Hashan Haputhanthri awards marketing veterans!

Changing dynamics of the arena of marketing and branding, embarking on a journey to recognise the best brand entrepreneurs for Sri Lanka, Hashan Travis Haputhanthri signed off yet another innovation in the marketing and branding arena.

The heroes of marketing or veterans who paved the way for today’s marketing fraternity were awarded for the first time in Sri Lanka. 

True professionals who took charge in building institutes and people for today’s marketing game planning and went un-noticed to many marketing institutes was rewarded with great gratitude by the YES Academy which was headed by Sri Lanka’s branding veteran Hashan Travis Haputahnthri. 

The great Asoka De Lanerolle was met by Hashan Haputhanthri at his home in Havelock Road wand presented the first Y award of Marketing Veteran.

Then at the award ceremony, Lalith De Mel and Santi De Lanerolle were also awarded.

Speaking to press Hashan Haputhanthri said, “A very proud moment in my life where I did what others cannot do. Today young marketers do not know the richness of the forgotten. I cannot forget them, because I grew up with them. I treated them as legends and I learnt a lot from them. I must thank Eardly Perera (the great marketer) for recommending Lalith De Mel and Asoka De Lanerolle.

“Santi De Lanerolle was the key person who introduced me to branding. He was my superior when I was at J.L. Morisons Son and Jones. I was so honoured to award him as a veteran from my own hands. He taught me branding, marketing and most of all how to be practical. 

We are on an era where marketing and branding arena do not produce practical people. I am so honoured to say that I followed the great footsteps of these people and served the arena bravely and with courage. 

“These people are more than institutes. They are hubs of great marketing. No one recognised them but I am proud I did. I will continue to do so and many more veterans are to be awarded. I am sure that other institutes will duplicate this but I have no worries since I have now initiated it.”

Hashan Haputhanthri (a veteran for branding and marketing) is the General Manager – Marketing for STAR Holdings International, Sri Lanka’s emerging force for detergent powder, detergent bars and dishwash. He mastered the launch of RAZOR International – the internal advertising agency for Start Holdings. Hashan is the author of Asia’s 1st Brand Philosophy ‘Travis Brandsology’ and Co-Author for nine international books. He is in the Advisory Boards of three international agencies for marketing and branding. Also he was the Head of Marketing for TVS Lanka where TVS won Brand of the year 2016 with three Gold awards and two Silver Awards at SLIM Brand Excellence. In 2015 he won the Product Brand Year – Gold with another Gold and Silver Award for TVS. He also won Turnaround Brand of the Year Gold for Maliban Biscuits by introducing Maliban Smart Cream Cracker. He has won many awards for his work in Marketing and Branding and was adjudged and conferred as a World Best Marketer in New Delhi. 

Having more than 25 years of brand marketing experience for both Food and Non Food, Hashan headed brands like Nivea, Maliban Biscuits (instrumental in launching Maliban Smart Cream Crackers) and in Fiji Islands – Sunquick, Weetbics, Royal Tea, Island Chill Mineral water and 30 other major brands. Hashan has done research in Inca, Egypt and Sri Lankan symbology. He has further researched colour psychology and Namelogy as well. 

Brand marketing and non conventional marketing are his inventions and newly revamped Diploma in Strategic Brand Management for SLIM with practical assignments was also his invention. Hashan Haputhanthri is the first Sri Lankan to write about a Sri Lankan case study for an International book and the topic was ‘Manusath Derana’ a CSR program done by Derana TV. Also, he introduced Sri Lanka’s 1st Practical Branding academy – YES Academy. Also, practical brand management is also his concept. He is Strategic Business Consultant as well as an ICC Level 01 qualified Cricket Coach.