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Monday Sep 23, 2024
Wednesday, 19 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Commenting on his role as the Project Chairman for the 2014 Effie Awards Sri Lanka, Leroy Ebert said, “I am honoured and humbled to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead the team that organises one of the hallmark events of the Sri Lankan marketing industry, for the second consecutive year. I am looking forward to consolidating and building on the successes and learnings of last year to ensure that local marketing professionals and communication agencies are given a truly global awards experience.”
As the Project Chairman of the 2013 Effie Awards, Ebert was instrumental in the success of last year’s awards with a record number of entries and many new introductions in format and judging. Some of these highlights include online judging, the introduction of two new categories which accounted for 20% of the year’s entries, and zero disqualificationsdue to standardising of the entry kit and process. His experience is further enhanced in serving on the SLIM Executive Committee since 2011, as well as being the Project Chairman for the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2011.
“The organising committee for the 2014 Effie Awards has been especially handpicked for their areas of specialty and experience, and I look forward to working with this team and introducing new and exciting elements tothis year’s event. Through such efforts, we hope to further encourage partnerships between marketers and agencies when competing, and also motivate boutique and small agencies to consider entering the competition,” Ebert added.
A stalwart of the Sri Lankan marketing fraternity and the Immediate Past President of SLIM, Gamika De Silva adds an abundance of local and global knowledge as the Advisor to the 2014 Effie Awards Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the upcoming event and its highlights, De Silva said, “With the leadership of Leroy and the collective proficiencies of its members, the organising committee for the 2014 Effie Awards has much to offer in terms of further improving the Effie Awards experience, and I look forward to working with them all this year. We at SLIM have especially encouraged the leaders of the Sri Lankan advertising fraternityto take on more responsible roles within this committee.
“In addition to introducing new categories and further fine tuning the judging process, there will be a special focus this year on the Effie Index, where effective work is ranked based on a global scale, which enables Sri Lankan agencies, brands and marketers to be recognised on a common global platform.”
Under De Silva’s leadership as President of SLIM, the Effie Awards Sri Lanka went through a significant turnaround, a key initiative being the alignment of the local awards to the standards of the Global Effie Awards. Other highlights during this period include the Effie Week, introduction of new categories, establishing judging protocols and building strong relationships with the advertising fraternity.
He has also represented Sri Lanka at the 2013 and 2014 Effie partner conferences held in Brussels, Belgium, an invaluable experience in aligning the local awards to global standards. A Committee Member of SLIM since 2008, De Silva has also served as SLIM Vice President for Events and project chairman for SLIM People’s Awards and SLIM Brand Excellence Awards, giving him extensive experience especially in organising marketing awards of this calibre.
The world renowned Effie Awards rewards effectiveness in marketing and is carried out in over 40 countries and six regions around the world. It is owned by Effie Worldwide, which stands for effectiveness in marketing communications, spotlighting marketing ideas that work and encouraging thoughtful dialogue about the drivers of marketing effectiveness. The Effie network works with some of the best research and media organisations worldwide to bring its audience relevant and first-class insights into effective marketing strategies.
Since 1970, SLIM has been promoting marketing excellence and elevating the status of marketing in Sri Lanka and is a member of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). Internationally, it is affiliated with ESOMAR, the Federation of Marketing Research Industries and is a member of the Asia Marketing Federation, which is affiliated to the World Marketing Association.
