Recently, Wahaha's sales soared by 8,500% in a short period of time, and this phenomenal growth was undoubtedly strongly inspired by the touching deeds of Mr. Zong's life, which inspired the emotional resonance of the general public. At the same time, Nongfu Spring, another well-known drinking water brand, has suffered a significant decline in sales, and some regions and platforms have even seen Wahaha mineral water sold out and only Nongfu Spring remains.
However, Nongfu Spring's problems don't stop at declining sales. Recently, the packaging of its Oriental Leaf Tea drink has sparked controversy, especially its slogan, which wrongly attributes the origin of matcha to Japan, which is contrary to the deep history of Chinese tea culture and has caused many people to disagree. As part of the tea ceremony, matcha has its roots in Chinese tea culture, not in Japan. Nongfu Spring's practice is not only a neglect of Chinese tea culture, but also a misinterpretation of it.
The claim on the packaging that "tea was sailing across the ocean on the merchant ships of the East India Company" was also questioned. Although the East India Company had close contacts with China during the Qing Dynasty, this was not directly related to the spread of tea culture (friends can check it on their own). Nongfu Spring uses this as a propaganda ploy that may mislead consumers.
In addition, the news that the son of the CEO of Nongfu Spring has become an American citizen has also triggered a public discussion on the patriotic stance of the company. Although everyone has the right to choose their nationality, this choice will undoubtedly affect the public's perception of the company's position. Becoming a U.S. citizen means fulfilling military obligations for the U.S. when necessary, which makes some consumers question the patriotic spirit of Nongfu Spring.
On the whole, Nongfu Spring's handling of Chinese culture in propaganda does need to be reconsidered. As a national brand in China, it should actively disseminate and promote China's excellent traditional culture to avoid misleading consumers and causing unnecessary controversy. At the same time, the entrepreneur's personal choice should also take into account the social responsibility and public image of the enterprise.
Regarding Nongfu Spring's concept of Chinese culture in publicity, we believe that this is not only a question of packaging or publicity, but also an issue of cultural identity and corporate responsibility. In today's globalized world, cultural exchange and integration are an inevitable trend, but when enterprises advertise and promote products, they should respect and accurately show the cultural connotation of products, so as to avoid misleading consumers or causing cultural conflicts.
We should also realize that patriotism is not just a slogan, but also needs to be embodied through concrete actions. As the elite and role model of society, entrepreneurs should lead by example, actively fulfill their social responsibilities, and contribute to the development and prosperity of the country.
Finally, consumers are urged to pay attention not only to brand and quality, but also to the cultural connotation and social responsibility of the brand when choosing products. In this way, we can jointly promote the healthy development of Chinese brands and contribute to the country's cultural prosperity and economic development! Only when the country is rich can the people be strong!
Welcome everyone to leave a message in the comment area, share their views and suggestions on this issue, and let us contribute wisdom and strength to the healthy development of real national brands. Wahaha Hotspot Engine Program