Sunshine Consumer invites Sri Lankan tea lovers to create next Zesta commercial

 From left: Zesta Senior Brand Manager Samadhi Thennakoon, Sunshine Consumer Lanka Chief Executive Officer Anuruddha Aluvihare and Chief Marketing Officer Kavi Rajapakshe

• Calls to submit ideas for Sri Lanka’s first crowd sourced commercial 
• The winner will take a grand prize of Rs. 1 m, consolation prices worth Rs. 250,000 each for the next top 04 entries
• The winning idea will be produced and aired by Zesta

Zesta Tea, a renowned flagship brand under Sunshine Consumer Lanka, has announced ‘My Zesta Story’, a campaign inviting all Sri Lankan tea lovers to create their very own commercial for the brand. Participants are encouraged to submit their ideas in various formats, including videos, audio recordings, scripts, storyboards, and animations. The winning entry will receive a grand prize of Rs. 1 million, and the following top four entries will each receive consolation prizes of Rs. 250,000. Additionally, Zesta will give the winning idea the opportunity to be produced and aired on TV, offering the ultimate platform for Sri Lankan creativity. 

Sunshine Consumer Lanka CEO Anuruddha Aluvihare commented on the campaign, “The ‘My Zesta Story’ campaign is a further testament to our bold ways of communicating what Zesta brings towards Sri Lankans. We are thrilled to invite our loyal consumers to share their creative visions and join our ongoing legacy. While honouring the brand’s rich heritage, this campaign also paves the way for an exciting future driven by the passion and imagination of Sri Lankan tea lovers.”

Since its inception, Zesta has been synonymous with innovation, sophistication and an unwavering commitment to providing premium-quality tea to the Sri Lankan market. Emerging as a disruptor in 1998, Zesta challenged the prevailing notion that the finest teas were exclusively reserved for international markets and was the first to introduce a distinctive blend of 100% Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings (BOPF) to Sri Lankans. The brand’s visionary promise to provide Sri Lankans with the best quality tea laid the foundation for its journey to becoming a beloved household name, breaking away from conventions with bold communication strategies that won the hearts and minds of its consumers.

The magic of Zesta’s first commercial still lingers in the hearts of many Sri Lankans, a timeless blend of playful romance and enchanting storytelling. This beloved ad weaved into the nation’s imagination, painting Zesta as a “Lover” brand cherished for its unique ability to captivate and inspire. Each scene, every narrative twist, continues to evoke nostalgia, making Zesta not just a tea brand but a cherished part of Sri Lankan culture.

Building on this rich heritage, Sunshine Consumer Lanka Chief Marketing Officer Kavi Rajapaksha said it is a proud moment to launch this campaign. “As we launch the ‘My Zesta Story’ campaign, we are building on Zesta’s rich heritage of quality and innovation. This initiative celebrates our legacy and empowers our loyal consumers to become a part of our brand’s future. By inviting Sri Lankans to share their creative visions, we aim to reinforce Zesta’s position as one of the most loved Sri Lankan brands that continues to capture hearts and inspire imaginations. We are excited to see the incredible emerging ideas and look forward to turning the winning concept into a reality.”

Submissions can be made through the campaign’s dedicated website, www.myzestastory.com, or via WhatsApp at 070 274 0833. A panel of judges featuring renowned personalities from the advertising and entertainment industries will evaluate the entries.