SLIM presents opportunity to make a mark at Cannes Lions Young Marketer 2016

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) in partnership with Metal Factor, 4A’s and IAA will be organising the national competition for Cannes Lions Young Marketer, for the fifth consecutive year.

Cannes Lions Young Marketer is a prestigious event held in Cannes, France at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. This program gives young marketing professionals the opportunity to compete and showcase their abilities on an international stage. The national competition which is scheduled to be held on 2 April will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for two young marketers to represent Sri Lanka at a global competition. 

This year the local judging panel will consist of respected advertising and marketing professionals – Words Managing Director Rohan Rajaratnam, Leo Burnett Director Brand Planning MurtazaTajhboy, TBWA Sri Lanka Managing Director Renuka Marshall, CIC Holdings General Manager Marketing Nisrin Ali, Reckitt Benckiser Head of Marketing Jude Martino and CEAT DGM Marketing Shivan Jayasuriya. The competition will be moderated by Harsha Rathnayake who was also a panel member of Cannes Lions Young Marketer in 2015. 

These esteemed judges will choose the best team which demonstrates their ability to think beyond traditional marketing strategies, to be Sri Lanka’s representatives to compete at the Young Marketer competition in Cannes, France.  

SLIM President Upul Adikari said, “We are proud that SLIM is taking the helm and conducting this competition for the fifth successive year.” 

SLIM CEO/Executive Director Sanath Senanayake stated, “This opportunity will open up many gateways for our young competitors, which will enable them become the leaders in the marketing field in the future.” 

SLIM Ex-Co member and Reckitt Benckiser Senior Brand Manager Shaminda Perera, SLIM’s Project Chairman of Cannes Lions Young Marketer 2016 stated, “SLIM is proud to conduct this event to give young marketing professionals the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at a global competition and to meet and learn from the best marketing minds in the world. In addition the winning team from Sri Lanka will also have the chance to gain knowledge and insights from the many interactive workshops, which would be held at the Cannes Lions festival. Our winners will also be able to network and share experiences with the other teams from around the world, who represent different market structures and diverse industries.

“Taking into account this international exposure, Cannes Lions Young Marketer 2016, is a once in a lifetime opportunity and an ideal platform for organisations both local and multinational to put forward their best and brightest to the forefront and to prove that Sri Lanka has the talent to compete on a world stage, as we did in 2013 when Sri Lanka won the global Young Marketer title.”