Celebrating Brand Excellence: The 2025–2026 Awards

29 January 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: As we stand on the cusp of a new year, The BrandLaureate proudly presents the BrandLaureate Brand of The Year Awards 2025–2026, a celebration not only recognising outstanding achievement but also illuminating the path ahead.

For The BrandLaureate, each new year signifies more than a calendar change; it is a reaffirmation of purpose, resilience, and excellence. This year’s awards honour brands and leaders who have forged their own unique paths with clarity and conviction. Guided by the theme "Your Brand, Your Award, Celebrating, Championing, Commemorating the Best of Your Brand," the ceremony reflects the ongoing journey of branding, one that celebrates bold vision, purposeful action, and enduring influence. The awards recognise brands that not only succeed but set benchmarks of excellence within their industries, communities, and beyond.

The evening also marked the soft launch of "I Am the Brand" by Prof. Dr KK Johan, President Emeritus, Founder, and World President of The BrandLaureate. Anchored by the powerful assertion, "If you are not a brand, you are nobody. Be seen, be heard, be remembered," the book distils decades of thought leadership and experience into a compelling guide. It explores how every individual possesses the inherent power to consciously craft, embody, and project a distinctive personal and organisational brand, highlighting that branding is a fundamental force shaping leadership, influence, and lasting impact.

In honour of the Year of the Horse, the awards showcased a striking artwork by Malaysia’s contemporary artist Lim Ah Cheng. His piece, "Born to Lead the Wild《天生领袖》", captures leadership as instinctive rather than imposed, defined by rhythm, direction, and momentum. Through abstract expressionism, bold brushstrokes, and layered pigments, the artwork conveys raw energy, untamed freedom, and leadership rooted in inner strength. It was displayed alongside other distinguished works, reinforcing themes of courage, purpose, and forward movement that characterise the Brand of the Year.

"Tonight marks the beginning of a new chapter for The BrandLaureate,"said Prof. Dr KK Johan, President Emeritus. "As we step into 2026, the future belongs to brands that are strong, bold, and loyal — brands that lead with purpose, clarity, and conviction."

Throughout the evening, the awards recognised exceptional brands and leaders for their resilience, innovation, and enduring influence. The recipients of the Brand ICON Leadership Award included His Majesty Sovereign Emperor Kutai Mulawarman, His Majesty Great King Prof. Dr M.S.P.A Iansyah Rechza. F.W, B.Soc.Sc., M.Res., in Nation Building; South Korean football star Lee Dong-Gook in Sports; artist Lim Ah Cheng in Art & Culture; and business icon Stormy Wellington. The Brand Leadership Award was bestowed upon individuals such as South Korean writer Go Do Won, musical artist Shin Nal Sae, singer Amanda Imani, film director Captain Denil Choong, and global network marketing leader Johnnie Green.

The BestBrands category recognised organisations demonstrating outstanding brand strength and market leadership, including Cotovia Clinic, Gambit Group, Generali Life Insurance Malaysia, Hospital Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kuching Specialist Hospital, KOP Mantap Berhad, Melaka International Trade Centre, Pheim Asset Management, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, Putra Specialist Hospital, and Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.

In the DigiTech BestBrands category, organisations such as BDO Technology Solutions, HeiTech Padu Berhad, Jorvix, PMCare, and CDC International were honoured for their innovative, digital-first approaches shaping the future of technology and connectivity.

The Fast Moving, Growing & Sustainable BestBrands Awards recognised agile organisations such as Benta Wawasan, IIUM Schools, Morningreen, Aikbee Timber, and Village Park Restaurant for their responsible growth and operational integrity.

Additionally, the foundation announced a pioneering collaboration with Dream Film Sdn Bhd, aiming to translate branding excellence into cinematic storytelling. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Hilary Ng, General Manager of The BrandLaureate, and Captain Denil Choong, Founder and Director of Dream Film, paving the way for inspiring narratives that elevate brand legacies through film.

Guided by the ethos of "building brands with vision, purpose, and resilience," each awardee exemplifies the standards of enduring excellence, where leadership is intentional, growth sustainable, and brands built to last.

For the full list of winners, visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1tIIACMpKQ6sfhsp4lxUHzRxcCK47jnq2)