A dashing group photo with winners at The BrandLaureate Special Limited Edition BestBrands Awards 2025
The World Brands Foundation (TWBF) celebrated its 20th anniversary with The BrandLaureate Special Limited Edition BestBrands Awards 2025 at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The milestone event honored two decades of brand leadership, creativity, and influence that have shaped industries and inspired generations.
Carrying the theme “Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Present, Inspiring Our Future,” the ceremony paid tribute to brands that have evolved from bold beginnings to global recognition. Each award presented reflected resilience, innovation, and the power of purpose in building enduring legacies.
Adding an artistic dimension to the celebration, TWBF unveiled “20 Strokes of Light,” a special art showcase curated by Sim Pojinn, Co-Founder and Fair Director of Art Expo Malaysia. The exhibition paid homage to two decades of branding excellence through creativity and visual storytelling.
“As The BrandLaureate celebrates its 20th Anniversary, we look back with pride at how far we have come, a journey built on vision, perseverance, and leadership that continues to shape the future of branding,” said Prof. Dr. KK Johan, President Emeritus and World President of The BrandLaureate.
In conjunction with the celebration, TWBF announced the soft launch of the TWBF and EIU–Paris Joint International Professional Certification in Brand Strategy and Leadership (IPC-BSL). This pioneering program aims to elevate professional education in branding and leadership worldwide. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between TWBF Chief Executive Officer Ms. Chew Bee Peng and Hon. Ky. Col. Prof. Dr. Edward Roy Krishnan, Founder and Director-General of EIU Paris, to formalize the collaboration.
Throughout the evening, The BrandLaureate 20th Anniversary Special Limited Edition BestBrands Awards 2025 recognized visionary leaders and companies that have made a lasting impact through innovation and excellence. Recipients of the Brand Icon Leadership Award 2025 included Y.M. Tengku Dato’ Dr. Hishammuddin Zaizi Bin Y.A.M. Tengku Bendahara Azman Shah Al-Haj, YBhg. Tan Sri Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, YBhg. Dato’ Sri Dr. Farah Khan, and YBhg. Dato’ Sri Mohd Shamil Ngoh Abdullah, among others.
The Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 honorees included YBhg. Datin Sri Siti Aishah Chong Binti Abdullah of Village Park Restaurant, Mr. Harry Tee of Dynamic Ace Global Sdn Bhd, YBhg. Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shaheen Shah of Riyaz Hotels & Resorts, and YBhg. Dato’ Haji Muhazli Bin Muhamad of Glide Technology Sdn Bhd.
Meanwhile, the Brand Leadership Awards 2025 recognized four international figures for their outstanding contributions. Commissioner-Captain (Ret.) Michael W. Kohler was honored for Healthcare Leadership and Service, Dr. Srimathy Kesan of Space Kidz India for Aerospace Innovation and Youth Education, Dr. Sunita Gopal of Ayusha Chakra for Social Enterprise and Community Leadership, and Nanda Bhagi of Tesla a.s Group (USA) for Business and Entrepreneurship.
Among the night’s celebrated brands were Central Market Sdn. Bhd., The Majestic Hotel, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), and Lam Soon Edible Oils Sdn. Bhd. as Iconic Brands. Acer Sales and Services, ICE Holidays, Great Eastern Life, M K Land Holdings, and REDtone Digital Berhad received the Brand of the Year titles, while Able Steel Pipes, Mawar Medical Centre, Ri-Yaz Hotels & Resorts, and Paradigm REIT Management were recognized as Most Preferred Brands.
The Nation’s Choice and Nation’s Pride awards honored brands that reflect Malaysia’s excellence and innovation, including Antabax, Koperasi Co-opbank Pertama Malaysia Bhd, Dynamic Ace Global Sdn. Bhd., MDEC, MATRADE, and Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad.
The evening closed with a reflection on what defines great brands. They are built through vision, strengthened through challenges, and remembered for their ability to inspire. The BrandLaureate’s 20th anniversary stood as both a celebration of legacy and a call to continue shaping the future of brand leadership and innovation.
For the full list of winners, click here and visit www.thebrandlaureate.com or social media – Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Spotify | Whatsapp Channel for updates and all of the evening’s major highlight moments.
