A Decade of Awarding Groundbreaking Achievements
The World Branding Awards (WBA) was first launched in 2014 by the World Branding Forum (WBF), a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing branding standards worldwide. The forum aims to recognise the efforts of brands that have successfully built and maintained strong brand identities.
Recognising excellence across various industries, the WBA encompasses Global, Regional, and National categories, spanning automotive, electronics, fashion, and beyond.
Over the years, the WBA has gained prominence as a prestigious event in the branding industry. Winning a WBA is seen as a testament to a brand’s commitment to excellence and its ability to connect with consumers on a global scale.
The WBA provides a platform not only to recognise established global brands but also to highlight emerging and homegrown brands that show great promise in the world of branding.
Notably, the prestigious awards trophy finds its home at the renowned Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising in London, while the distinctive “Brand of the Year” logo is a registered trademark.
Celebrating Branding Excellence
Since its inception, WBA award ceremonies have taken place at Kensington Palace in London. The prestigious backdrop of Kensington Palace has become the house of branding for the WBA.
The annual award ceremony is the most anticipated event for the winners, as it serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of excellence and the impactful contributions of these brands to the global business landscape.
Every year, the event draws in distinguished guests from across the globe, all converging to celebrate and express their admiration for the remarkable accomplishments of the crowned “Brand of the Year” winners.
Moreover, the event acknowledges exceptional brands on a global scale and highlights the strategic brilliance, innovation, and commitment to excellence that sets these winners apart. Not only that, the award ceremony is also a vibrant networking opportunity for the global business community.
Reaching Every Corner: The Three Tiers of the World Branding Awards
The WBA recognises outstanding brands across three distinct tiers:
- Global Award: This prestigious accolade honours truly international brands with a presence in at least ten countries across three continents. Only the top 100 global brands in any given year qualify for this elite recognition.
- Regional Award: This award recognises brands that reign supreme in several countries within a specific geographic region. It celebrates brands that have achieved regional dominance and resonate with consumers across borders.
- National Award: This tier acknowledges the top brands within each country. It highlights brands that have earned a strong reputation and become household names within their national markets.
The Evaluation Process
The evaluation process involves a combination of consumer voting and a panel of branding experts to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Nominations for the awards can be made by brands’ owners, custodians, agencies, or the public.
Winners are judged through three streams: brand valuation, consumer market research, and public online voting. There are also other awards for individuals voted for by the World Branding Forum Advisory Council.
Winners go through a thorough assessment process to determine the level of work put in by a brand for their branding activities. The level of trust that the brands’ customers and the public have for the brand is also taken into account.
The World Branding Awards Expand Their Reach
Following its successful establishment, the WBA has continued to evolve by launching regional editions dedicated to specific markets.
In 2017, the WBA expanded its reach by launching the Animalis Edition, a dedicated ceremony for pet and animal brands. The edition was held in Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, solidifying its position as the world’s largest such award ceremony. The 2023 edition of the Animalis WBA returned to Hofburg Palace and saw the incredible participation of brands around the world.
Building on its success, the Americas Edition followed in 2018, recognising brands across North and South America at New York City’s renowned Plaza Hotel.
Stories of the Winners and Their Influence
CoCo Conquers the World: Global Tier Triumph at the WBA
In a glittering event that brought together the crème de la crème of the business world, CoCo, the innovative and trend-setting beverage brand, secured a monumental victory at the 2023-2024 World Branding Awards, earning the prestigious Global Tier recognition.
CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice was founded in 1997 by Chairman Tommy Hung. In a world where culture blends with tea, CoCo found its core mission, ‘Consistency and Continuity’, to bring the highest quality of tea with unmatchable services to its customers. Born in Taiwan, CoCo embarked on a quest to become the global leader in bubble tea.
In response to CoCo’s remarkable achievement as the Brand of the Year in the Retailer – Bubble Tea category, Cody Wang, the astute Business Development Director, shared his insights on the triumph.
“It’s definitely an honour being the only bubble tea brand receiving the World Branding Awards. That shows CoCo is being recognised by consumers in different regions. We trust more and more consumers will see us in a new market with global expansion.”
CoCo, known for its dedication and quality over decades, offers innovative drinks, stylish stores, and fresh ingredients in unique recipes. Combining traditional methods with innovation and a global perspective, CoCo has grown to over 5,000 stores worldwide.
They strive to create a welcoming and sustainable community for their customers, offering refreshing products and living by their motto: “Embrace Tradition, Unleash Innovation, and Seize the World.”
This testimony encapsulates the essence of CoCo’s success – a blend of visionary leadership, a dedicated team, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that propelled them to the pinnacle of global recognition at the WBA.
VISTRA Triumph: Thailand’s Pride Shines Bright on the Global Stage
VISTRA, a Thai emerging beauty and healthcare brand emerges victorious on the global platform. VISTRA’s remarkable achievement in clinching the National Tier at the 2023-2024 World Branding Awards solidifies its status as a symbol of excellence and innovation.
VISTRA is a leading holistic health & beauty supplement brand in Thailand and is continually expanding its influence around the globe. Founded in 1999, the brand prioritises making international standard health and beauty supplements available to everyone.
Rooted in a deep commitment to social and environmental responsibility, the brand strives to make a positive impact beyond its products.
Likewise, embracing the mantra “Better Health, Better Life,” the brand espouses a holistic well-being philosophy that recognises the interconnectedness of individual, social, and environmental welfare.
Furthermore, through meticulous research and development protocols, they meticulously create their products using premium ingredients backed by strong scientific foundations. These products are manufactured in facilities that adhere to international standards, and the products undergo rigorous testing to ensure the utmost safety standards.
As well as, their unwavering passion, sincerity, and determination have been consistently communicated to consumers. It fosters a profound and enduring bond of trust between VISTRA and its beloved customer base.
Responding to VISTRA’s exceptional accomplishment as the Brand of the Year in the Vitamins & Supplements National category, James Jeerawat Sitsankul, Chief Marketing Officer, extended his gratitude to the consumers for the victory.
“I would like to express my heartful gratitude and thankfulness to our consumers because this has meant a lot [to us]. It means that our Thai brand has been lifted to a new height of the international standard.”
This award is not only acknowledges VISTRA’s outstanding contributions to the industry but also underscores Thailand’s growing influence on the international stage.
Celebrating the Future of Branding Excellence
Reflecting on a decade of recognising exceptional brands, the World Branding Forum (WBF) feels immense pride and appreciation for the incredible achievements celebrated.
Looking forward, WBF is committed to sustaining this legacy by continuing to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in branding.
Anticipation for the next edition is profound, and WBF is dedicated to delivering an even more exceptional event that will showcase and honour brands redefining excellence.
Learn more about the full winners of the 2023-2024 World Branding Awards.
About World Branding Forum
The World Branding Forum (WBF) is a global non-profit organisation based in London, England. The forum runs various programmes and organises conferences, workshops, and seminars. It operates a newsroom publishes industry news on its website, and is also a media partner for various industry events.
The forum runs various programmes, which include brand and market research, a best-practice standards development programme, and other student education programmes.
The forum’s industry recognition programme is the World Branding Awards, which it organises annually.
