Smart Bags Gold at Panata Awards for Stunning MOA Ball Event

Smart Communications, Inc. won the sole Gold citation in the Single Medium – Out of Home (OOH) Marketing Communications Channels category at the 2024 Panata Brand Effectiveness Awards. The ceremony took place on September 6 at Seda Hotel, Bonifacio Global City.

***Smart bags Gold Panata Award for MOA Ball***. Accepting the award are Smart representatives Lloyd R. Manaloto and Lorenzo E. Torres (fifth and sixth from left, respectively). Also in the photo are (from left): Zard Lao, Chief Executice Officer of Up Rising Corporation; John Andes, Chief Marketing Officer of Up Rising Corporation; Mark Ibardaloza, Senior OOH Media Manager of Metropolis Evolving Media Solutions Corp.; Neil Andre Abad, General Manager of Metropolis Evolving Media Solutions Corp.; Mick Atienza, PANA President; Onet Diño, Chief Operating Officer of Up Rising Corporation; and Did Diño, Creative Director of Up Rising Corporation

Organized by the Philippine Association of National Advertisers, the Panata Brand Effectiveness Awards celebrate excellence and effectiveness in advertising across the country.

As an official global partner of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Smart transformed the Mall of Asia (MOA) Ball into a colossal basketball tribute with a hoop, showcasing the tournament and Filipinos’ passion for the game. Collaborating with Metropolis Evolving Media Solutions Corp. and Up Rising Corporation, Smart created one of the most impressive and grand basketball displays, both nationally and internationally.

“We share this recognition with the teams and partner agencies who helped make the MOA Ball a historic basketball tribute and a source of pride for Filipinos as we hosted the FIBA World Cup 2023’s grand finale,” said Kristine A. Go, Senior Vice President for Wireless Consumer Business at Smart.

***Smart recently won the lone Gold citation for Single Medium – Out of Home (OOH)*** *Marketing Communications Channels category at the 2024 Panata Brand Effectiveness Awards. Accepting the award are Smart representatives Lloyd R. Manaloto (right) and Lorenzo E. Torres.*

“Smart’s MOA Ball OOH elevated our FIBA World Cup 2023 hosting experience for basketball fans and delegates from around the globe,” added Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President at Smart.

In addition to the Panata Gold award, Smart’s MOA Ball execution received several other accolades, including a bronze award at the 2023 CLIO Sports Awards, Excellence in OOH Advertising at the Marketing Excellence Awards 2024, and Best Outdoor Ad from BestAdsOnTV.com.

The MOA Ball, measuring 1.5 meters in diameter and encased in a goal with a 111-meter circumference, was the result of the dedication of 248 workers, including on-site staff, engineers, safety officers, and designers. Their efforts ensured a mesmerizing experience for basketball fans and highlighted the Philippines’ ability to host world-class basketball events.

Smart will continue its global partnership with FIBA as the official partner for the 2027 Basketball World Cup in Qatar, extending their four-year partnership due to their outstanding promotional work for FIBA 2023.