Wickramasinghe said, “Ogilvy has been the communications partner of NDB Bank for over a decade and we have together, strategically built a strong brand over the years. We are pleased that the effectiveness of our marketing and communications approach has been recognized.”

Ogilvy also won a Primary Agency Bronze award for its “Now, that’s when I want music” campaign for Dialog Telekom, a Secondary Agency Bronze award for Ogilvy Media’s work on the ‘David vs Goliath II’ campaign for GlaxoSmilthKline Consumer Healthcare and another Secondary Agency Bronze award for Ogilvy Action’s work on the Unilever’s ‘Global Handwashing Day 2009’ campaign.

The Effies award ideas that work and celebrate effective campaigns. The winning entries are a combination of all the disciplines that went into a marketing program: planning, media, creative, market research and account management. The awards demonstrate Client / Agency partnership in the creation, management and the building of a brand.

Emirates to launch flights to Amsterdam

Emirates will launch flights to Amsterdam from May 1, 2010.

The international airline of the UAE is also promising further new route announcements in the coming months, supported by continuing aircraft deliveries.

The blossoming of the airline’s 23rd route into Europe will bring much awaited news in The Netherlands. The daily, non-stop service from Dubai will be operated with a combination of 777-200LR and 777-300ER aircraft, with a three-class configuration and the newest version of ice, the passenger revered in-flight entertainment system. Emirates, with its exquisite Private Suites, will be the only airline offering First Class accommodation on the route.

This is the fourth new destination this year by the Dubai-based carrier. Durban and Luanda were launched in October. It will be launched in Tokyo on March 28, 2010.

Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: “We are extremely pleased to launch a new service into Europe at this time and I’m sure it’s a development that will be welcomed with open arms in The Netherlands. Amsterdam is already an important offline market for Emirates and we know there is significant passenger traffic heading from Amsterdam to Dubai and onto Africa, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East.”

Sheikh Ahmed said: “This is also a major freight hub and one of the world’s renowned flower centres.”