{"id":5354,"date":"2026-02-12T07:57:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T12:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/?post_type=news&#038;p=5354"},"modified":"2026-02-12T07:57:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T12:57:36","slug":"distilleri-named-local-hero-of-the-year-at-singapore-media-marketing-awards","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/news-press\/distilleri-named-local-hero-of-the-year-at-singapore-media-marketing-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Distilleri Named \u201cLocal Hero of the Year\u201d at Singapore Media Marketing Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Local-Hero-of-The-Year.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Local-Hero-of-The-Year.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Local-Hero-of-The-Year-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Local-Hero-of-The-Year-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Local-Hero-of-The-Year-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Local-Hero-of-The-Year-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Singapore\u2019s Distilleri Agency Wins Gold, Earns Industry-Wide Applause for Hyperlocal Brilliance<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Singapore-based ICOM member agency <a href=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/agency\/distilleri-group\/\">Distilleri<\/a> has earned a major accolade, being named Local Hero of the Year at the Singapore Media Marketing Awards (SMMA). This Gold agency win\u2014their first since launching in 2020\u2014marks a milestone for the young, independent shop already making waves with its bold, hyperlocal approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After earning a Bronze for Best Independent Agency at the 2023 Agency of the Year Awards, Distilleri\u2019s latest recognition confirms what their clients and peers already know: Distilleri is redefining how creative work resonates in one of the world\u2019s most competitive markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a nice moment of validation,\u201d shared <a href=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/leaders\/junren-xiao\/\">Junren Xiao<\/a>, General Manager and Managing Partner of Distilleri. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote details-pull-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It tells us that what we\u2019re building at Distilleri\u2014the culture and the people\u2014works. We\u2019re still a work-in-progress, but it gives us the space to pause, reflect, and feel confident that we\u2019re on the right track.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading details-heading\"><strong>Grounded in Culture, Powered by People<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its founding, Distilleri has championed creative work rooted in real consumer insight, rejecting clich\u00e9s and performative trends in favor of relevance, resonance, and results. Their creative philosophy focuses on \u201chyperlocal storytelling,\u201d crafting campaigns that speak directly to Singapore\u2019s culturally rich and nuanced audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSingapore may be a small market,\u201d notes the team, \u201cbut it\u2019s crowded and discerning. To stand out, we need to be hyper-relevant. That\u2019s where we thrive.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Distilleri - Pickles Case Study\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1164253781?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This clarity of vision has proven magnetic\u2014for clients, for collaborators, and for awards juries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m continually amazed by the team\u2019s relentless drive and commitment to excellence,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/leaders\/david-tan\/\">David Tan<\/a>, Senior Advisor and Co-founder. \u201cThey tackle challenges together, grow stronger through them, and never lose sight of what matters. And a huge thank-you to our fearless clients who trust us to bring their unique stories to life.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading details-heading\"><strong>Leading by Example<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond campaign success, Distilleri\u2019s influence extends into the wider industry. Managing Partner Jian Yang recently served as Co-Chair of the prestigious Hall of Fame Awards, where Distilleri also took on the role of Creative Partner\u2014a signal of the agency\u2019s rising stature within Singapore\u2019s marketing landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading details-heading\"><strong><strong>More Than a Win\u2014A Moment of Momentum<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis Local Hero award isn\u2019t just a trophy; it\u2019s a testament to what\u2019s possible when bold ideas meet local insight, and when independence fuels impact,\u201d added Alan Tang, ICOM\u2019s APAC Regional Director. For a team still finding its rhythm, the recognition is a welcome push forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As the team at Distilleri shared, \u201cBeing recognised by our industry peers is incredibly affirming. It gives the team a real sense of momentum and reassurance\u2026 More than anything, it encourages us to keep pushing, learning, and raising the bar for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At ICOM, we celebrate this spirit\u2014the courage to create differently, the curiosity to question convention, and the commitment to growing together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gold-1024x577.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gold-1024x577.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gold-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gold-768x433.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gold-1536x865.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Gold.jpeg 1919w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bronze-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bronze-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bronze-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bronze-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bronze-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/icomagencies.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Bronze.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5355,"template":"","news_category":[17],"class_list":["post-5354","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news_category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - 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