The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing partnered with Metal Factor to organize the Cannes Lions Young Marketers National competition 2022.

On the 21^st of April 2022, two outstanding young marketers Samaridu Vitharana & Minidu Alles from Nestle Lanka were selected to face off against the best young creative talent from around the world at the biggest international awards festival for the creative and marketing communications industry. The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing also announced that they will be sponsoring fifty percent of the international participation fee further solidifying their contribution towards strengthening the next generation of marketers in the country.

The latest edition of the national competition saw 20 vibrant teams go head-to-head at the Arcade Independence Square, Colombo; with the highest number of participants ever to be recorded. The participants pulled through a full day’s session, complete with an inspiring session from SLIM project chair Kavi Rajapaksha, followed by the day’s brief. The teams were given the day to compile an insightful presentation to a panel of eminent judges after 5pm on the same day.

The panel of judges included Ikram Mohideen (Chief Strategy Officer – Shift Integrated), Shaminda Perera (Head of Marketing – Reckitts), Radhini De Costa (Assistant Vice President – Communications, Nestle Lanka) and Hiruni Mendis (Gold Winner at Cannes Lions Young Marketers Global Competition 2013).

Sharing his thoughts on the local competition and the winners, the president of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, Nuwan Gamage stated that “It was heartwarming to see the highest ever participation as the host of this year’s Cannes Young Lions Marketer competition in partnership with Metal factor. Its an indication that the next generation of marketers are actively looking for global exposure to benchmark themselves to propel Sri Lanka marketing to the next level. We are also extremely proud to have been able sponsor fifty percent of the international participation fee for the winners as the national body for marketing, where we sincerely believe that it is that sort of guidance and support we need to be extending our budding marketers to ensure a bright future for the fraternity.”

Selonica Perumal, who Chaired the committee on behalf of Metal Factor voiced her thoughts on the growing enthusiasm of young marketers, who she believes “plays a pivotal role in creating and crafting and award-winning ideas. She also stressed that “this opportunity enables the new generation of marketers to better understand current challenges and create work that thrives on insights, to drive the marketing industry of Sri Lanka forward”.

The winning team competed against global contenders, along with the opportunity to showcase their ideas, out-of-the-box thinking, skills and talent; embodying creativity at its finest.