Starkey Korea CEO Shim Sang-don, center, poses after receiving an award at the BrandLaureate Awards in Malaysia, Monday. Courtesy of Starkey Korea
Starkey Korea CEO Shim Sang-don has been honored at the BrandLaureate Awards, which recognized his decades-long leadership in the company's hearing aid development business and his investments in social outreach, the company said on Thursday.
The awards celebrate global brands that stand out on the global stage and honor individuals or companies whose outstanding business or community enhancement initiatives contribute to the success of these brands. The World Brands Foundation (TWBF), based in Singapore, founded the awards in 2005.
The longest-serving CEO of Starkey, who has led the company for nearly 30 years, accepted the honor in the Brand Leadership category at the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on Monday. Approximately 1,000 global distinguished guests attended the event, according to the company.
Shim contributed to the global hearing aid industry by leading Starkey Korea and transforming it into a globally renowned brand, the company said. The award also recognized his efforts beyond the office, particularly his investments in welfare initiatives for individuals with hearing impairments.
Shim was among the winners selected by the awards' Korean division chief, Doryan Ahn, CEO of the international review and rating optimization platform IRO. Other recipients included Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov, football manager Park Hang-seo and the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
“The latest BrandLaureate Awards have put a fresh limelight on Korea's global leadership and accomplishment,” Starkey Korea said. “Shim's contribution to the global hearing aid industry, Park's sports diplomacy and the Seoul Metropolitan Government's various branding policies have jointly put Korea on a global stage once again.”
The award has so far recognized 500 individual winners and 2,500 companies across 80 countries. Actor Ahn Sung-ki, golfer Choi Kyung-ju and B-boy group Jinjo Crew have so far won the awards in the Korean division.