Vietnam Milk Producers React to Pricing Charges

VietnamNet has the latest progression of the ongoing "milk pricing" controversy in this article.

Nestle and Mead Johnson both push back against the idea that their milk products (both fresh and powdered) are over-priced. Both companies also reject the idea that marketing and advertising expenditures are responsible for allegedly over-priced products. Nestle argues that its infant formula products are not advertised at all as the result of an existing government decree. Mead Johnson says it spends less on advertising and marketing than competitors.

Obviously, given recent history, inflation is an issue that must be managed. But what seems to be getting lost in the debate is the rationale for why milk is such a desirable commodity in Vietnam. It would seem that Vietnamese parents are quick to link milk consumption to healthy, successful, prosperous children. If this is indeed the case, now would be the time for Vietnam's milk producers to band together to remind all of their audiences of the attributes of milk. It's curious that Vietnam's milk producers have not done this yet. Maybe this will be the next stage of the narrative? After all, as they say, a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.

Thai Daily Newspapers Monetize Mobile News

Both the Nation and Bangkok Post are offering SMS news subscriptions, which deliver breaking news to mobile phones users in Thailand. The Nation seems to be targeting the expat community in a tie up with a popular forum at 49 baht per month, while the Bangkok Post is offering the service in English and Thai language for 39 baht per month. Granted, this is a news-focused service that will be tough for marketers to crack. But the only organizations with a chance to expand their messaging through this SMS service will be those whose PR counselors can create hard news angles that are meaningful to the public at large.