BIZ BUZZ: URC brands savor Malaysia spotlight

Universal Robina Corp. (URC) is having a proud parent moment in Malaysia—and it’s all thanks to two familiar snack names.

Cloud 9 and Munchy’s bagged national honors at the 2025 Putra Brand Awards, a consumer-voted recognition that reflects which brands Malaysians trust most.

Cloud 9 clinched the silver award, while biscuit giant Munchy’s took home bronze—both in the competitive foodstuff category. Not bad for brands fighting for shelf space in one of Southeast Asia’s busiest snack battlegrounds.

For URC, the recognition wasn’t just about bragging rights. These awards are based on feedback from tens of thousands of consumers, making them a reliable pulse check on brand strength.

“These awards reflect the trust Malaysian consumers place in our brands and the dedication of our teams who bring them to life every day,” said Karen Ong, URC’s chief marketing officer.

Behind the scenes, URC has been quietly beefing up its Malaysia presence. Last year, it opened a new research and development center in Johor, to speed up product innovation and sharpen its regional edge.

Munchy’s, which URC acquired in 2021, is already Malaysia’s top biscuit brand, with products sold in over 20,000 outlets nationwide. Cloud 9, meanwhile, continues to expand its following across Southeast Asia.