Core Viewpoint - The recent controversy involving Luo Yonghao and the consulting firm Hua Yu Hua has sparked significant discussion in the marketing industry, questioning the value and effectiveness of long-term consulting relationships [1][2][32]. Group 1: Incident Overview - Luo Yonghao criticized Hua Yu Hua, which has been providing consulting services to the restaurant chain Xibei for ten years, charging a total of approximately 60 million RMB [2]. - Despite Luo's public apology indicating a desire to move on, discussions about the value of the consulting fees and Hua Yu Hua's relevance in the current marketing environment continue to escalate on social media [2][32]. - The incident has highlighted the ongoing scrutiny and debate surrounding the effectiveness of marketing consulting firms like Hua Yu Hua [2][32]. Group 2: Hua Yu Hua's Business Model - Hua Yu Hua's annual revenue is nearly 300 million RMB, with an average contribution of about 1.9 million RMB per employee, indicating a high level of productivity compared to industry peers [3]. - The firm's core value is not solely based on its methodologies but significantly relies on the reputation of its founder, Hua Shan, who serves as a social symbol of trust in the industry [8][31]. - The consulting firm has established a pricing model starting at 6 million RMB per year, which has set a high benchmark for the industry, aiming to restore the dignity of service providers [36]. Group 3: Industry Impact and Perception - Hua Yu Hua is viewed as a leading figure in the advertising and brand consulting industry, with many professionals considering its methodologies as influential, despite criticisms regarding the lack of innovative theories [6][32]. - The firm has been instrumental in shaping the pricing landscape of the marketing consulting industry, moving away from low-cost services to a model that emphasizes high fees and trust [36]. - The ongoing debate about the effectiveness of Hua Yu Hua's strategies reflects broader concerns within the industry regarding the value of marketing consulting and the reliance on external validation for internal decision-making [10][18][31].