MRSSL in partnership with Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) carried out a workshop for Sri Lankan Marketers. The workshop, held in March 2017, was the second of its kind after a very successful event held last year in September.  The workshop titled ‘Market Research in Dynamic Markets’, was developed with an objective to discuss how the updated data about consumer behavior and the rapidly changing market can be used for better marketing of brands across sectors in Sri Lanka. Middle Management level employees from the Corporate Sector attended the workshop.

The workshop, with a line-up of leading Market Researchers in the country as speakers, was well received.

The speakers present were Ms. Himalee Madurasinghe, President of MRSSL and Chief Executive -Kantar LMRB, Mr. Ravi Bamunsinghe, Managing Director/Lead Researcher – RCB, Ms. Roshani Fernando, Chief Operating Officer – Quantum Consumer Solutions, Mr. Neel De Silva, CEO/Chairman – SRL, Ms. Mihirani Dissanayake, Country Manager –Kantar TNS, Ms. Dilini Jayasuriya, Executive Director – Breakthrough Business Intelligence and Ms. Therica Miyanadeniya, Director – Consumer Insights at Nielsen Lanka.

The areas covered were vast and most informative to those in strategy and marketing positions in organizations. The topics covered were on –Evolving role of research in business, Changing demographics and psychographic profile of Sri Lankan consumers, The evolving retail landscape in Sri Lanka and the emerging digital ecosystem.

Ms. Roshini Fernando, Secretary MRSSL, highlighted that the event was covered in cooperation with all the leading research agencies in the country and a successful continuation of efforts started last year to show the value of research in marketing.

The workshop was carried out on 23^rd of March at Galadari Hotel with about 35 professionals from Marketing & Sales, Media, Government sectors & academics eagerly attending the one day workshop.

MRSSL Member Workshop –‘Learning Zone’

On the 6^th of June 2017, MRSSL conducted a full day workshop for its member. This is the very first workshop organized for its members and was carried out under the title ‘Learning Zone’ to equip the emerging research talent in the country with the latest in market understanding and trends. Client Service Associates, Analysts and Senior Field Associates from the MRSSL agencies attended the workshop.

The workshop was held at the Central Bank Training Institute in Rajagiriya with about 45 associates across research agencies participating.

The workshop, with varied topics covered by domain experts from the research industry, was well received by the attendees.

Ms. Himalee Madurasinghe, President of MRSSL and Chief Executive -Kantar LMRB, gave the welcome speech and an update on changing demographic and psychographic profiles of Sri Lankan consumers. Mr. Ravi Bamunsinghe, Managing Director/Lead Researcher – RCB, used his years’ of experience to point out opportunities and challenges for market research in today’s world.

Ms. Roshani Fernando, Chief Operating Officer – Quantum Consumer Solutions, gave interesting insights on personality structures and a view of Sri Lankan households through a fresh lens.

Mr. Neel De Silva, CEO/Chairman – SRL and Mr. Sharang Pant, Managing Director Nielsen Lanka gave an insightful update on the retail landscape in Sri Lanka and what it means to marketers as well as retailers.

The second half of the workshop was dedicated to the Emerging Digital Landscape in Sri Lanka. Guest Speaker for the day Ms. Erosha Tennakoon, Director GroupM Media Pvt Limited; Mr. Sakuntha Amarasekere, Kantar LMRB; Ms. Mihirani Dissanayake, Country Manager –Kantar TNS Lanka and Ms. Dilini Jayasuriya, Executive Director – Breakthrough Business Intelligence spoke on the Digital Landscape, the Connected Consumers and Digital and Youth.

The feedback from the participants was very encouraging and urges MRSSL to consider more such events in the future.