LMRB celebrates 35 years of market research in Sri Lanka

LMRB, which was established in 1981 as the first independent, international market research agency in Sri Lanka, marked the completion of 35 years as the undisputed leader and the driver of the market research industry in Sri Lanka, with a glittering celebration at The Kingsbury in Colombo.

Innovation and setting market research industry standards has been a key part of LMRB’s 35 year journey. The organisation has always applied value-additions combined with ethical, up-to-date operational methodologies, to provide research solutions and insights to its clients. The LMRB team therefore, has a commitment to achieving its fundamental goal of becoming the standard for excellence in the market research industry.

Himalee Madurasinghe, CEO of LMRB and CEO of Kantar Sri Lanka – Insights, delivering the welcome address said, “During our 35 year long journey, we have had many ‘Conversations and Connections’. We have reached out to millions of consumers on behalf of our clients, driving the Brands that have made a significant impact in the lives of the Sri Lankan consumer. She also added that over the last 35 years, LMRB had worked hard in building rewarding relationships with its clients and was extremely grateful for the support and encouragement it had received.

Preeti Reddy, President of IMRB and CEO of Kantar South Asia – insights next addressing the gathering observed that Sri Lanka was changing. A new connected consumer was emerging in a connected world and the internet, more specifically, the mobile was at the heart of this change. 

As the empowered consumer took control, the rules of marketing were being re-written. Preeti further added, “Kantar, in cognisance of this trend, was building services and structures for a connected world to present clients with more easily navigable and connected solutions that bring together the best of Kantar’s expertise on a consistent basis. In Sri Lanka, this will mean that clients will get the focus the country needs along with the benefit of global tools and technology.”

The audience, comprising of almost a ‘Who’s Who’ of Colombo’s business elite, were then taken through a fast-paced audio-visual which traced the progress of LMRB through the years and the contribution it has made to the Industry in the last 35 years. 

LMRB took this occasion to felicitate an industry veteran, Nihal de Silva, the first chartered statistician in Sri Lanka, who has been an integral part of LMRB over this journey and several other employees of LMRB who have loyally served the organisation for over 20 years.

The celebrations also saw the launch of LMRB’s new logo which signifies the entry of the organisation to the next phase of its journey. Unveiling the ‘Kantar LMRB’ logo, Himalee explained that the company has built a strong equity within Sri Lanka, much of which is based on the partnerships it has built with its valued clients. The new branding is based on the idea of building collaborations, dedicated to building close links and even stronger partnerships.

The evening came to an end with a panel discussion involving Himalee, Preeti and Hemant Mehta (Senior Vice President, IMRB), which revealed LMRB’s future plans for taking the market research industry forward with improved technological and digital capabilities. Given the rapidly changing future of MR, the panellists addressed how they plan on bringing the very best to the table for their clients with re-enforced global backing from Kantar, the UK based international research conglomerate.

In conclusion, LMRB expressed its indebtedness to all its clients for giving it the opportunity of being the bridge between marketers and their consumers, and enabling it to continue with its journey, making Conversations and Connections.