Core Insights - The company Liou, once a leader in pump manufacturing, has shifted focus to digital marketing but is now facing declining revenues and challenges in the advertising sector [1][3]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, Liou reported a revenue of 9.635 billion, a decrease of 9.62% compared to the previous year [1]. - The mechanical manufacturing segment generated 2.131 billion, while the digital marketing segment accounted for 7.477 billion in revenue [1]. - The net profit surged by 164.28%, reaching 478 million, but the non-recurring net profit only grew by 1.88%, totaling 148 million [1]. Industry Challenges - The digital marketing industry is facing difficulties, with clients becoming harder to convince and relying more on tactics rather than genuine results [3]. - There is a growing sentiment among industry insiders that the advertising business is becoming less effective, with terms like "digital harvesting machine" and "advertising black hole" being used to describe the situation [5]. Regulatory Environment - There are indications of regulatory changes, such as the proposed amendments to the Pricing Law aimed at controlling advertising overcharging, which could impact the operational dynamics of advertising companies [5]. - Despite the regulatory scrutiny, companies are reportedly finding ways to shift costs and maintain profitability [5]. Consumer Advice - Consumers are advised to be cautious when engaging with advertising, suggesting they should inquire about actual effectiveness and avoid prepaying for services without thorough evaluation [6].