Dazzling night of well-known names

TOUCH n Go e-Wallet clinched the coveted Putra Brand of the Year Award 2023, while Spritzer’s Datuk Lim Kok Boon was conferred the title of Putra Brand Personality Award during the gala night event on Jan 19.

The Putra Brand Awards (PBA) 2023 is the premier brand award in Malaysia and represents an honour that “money-cannot-buy” and awards its winners through public votes based on their favourite brands in the local market.

Held at the One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya, it saw a bevy of well-known brands in the country, and the companies behind them that have made them successful.

Winning the Putra Enterprising Brand of the Year was Sunway University, while the Putra Marketing Team of the Year award went to the Watsons Marketing Team.

Inducted into the Putra Awards Hall of Fame was Golden Screen Cinemas, alongside past notable brands that were similarly honoured for having won in their respective categories for over 10 successive years.

The Star snagged the gold award in the media and networks category, with Star Media Group chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng accepting the award.

Commenting on the gala night’s event theme “Transform – Lead the Change”, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said, “These words encapsulate the very spirit of the Putra Brand Awards by embodying the dynamism and adaptability inherent in the DNA of successful brands.”

He added that it is a poignant reminder that transformation is not just an option, but a necessity for brands to not just survive, but to truly thrive.

This year did not list any Putra Brand Icon winners as the brands that qualify were past recipients of the same award.

Platinum category winners include Uniqlo in Apparel and Accessories; Toyota in Automotive; PETRONAS in Automotive – Fuel, Lubricants and Accessories; Ambi Pur in Household Products; Nippon Paint in Home Improvement Products and Stores; Samsung in Cameras, IT and Office and Business Equipment; Calsberg in Beverage – Alcoholic; Milo in Beverage – Non-alcoholic; Golden Screen Cinemas in Entertainment; Panasonic in Personal, Household and Outdoor Appliances; Samsung in Communication Devices; Telekom Malaysia in Communications Networks; Multimedia University in Education and Learning; Vaselin in Personal Care; Sime Darby Property in Property; Watson’s in Retail; Maybank in Banking, Investment and Insurance; Gardenia in Foodstuff; McDonald’s in Restaurants and Fast Food Outlets; AirAsia in Transportation, Travel and Tourism; and Touch n Go e-Wallet in e-Commerce.

Putra Brand Awards was endorsed by Matrade as the Brand Champion Partner and supported by the Malaysian Advertisers Association, Media Specialists Association and Malaysian Digital Association.