The BrandLaureate Brand ICON Leadership Awards '11

By Gerald Chuah

OVER the years, awards have been given to brands and corporations, but seldom to leaders who are the driving force behind successful brands. The time has come to honour these illustrious leaders who are in a league of their own.

Asia Pacific Brands Foundation confers on them The BrandLaureate Brand Icon Leadership Awards 2011 to honour Malaysia's Icons who have successfully built their brands.

President of The BrandLaureate Dr KK Johan said: "There are many great leaders in the world today, but very few Icons. "Icons define and set the standards of excellence, are bold enough to take risks and change the course of things for the better. History has shown and proven that these individuals are extraordinary leaders, in a class of their own.

APBF the BrandLaureate World's
Best Brands Icon Logo

With this in mind, the Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF), the world's only branding foundation, launched The BrandLaureate Brand Icon Leadership Awards '11, the highest level of leadership award. The Award, which is the first of its kind, honours the most outstanding icons in Malaysia and around the world.

There will be a gala dinner and award ceremony at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on November 9, 2011, to honour these deserving Icons.

In this Q&A, Dr. KKJohan talks about the significance of The BrandLaureate Brand Icon Leadership Awards 2011.

Q: Why is there a need for Icon Awards?

Most awards are to honour the organisations, products or causes, but so far there are no awards of this stature to honour individuals, more so icons. These icons are a league of their own. The time has come to recognise them for their contributions, and I am proud that APBF has once again become the market leader by initiating this prestigious Award.

Q: How are the recipients selected?

The winners are based on nominations submitted by members of the public, after which the selection committee will do the necessary research on the candidates. Successful candidates are selected based on track records in their career, achievements, contribution to industry and the nation. They have also successfully built their brands, be it corporate or personal. Since we launched the Award, we have received over 1,000 nominations; with some of the candidates receiving multiple nominations.

Q: How many recipients will there be?

As this is an exclusive premier award, it will only be given to a select few recipients who are deserving and are iconic leaders in their respective fields.

Q: What differentiates icons from leaders?

All great Icons have the "X" factor which is about Inspiration, Intelligence, Ideas, Innovation and Imagination. Leaders with the "X" factor are iconic transformational leaders, who take on the baton and drive their brands, organisations and countries to greater heights, than what their predecessors have done. With their innovative mindset and dynamic character and charisma, they outdo and improve on what has been done before.

Q: What is the unique essence of The BrandLaureate Brand Icon Leadership Award?

The Brand Icon Leadership Awards is a prestigious Award that differentiates the common from the outstanding, the average from the excellent, and the mediocre from the distinctive. It is for leaders whose achievements and contributions have transformed our country, political, economic and social scene.

They have kept the nation's flag flying high, making them an Icon in the eyes of the world These Icons are invaluable to their organisations and country, and Malaysia is blessed to have them. They are key players in their country's development initiatives and are part of the nation's transformation plan in helping our country attain Vision 2020. Their achievements and contributions must be recognised as part of Malaysia's history.

Q: When will the winners be announced?

The winners will be announced during The BrandLaureate Brand Icon Leadership Award '11 Gala Dinner on November 9, 2011 at the Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur. It will be attended by corporate captains and outstanding personalities. Guests will be able to share inspiring moments and savour opportunities to be up close and personal with their most admired Icons.

About The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF)

The Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF) is a not-for-profit organisation set up in 2004 with the aim of increasing the level of branding awareness in Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region. It is the world's only branding foundation and its Patron is Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the fourth prime minister of Malaysia. It is administered by a board of governors consisting of various captains of industries.

The APBF organises The BrandLaureate Awards to honour brand excellence amongst organisations. TheBrandLaureate Awards comprise of The BrandLaureate Awards for multinationals, public listed and government linked companies; and The BrandLaureate ? SMEs Chapter Awards which recognises brand excellence amongst small and medium enterprises in Malaysia, and organisations that are not public listed.

About The BrandLaureate Brand ICON Leadership Awards'11

The BrandLaureate Brand Icon Leadership
Award '11 trophy

The magnificent trophy in gold symbolises The Icon's success. With both his hands stretch high and standing on a solid base, the statuette reflects the Icon's confidence and strength to lead and move forward. Complemented by a pair of Golden Wings, it signifies the Icon's adaptability and agility to fly with times, bringing in winds of change that transform for the better. The the Ultimate Honour For The Best !

"Leaders reform, ICONS transform" ... Dr. KKJohan

ICON

Brand leadership is business leadership, the hallmark of success in the 21st century. Your Brand is Your Business, Your Business is Your Brand. They are intertwined, interdependent and are inseparable when it comes to brand leadership. It takes it to the fore and to the next great level. What is Brand Leadership? It is a state of being a leader who impacts the life of others. In the business world, leaders set new trends, are goal oriented and driven by performance, expediency and urgency. They create wealth, generate growth and create business opportunities. They not only lead but inspire others to perform well. These leaders have the and are icons. Icons see differently, think differently and act differently. They dare to be different to make the difference. They are key players in the industry. They are dynamic, robust, respected and revered. They are invaluable not only to the organization but also the nation. Their achievements and contributions are recognised and recorded as legacy.

The BrandLaureate Brand ICON Leadership Awards is all about recognising great iconic brand leaders who have transformed their brands into powerful brands that sustain the test of time. They define leadership, set standards and shape history.

"Leaders are born, ICONS are made. Leaders are many, ICONS are few"... Dr. KKJohan

WHY ICON?

They are the faces behind the brands, they are the ones behind the organizations. It is about me, the man and the leader who makes the difference. I define and set the standards of excellence. Sounds pompous and egoistic? No, as in every organization and nation, there is always a man or woman who is bold enough to take risks and change the course of things for the better. History has shown and proven that these individuals are extraordinary leaders, a class of their own.

All great icons have the “X” factor which is about INSPIRATION, INTELLIGENCE, IDEAS, INNOVATION and IMAGINATION.
INSPIRATION– a role model, inspiration to many and emulated by all.

INTELLIGENCE – sound knowledge of industry, local and international matters to lead.

IDEAS – powerful to revolutionise and set trends, ingenuity, resourceful and focus to push the envelope and break barriers.

INNOVATION– a mindset that is ever improving to generate and sustain growth

IMAGINATION– a vision to be theWorld Leader and enter new horizons.

Leaders with the “X” factor are iconic transformational leaders, who take on the baton and drive their brands, organizations and countries to greater height than what their predecessors have done.

With their innovative mindset and dynamic character and charisma, they outdo and improve on what has been done before. Infact, the CEO of DiGi Com. Bhd, Henrik Clausen once said, “Without the transformation, we will lose out and die. So, in order to drive growth, we need to transform a good company into an even stronger company.”

These leaders are ICONS that are invaluable to their organizations and country and Malaysia is blessed to have them. They are key players in their country's development initiatives and are part of the nation's transformation plan in helping our country attain Vision 2020. Their achievements and contributions must be recognised and recorded as part of Malaysian history.

Over the years, awards have been given to brands and corporations, but seldom to leaders, the driving force whose commitment, tenacity and passion have made them to be market leader. The time has now come to honour these illustrious leaders who are in a league of their own as Asia Pacific Brands Foundation confers on them The BrandLaureate Brand ICON Leadership Awards, the most prestigious Award for leaders whose achievements and contributions have transformed our country, political, economic and social and kept the nation's flag flying high in the eyes of the world.

THE BRANDLAUREATE – BRAND ICON LEADERSHIP AWARDS differentiates the common from the outstanding, average from the excellent and the mediocre from the distinctive.

"You can be a leader and not an icon, you can't be an icon and not a leader" ... Dr. KKJohan

Branding leaders as ICONS