3/20/2012 2012 BRAND MANAGEMENT – ASSIGNMENT 3 Aruba Sharif | MBA 2k10 Marketing Table of Contents Analyze Olpers with respect to Brand Relationship Typology Forms ........................................................... 3 1 2 Brand Hierarchy .................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Corporate Brand ........................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Range Brand .................................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Product line Brands ....................................................................................................................... 4 Brand Relationship Typology Forms ..................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Relationships Focused................................................................................................................... 4 2.1.1 Arranged Marriages .............................................................................................................. 4 2.1.2 Casual Friends/buddies ......................................................................................................... 4 2.1.3 Best Friendships .................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.4 Kinships ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.5 Committed Partnerships ....................................................................................................... 5 2.1.6 Marriages of Convenience .................................................................................................... 6 2.1.7 Courtships ............................................................................................................................. 6 2.1.8 Dependencies........................................................................................................................ 6 2.2 Relationships not focused ............................................................................................................. 7 2.2.1 Secret Affairs ......................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Flings ..................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.3 Compartmentalized Friendships ........................................................................................... 7 2.2.4 Enslavements ........................................................................................................................ 8 2.2.5 Childhood Friendships........................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 8 Evaluate Olpers through Passion Brand Strategy ......................................................................................... 9 1. 2. Passion Brand Strategy ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 Brand Performance ....................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 Brand Perception ........................................................................................................................ 11 1.3 The Brand Inside ......................................................................................................................... 12 1.4 Brand Currency ........................................................................................................................... 14 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Evaluate Olpers viz a viz Engro Foods dairy sector financial ratios by looking at their financial data. Calculate financial ratios and interpret them. ............................................................................................ 16 1|Page 1. 2. 3 Analysis of Profitability Ratios............................................................................................................. 17 1.1 Return on Equity ......................................................................................................................... 17 1.2 Return on Assets ......................................................................................................................... 17 1.3 Return on Capital Employed ....................................................................................................... 18 1.4 Net Profit Margin ........................................................................................................................ 19 1.5 Gross Margin ............................................................................................................................... 19 1.6 Operating Margin ........................................................................................................................ 20 1.7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 21 Liquidity Ratios .................................................................................................................................... 22 2.1 Current Ratio ............................................................................................................................... 22 2.2 Quick Ratio .................................................................................................................................. 22 2.3 Cash Ratio ................................................................................................................................... 23 2.4 Liquidity....................................................................................................................................... 23 Financial Performance ........................................................................................................................ 23 References .................................................................................................................................................. 24 2|Page Analyze Olpers with respect to Brand Relationship Typology Forms 1 Brand Hierarchy 1.1 Corporate Brand Engro Corporation/Engro Foods is the corporate brand name under which several range and product line brands come. 1.2 Range Brand Olpers is a range brand as it spreads across several product lines like milk, cream, flavored milk and ice-creams. Hence, it is classified as a range brand. 3|Page 1.3 Product line Brands Product line brands include Olpers Cream, Olpers Owesome (flavored milk), Olpers Lite (low fat milk) and Olpers Omore (ice-creams). These have sub brands and then branded features under their categories. 2 Brand Relationship Typology Forms Fournier developed a typology of different consumer-brand relationship forms. These forms help us in understanding our consumer’s relationship with our brand and with our competitors. This provides insight in developing strategies for our brand and establishing strong relationship with our consumers. 2.1 Relationships Focused Following are the relationship forms that are valued and strategy is made to further enhance and strengthen them: 2.1.1 Arranged Marriages Here, by definition third party has a strong hold in decision making related to use and purchase of the product. One has a non-voluntary union imposed by the choice of third party. These are usually long term relations but with very less emotional attachment with the brand. Olpers has developed this relationship with consumers that are not involved in grocery purchasing or decisions about kitchen related stuff in Pakistan. These include kids and also males (sons, husbands, and fathers). These are the consumers who do not consume Olpers by choice. The consumption is because their mothers or wives have a preference for the brand and either buy it themselves or ask for this brand if someone else is responsible for grocery shopping. 2.1.2 Casual Friends/buddies Casual friends are the ones with which consumers have less intimacy and affection. They do not expect much reward and includes occasional engagement with the brand. 4|Page Olpers do not focus on this relationship with its consumers. It has an aim of establishing long term relations and occasional purchases are not much focused. Milk has a specific natural taste and that brand is bought which suits our palate. Some like Olpers taste and others prefer Nestle MilkPak. For MilkPak consumers, Olpers is a casual friend in case they do not find their brand in the market and do not have any choice except buying Olpers. This is a short time relation usually lasting one time purchase only. 2.1.3 Best Friendships These are defined as a voluntary union of consumers and brands based on reciprocity principal which ensures continuous positive rewards. This relationship also shows one’s self and partner’s image and a reflection of personal interests. This is an honest and intimate friendship. Olpers main focus is on strengthening this relationship. From package colors to size to advertising campaigns, each marketing tool is used to attract consumers and tell them this is the brand of their choice. Cultural theme in adverts signifies intimacy and reflection of user imagery. Other rewards of consuming Olpers are the natural taste they guarantee along with health safety and nourishment. 2.1.4 Kinships These are non-voluntary but long term unions with lineage ties. These ties are titled as kinships due to influence of lineage. Olpers is relatively new brand in the market and does not have kinships established at a higher level. It has now made a strong position in the market and also focuses on kinship. As it is precipitating in its target audience, it is increasing kinships with time. Families using Olpers influence their close relatives’ choice leading to their switching to Olpers. 2.1.5 Committed Partnerships This relationship is long term, voluntary and has high social support. It consists of trust, intimacy and love. It has immense level of loyalty and commitment. 5|Page Olpers looks into developing and nourishing such relationships with their consumers. They provide all the features according to consumers’ tastes and want them to adopt the brand completely. Their advertising makes it more obvious for consumers to establish ties that remain strong despite adversities like non-availability in the market. Olpers reminds consumers time and again of how they value their consumers and would maintain a relation of trust by providing high quality of product. 2.1.6 Marriages of Convenience These long termed, highly committed relationships are a result of environmental influence rather than deliberate choices. Olpers’ branding strategies do not focus on developing this relationship. Although initially (after its launch), Olpers had this relationship as it had intensive distribution with comparatively less price as compared to the competitors. So, the brand was purchased due to its distinctive presence in the market rather than making a deliberate choice. After that, brand focused on strengthening this relationship and turning it into loyalty. 2.1.7 Courtships Courtships are interim relationship leads to committed partnerships. As they are a leading source to a committed partnership of consumer and the brand so these are highly priced for Olpers. This is the relation in which loyalty towards the brand is gained. A problem like dissatisfaction from the quality or taste of the product can lead to a hate relationship. 2.1.8 Dependencies This is an obsessive, highly emotional relation where the other is irreplaceable. High tolerance for not “up to the mark” performance is observed. Olpers still does not have this relationship where consumers feel fixed with the brand. Olpers should focus on creating such relations with its consumers and Olpers has started doing that by 6|Page introducing Olpers cream, Olpers Lite, Olpers Omore and Olpers Owesome which covers all needs of dairy products of their consumers. 2.2 Relationships not focused Following relationships are either due to non-voluntary union or do not exist currently so Olpers yet does not focus on them: 2.2.1 Secret Affairs These relationships are highly emotional and are kept private. It is also considered risky if this relationship is exposed to others. Olpers positions itself as a social brand with which people could associate with publically so this relationship is not a part of Olpers’ brand relationship typology. 2.2.2 Flings These are short term and time bounded relationships. They do not have commitment and reciprocity of demands but do give high emotional rewards. Olpers does not have this consumer brand relationship. They do not focus on making short term, time bounded relationship with their consumers. They believe in giving value to their consumers with suitable price and quality. They also ensure convenience in terms of tetra packaging and more variants in terms of sizes and calories (Olpers Lite) according to consumers’ needs 2.2.3 Compartmentalized Friendships It is highly specialized but having lower intimacy but higher socio-emotional rewards. It is also situational confined. People can easily enter and exit this relation. This relationship is only established when the brand one is using is not available and for the time being they purchase Olpers instead. Olpers can turn these relations into long term and high intimacy relationship. 7|Page 2.2.4 Enslavements These are non-voluntary union which is imposed by the brands as they do not have any other option. This union involves negative feelings and consumers play a subordinate’s role. (Chew, 2002) Olpers does not make its consumers slaves. It focuses on developing loyal relationship with its consumers by becoming their first choice and getting a positive mindshare. 2.2.5 Childhood Friendships These include infrequent engagements which have high affection. It has a relation with one’s earlier times and yields comfort and security. (Chew, 2002) Olpers is relatively new brand as compared to its main competitors like Nestle MilkPak and Haleeb. Childhood friendships will be developed with the Generation Z as it is a brand of their childhood. 2.3 Conclusion The above analysis shows that Olpers focuses on developing long term, intimate relationship with its consumers rather than short lived, non-voluntary relationships. 8|Page Evaluate Olpers through Passion Brand Strategy 1. Passion Brand Strategy This strategy consists of four important dimensions and helps an organization to evaluate its marketing efforts. “What did we hope for?” are the estimated expectations of the brand that can be calculated through weighted average method too where weights are given according to industry significance of the measure and ratings are according to the performance of brand with respect to competitors. The four dimensions are as follows: 1.1 Brand Performance These measures help in evaluating brand’s performance in the market place like high frequency of purchases would indicate repeat purchases from the customer hence leading to more loyalty. Similarly new customer generation would also contribute to the increment in volume. Olpers Brand Performance Measures 1 What did we hope What did we What will we for? get? change? Frequency of purchases 12% 10% distribution frequency 2 new customer 0.5 million 0.5 million generation 3 customer churn negative - 4 loyalty 40 million 50 million 9|Page 5 volume growth 24% 22% Capacity Weighted Average Method: Olpers Measures Rating (1- Weights Nestle MilkPak Total 5) 1 Frequency of Rating (1- Weights Total 5) 4 0.25 1 3 0.25 0.75 3 0.2 0.6 2 0.2 0.4 purchases 2 new customer generation 3 customer churn 3 0.1 0.3 3 0.1 0.3 4 loyalty 4 0.25 1 3 0.25 0.75 5 volume growth 3 0.2 0.6 2 0.2 0.4 1 3.5 2.6 From the above tables, we see that Olpers is performing better as compared to its competitors in the industry. As quoted by Engro Foods’ Annual Report of 2011, their consumers and volume has grown more than expected. This shows that customers are getting more and more aware of the brand, leading to purchases and then loyalty due to provision of quality. Over a period of 6 years, Engro Foods has launched 11 brands out of which 7 brands are from the dairy sector. Olpers has expanded its distribution network to 8 regions 310 towns and cities and internationally to 18 states in USA, 4 provinces in Canada. Engro Foods Annual Report 2011 states that the dairy sector had a volume growth of 22% which lead to Profit growth 406%, revenue growth 42.6%, and gross profit 22.2% making Olpers 18th largest tetra pack consuming brand. All the above facts establish that Olpers has performed well as a brand in the previous years. 10 | P a g e 1.2 Brand Perception Brand perception dimension deals with the images that consumer has due to brand awareness created by messages sent by the company through advertising predominantly. The measures are related to spontaneous awareness due to colors, name and packaging of Olpers whereas prompted awareness is due to advertising and sales promotions. Effective campaigns help in achieving both. Olpers Brand Perception Measures What did we hope What for? get? 1 prompted awareness 25% 30% 2 spontaneous 40% 40% did we What will change? awareness 3 customer satisfaction 30% 35% 4 effective campaigns 45% 55% Weighted Average Method: Olpers Measures Rating (1- Weights Nestle MilkPak Total 5) 1 prompted Rating (1- Weights Total 5) 4 0.25 1 3 0.25 0.75 4 0.25 1 3 0.25 0.75 3 0.2 0.6 4 0.2 0.8 4 0.3 1.2 2 0.3 0.6 awareness 2 spontaneous awareness 3 customer satisfaction 4 effective campaigns 11 | P a g e we 1 3.8 2.9 Olpers has a wonderfully attractive campaign that surrounds our culture and links the brand with the lives of its consumer’s hence increasing awareness and recall of brand associations by them. Olpers distinctive colors and different packaging helps consumers’ spontaneous awareness by coming in direct contact with the brand itself. Also, facts supporting our analysis include stats like 5 million consumers added this year along with daily 50 million consumers starting their day with Olpers leading to Rs. 30 billion’s revenue. Olpers was also given “Best international outdoor campaign Award” at Outdoor Advertising Convention 2011 which shows that campaigns’ effectiveness is also recognized internationally. The above to dimensions show Olpers better performance, hence achieving half of the Passion brand position. 1.3 The Brand Inside This dimension talks about the internal organizational factors which make the brand stronger. Employees, suppliers and organization’s environment are the main factors affecting this dimension. The Brand Inside Measures What did we hope What did we What will for? get? change? Safety Measures 1 employee attrition rate 13% 15% 2 job satisfaction 40% 60% 3 employee incomings 20% 24% 12 | P a g e we 4 supplier knowledge 15% 20% (growth) Weighted Average Method: Olpers Measures Nestle MilkPak Rating (1- Weights Total Rating 5) (1-5) Weights Total 1 employee attrition rate 3 0.15 0.45 3 0.15 0.45 2 job satisfaction 4 0.2 0.8 3 0.2 0.6 3 employee incomings 2 0.1 0.2 2 0.1 0.2 4 supplier 0.25 0.75 3 0.25 0.75 0.3 1.2 4 0.3 1.2 1 3.4 knowledge 3 (growth) 5 employees' brand 4 knowledge 3.2 The above estimates were taken from Engro Foods Annual Report where it is stated that from 1000 employees in 2010, they now have 1243 employees in 2011. For increasing employee satisfaction they have invested PKR 1271 million in their salaries and benefits. Supply chain has also received significant share where it is estimated that it grew by 20%. Adding to their brand inside, Engro Foods achieved “2010 Employer Choice Award” and “The Best Place to Work 2010” by Pakistan Society of Human Resource Management and Engage Human Resource. Employee attrition rate is said to be 15%. For this they have increased investment in benefits given to employees and improving the environment they work in specifically the work safety measures. 13 | P a g e 1.4 Brand Currency This dimension relates to the investment done in one’s brand image enhancement through participating in community activities, corporate social responsibility and increasing brand trust through them. Brand Currency Measures What did we hope What did we What for? get? will we change? 1 brand trust 40% 42% 2 CSR 7% 5% 3 brand community activities 94 million 95.9 million Funds Proportion Weighted Average Method: Olpers Measures Nestle MilkPak Rating (1- Weights Total Rating 5) (1-5) Weights Total 1 brand trust 4 0.4 1.6 3 0.4 1.2 2 CSR 4 0.25 1 2 0.25 0.5 3 brand community 4 0.35 1.4 3 0.35 1.05 1 4 activities 2.75 The above analysis shows that Olpers has actively participated in social welfare activities like supporting education sector, rural support programs and natural disasters fund raising. Facts like the following help in substantiating our analysis: PKR 11 million donations to education, environment, disasters 14 | P a g e Giving flood affected people PKR 7.5 million and investing PKR 77.4 million in Khushaal Livestock Project Collaborating with CARE foundation and helping 800 students to get education 2. Conclusion The above measures and their analysis shows that by far Olpers is successful in becoming a Passion Brand for consumers. It has established all the tools that lead to its success in the market. It needs to continue measuring its performance on all four dimensions for a holistic picture for their brand. 15 | P a g e Evaluate Olpers viz a viz Engro Foods dairy sector financial ratios by looking at their financial data. Calculate financial ratios and interpret them. Financial Data profit equity assets sales current assets cash short term debt 2009 -433 3371 9005 14665 2569 2010 176 5124 12460 20945 3738 2011 891 7237 16639 29859 6369 148 1997 180 2522 351 3481 Financial Ratios 2009 2010 2011 (12.84) 3.43 12.31 (4.81) -7.1 1.41 2.1 5.35 7.9 (2.95) 17.1 6 0.84 21 17 2.98 22.2 16.6 1.30 1.50 1.80 Profitability Ratios Return on Equity Return on Assets Return on capital employed (ROCE) Net Profit Margin Gross Margin Operating Margin Liquidity Ratios Current Ratio 16 | P a g e Quick Ratio Cash Ratio 0.6 0.5 0.9 0.07 0.07 0.10 1. Analysis of Profitability Ratios 1.1 Return on Equity A growing trend is seen in ROE which signifies that managers at Olpers are using shareholder funds effectively as they are turning equity investment into higher profits. Return on Equity 15.00 10.00 5.00 (5.00) 2009 2010 2011 Return on Equity (10.00) (15.00) In 2009, the ratio turned out to be negative as the brand was still making its place in the market hence not earning many profits. Equity was greater as Olpers had investment from shareholders to strengthen the brand. 1.2 Return on Assets Similar trend is observed in historic analysis of ROA of the past three years. This ratio shows that the firm is getting return on its resources. 17 | P a g e Return on Assets 6.00 4.00 2.00 Return on Assets (2.00) 2009 2010 2011 (4.00) (6.00) Here, assets increased in 2009 due to addition of a plant facility in North (Sahiwal). Due to increase in assets which were still not functional, lead to a negative ratio. 1.3 Return on Capital Employed This ratio helps in measuring effective use of non-operating sources of funds by getting adequate returns on them. This is usually taken as a more reliable and clear ratio than ROA. Capital employed includes all liabilities and shareholders’ wealth. Return on capital employed (ROCE) 10 5 0 2009 2010 2011 Return on capital employed (ROCE) -5 -10 Again, returns were low as compared to the liabilities as loan was taken to establish state of the art plant in North which increased the liabilities. Profits were initially low as Olpers was competing with its rivals and making its position in the industry. 18 | P a g e 1.4 Net Profit Margin This ratio exhibits profits on every Rupee of sales. This reflects an organization’s strategy in the industry too. Net Profit Margin 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 (1.00) 2009 2010 2011 Net Profit Margin (2.00) (3.00) (4.00) Net Profit Margin increases immensely after investment in long term assets is done. Profits count more and more on every rupee of sales which means that cost of goods sold is being managed successfully by Olpers hence leading to better profits. It is also efficiently reducing its operational costs too. Also financing costs are also taken care of. 1.5 Gross Margin This ratio depicts marginal contribution of every rupee of sales. Gross profit is calculated after subtracting cost of goods sold from the sales. 19 | P a g e Gross Margin 25 20 15 Gross Margin 10 5 0 2009 2010 2011 This ratio indicates that Olpers has effectively managed cost of goods sold and divided it in smaller and smaller proportions of sales hence increasing the sales revenue. This shows that sales revenue has also significantly increased over the years to yield a positive result. 1.6 Operating Margin This ratio is for operating profit for each rupee of sales. This helps in identifying cost management of operations like distribution and marketing of the product and its effect on sales. Operating Margin 20 15 10 Operating Margin 5 0 2009 2010 2011 Operating margin initially increased but then a slight decline is seen. This is due to increase in operating costs as Olpers has increased is supply chain by 20% and also marketing costs. Soon, positive effects of these investments will increase profits and hence increasing margins. 20 | P a g e 1.7 Conclusion As seen, a trend of upward positive growth has been in the previous years. This shows that Olpers (dairy segment of Engro Foods) is yielding profits and is a good organization to invest in. 21 | P a g e 2. Liquidity Ratios 2.1 Current Ratio This ratio tells about the safety margin that an organization has to meet short term cash obligations. Current Ratio 2.00 1.50 1.00 Current Ratio 0.50 2009 2010 2011 More than 1 is considered as a good figure as it tells that the company has more assets to pay of the liabilities. Olpers (dairy segment of Engro Foods) has maintained a current ratio of more than 1 from the past 3 years which signifies their management of current assets like cash in order to pay any requirement in liabilities. 2.2 Quick Ratio This ratio serves the same purpose but it said to be more conservative than the current ratio. Quick Ratio 1 0.8 0.6 Quick Ratio 0.4 0.2 0 2009 2010 2011 22 | P a g e A figure slightly less than 1 is preferred. Olpers also performs well on this ratio as seen from the above graph. Over the years it has relied on its quick assets (that can be readily liquidated) as a safety net. 2.3 Cash Ratio This ratio is also a very conservative measure of the above. It includes cash plus short term liabilities divided by current liabilities. Cash Ratio 0.12 0.10 0.08 0.06 Cash Ratio 0.04 0.02 2009 2010 2011 This liquidity ratio gives value of cash over liabilities. The above graph signifies that Olpers has a focus on decreasing the liabilities and increasing constant cash flows into the firm. 2.4 Liquidity Overall liquidity ratios indicate that the brand performs well in effectively managing its liquid assets which would help in smooth operations of the firm. 3 Financial Performance By looking at financial ratios of profitability and liquidity, we see that Olpers is a leader in profits and is managing its costs and assets efficiently and effectively. Brand management strategy is right in place and its implementation is improving with time. The brand is profitable and has gained the position of market leader in UHT milk category. 23 | P a g e References Chew, J. C. (2002). Understanding Consumer-Service Brand Relationships:. Australasian Marketing Journal 10 (2). Engro Foods Annual Report 2011 – Engro Corp’s Website 24 | P a g e