GMA NETWORK won the most awards at the 2017 Readers Digest Trusted Brands Awards with Jessica Soho, Mike Enriquez and Ryan Agoncillo voted as the most Trusted Personalities in the country.
The Kapuso Network also received a Platinum Award for being the most Trusted TV Network as well.
It was the seventh award for Soho, the second for Enriquez and the first for Agoncillo who said it was the most special recognition he has received in his career.
“This has to be the most special (award) to date, because Miss Jessica, and Sir Mike were my bosses when I was still in public affairs. I think I was just 19 or 20 back then and I really look up to them,” Agoncillo told Manila Standard in an interview after receiving the award.
“The fact that it was from Readers Digest, a magazine I grew up reading, and to be able to share the stage with my former mentors, it really means a lot. It’s not just an award that takes into account what you have accomplished on TV, but more importantly because it means you were voted by the readers because they TRUST you. At a time when there are a lot of people on TV making a lot of noise and voicing out their thoughts, it feels really good to know that you are trusted, he added.
Wife Judy Ann Santos, whom he referred to as his “lovely date,” accompanied him.
“I’d like to thank my lovely date for tonight for coming with me thank you very much Ms. Judy Ann Santos. It’s an effort when you have three children already to dress up like this,” Agoncillo joked.
Enriquez on the other hand emphasized the importance of the event to all the awardees. “There is something that binds all of us in this room together. We all depend on Trust—from the consumers and our audiences. Without trust we are all nothing, the veteran broadcaster said in his speech.
“At a time when media is under threat, it matters where you get your news. So this (award) is very much appreciated and a humbling experience,” Soho said of her seventh consecutive award
Now on its 19th year, the Trusted Brands Survey has become a benchmark in the industry for recognizing the brands and services Filipinos trust, above all others. It also honors the country’s most trusted personalities with the TV news Presenter, Radio News Presenter, and Entertainment/Variety Show Presenter category.
This year the RDTB awards added six more categories, to reflect the changes in the market and recognize the new brands that have made an impact on the consumers buying habits. Among the new categories added to the Trusted Brands awards are Bakery/Pastry Shop; Dog Food; Remittance Center; Pawn shop; Coffee Shop/ Café; and Optical Shop.
“For nearly two decades, we have been surveying consumers in major markets across Asia such as the Philippines, to ask them about the brands they believe and expect to provide premium value and exceptional service,” notes Sheron White, Group Retail and Advertising Sales Director Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific.
“These respondents are not only composed of Readers Digest subscribers but also of random consumers and we rely on their answers as to which brands deserve their loyalty, support and most importantly their trust. Not only have we learned which brands consumers follow, but more importantly how important trust is in the hearts of people across Asia.”
“As such, being included in this prestigious list is a huge endorsement and one the winners should be very proud of,” Sheron added.
Trust and influence
While certain brands sign famous celebrities to create a buzz about their products, the recipients of the Trusted Brand awards have gotten the endorsement of the most important people of all—their loyal consumers.
Much like loyalty, trust is something not easily measured by trends or likes on social media. Brands have to work for it for many years and goes hand-in-hand with a good reputation and delivery of customers’ expectations. It emerges out of the very best consumer experiences, and is achieved only by truly understanding your customers and not by mentions and hashtags.
“Trust is that emotion that helps us in making our final decisions whether we are conscious of it or not—it is that intangible quality that we associate with reliability and integrity. Whether it is a product or service, trust is what reassures us that we are making the right choice,.
“The Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand mark has become a trusted recognizable symbol globally. And we are honored to announce the winners of the latest survey, who will now be able to use this badge of recognition for 2016 to help consumers make the right choices,” Sheron said.
Platinum Trusted Brand Awards were given to brands that performed exceptionally, winning their category with a score that vastly outpolled their nearest competitor.
Platinum award winners included ABS-CBN and GMA Network (TV Network); Boysen (Paint); Carrier(Air Conditioner); Century Tuna (Canned Tuna); Executive Optical (Optical Shop) Magnolia Chicken (Fresh/ Frozen Poultry); Monterey (Fresh/ Frozen Meat); Pilot (Pen); PLDT Home (Landline Phone Services); SM Supermalls (Shopping Center/Mall); Uratex (Mattress); Mercury Drug (Drug Store/ Pharmacy) LBC Express (Airfreight/ Courier)
Gold Trusted Brand Awards were given to brands that scored significantly higher than their rivals.
The Gold award winners include; Acer (Personal Computer); Asian Eye Institute (Eye Center); BDO(Bank); Baguio Oil (Cooking Oil); Bounty Fresh Chicken (Fresh/ Frozen Poultry); Camella Homes (Property Developer); Citibank (Credit Card Issuing Bank); Citibank (Personal Loans); Condura (Air Conditioner);
Condura (Refrigerator); Goldilocks (Pastry/ Bakeshop); Insular Life (Life Insurance); Healthway(Ambulatory/ Multi-specialty Clinic); Ideal Vision (Optical Shop); Hi-Precision (Ambulatory/ Multi-specialty Clinic); LBC Express (Remittance Center); Manulife (Investment Fund Company); Panda(Pen); PLDT Home DSL (Broadband Services); San Marino Corned Tuna (Canned Tuna); Sharp (Washing Machine) and Whirlpool (Washing Machine).
Recipients of the Trusted Brand awards were given a Trophy and will be allowed to use the globally recognized Trusted Brand Logo in their marketing collaterals and merchandising materials.