Board Marketing Committee Report

The Board Marketing Committee, in collaboration with management and its media partners, ensures the implementation of impactful and innovative marketing strategies to ensure that Sampath Bank's value driven brand remains at the heart of the Sri Lankan people.

Aroshi Nanayakkara

Chairperson

Regular attendees to the Committee meetings by invitation:
  • Senior Deputy General Manager - Marketing, Customer Care & Card Centre
  • Any other officer/s required by the Committee

The Company Secretary functioned as the Secretary to the Committee and in his absence, a nominee appointed by the Company Secretary functioned as the Secretary to the Committee during the year under review.

FORMATION OF THE COMMITTEE

The Board Marketing Committee (BMC) was established on 28th June 2012 by the Board of Directors, with the objective of providing direction and guidance for the marketing activities of the bank, driving revenue growth and customer satisfaction.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP DURING THE YEAR 2024
Board Member Directorship Status Membership Status Attendance (Attended/Eligible to Attend)
Ms Aroshi Nanayakkara Independent/Non-Executive Chairperson 4/4
Mr Rushanka Silva Non-Independent/Non-Executive Member 4/4
Mr Harsha Amarasekera Non-Independent/Non-Executive Member 3/4
Mr Vinod Hirdaramani Independent/Non-Executive Member 3/4
Mr Keith Modder (w.e.f 1st June 2024) Independent/Non-Executive Member 2/2
Mrs Ayodhya Iddawela Perera Executive Member 4/4

w.e.f - with effect from

Refer pages 186 to 189 for the profiles of the committee members.

KEY ACTIVITIES IN 2024
  • Ensured that the marketing strategies were aligned with the short, medium and long-term goals of the Bank.
  • Reviewed customer engagement information and brand surveys to understand current and future requirements of customers and their evolving needs.
  • Reviewed marketing budgets to ensure that resources are allocated effectively and utilisation is as per plan.
  • Evaluated the effectiveness of marketing strategies in delivering the brand outcomes desired.
  • Evaluated effectiveness of the Committee.
Engagements with Customer Segments and Marketing Related Activities of the Bank through the Guidance of BMC

    Raigam Tele Awards

  • In 2024, Sampath Bank marked its continued association as the main sponsor of the Raigam Tele Awards. The 20th edition of this prestigious television award ceremony took place on 30th March 2024 at the Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. This milestone anniversary celebrated two decades of recognising excellence in Sri Lanka's television industry with a special “Nominations Evening” being held at Waters Edge. Sampath Bank's sponsorship underscores its ongoing support to the country's arts and entertainment sector.

    Swarna Pusthaka Awards

  • Sampath Bank continued its long-standing sponsorship of the “Swarna Pusthaka Awards”, one of the most prestigious literary events in Sri Lanka. The 18th edition of the awards, held on 14th September 2024 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), celebrated the finest Sinhala novels published in the past year. By supporting this event, Sampath Bank reaffirms its dedication to promoting local literature and encouraging the growth of Sri Lankan novelists.
KEY ACTIVITIES IN 2024

    Colombo International Book Fair (CIBF)

  • For over 16 years, Sampath Bank has proudly been the Official Banker of the Colombo International Book Fair. This iconic event, held from 27th September to 06th October 2024 at the BMICH, attracted over a million visitors. Sampath Bank's partnership continues to support the promotion of literacy and education enriching the community through the celebration of reading.

    • Wonder Women Initiative Unstoppable Woman

  • In commemoration of International Women's Day 2024, Sampath Bank hosted a grand celebration featuring a fireside chat with four outstanding women entrepreneurs who were actively supported by the Bank in their entrepreneurial journey. The Bank took leadership again by being one of the few corporate entities to host a public celebration of this magnitude showcasing its commitment to women's empowerment and economic inclusivity.

    • Brand Health Study

  • Sampath Bank conducted a brand health study to assess various aspects of brand performance, customer perception and market positioning. This study evaluated factors like brand awareness, usage, consideration, loyalty and perception against market players. The study helped Sampath Bank to align its services to better meet customer expectations and strengthen its market presence.

    • Golf Tournament

  • Sampath Bank was proud to sponsor the prestigious July Monthly Medal at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, held on the 12th and 13th of July 2024. Bringing together over 300 golfers from across the country, this event enhanced Sampath Bank's customer experiences through distinguished sporting events.

    Oktoberfest 2024

  • Sampath Cards was once again the main sponsor of the Oktoberfest 2024 at Hilton Colombo. This festival, which was held over a period of 10 days, attracted almost 12,000 guests.

    • Symphony Orchestra Concert

  • Sampath Bank proudly partnered with the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka to host SOSL's first-ever trilingual PoP Extravaganza which took place on the 19th and 20th of October 2024 at the Bishop's College auditorium. The exclusive, invitees only event on the 19th of September was for select customers of the Bank ending with an evening of fellowship and networking. This event was yet another demonstration of the Bank's commitment to furthering cultural diversity and artistic expression.

    • Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID) Sponsorship

  • Sampath Bank strengthened its corporate standing by becoming an annual corporate partner of the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors for 2024- 2025. Bringing together over 1,000 Board Directors and business leaders from both public listed and private companies, SLID is at the forefront of corporate governance. Through this partnership, Sampath Bank has gained strategic access to high-profile corporate events and gatherings, reinforcing its position as the preferred banking partner of business leaders in the country.

    • EDEX Expo 2024

  • Sampath Bank tied up with EDEX Expo 2024 higher education exhibition as an official banking partner. The exhibition was held on 9th, 10th and 11th February at SLECC, Colombo and in 17th and 18th February at KCC, Kandy. This collaboration supported students' educational ambitions through smoother and more accessible financial services tailored for them making their education payments easier.

    Future Minds 2024

  • Sampath Bank was the official banking partner for the Future Minds Educational Exhibition, a leading National Higher Education and Career Exhibition of Sri Lanka which was conducted in 3 different locations (Colombo, Kandy and Galle) to provide a comprehensive suite of services to help students and facilitate learning opportunities. By supporting the Future Minds Exhibition, the Bank not only enhanced its brand visibility but also reinforced its role in shaping a knowledgeable and empowered future generation.

    • Digital Marketing Initiatives

    Launch of First Sri Lankan Verified Banking WhatsApp Channel

  • Sampath Bank has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Sri Lankan Bank to launch an official WhatsApp channel, verified with a blue tick. This initiative marks a step forward in the bank's digital transformation, enhancing customer engagement and authenticity for service delivery.

    • Sampath Bank Takes Social Media Management in House

  • Sampath Bank's decision to take advertising control of its official social media platforms reflects a strategic move to enhance its online presence and communication. By managing these platforms directly, the Bank ensured consistent and personalised messaging and improved customer engagement and feedback. This control allows for a more cohesive brand image and the ability to promptly share updates, promotions and educational content on finance with its audience. Additionally, it enabled the Bank to leverage social media analytics to refine its marketing strategies and better understand customer preferences. This initiative was part of a broader effort to strengthen the Bank's digital footprint and foster stronger relationships with its customers.

    Sampath Bank Achieved Verification (Blue Tick) Across Social Media Platforms

  • Sampath Bank recently achieved verification on its social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X by obtaining blue ticks. This verification enhances trust among customers and stakeholders as it helps to prevent impersonation and misinformation.

    • Other Initiatives

    DS Rugby 2024-2025

  • Sampath Bank proudly partnered with DS Rugby as the Official Banking Partner for 2024, furthering its commitment to promoting sports and supporting school-level initiatives. By sponsoring DS Rugby, Sampath Bank is fostering the development of young athletes while also contributing to the growth of school sports in Sri Lanka, aligning with its values of community support and corporate responsibility.

    • Marketing Communication to Mark 25th Tank Restoration

  • Sampath Bank's 25th tank restoration under its flagship “Wewata Jeewayak” project is a testament to the yeoman service it provides in the upliftment of the rural farming community, a key pillar of Sri Lanka's economy. The marketing communications of the Bank have highlighted the “Wewata Jeewayak” project and the social consciousness with which the Bank continues to operate. The project also takes a participatory approach with farmers' views being solicited, ensuring that the actual irrigation needs of the community are met. We remain a Bank that understands and a true champion of the Sri Lankan people.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
REPORTING TO THE BOARD

The minutes of the Committee meetings were tabled at Board meetings, thereby providing the Board members with access to the deliberations of the Committee.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE COMMITTEE

The annual self-evaluation of the Committee was conducted at the year- end by the members of the Committee. The results were discussed at the Committee with, where necessary, areas for improvement being identified and the plans for improvement being communicated to the Board.

On behalf of the Board Marketing Committee,

AROSHI NANAYAKKARA

Chairperson - Board Marketing Committee

17th February 2025

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Search Here Chart Generator