Singapore Prestige Brand Award and NUS Singapore Prize 2024

On Wednesday evening, winners of this year’s Singapore Prestige Brand Award (SPBA) were honored at a gala celebration hosted by Lianhe Zaobao and ASME Singapore. This prestigious accolade recognizes local businesses that excel at branding and marketing strategies.

Fashion retailer Parkson, luxury watchmaker Longines, healthcare provider StarMed Specialist Centre and co-living operator Coliwoo were among the winning brands. All four demonstrated a clear vision and set themselves apart within their niche markets while creating value through innovative products or services or by using technology to optimize processes.

Public agencies and not-for-profit organisations were recognized at this year’s SPBA for their branding efforts as well. A Special Merit award went to suicide-prevention agency Samaritans of Singapore while other finalists included National Museum of Singapore, Ang Mo Kio Market and Foodbank Singapore. The SPBA’s organizing committee noted their satisfaction at seeing more companies recognize and invest in brand building efforts.

This year’s awards ceremony marked the inaugural Asian edition of Earthshot Prize awards ceremony, with founder Prince William attending and celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Donnie Yen, Lana Condor and Nomzamo Mbatha present as attendees. Prince William stated that all five Earthshot Prize winners are proof of hope in tackling environmental issues around the globe, such as fixing climate, revitalising oceans, eliminating waste and protecting nature.

Alongside winners in both corporate and public sector categories, an award was also made to a student studying journalism at NUS who wrote an outstanding essay on “resonance”. They received both a special commendation as well as a cash prize.

To select the winning publication of the 2024 NUS Singapore History Prize, a jury panel comprised of Mr Mahbubani; Meira Chand (an award-winning novelist known for her depictions of multicultural societies); historian Prof Peter Coclanis and archaeologist Prof John Miksic from NUS’ Department of History will judge.

Mr Mahbubani first proposed this prize for Singapore history in a 2014 column for The Straits Times, making it the inaugural award in its kind dedicated solely to our history. Mr Mahbubani suggested that future jurors may consider including movies or comics to better capture our historical interpretation and reflection – for instance 12 Years a Slave has helped bring Singapore’s colonial past alive, leading more writers to create books about our history, as well as inspiring young people with its message. Mr Mahbubani believes this prize would help promote national pride among young people especially.