At a ceremony held in Colombo recently, MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka’s Harendra Uyanage, Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director, was named the first-ever recipient of the Next Generation Leader scholarship.
For the first time in ad industry history, Metal Factor, as the organising body, initiated a scholarship to honour the late ad stalwart Yong Lye Peng, to be extended to a next-generation leader of the industry from any field in the business to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in 2025.
The recipient of Metal Factor’s Next Generation Leader Scholarship was selected through a careful adjudication process led by a distinguished panel comprising Ranil de Silva – Founder, Metal Factor, Gian de Rose – Director, Brand and Communications, Sysco LABS, Chevaan Daniel, Group Director, Capital Maharaja Group, Renuka Marshall – Managing Director, TBWA\ Sri Lanka, and Janmesh Paul Antony – Director, Marketing, Singer Sri Lanka PLC.
The primary purpose of this scholarship is to provide future industry leaders exposure to the global industry and to bring back the learning and play a leading role to drive the industry in Sri Lanka forward.
The attendee will have full access to all activities, workshops and courtesies, mentoring programs, and other such learning initiatives.
“This scholarship was created to give emerging creative leaders the chance to experience global standards firsthand, something I believe is essential if Sri Lanka is to make its mark internationally,” said Ranil de Silva, Founding Partner of Metal Factor.
Thayalan Bartlett, Executive Chairman – MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka said, “Harendra is Sri Lanka’s most talented and one of the most awarded Creative Leaders of our time. He has contributed immensely to MullenLowe’s undisputed creative standing in the local industry.”
