Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Leveraging the Extended Reality (ER) technology, Dumex Dugro, food company Danone’s growing up milk brand, has teamed up with Rouge by Entropia to launch a web-based Augmented Reality (AR) packaging for its new formulation, NextGen NUTRI. 

As opposed to the usual WebAR technology which requires access to a user’s smartphone motion sensors and camera, NextGen NUTRI’s AR packaging can be experienced without the need to install a specific mobile app.

Consumers will be able to access the new reality and immerse themselves on the journey to learn about Dugro’s product information; these include RTB’s and key ingredients among others.  

At the end of the journey, the technology allows moms and kids to interact and have a photo taken with Dugro’s well-loved characters, the Dugro Buddies: Aiden the Leader, Jolly Jane, Big Sis and Brainy Ben which they can save and share on different social media platforms. This also allows moms and kids to try out a sample or to register and get Dugro Rewards for existing customers.

Originally, the schedule for the launch of the campaign was in March of this year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand had to look for a contactless alternative to engage customers. 

According to Samuch Ongsulapa, Danone’s senior category and channel development manager, the collaboration “marks a new era in product detailing and engagement with their consumers.”

“Our vision at Danone is to be a truly people-powered brand, and our partners at Rouge by Entropia embrace that in every piece of creative communication. With this vision at the forefront, we set out to reconnect with Millennial mothers – to better understand their insights and behaviors, to innovate our NextGen NUTRI nutrition formulation, and redesign our consumer experiences. In line with this big idea, we launched Dugro®’s innovative AR packaging experience.” Samuch said.

Ramakrishnan CN, Entropia’s head of EXR, stated that “The quantum leap in the processing power of mobile phones and their mass availability, have made the deployment of such experiences more cost-effective than ever before. We are excited about the possibilities of this technology.”

“The biggest challenge for any marketing campaign is to engage consumers to change their desirability of the brand. And XR technology solves this for Dumex Dugro® by offering them the opportunity to create interactions with prospective customers in the most engaging way possible – through a full brand and product story told via Augmented Reality on the packaging. It is one of the most fun and innovative approaches we’ve taken to reach consumers.” Ramakrishnan said.

Singapore – Following a multi-agency pitch, Omnicom Media Group-owned agency OMD has successfully won F&B company Danone’s account, officially becoming its media agency for the Malaysia and Thailand business. 

The appointment is inked to span a three-year partnership. OMD will be charged with overseeing the media planning and buying duties for the company across traditional and digital channels. 

Both OMD’s Thailand and Malaysia leg will be handling the company’s Growing up milk brands such as Dumex and Hi-Q. Anca Everts, marketing director of Danone Malaysia said, “When we partner with a media agency, we look out for that one team who can work as an extension of our own to naturally co-build winning campaigns for our Growing up milk brands in Malaysia.”

OMD believes that their display of a strategic approach via digital and data-led expertise is what ultimately led them to clinching the account. Marketing Director of Danone Thailand Korakot Vuthihirunthamrong said that they were impressed by the agency’s level of commitment and enthusiasm which the Thailand team had demonstrated throughout the pitch process.

OMD APAC CEO Stephen Li commented, “When coupled with our demonstrated commitment to Danone, strategic and data-driven solutions forge a cutting-edge partnership that make every media dollar work harder, resulting in better business outcomes.”