THE STAR, FRIDAY 5FEBRUARY 2021 PUTRA BRAND AWARDS 2020 Excellence in Adversity 2 PuPutrtra BrandAwards2020 THE STAR, FRIDAY 5FEBRUARY 2021 ATRADE is proudtobeasupporter markets. Messagefrom of the prestigious PutraBrand MATRADE takes agreat pride in our mandate Awards driven by the Association of as the National Trade Promotion Agency under Accredited Advertising Agents the Ministry of International Trade and MMalaysia (4As), the Malaysian Industry (MITI). MATRADE stood its ground Advertisers Association, the Media Specialists, with our vision, which is “ToPlace Malaysia as and the Malaysian Digital Association. Ever aCompetitive Global Trading Nation” and since its inception, the PutraBrand Awards has mission to “Promote Malaysia’sEnterprises to become an annual event that top brands look the World”. With this Vision and Mission, forward to. MATRADE will ensure that Malaysian brands Over the months, we have seen agreat have the competitive edge in the global market. disruption to our industries due to the adverse Realising that Malaysian companies are the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, backbone of our economy,MATRADE strives to Malaysian businesses have been forced to enhance the internationalisation of industries transform their business operations and by virtually connecting foreign buyers with marketing plans to adapt to the challenging exporters through our 46 overseas offices business environment, while remain worldwide. With the support of our five (5) committed to serve their customers. The regional offices located in Johor, Pulau Pinang, current public health crisis indefinitely has Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak, MATRADE posed agreat hurdle to our local brands. also prioritises the readiness to export of Nevertheless, MATRADE takes cognisance of the Malaysian companies before making their efforts of Malaysian businesses in staying mark across the globe. resilient and remains committed to support this Forpost-Covid-19 recovery period, MATRADE Awards, which is in line with our mission to will continue to work alongside with various champion the growth of local brands. trade associations, chambers and local The PutraBrand Awards acknowledges high companies. In 2021, MATRADE has planned to achievers who become role models for others engage with 13,000 Malaysian companies to emulate to push forward the brand agenda. through our Exporters Development and In this highly challenging business landscape, Export Promotion programmes. We have the winners are the epitome of perseverance, outlined 334 programmes that focus on the who continue to expand their boundaries while creation of more export champions in high- remaining competitive and unique. MATRADE value sectors, the utilisation of digital platforms, appreciates all the efforts from our illustrious inclusiveness, tapping on the current market Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz homegrown as well as foreign brand owners trends, and forging strategic collaborations. that have dedicated their spirit of Given the current uncertainty of the global CEO entrepreneurship, innovation and continuous economy,MATRADE is doubling its efforts in Malaysia External Trade Development improvement to drive sales and export. engaging with digital tools to provide more The pandemic has greatly affected the world business opportunities for Malaysian Corporation trade performance in 2020, yet Malaysia companies, particularly Small and Medium managed to strive through the crisis to become Enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Tier Companies (MATRADE) one of the leading exporters of essential (MTCs). As such, we would liketoinviteall of products in the global supply chain. We have you, champions of Malaysian brands to go witnessed our homegrown brands that have global because “The Time to Export is Now”. been making major breakthroughs into the MATRADE is here to assist you with all the international market by capitalising on the needs to penetrate the international market. opportunity to export and continuing Finally,Iwould liketotakethis opportunity committed to connect with buyers. to congratulate all winners of the 11th Putra The new normal has forced manyofusto Brand Awards. Mayyoursuccess leaps you into work remotely,operate businesses online, and amilestone of your brands’ recognition both in even switch to virtual learning for the Malaysia and the international arena. educational institutions. It has seen that the pandemic has ushered us in apivot to digital transformation. Ablessing in disguise, the pandemic has accelerated our country’s digitalisation agenda. ForMalaysian businesses, digitalising business operations in this period is crucial to sustain business and remain tenacious in both our local and international Contents 2020 PutraBrand Awards –BoardofGovernors Content MessagefromMatrade CEO.................................... 2 Datuk Aureen Jean Nonis Henry Tan Business Editor Senior Director,Strategic Planning Division Group CEO, AstroMalaysia Jagdev Singh Sidhu Messagefrom4As president.................................... 3 Malaysia External Trade DevelopmentCorp Messagefromorganising chairman ........................ 3 Datuk Ho KayTat Coordinators Datuk JohnnyMun (Organising Chairman) CEO, TheEdgeCommunications SdnBhd Daljit Dhesi List of winners............................................................. 4 Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Lim Cheng Hoe Malaysia (4As)SeniorAdvisor &Council Member KadriTaib PutraBrand of the Year ............................................. 6 President Sub-Editors RyusukeOda (ViceOrganising Chairman) Malaysian AdvertisersAssociation Hazlin Aminudin PutraBrand Icon ......................................................... 6 4As Council Member Gerijah SaiRanggayah Datuk Khairul AnwarSalleh NurIlyanna Hashri Platinum winners......................................................10 AndrewLee CEO, Media Prima TV Rachel Basnayake Gold winners..............................................................20 President, 4As Nicholas Sagau Tony Ngimat Designers Triumph overthe years............................................28 TanSri VincentLee President N. Thanaraja Honorary LifePresident, 4As Malaysian Digital Association Mohd Izudin BinIsmail Silver winners.............................................................34 P. KalaiSelvi Ching Chun Keat ChanchalChakrabarty Bronzewinners..........................................................42 ExecutiveDirector,The SunMedia Corporation President, Media SpecialistsAssociation THE STAR, FRIDAY 5FEBRUARY 2021 PutraBrand Awards 20202020 3 EARLYevery year at these awards, we order to survive, andthe coming decade Message from have spoken of changes to our indus- will be no different. try,impacted by happenings in our Amidst this chaos, there is opportunity, Nsociety,whether it is politics, the and brands will have to be very aware economy,natural disasters, new technology, or oftheirrelationship with their consumers to other disruptors. makethe most of it. Today’sconsumer has However, as much as we are all sick and much to occupythe mind, with amyriad tired of hearing about “theimpact of covid- distractions, and even existential crises to 19”, there is no denying that theCovid-19 cope with. Is there anyroom left for pandemichas been thebiggest event of our brands to make an impression, offer some livesbyfar, impacting each and every respite, or even asolution? human being on theplanet, forcing changes Which brands will consumers connect with? in our daily routines, constraining our move- They will look for brands that are well defined ments, and upending our businesses. and relevant; brands that reflect consumers’ The pandemic is only the latest challenge that desires and values; brands that are consistent we face, although it perhaps threatens to be the in their messaging, developing credibility longest lasting and most severe challenge yet, and trust; and brands that have continued as it affects the entire economy,hurting con- to invest during tough times, building and sumers and forcing them to choose where to maintaining meaningful consumer relation- spend their money. ships. Covid-19 has resulted in consumer behav- The PutraBrand Awards continues to iour changing significantly in thepast year, prove itself as avaluable and definitive and it will continue to do so for the imme- measure of that consumer-brand relationship. diate future, as longasthe pandemic con- By measuring consumer impression of tinues to run rampant, wreaking havoc across brands, their purchase intentions, and whether Malaysia and the world. they would makeword-of-mouth recommenda- So what happens next? What happens after tions of those brands, the PutraBrand Awards we get the vaccine? Will the economy rebound are atrue reflection of brand penetration into or will there be an extended recession? Are the the consumer mind. changes in consumer behaviour permanent? At More than ever, consumers the world over this point in time, it seems almost foolhardy are making their voices heard. It is no different to prognosticate. here in Malaysia, and consumers want to But Ialso think that it is perhaps unnec- have asay in choosing brands that reflect Andrew Lee essary to makeany guesses, educated or their personality,their resiliency,and howthey otherwise. After all, at this very event in face adversity and challenges. President 2019, Isaid “The more things change, the more Bad times never last forever. Whenconsum- Association of Accredited they staythe same,” and Istill believe this er demand returns, so will customer choice. It maxim holds