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[5][8][24] - The company's marketing strategies, while successful in some cases, have also faced scrutiny for being outdated or aesthetically unpleasing, leading to accusations of plagiarism [21][24] Company Overview - "Hua Yu Hua" was founded in 2002 by brothers Hua Shan and Hua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 advertising industry is experiencing significant discussions and controversies, particularly surrounding the consulting firm Hua Yu Hua and its long-term relationship with the restaurant brand Xi Bei, highlighted by recent comments from entrepreneur Luo Yonghao [1][2][3]. Group 1: Hua Yu Hua's Business Model and Value - Hua Yu Hua has charged approximately 60 million RMB over ten years for consulting services to Xi Bei, raising questions about the value of such fees in the current marketing environment [4][6]. - The firm employs around 160 people and generates nearly 300 million RMB in annual revenue, indicating a high average contribution per employee of about 1.9 million RMB [9]. - The core value of Hua Yu Hua is perceived to be less about its methodologies and more about the reputation of its founder, Hua Shan, who serves as a social symbol of trust in the industry [8][47]. Group 2: Industry Dynamics and Perception - The marketing consulting industry is characterized by a reliance on external validation and trust, particularly in sectors like dining where visual branding is crucial [31][42]. - The firm has been involved in significant discussions regarding its effectiveness and the perceived lack of innovative methodologies, with some critics labeling it as a "scam" [50][51]. - Despite criticisms, Hua Yu Hua has contributed to raising industry standards by establishing a high pricing model, which has influenced the overall pricing landscape in marketing services [58][62]. Group 3: Recent Controversies and Reactions - Luo Yonghao's public criticism of Hua Yu Hua has sparked widespread debate on social media about the value of their consulting fees and their relevance in today's marketing landscape [5][6]. - Following the backlash, Hua Yu Hua's leadership issued an apology to Luo, indicating a strategic move to mitigate negative public sentiment [66][68]. - The incident reflects the challenges faced by consulting firms in maintaining their reputation amidst public scrutiny and the evolving expectations of clients [70].

Core Points - The incident involving Luo Yonghao and the brand consulting company Hua Yu Hua has been resolved, with an apology issued by Hua Yu Hua's owner, allowing the focus to shift back to the serious topic of consumer rights regarding pre-prepared food in the restaurant industry [1] - Luo Yonghao expressed his frustration over comments made by Xibei's founder, who labeled him as a "cyber mafia" and criticized him, leading to a public confrontation during a live-streaming session [1] - Luo Yonghao emphasized the need for national regulations concerning pre-prepared food to be established promptly, indicating a shift in focus to more pressing business matters [1] Company Overview - Hua Yu Hua is a strategic marketing brand consulting firm that provides comprehensive services including corporate strategy, brand strategy, brand design, product development, and advertising creativity, with Xibei being one of its clients [1]

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding the consulting firm Hua Yu Hua and its 60 million yuan fee for branding services highlights the disconnect between marketing strategies and actual product quality, raising questions about the accountability of consulting firms in the industry [1][11]. Group 1: The Incident - Luo Yonghao criticized Hua Yu Hua for their ineffective branding strategy for Xibei, which led to a public relations crisis when the "baby meal" was revealed to be a frozen pre-made dish [2][6]. - The backlash against Xibei's "baby meal" slogan illustrates how a compelling marketing message can backfire when it does not align with the product's reality, resulting in a loss of consumer trust [2][6]. Group 2: Accountability of Consulting Firms - The incident raises fundamental questions about the responsibilities of branding consultants like Hua Yu Hua, particularly regarding their role in ensuring that marketing messages reflect the actual product [3][4]. - A responsible consulting firm should not only create slogans but also engage in ongoing verification of the product's authenticity and quality, akin to a doctor's follow-up on a patient's treatment [5][10]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The crisis at Xibei serves as a microcosm of a broader issue within the consulting industry, where firms often excel in high-level strategy but fail to grasp the realities of execution and consumer expectations [7][9]. - The reliance on superficial branding without a deep understanding of the product can lead to significant reputational damage for both the consulting firm and the client, as seen in this case [6][12]. Group 4: Future of Brand Consulting - The industry must evolve beyond the "PPT era" of branding, requiring a more integrated approach that encompasses product quality, supply chain integrity, and consumer experience [10][12]. - The lesson learned from this incident is that brand consulting must prioritize genuine consumer trust over mere marketing rhetoric, as consumers are increasingly empowered to challenge misleading claims [8][11].