Business
Ogilvy Group wins big at Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards 2020
The Phoenix Ogilvy Group has once again received international acclaim, bagging two highly coveted awards at the 27th edition of Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards 2020.
Ogilvy Digital became the only Sri Lankan digital agency to be recognized at this year’s event, winning Silver for the ‘Rest of South Asia Digital Agency of the Year’ award, while Ogilvy Media walked away with the ‘Rest of South Asia Media Agency of the Year’ Bronze Award for a record third consecutive year.
Campaign Asia-Pacific’s Agency of the Year Awards celebrate the people, the work and the businesses achieving outstanding success in media, marketing and advertising. The awards highlight strong leadership, creativity and innovation, stellar new business performance, the development of talent, and contribution to the industry; and is open to agencies from across the South Asia region.
Speaking on the wins Irvin Weerackody, chairman, Phoenix Ogilvy Group Sri Lanka attributed the achievement to the steadfast commitment of the teams and strategic business management during the pandemic situation. “2020 was doubtless one of the most challenging years for businesses globally, and doubly so in Sri Lanka that had just begun its recovery from the terrorist attacks in April 2019. In the past year, we were able to achieve outstanding results as a company, and support our clients in achieving their communication and business goals; thanks to steadfast decisions made during the pandemic by these two companies, and dedicated teams that crafted innovative campaigns under the most trying and unprecedented circumstances,” he stated.
Ogilvy Digital won the highest award in the category this year, for working to expand its footprint amidst the challenges of the past year. Ogilvy Digital leaned on its excellent technical and organizational infrastructure and human capital, to deliver superlative results through premium services, which was welcomed by clients.
Ogilvy Media meanwhile was recognized with its Bronze ‘Rest of South Asia Media Agency of the Year’ award for offering innovative and diverse media solutions, as it strategically navigated through the pandemic to help clients during this challenging period, whilst retaining all accounts.
“Success at Ogilvy has always been about its people”, said Lalith Sumanasiri, Managing Director of Ogilvy Media and Ogilvy Digital. “Facing two major challenges in back to back years, our focus was on staff wellbeing. We knew that aligning our business goals with providing an excellent platform for our people to thrive and grow, will be good for us. None of our staff were laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we enabled them to thrive in the “working from home” environment until health restrictions were minimized, and they in turn have turned in superior work that has kept the Ogilvy flag flying high,” he added.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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