HIROSHI HAMADA

MANAGING DIRECTOR YAKULT (M) SDN BHD

On how social media has impacted or promoted your business brand.

Social media has allowed Yakult brand to have a ‘personality’ and be relatable to our customers. We are no longer just a faceless company. Our customers can get their questions answered and give us feedback easier and faster than ever before. So hopefully our customers feel closer to our brand.

On the company’s digitalisation efforts and how it has helped in branding.

We are now more visible online, and this encourages consumers to share their positive experiences with Yakult brand in their social media. This has helped boost our image as a trustworthy and effective brand because these testimonials are sincere and based on consumers’ own experiences.

Challenges faced by your company in a challenging economic environment.

The main challenge we face is to grab the consumers’ attention in a crowded and fragmented media landscape. We need to be more targeted in our efforts both on ground and online.

On strategies put in place to boost the

company’s brand image.

Among our key strategies is to focus on sharing our corporate values with the public. As a company producing health products, we align ourselves with activities, programs and public figures who have the same values as us. We also believe endorsements by third parties/authorities/consumers are very powerful in creating a positive brand image.

The importance of a meaningful connection between a brand and a consumer in brand-building.

We believe health is a common wish and value among all people regardless of nationality, race, age group and gender. We hope to connect with the public as we strive to encourage healthy and active lifestyle among Malaysians and that this connection will lead to brand loyalty over the years.