Business
GroupM Sri Lanka Creates History: Wins 4 Top Honours at Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards
GroupM agencies Mindshare & Wavemaker win all 4 of the top awards across digital & media categories.
This marks a historic first for any Sri Lankan agency group.
GroupM, the global leader in media investment management, yet again marked its influential two-decade plus presence in Sri Lanka’s media industry, securing the top honors across Media & Digital at the highly coveted Campaign’s Agency of the Year awards for the year 2023, a company news release said.
“The Campaign’s Agency of the Year awards acknowledges inspirational leadership, managerial excellence, exceptional business performance, and overall accomplishments in the realms of advertising and brand communications. Distinguished by results meticulously tabulated by PwC, this singular award show stands out as the sole platform honoring agency excellence across various dimensions of agency operations, encompassing Client Work, Talent Management, Culture, Innovation, Business Resilience, and more,” it said.
GroupM Sri Lanka achieved a historic feat in the key categories of Rest of South Asia: Digital Agency of The Year and Rest of South Asia: Media Agency of The Year. Both of GroupM’s agency brands, Mindshare and Wavemaker, earned a Silver award each in both categories which were the highest honours awarded. This exceptional performance resulted in the total of four category topping Silver awards, across Media & Digital. This accomplishment is unprecedented, representing the first time in history that a Sri Lankan agency group has achieved such recognition.
Commenting on the win, GroupM Sri Lanka Managing Partner Namalie Herath said, “I am incredibly proud of achieving this historic milestone, which is a testament to the unparalleled dedication, innovation and expertise of our talented teams. It is not just an accolade, it is a reflection of our commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing change and consistently delivering excellence in the dynamic landscape of media and digital marketing. This historic win is a stepping stone for even greater accomplishments, and we are excited about the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for GroupM.”
GroupM Sri Lanka Vice President, Digital – Shalendra Mendis said, “In the last five years, GroupM has won three Golds and two Silvers in the Digital Agency of the Year Category, marking a winning streak that is unmatched. In 2023 we raised the bar further and created history by winning with two agency brands in one year. Immensely proud of our teams who push for excellence and drive this industry forward.”
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.”
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
