Latvia’s Most Beloved, Greenest, Most Courageous Brands Determined
For the 12th time, DDB Consulting, GFK Custom Research, the Kapitāls magazine, Latvia’s Green Point and PHD Latvia organised a ceremony to present prizes to Latvia’s most beloved brands on September 22 at the Palladium concert hall. Awards were presented to the most beloved brands and to those that were most successful in one of seven categories. Consumer minds and perceptions have become greener, which is why in partnership with Latvia’s Green Point, the greenest brands in Latvia were determined this year.
As usual, the ceremony congratulated Latvia’s top ten beloved brands, as well as those that were declared to be best in terms of being unique, high-quality, most advantageous, most rapidly developing and greenest brands. This year there were also awards for brands that managed to attract an audience on Latvia’s most popular social networks – Draugiem.lv, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. In partnership with PHD Latvia, the bravest brands were also honoured – those with work and ideas that managed to surprise and inspire people while pushing the envelope.
Latvia’s most beloved brands did not change – Google and Inbox. Facebook rose to third place, followed by YouTube and Swedbank.
Nike was declared by consumers this year to be the brand with the highest level of quality, while Maxima received the award as the most advantageous brand. Rīga Black Balsam was declared to be the most unique brand. The Altum financial institution had the most rapid growth in comparison to last year, and we will hear a lot about the Selga brand, because that brand obtained a special award for its potential. Delfi and the city of Liepāja were declared to be the most influential brands on social networks.
The greenest brand, according to consumers, was the MADARA line of natural cosmetics, with Seal and the Dzintars cosmetics company earning second and third place. The only foreign brand on the top 10 list of the greenest brands was Borjomi, with the Lāči bakery being in fifth place in the eyes of consumers.
Latvia’s Road Traffic Safety Directorate was declared to be the most courageous brand in Latvia by a jury, because it engaged in brave and effective experiments.
Why is it still important to talk about the value of brands? DDB Latvia executive director Andris Rubīns talked about that at the ceremony. The strategic director of DDB Consulting, Edgars Lapiņš, discussed ideas and views about future brands. The director for Central and Eastern Europe of the brand and consultation company Interbrand, Eric Andrew Smutny talked about direct links between business growth and the power of a brand. The comedian Jānis Skutelis took the stage to lighten the mood and talk about how to love properly and, of course, how to smile.
The top list of brands has been assembled since 2004, and it is an important point of reference in reflecting consumer attitudes, lifestyles and habits. The full list can be found at Zimolutops.lv, and the most extensive review of Latvian and Baltic brands can be found in the October issue of Kapitāls, complete with commentary from experts.
A look at the awards ceremony can be found here.
