Island's first qualification in Graduate Diploma in Brand Management launched
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) the national body of marketing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Marketing Institute of Singapore Training Centre (MISTC), the national body for sales and marketing in Singapore, to offer a Graduate Diploma in Brand Management (GDBR) qualification at a recently held launch ceremony in Colombo. A team comprising Mr Loh Kwong Cheng - President, Mr. Jeffrey Gomez - Executive Director of Marketing Institute of Singapore Training Centre and Mr Rohan Somawansa - President, SLIM signed the MoU with the objective of providing an international certification in the Brand Management space.

The Graduate Diploma in Brand Management (GDBR) is a 12 month programme designed at both business and non-business executives and university graduates seeking to acquire specific skills to differentiate themselves. In addition the programme appeals to those already in employment intending to enhance their skills in Brand Management. The first of its kind imported from Singapore, it is aimed at providing a sound understanding and competent level of brand knowledge and skills essential in analysing, planning, implementing and decision-making, so as to build brand equity.

Mr Loh Kwong Cheng - President of Marketing Institute of Singapore Training Centre commenting on the partnership, "We feel very privileged to enter into this partnership with SLIM, a leading marketing body in its region. As partners, our common objective is to raise the standards among professionals in the area of Brand Management. The signing of this agreement today marks our joint commitment towards marketing excellence as well as the beginning of our relationship that will hopefully see more programmes being exported to SLIM beyond the GDBR. "

The covered modules include Marketing Management, Advertising and Integrated Brand Communications, Brand Strategy, Strategic Brand Management, New Product and Brand Development and the Capstone project.

Speaking at the launch Mr Rohan Somawansa - President, SLIM said, "The partnership with the Marketing Institute of Singapore Training Centre brings together two leaders in the marketing and communications education, reiterating the quality and delivery of our academic programmes at a national level. MISTC sustains its academic objectives, through constant innovation and up to date curricula ensuring strong academic governance well ahead of the changing marketing landscape. We believe this partnership will grow from strength to strength providing access to a globally recognized qualification for those who pursue Brand Management as a career".

Strong and powerful brands have intense impact on purchasing decision building customer loyalty and improving profitability. As a result, there is an increasing interest in branding in recent years in the Asian region, as organizations become more aware of the significance of building strong and powerful brands which transcend industries and provide an organization with one of its most valuable assets.

The programme will be conducted by a panel of highly experienced and inspiring trainers, facilitators and coaches accredited by MISTC Singapore and visiting faculty from the Singapore Marketing Body.
MISTC has contributed in leading efficient and effective marketing management practices in Singapore for over three decades training more than 40,000 sales and marketing professionals since its inception.