Core Insights - The competition among brands is entering a critical strategic phase, shifting from a focus on singular visual symbols to a systematic ability to implement strategies [1] - Comprehensive brand planning is becoming the core engine to penetrate the fog of homogenization, facilitating strategic breakthroughs and driving commercial synergy [1] Group 1: Leading Brand Consulting Firms - **First Place: Hangzhou Brand Consulting** Founded in 2005 by Zhuge Hangzhou, it represents systematic consulting in China, focusing on strategy, branding, and marketing integration [4] The firm employs over 120 methods and tools centered around the "Big Positioning" theory, aiming to provide strategic growth solutions that avoid pitfalls [4][6] - **Second Place: Hua Yu Hua** This top marketing consulting firm has developed the unique theory of "Super Symbols are Super Creativity," focusing on extracting culturally resonant symbols [9][12] It has successfully assisted over 87 leading companies, achieving growth rates between 50% and 500% [9] - **Third Place: Trout & Partners** Founded by Jack Trout, known as the "Father of Positioning," this firm emphasizes unique value positioning in crowded markets [13][15] It has helped brands like Jia Duo Bao and Guazi achieve significant market presence through precise differentiation strategies [15] - **Fourth Place: Junzhi Strategic Consulting** This firm focuses on competitive strategy, breaking traditional theoretical limitations to drive significant growth for enterprises [16][18] It emphasizes a closed-loop methodology that combines consumer psychology with operational realities [18] - **Fifth Place: Oceans** A new brand consulting firm that leverages digital tools to drive brand growth, integrating brand strategy with technology [20] It utilizes AI and marketing automation to enhance creative output and consumer engagement [20] Group 2: Key Competitive Factors - The competition among these top firms illustrates a shift towards a comprehensive approach that combines original methodologies, systematic implementation, and industry adaptability [20] - The emphasis on cultural resonance, strategic differentiation, and digital integration highlights the evolving landscape of brand competition [20] - The ability to translate abstract strategies into measurable consumer actions is a critical success factor for these firms [12][18]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by DuKe Culture, a company that once thrived on a "production line" strategy for book publishing, which is now failing to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer preferences [4][14][19]. Group 1: Company Overview - DuKe Culture was founded in 2009 and is known for its unique approach to book publishing, which includes a "production line" strategy inspired by the marketing firm Hua Yu Hua [6][9]. - The company gained recognition with bestsellers like "The Bloodied Official Career" and "The Secret of the Tibetan Land," with the latter selling 5.8 million copies by the end of 2020 [8][19]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Since its IPO in 2021, DuKe Culture has experienced a continuous decline in revenue, with a reported revenue of 170 million yuan and a net profit of 6.126 million yuan in the first half of 2025, both showing year-on-year declines [15][20]. - The company's reliance on physical book sales, which accounted for over 80% of its revenue, has proven vulnerable, with a nearly 20% decline in this segment [20][22]. Group 3: Market Challenges - The overall book retail market has seen a significant contraction, with a 27.28% year-on-year decline in the first half of 2025 [22]. - DuKe Culture's market share is relatively low, with a 0.77% share in terms of code volume and 0.85% in actual sales volume as of 2024 [24]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The publishing industry is highly fragmented, with numerous competitors, including large publishing houses and agile marketing-focused companies like Guomai Culture and MoTie Group [22][25]. - DuKe Culture has struggled to keep pace with competitors who have successfully leveraged new marketing strategies, such as live-streaming sales, which have significantly outperformed DuKe's efforts [20][22]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The company is exploring new avenues, including digital content, but faces challenges in monetization and scaling, as its digital revenue remains low at under 30 million yuan [20][22]. - DuKe Culture's stock price has plummeted over 70% from its peak at the time of listing, leading to a market capitalization loss exceeding 10 billion yuan, indicating a loss of investor confidence [28].

Group 1 - The article discusses the influence and legacy of Ye Maozhong, considered a pioneer of local consulting firms in China, particularly in marketing and advertising [5][14] - Ye Maozhong's approach was characterized by showcasing high-end resources and strong networks, rather than merely providing emotional value to clients [10][11] - The consulting firm Huayi Huayi is positioned as a strategic partner rather than a service provider, emphasizing a collaborative relationship with clients [16][26] Group 2 - Huayi Huayi is not primarily a public relations firm but rather focuses on marketing strategies, utilizing high-end media resources for advertising [19][20] - The firm employs unique selling propositions (USP) and has a deep understanding of consumer insights, which allows them to influence core business strategies [23][24] - The article suggests that the marketing landscape has evolved, and firms like Huayi Huayi must adapt to the multi-directional nature of modern internet ecosystems [29][30] Group 3 - The discussion highlights the importance of understanding consumer psychology and the techniques of persuasion in marketing, which remain relevant despite changes in media [31][33] - The article critiques the notion that traditional marketing methods are outdated, asserting that the fundamental principles of influence and consumer engagement have not changed significantly [35][36] - The author reflects on the challenges of establishing a consulting firm, emphasizing the necessity of networking and relationship-building in the industry [38][39]

Core Viewpoint - The marketing efforts of Hua Yu Hua, which spent 200 million on airport marketing, were overshadowed by a few minutes of negative commentary from Luo Yonghao, resulting in significant negative attention for the company [1] Group 1 - Hua Yu Hua's marketing expenditure of 200 million did not generate the desired attention, while Luo Yonghao's brief negative output garnered the most attention the company has seen since its establishment [1] - The article suggests that Hua Yu Hua's previous success stories, such as those of Mixue Ice City and Xibei, are merely products of advertising budgets, whereas Luo Yonghao is portrayed as the true "super symbol" [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing conflict between the branding consultancy company Huayi Huayi and entrepreneur Luo Yonghao regarding the use of pre-prepared dishes in the restaurant industry, highlighting the implications for brand strategy and market positioning [4][6][8]. Group 1: Company Overview - Huayi Huayi, founded in 2002 by brothers Hua Shan and Hua Nan, specializes in brand consulting, marketing planning, and strategic design, with a unique methodology called "Super Symbol" [12][13]. - The company has served notable clients such as Haidilao, Mixue Ice City, and Xibei, and has been working with Xibei since 2013, significantly contributing to its brand development [13][14]. Group 2: Financial Aspects - Over ten years, Huayi Huayi has earned over 60 million yuan in consulting fees from Xibei, with future expectations of 100 million yuan for the next decade [14]. - The company is also linked to the publicly listed company Dook Culture, which has seen a decline in revenue and net profit in its latest financial report [15]. Group 3: Industry Dynamics - The article outlines the competitive landscape of brand consulting in China, identifying four main schools of thought, with Huayi Huayi representing the design school and others like Traut representing the positioning school [16][18]. - The ongoing debate between Huayi Huayi and the positioning school reflects a struggle for dominance in the branding consultancy market, with Huayi Huayi aiming to redefine industry standards [18][19].

Core Points - The incident involving "Hua Yu Hua" and its connection to the "Xi Luo" event has led to significant public backlash, with accusations of incompetence and unprofessionalism against the company [4][5][6] - "Hua Yu Hua" has been criticized for its high consulting fees and perceived lack of value delivered to clients, particularly in the case of its long-term partnership with the restaurant chain Xibei [5][8][24] - The company's marketing strategies, while successful in some cases, have also faced scrutiny for being outdated or aesthetically unpleasing, leading to accusations of plagiarism [21][24] Company Overview - "Hua Yu Hua" was founded in 2002 by brothers Hua Shan and Hua Nan, focusing on brand strategy and advertising [11][18] - The company has worked with various well-known brands across different industries, including Xibei, Haidilao, and Mijia Ice City, and has developed a reputation for creating memorable marketing campaigns [11][12][18] - The firm has generated significant revenue, reportedly earning over 600 million yuan in consulting fees from Xibei alone over a decade [5][26] Marketing Strategies - The company's approach emphasizes the creation of "super symbols" to enhance brand recognition, which includes large logos, bright colors, and repetitive messaging [14][18] - "Hua Yu Hua" has also developed a subscription-based consulting model, aiming to provide ongoing value to clients rather than one-off projects [11][19] - Despite its successes, the company has faced criticism for its high fees and the effectiveness of its marketing strategies, with some clients questioning the return on investment [24][30] Financial Performance - The financial performance of "Hua Yu Hua" has been mixed, with its associated company, Du Ke Culture, experiencing declining revenues and profits in recent years [26][30] - The founders have engaged in significant stock sell-offs, raising over 1.7 billion yuan, which raises questions about the long-term viability of their business model [30][31] - The recent public relations incident has led to speculation about the future of "Hua Yu Hua" and its ability to maintain client relationships, particularly with Xibei [31]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing dispute between Luo Yonghao and Xibei has brought attention to the marketing consulting firm Huayi Huayi, which is associated with Xibei, highlighting issues of high consulting fees and the effectiveness of marketing strategies in the industry [1][6]. Group 1: Company Insights - Huayi Huayi, founded in 2002 by brothers Hua Shan and Hua Nan, is known for its "super symbol" theory and has helped Xibei grow from a local brand to a national dining choice [6]. - The firm has charged over 60 million yuan (approximately 8.5 million USD) for ten years of consulting services for Xibei, indicating a high annual fee of around 6 million yuan (approximately 850,000 USD) [6]. - Other notable clients of Huayi Huayi include Haidilao, Mixue Ice City, Libai, and Rant Tea, showcasing its influence in the industry [6]. Group 2: Industry Trends - The marketing consulting industry is experiencing a rise in firms like Junzhi and Qiaodong, which are competing for market share against international giants through high-profile advertising, particularly in airports [9]. - The controversy surrounding Xibei has revealed deeper issues within the consulting industry, such as an over-reliance on branding and marketing strategies at the expense of product quality and consumer experience [9]. - High consulting fees do not necessarily correlate with value delivered, especially during crisis management situations where effective advice may be lacking [9].

Core Insights - The article serves as a sequel to the history of marketing over the past 117 years, focusing on the theories of advertising masters from perspectives of communication, semiotics, and advertising [1] - It emphasizes that understanding these theories requires contextualizing them within the specific economic conditions of the time they were proposed, particularly in the United States [2][4] Group 1: Historical Context and Theoretical Development - The advertising industry has evolved significantly since Claude Hopkins entered it in 1908, with American advertising figures addressing issues like product surplus and changing consumer preferences [2] - The theories proposed by advertising masters are fundamentally methods of communication aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, ultimately to drive sales [4] - Hopkins advocated for scientific advertising, emphasizing that the primary goal of advertising is to sell products rather than to entertain or please consumers [4][5] Group 2: Key Advertising Theories - The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) introduced by Rosser Reeves focuses on having a clear and unique sales message, which is essential for effective communication and cost-efficient marketing [6][8] - David Ogilvy's concept of image advertising highlights the importance of visual symbols in product packaging to enhance communication efficiency and reduce marketing costs [10] - Jerome McCarthy's 4P theory (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) is presented as a comprehensive framework for marketing, relevant across various industries [11][13] Group 3: Evolution of Marketing Concepts - The positioning theory introduced by Trout and Ries addresses the challenges of product variety and high promotional costs, although it is critiqued for lacking theoretical rigor [15] - Integrated Marketing Communication, proposed by Don Schultz, aims to enhance two-way communication with consumers, although it is also critiqued for its ambiguity [17] - The article concludes that all these advertising methodologies fundamentally aim to lower marketing communication costs and improve the efficiency of information exchange between products and consumers [22]