ADVERTORIAL

Leo Burnett wins Finalist Certificate

AME Awards 2010 :

Leo Burnett Solutions Inc. (LBSI), the Sri Lanka office of the internationally acclaimed advertising agency network Leo Burnett Worldwide earned a Finalist Certificate at the International AME Awards for Advertising and Marketing Effectiveness.

The Finalist award won at this year’s AME Awards was for the ‘Laugh Tax’ campaign designed to hail the sequel to the popular theatre production comedy by StageFright and Panic, StageLight and Magic Inc.’ alter ego, which is about a fictitious Sri Lankan President, Chaminda Pusswedilla.

To effectively bring Hon. Puss (as he is affectionately known) to life in the public domain, Leo Burnett treated this ‘president’ as if he was a real president, who does ‘real’ things such as introduce new laws and taxes - hence the introduction of the ‘Laugh Tax’ campaign. The Pusswedilla campaigns designed for the StageLight and Magic theatre company have won many accolades including two finalists at Spikes Asia 2008 & 2009, in addition to many local awards.

“Taxes have always been a big issue in Sri Lanka. So we thought a new and absurd tax would be the best way to create interest amongst the target audience. The Laugh Tax was absurd enough, as it was not only relevant to the heavily comic element of the theatre production, but also aroused so much interest, that it created quite a bit of discussion amongst the general public. The Laugh Tax was also in keeping with our Humankind focus, where we do what people can simply understand and connect with”, said Leo Burnett Solutions Inc Creative Director Lalindra Nanayakkara.

The International AME GrandJury awarded one Grand Trophy, three AME Platinum Trophies, as well as nine Gold International AME Awards, sixteen Silver Awards, and eighteen Bronze Awards.

Twenty-seven entries received AME Finalist Certificates.

“This is yet another occasion that our creative work has been recognized for effectiveness”, said Leo Burnett Solutions Inc Chief Operating Officer Chrishani Kotalawela. “This is because all our communication efforts are based on our founder’s saying: Our real purpose in life is that of improving the sales effectiveness and reputation of our clients through ideas”, she said.

Established in 1994, the AME Awards for Advertising and Marketing Effectiveness aims to recognize creative and successful marketing strategies across all industry verticals through a network of 42 representatives in publishing, marketing, advertising and education. Awarding results driven creativity, AME honours innovative and exceptional work in the advertising and marketing industries by promoting winners internationally.

Commercial Bank conducts awareness program on ‘Paymaster’

Representatives of more than 60 corporate entities participated in an awareness program conducted recently by Commercial Bank on its ‘Paymaster’ electronic payment mechanism.

The event was attended by customers in Katunayake Free Trade Zone and Pannala area.

‘Paymaster’ is a seamless and comprehensive electronic payment mechanism that can replace cheques and cash payments and minimize processing time as well as costs and the risk of transporting cash.

The Bank briefed participants on the facilities and benefits of the product and on the newly launched web based version.

Commercial Bank’s Deputy General Manager - Operations Sanath Bandaranayake said: “Paymaster, which provides a convenient, secured and a cost-effective service is increasingly becoming popular among our corporate customer base. Already, more than 1,200 corporate clients use the service.”

He said that the bank has launched a new website to further enhance the high security of transactions. It allows customers to login from anywhere in Sri Lanka by using their usernames and passwords and directly upload files.

Employee Relations - Employees Trust Fund Board Deputy General Manager Collections and Employees Relations J M S B Udugama made a presentation at the event on the availability of ETF payments through Commercial Bank’s on-line banking platform.

Ceylinco Insurance partners

Royal College Union:

Ceylinco Insurance Co., recently entered into a mutually beneficial agreement with the Royal College Union which represents old Royalists.

The Royal College Union and Ceylinco Insurance will now be able to give members of the RCU outstanding benefits that will also offer advantages to the Union itself.

An initiative of the membership development committee of Royal College Union, the Royal College Union Secretary Rizan Nazeer described it as a venture well timed as it takes place when the college is celebrating 175 years.

Ceylinco Insurance - General, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ajith Gunawardena said that both Royal College and Ceylinco VIP are top brands in the respective fields and command tremendous respect; he called it an ideal partnership.

He said that this partnership would strengthen both organizations and hoped that this would be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship.

AMW opens showroom in Nuwara Eliya

Associated Motorways (AMW) opened a Piaggio three-wheeler showroom in Nuwara Eliya recently, at No.59/5 and 59/6, Yousuf Building, on Queen Elizabeth Drive. Piaggio passenger and goods transport three-wheelers can be purchased at this showroom.

Ability to run 38 kilometres with one litre of diesel, minimum maintenance cost (81 cents for one kilometre), excellent after sales service, an abundance of spare parts and the availability of several models customized to suit various modes of use are among the specialties of the Piaggio three-wheeler.

Amul ranked No 1 Indian brand

The “Media Magazine” published from Hong Kong and Singapore has ranked Amul as the No. 1 “Indian” brand of Asia-Pacific in its list of Top 1000 Brands of Asia-Pacific for the second consecutive year. Amul is also ranked as No.1 dairy brand, ahead of leading food and dairy brands of the Asia Pacific region.

It has ranked Amul as the 73rd Best Brand in its ranking of Top 1000 brands of Asia-Pacific based on a consumer survey conducted in Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Amuls rank has jumped from 83rd in 2009 to 73rd this year.

Dankotuwa showcases hotelware

Encouraged by the massive response received for Dankotuwa hotel ware at the last Hotel Show, Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC once again participated with more products and more shapes. Dankotuwa has now become one of the most sought after porcelain suppliers in Sri Lanka on account of its wide range of its shapes and willingness to do customized surface designs.

Sri Lankan chefs have become more innovative and more demanding, wanting to display their creations in different porcelain shapes that enhance the value of their creations. Dankotuwa which manufactures the widest range of shapes in the domestic market is therefore the preferred choice.

New offers for Standard Chartered credit cardholders

Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, has unveiled a series of offers to its Credit Cardholders.

Most of these promotions will run throughout the year, while some will be extended till 2011.

Through its Family Fun at Mc Donald’s Just Got Better promotion, customers will receive free meals with every two upsize meals purchased using a Standard Chartered Credit Card at any McDonald’s outlet.

McDonald’s Director Udesh Wijesuriya said, “It is our pleasure to be partnering with an esteemed Banking Establishment such as Standard Chartered and I am very confident that customers will make use of this amazing offer to the full.”

“We are constantly looking for new, innovative, and more exciting opportunities that can be offered to our valued Cardholders. We hope to further expand our portfolio of rewards in our efforts to provide the best deals to our Credit Card customers,” said Standard Chartered Bank, Credit Cards Head Sheahan Arasaratnam.

The Bank has also tied up with EAP Theatres to offer patrons a free movie ticket and two packs of popcorn absolutely free with every two movie tickets purchased using a Standard Chartered Credit Card at either Savoy or Liberty Cinema.

A 20 percent savings will be given to Cardholders who settle their bills at any of the bank’s partner restaurants – Jack Tree, Loon Tao, Nihonbashi, Prima Taste, and The Mango Tree, with their Standard Chartered Credit Cards.

The bank now provides a 10 percent savings up to a maximum of Rs. 10,000 on any airfare or travel packages offered by any of its travel partners - Classic Travel, Gabo Travels, Hemas Travels, or Mackinnons American Express Travel. Customers will also have the option of settling the transaction either on monthly instalments under the bank’s Easy Settlement Plan.

Standard Chartered Bank enables their credit cardholders settle their banquet bills above Rs. 25,000 made at Hilton Colombo, Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside, Galadari Hotel, Galle Face Hotel, Mount Lavinia Hotel, Ceylon Continental, Ramada or Waters Edge in either three or six months instalments at 0 percent interest.

The 0 percent interest for three or six months for transactions above Rs. 25,000 is also made available at Lanka Hospitals, Durdans, Nawaloka, Oasis, Ninewells, Hemas Hospital, Asiri Surgical and Joseph Fraser.

Sala launches ProSat GPS device

Sala Geo Information Systems Managing Director Chinthaka Wijewickrama (extreme left) with Directors Prasanna Suriapperuma, D.L.R. Shyamal and Aruna Seneviratne at the ‘Sala Pro Sat’ device launch.