At a time when strong communication skills are essential for leadership and brand development, the Media Savvy Awards 2023 have once again recognised the best public speakers in Malaysia and Singapore. The recipients of this year’s prizes were those who have shown remarkable skill in interacting with audiences in person and online.
A Display of Various Skill Sets
Many deserving individuals were recognised at the ceremony, and they were all winners in their own right. Group Director (Housing & Investment) Janice Lai of the CPF Board was presented with the Best Hybrid Event Presentation Award at the Public Service Conference for her enthralling talk. Recognising the increasing significance of environmental responsibility in business leadership, Michael Sng, the forward-thinking CEO and Managing Partner of TAEL Partners, was honoured with the Best Sustainability Communications Award. Jeffrey Lee, founder of Embrace Funeral Services Pte Ltd., won the Best Broadcast Interview category. His communication approach is famously eloquent and compassionate.
Assessing Quality
This is the fourth year that the Asia Pacific Association of Communications Directors (APACD) has hosted the awards, and once again, an experienced team of judges has painstakingly chosen the winners. With the help of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) and the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), they were able to evaluate the applicants from a variety of angles.
A Medium for the Development of Individual Brands
Media Savvy Awards convenor and former CNBC anchor Mark Laudi stressed the importance of public speaking for building one’s own brand. “As we head into the 7th year of the Media Savvy Awards, it’s become clear how deep our local talent pool of excellent presenters really is. Singaporeans and Malaysians who are still shunning the limelight are starting to catch on that public speaking appearances are essential for building your personal brand, especially for the most senior of business leaders.”
Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders
The president of APACD, Keith Morrison, shared the view that people should have the tools they need to become effective spokespersons. Keith Morrison, President of APACD, said “Empowering Singaporeans and Malaysians to be media-savvy spokespeople is crucial for today’s communication landscape. Hearing the stories and perspectives of our leaders, hearing their authentic and diverse voices will go a long way to ensure we preserve trusted media sources.”
The Head of PRCA APAC, Tara Munis, has also voiced her excitement about the Media Savvy Awards’, she said, “We are thrilled to continue our steadfast support for the Media Savvy Awards as they enter their 7th year. These awards provide a vital platform for local businesses in Singapore and Malaysia to showcase their exceptional work in the communications realm, offering an invaluable opportunity to share their stories with the wider community. As we eagerly anticipate this year’s entries, we remain committed to celebrating and amplifying the innovative contributions of our region’s businesses to the ever-evolving media landscape.”
Also read: 10 Singaporean Women Honored in the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame
Anticipating the Future
The Media Savvy Awards are holding its 2024 nominations now, and they will be continuing their tradition of recognising and celebrating the achievements of Singaporean and Malaysian professionals, including top executives. At the same time as the announcement, the 2024 awards unveiled their new logo, marking the beginning of a new era for this prestigious ceremony.
Going forward, the Media Savvy Awards will continue to do double duty: honour the successes of today’s leaders and encourage the next generation to value good communication. By doing so, they add to a future where all stories are heard and shared, weaving them into the fabric of our collective tales.
