5th Annual CIM Future Marketers Conference 2016 takes off

Highlights ‘Branding in the Digital Era’

The CIM Future Marketers Conference 2016 kicked off in style at the Hilton Colombo Residence for the fifth consecutive year. 

‘Branding in the Digital Era’ was the theme being scrutinised, and the event saw a large crowd in attendance as tickets for it were sold out well in advance. The conference paved the way to delve into branding in the digital era, enhancing the skill set of future marketers through a mix of theory and practice.

Nearly 300 energetic future marketers were part of the 5th Annual CIM Future Marketers Conference 2016, acquiring valuable insight to broaden their careers. Under the overarching theme of ‘Branding in the Digital Era’, the participants were able to witness five different industry experts with heaps of experience take centre stage. The speakers inspired the budding marketers through thought-provoking dialogue, driving the next generation of marketers in Sri Lanka.

Brand Finance Lanka Managing Director Ruchi Gunewardene inspired the young marketers through the topic ‘Building great brands in the digital era’. He also went on to share his experience on brand building and the turning point of building brands by tossing out dated thinking and adopting new tactics in building enduring brands in the digital space.

Brandix Apparel Solutions Ltd. CEO Asanga Ranasinghe took the theme of the conference to the next level by sharing his views and insights on delivering the brand promise through brilliant marketing in the dynamic digital space. He also went on to express his views on the benefits of connecting with customers by delivering the brand promise.

Dileep Mudadeniya, Head of Brand Marketing for Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and Vice President of the John Keels Group, took the audience through the evolution of Cinnamon Hotels. He also went on to touch on the survival of the brand evolving in the digital era.

Hayleys Consumer Products Ltd. Director/Chief Executive Officer Bimal Silva explained how the growth of the digital space led to an unprecedented transformation in consumer engagement with brands. 

Shifting gears, Leo Burnett Digital Strategy Director Marsh Dodanwela brought in a novel twist to this year’s conference by holding the attention of the audience with a motivational talk and by infusing some entertainment into the conference. He went on to express how brands could surprise the world with creative campaigns in the digital space.

The conference was a success thanks to the organisers, the CIM Student Committee Sri Lanka 2016. CIM Sri Lanka Student Committee President Malithi Herath, expressing her views on the conference, said: “The CIM Future Marketer Conference 2016 was in the bag with the tickets sold out prior to the event. Participants turned out in large numbers and we were able to pull off yet another fastidious event. Indeed, I was privileged to lead a team of young marketers sharing a common aim of driving this knowledge-sharing journey to greater heights. The conference was in full swing with renowned speakers elevating the marketing fraternity of the country.”

This year’s conference was held under the supervision of Advisor to the Student Committee G.S. Sylverster, Head of Education Sumudu Thanthirigoda and Chairman Sanjika Perera. 

The committee members who organised this year’s highly successful conference were Malithi Herath (President), Dayenkie Chandrasekera (Secretary) , Fazle Fyzer (Vice President and Project Chairperson),  Gayan Kalana (Assistant Secretary), Hashan Wickramasinghe (Treasurer), Amritha Allahakoon, Ashane Wadasinghe, Avanthi Perera, Angela Mahendran (Project Secretary),  Chaturi Liyanage, Dakshitha De Silva, Farhan Faizal,  Faseeha Farhan, Ravihansi Palliyaguruge,  Samshan Chapoor,  Sasmila Sabdeen,  Shamani Jayakody, Tharaka Warnakulasuriya and Kalhari  Gunawardena.