Unilever Challenge finalists announced

Four undergraduate teams selected as finalists in Global Goals themed challenge

Unilever Sri Lanka recently selected four undergraduate teams as finalists for the Unilever Challenge, a unique competition for undergraduate students which allows them to work with world renowned brands and experience brand management as a career. 

The event, which attracted over 115 teams in its preliminary rounds, looks to empower Sri Lankan university students with real world business knowhow and real world brand management experience, whilst contributing to Unilever’s commitment to support the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development.

This year’s Unilever Challenge looks to provide students with the opportunity to act as young brand managers driving sustainable growth through four brands with a strong social purpose, which are linked to three of the 17 Global Goals: Signal (good health and well-being), Lifebuoy & Pureit (clean water and sanitation) and Lipton (life on land).

“The Global Goals seek to ensure the health, safety and future of the planet. Aligning our brands and business plans to them is not only a moral imperative but also makes perfect business sense. Whilst addressing these goals, the Unilever Challenge also gives us the opportunity to nurture and build up potential future leaders that may create positive movements for change and forge a path to a brighter future, according to our own ambition set out in the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan,” said Director – Human Resources and Corporate Relations Unilever Sri Lanka Sameer Nagarajan.

The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan is the blueprint for achieving the company’s vision of doubling the size of its business while reducing its environmental footprint and increasing its positive social impact.

The Unilever Challenge, previously known as the Lipton Talent Hunt, commenced in November and includes several phases, including the registration of teams, the selection of goals and the distribution of case studies. Based on these case studies teams submitted their proposals of which 16 were shortlisted. These teams were then given the chance to present their big ideas to a panel of judges which ultimately chose the best four. Those teams were then given funds and a time limit of one month to execute their idea on a given brand.

Based on their work on the selected brands, the teams will compete with each other at the grand finale, which will be held on 29 January. The victorious team will have the chance to represent Sri Lanka at Unilever’s Global Future Leaders League in London in March. The Future Leaders League is an opportunity for aspiring young brand managers to engage with top leaders in inspirational conversations, be exposed to new and innovative ways of thinking and develop professional skills. 

The event also reaffirms Unilever’s commitment to building the next generation of future leaders in Sri Lanka and around the world.