NESTLÉ WINS ARAW ADVERTISER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Celebrating its centennial year, Nestlé Philippines, Inc. (NPI) recently received the Philippine advertising industry’s top honors, the ARAW Advertiser of the Year Award, which is given to the participating company with the most number of wins across all categories of the competition.

Held every two years, the ARAW Awards, which recognize advertising creativity and effectiveness, are the most coveted in the country. Regarded by many as the “Oscars” or the “Cannes Awards” of local creative competitions, the 2011 Araw Awards served as the culminating event of the recently held 22nd Philippine Advertising Congress at the CWC Convention Center in Camarines Sur.

In winning the Grand Award as Advertiser of the Year, Nestlé Philippines harvested a total of five Gold, ten Silver and 13 Bronze ARAW Awards, including Brand Advertisement wins.

The performance of Nestlé Philippines was boosted by its Kasambuhay, Habambuhay Centennial Anthology of ten short films, as well as its Centennial TV commercial and brand advertising campaigns which have been praised by consumers and industry observers alike.

“We’re deeply honoured to be recognized by the advertising industry as the ‘Advertiser of the Year’ during our year-long celebration of the Centennial of Nestlé Philippines,” said NPI Director of Communications Sandra Puno, “and this recognition of the value of our work is likewise a recognition of the excellent work of our directors, various creative talents in the industry, and partner agencies, Zenith Optimedia and Publicis Manila.

”Ms. Puno stressed that the company’s advertising efforts are inspired by consumers and their families, and that Nestlé strives to uphold positive social values that are indispensable to nation-building.

“The award is a great honour for Nestlé Philippines. Our mission is to continue to nurture future generations of Filipino families and to contribute to the development of a strong and prosperous nation. This is a mission we have pursued in the last 100 years. Our advertising is dedicated to supporting the accomplishment of that mission,” Nestlé Philippines Chairman & CEO John Miller said.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Source: BusinessWorld (November 14, 2011)

The BusinessWorld edition of Oct.31, 2011 carried a report headlined "Nestlé officials accused of price fixing", which we would like to address with your kind permission.

The report, which was apparently based on a resolution by the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office dated Aug.15,2011, said: "A city prosecutor's office has found probable cause to charge Nestlé Philippines, Inc. officials with price fixing after distributors complained that the local arm of the food giant required their prodcuts to be sold for a dictated cost."

Apparently, the reporter was not aware that in a subsequent resolution on the same matter dated Oct. 5, 2011, the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office dismissed compalints against officers of Nestlé Philippines, Inc. (NPI) for alleged predatory pricing in violation of Article 186 of the Revised Penal Code. The complaints were filed by Service Edge Distribution, Inc. (SEDI) and FDI Forefront II Trading (FDI), both former distributors of NPI.

In its resolution of Oct.5, the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office reversed its earlier resolution approving the filing of charges in the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Subsequently, the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office also filed a motion to withdraw from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court all relevant charges on predatory pricing in connection with the case.

The OCt.5 resolution states, "... a cursory reading of the complainant's allegations would readily show that there is no crime commited as the vertical price restraint practice is freely accepted in this jurisdiction as a tool for commerce."

Similar criminal cases filed by the same parties with the Makati and Quezon City Prosecutor's Offices, and an administrative case at the Department of Trade and Industry, have already been dismissed.

We hope that our letter will be useful in providing readers with updated information and correcting any misunderstanding which may have arisen from the report.


Sincerely,

RUSSEL ANDAYA
Senior Vice-President, Head of Legal
Nestlé Philippines, Inc.

NESTLÉ OFFICIALS VISIT D.T.I.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretaries Cristino L Panlilio (3rd from left) and Zenaida Cuison Maglaya (2nd from left) welcome Mr. Doreswamy Nandu Nandkishore (3rd from right) former Nestlé Philippines, Inc., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer during his visit to the Board of Investments on October 14, 2011. Mr. Nandu was named to succeed Mr.Frits van Dijk as Nestlé S.A. Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. The Philippines is part of his regional market visit to get updates on Nestlé operations here and to meet with public and private sector leaders. Also in photo (from left) are Anthony Low Regional Manager for Zone Asia, Oceania, Africa, and Middle East; John Martin Miller, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Philippines; and Ms.Editha de Leon, Senior Vice President, Head of Corporate Affairs.