Cacao was awarded the Ayala Malls' Marketing Partner in 2009 for Serendra and Bonifacio High Street, along with fellow merchants Italianni's and TGIFriday's.

The award was presented last July 8, 2010 at the Grand Ballroom of the Intercontinental Hotel Manila, in the presence of Ayala Malls Executives.

SnapSnack Foods Corp, Cacao's mother company, was represented by it's President, Ricky Andres, who received the award for CACAO.

Congratulations everyone!

(Picture taken during the awarding ceremony and related article from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A pat on the back for retailers

Retailers receive awards for excellence in store operations, marketing and visual merchandising OVER THE years, the Ayala Malls has recognized the outstanding achievements of merchant partners who have shown excellence in store operations, marketing, and visual merchandising.

Now on its 12th year, the Ayala Malls Merchant Rewards was held recently at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5.

The awarding was the high point of the two-day 6th Merchant Forum, which had the theme, “Harnessing Conversations,” at the Intercontinental Manila ballroom.

During the forum, marketing and retail experts shared new trends, innovative concepts and effective retailing strategies.

Speakers included Dr. Vicki Belo, medical director of the Belo Medical Group; Meryll Yan, associate publisher of Mega Magazine; Francis Flores, marketing head of Greenwich and Chowking; Dina Tantoco, marketing communications head of Rustan’s; Merlee Jayme, chair of DM9/Jayme-Syfu; Rupert Japlit, GM of Rogue Digital Inc.; Ardy Roberto, marketing columnist of Inquirer; JV Wong of People Ignite; Donald Lim, managing director of MRM Worldwide; and Danilo Villas, environmental services head of the Makati City Hall.

Panel discussions on branding, window display and customer service featured Margarita Fores (Lusso, Cibo, Pepato); Anton Gonzales (Planet Sports); Miguel Celdran (Nike); Nena Tantoco (Rustan’s); Maritess Chug and Michelle Ibay (Celine Group); Rommel Ng (Outback); Girlie Rodis (Global Resource Creative Exchange); March Ventosa and Robert Labayen (ABS CBN), Robby Carmona (Saga Events); and Gigi Lara (GMA).

Awards were given for visual merchandising and marketing. Visual merchandising winners were Artwork, Nike, VMV and Zara for Glorietta; JO, Escada, AC + 632 and Adora for Greenbelt; T Shirt Project, Salsa, Fruits and Passion and Rustan’s for Alabang Town Center; Bisaya Ispisyal, Schu, Ballooney Shoppe and Rustan’s for Ayala Center Cebu; Maldita, Marithe + Francois Girbaud, Grassroots and Superbench for Market! Market!; Bleach Catastrophe, Nike, Toni and Guy, Fully Booked and Marks & Spencer for TriNoma; and All Flip Flops, La Senza, Blow Up Babies and Gap for Bonifacio High Street and Serendra.

Marketing excellence values awards were given to Rustan’s for Glorietta and Alabang Town Center; and Levi’s for Greenbelt, Ayala Center Cebu, Market! Market! and TriNoma.

Winners of the Marketing Partners Award were Bacolod Chicken Inasal, Max’s, TGI Fridays, The Body Shop and Toytown for Glorietta; Lucerne Group of Companies and Hobbes and Landes for Greenbelt; Rustan’s, TGI Friday’s, Italianni’s and Anson’s for Alabang Town Center; The Gustavian, Bratpack and All Flip Flops for Ayala Center Cebu; National Book Store, Pizza Hut and Picture City for Market! Market!; David’s Hot Pot and Tea Bar, Crossings and Picture City for TriNoma; and Cacao, TGIFriday’s and Italianni’s for Bonifacio High Street and Serendra.

Honored as special partners were The Landmark and The Ramp for Glorietta; Adora and Dulcinea for Greenbelt; Makati Supermarket and Bench for Alabang Town Center; Metro Gaisano and Rose Pharmacy for Ayala Center Cebu; Metro Department Store and Supermarket and Meg for Market! Market!; The Landmark and Anson’s for TriNoma; and Fully Booked and iStudio for Bonifacio High Street and Serendra.

Schu, National Book Store, VNC, Myth, Freeway/Solo/Ensembles by The Row, Bench, The Travel Club, Follow Your Heart and Lush were bestowed the Green Merchant Award for applying sustainability in their operations and promoting green practices to their customers.

A new category was introduced at the Merchant Rewards this year: Promotion of Philippine Culture and Arts Award, given to merchants who have promoted Filipino artistry and ingenuity. Freeway, Bench and Collezione C2 were the first recipients of the award.