News
ThirdShift wins Silver at Campaign of the Year Awards for second consecutive year
Independent, Young & Trailblazing
ThirdShift, the Independent Media Agency of SHIFT, has done it once again, by winning the Silver award for Media Agency of the Year for the ‘Rest of South Asia’ category, at the recently concluded Campaign – Agency of the Year Awards for the second consecutive year.
It is important to note that this win is undoubtedly a remarkable feat for the ThirdShift team who worked tirelessly towards navigating through an extremely unpredictable year.
Bearing in mind that the Media Agency ventured into the competitive media landscape in Sri Lanka only a mere three years ago, being the recipient of such a distinguished title within a short span of time is truly a tremendous achievement, and one that warrants due recognition and high praise. While acknowledging this award, the CEO of ThirdShift, Prasanga Jayatunga delved into the success story of his agency and the reasons for its steady upward trajectory.
“We stepped into the media business landscape back in 2017. By that time, I had done my stint in the international media agency business and had been Leader, Mindshare & CEO of Media Factory. I was enriched by those experiences, and the idea of venturing out on my own had crossed my mind, specifically because I believed that I could tailor-make solutions and work with clients on Hand-Crafted Media Solutions”, he said.
“At the time this was just an idea. But, before long the opportunity came my way and I stepped out with the belief that the market needed an agency that would look beyond mere scheduling and planning. Looking back, I realised that it was a vacuum that existed, and I stepped in to fill it. But then, what I really wanted to focus on was to give my clients ROI beyond just reach and frequency. Perhaps the yearning to be creative within the Media business is what drove me to agree with the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shift, Chrishani Kotalawela and Sujeewa Samarasekera, when they invited me to join them and start ThirdShift”, he noted.
“Sujeewa & Chrishy were veterans of the industry but had never handled media, however, I took the opportunity that was given to me and went ahead with it. I didn’t think it all through. I decided and gave my word and it has been a rocking ride. It’s been a lot of hard work, sweat, tears and sleepless nights. But awards like this really reminded me that as a team, we have done justice to our Clients and Client Brands; the real reason behind this company’s success”, he added.
ThirdShift also bagged two Golds, one Silver and finalist awards at the coveted Effie Awards in 2019. While this achievement at the Effie’s is of great significance in itself, it must also be recognized that ThirdShift received one of this Silver award in the capacity of a Primary Agency considering that it is usually a Creative Agency that takes home such an award in addition to most Media Agencies being classified as Secondary Agencies.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
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