This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on June 23, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: The highly acclaimed Appies Malaysia, which showcases the best marketing communications campaigns locally every year, has shortlisted almost 54 entries from the 70 it had received for its awards.

“What sets the Appies apart from other events is, each featured campaign is presented live by brand marketers and campaign creators themselves before a panel of judges and an audience from the industry,” Appies Malaysia president Harmandar Singh told The Edge Financial Daily. “Only outstanding campaigns with a unique marketing success story will go on to win the Appies gold or silver trophies.”

All shortlisted entries will be presented at the Appies Marketing Conference on July 6 and 7 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The entries are from six different categories: consumer durables, consumer services, food and beverage, non-food fast-moving consumer goods, business services, and government, cultural, social and environmental campaigns.

The judging panel — including the who’s who in Malaysia’s marketing industry — is led by Rakesh Mohan, Unilever chairman for Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Keynote speakers will include Courts Asia Ltd group chief executive officer Terry O’Connor and group chief operating officer Alan Cheah.