SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments) and its affiliates SM Foundation, China Banking Corporation, and Watsons have earned 13 prestigious Anvil Awards, solidifying their leadership in corporate communications and public relations. Recognized at the 60th Anvil Awards, the SM Group was lauded for its PR initiatives across a wide array of categories, including investor relations, sustainability, governance, and social impact.
A standout achievement was SM Investments’ victory in the Best Public Relations Program for Investor Relations, which highlighted its successful strategic communications around the Euro Medium-Term Notes (EMTN) Program. This included the recent USD500 million drawdown, part of a USD3 billion EMTN program, which marked SM’s largest bond issuance in over a decade, reinforcing its financial flexibility amid market fluctuations.
Frederic C. DyBuncio, president and CEO of SM Investments, attributed the recognition to the effective public relations strategy that helped secure the successful bond issuance, underscoring the strength of investing in Philippine companies. SM Investments also garnered accolades for its 2023 Integrated Report, which emphasized the company’s commitment to customers, communities, and sustainable business practices. Notably, its financial communication campaign, “Behind the Headlines,” and corporate governance initiatives, including the “Strategy and Philosophy of CSR and Good Governance,” were celebrated for highlighting the company’s role in economic development and ethical business conduct.
SM Foundation was acknowledged for its impactful “We Care” newsletter and the “Uplifting Lives Through Social Good” initiative, showcasing the foundation’s extensive contributions to education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts.
In the consumer sector, Watsons earned multiple accolades, including recognition for the HIMtayan campaign on responsible medicine disposal, the Watsons Health Expo for accessible healthcare solutions, and the Watsons Sustainable Art Competition for promoting environmental consciousness. Additionally, Watsons’ collaboration with SM Beauty for the Beautycon event, which utilized influencer marketing to engage a younger audience, was celebrated.
China Banking Corporation also received an Anvil for its successful Brand Refresh initiative, aimed at modernizing the bank’s image to resonate with a new generation of customers, as well as for the One China Bank program, which improved employee engagement and experience.
The Anvil Awards, presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), recognize PR campaigns that make a significant impact on businesses and their stakeholders. This year’s wins underscore SM Group’s excellence in using public relations to strengthen its brand, engage stakeholders, and drive corporate growth.
