Zesta Tea, the leading brand in the premium tea category in Sri Lanka, hosted the much-anticipated awards night for its innovative campaign, “My Zesta Story.”
Organised by Sunshine Consumer Lanka, the event marked a significant milestone in the brand’s history by inviting consumers to actively participate in crafting the concept for Zesta’s next television commercial.
The “My Zesta Story” campaign captivated the imagination of Zesta customers, offering them the unique opportunity to submit their creative concepts in various formats, including video, audio scripts, storyboards, and animations.
This groundbreaking competition was judged by an esteemed panel of industry experts, led by Dilhara Jayamanne, Chief Creative Officer of Mullen Lowe Group Sri Lanka. The panel also featured television director Lakmal Dharmaratne, actress and producer Dulika Marapana, and Creative Director Jude Jayaprakash of Mullen Lowe Group Sri Lanka.
With an overwhelming response, the competition saw a total of 3,029 entries from aspiring creators across the country. These submissions were meticulously evaluated based on creativity, brand relevance, and practicality, with 50 standout entries being shortlisted for the final round.
The awards ceremony at the Cinnamon Grand on August 26, celebrated the winners who had demonstrated exceptional talent and vision.
The grand prize of Rs. 1 million was awarded to Jehan Malisha for his outstanding script submission. The competition also honoured four runners-up: Pasindu Rashan (Script), Dulanjalee Galhithiava (Storyboard), Lahariynan Yoganadan (Audio), and Thuba Siddiq (Video), each receiving Rs. 250,000. In total, Rs. 2 million was distributed among the five winners.
Sunshine Consumer Lanka also recognised 15 other shortlisted creators with certificates of appreciation, while all remaining participants received certificates of participation, acknowledging their contributions to this pioneering campaign.
The “My Zesta Story” competition not only showcased the incredible creativity of Zesta’s consumer base but also underscored the brand’s commitment to involving its customers in the creative process. By empowering consumers to shape the future of its advertising, Zesta Tea has set a new precedent in brand engagement, solidifying its position as a leader in the premium tea market.
Set up in 1967, the Group is now home to leading Sri Lankan brands such as Zesta Tea, Watawala Tea, Ran Kahata, Daintee, Milady, Healthguard Pharmacy and Lina Manufacturing, with over 2,000 employees and revenue over Rs. 55 billion.
The business units comprise of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka, Sunshine Consumer Lanka, and Watawala Plantations PLC, which are leaders in their sectors and most of them certified as a “Great Place to Work” in 2023.
“We believe that the purpose of our existence is to “Bring good things to life” and that means, we will make available to all Sri Lankans, quality medicines and consumer products at affordable prices therefore ensuring a better quality of life for all,” a company spokesman said.
