M’sian Digital Association introduces 4 new categories for 2020 awards

The four new categories in Malaysian Digital Association (MDA)’s d Awards 2020 is expected to further expand industry-wide recognition and encourage industry players to continue to increase the value of Malaysia’s digital economy.

In extending appreciation to innovative digital practitioners in the country, the MDA is unveiling the Best in E-Commerce Marketing Campaign, Best Influencer of the Year, Best Influencer Marketing Campaign and Rising Star awards – which is a subcategory of the Digital Person of the Year award.

The MDA hopes that they will act to inspire these individuals. The introduction of these categories resonates with the constant evolution of d Awards, the only award event in Malaysia that appreciates and honours brands, agencies, publishers and technology companies for their use of digital media to create and develop standout campaigns, services and products.

“In the last edition of d Awards, the MDA unveiled three new categories and we go one better this year – which also marks the 10th anniversary of our association – to acknowledge the contributions of our digital players in an advancing digital ecosystem.” explained MDA President Mr. Serm Teck Choon.

“The MDA is fully supportive of the government’s digital-first economy – as outlined in Budget 2020 – to enable the talent in the industry to respond to disruptions in business and to foresee and seize opportunities that arise from them.” Serm, who is the Malaysia Country Head of CtrlShift, said.

“For example, the Rising Star category, a spin-off from the Digital Person of Year category which honours individuals above the age of 30, is created to stimulate and cultivate under-30 professionals in the digital industry to assist in the government’s efforts to strongly position us in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

In underlining this point, d Awards 2020 Organising Chairman Mr. Nicholas Sagau Tony Ngimat elaborated that the MDA has been adding various key categories such as Best Use of Digital Innovation, Best Platform Development, Best Tech Developer and Best Digital Publisher of The Year since 2018 towards this objective.

“These new categories are added to d Awards to also reflect a shift towards a more inclusive approach in recognising industry practitioners with the capacity to innovate and contribute to Malaysia’s digital economy.”

Nicholas, who is also the Group General Manager of Media Prima Digital, elaborated. “Our digital economy is increasing annually and we must meet the corresponding demand for a digital-centric workforce that is vital to sustain this impressive expansion.

It is the MDA’s hope that d Awards will help accelerate marketers’ adoption of the latest technology to create value through technology.” All campaigns, projects and products that were executed and developed in Malaysia between January 1 and December 31, 2019 are eligible for submission.

The early bird submission deadline is set for December 30, 2019 while the final deadline is January 7, 2020. Details on the rules, entry kit and sponsorship are available on www.d-awards.com.my.

For submissions contact the MDA Secretariat, c/o Macomm Management Services Sdn Bhd, Unit 706, Block B, Pusat Dagangan Phileo Damansara 1, No. 9, Jalan 16/11 Off Jalan Damansara, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor at 03-7660 8535 or email Amy Tan at [email protected] for additional information.