Ch4. BMs talk about the Cushion - AMORE STORIES - ENGLISH
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2015.06.02
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Ch4. BMs talk about the Cushion

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Talking about AMOREPACIFIC's special Cushion technology and the innovation behind it

How Much Do You Know about the Cushion?

Chapter 4. BMs talk about the Cushion


The innovative cushions of AMOREPACIFIC are now much loved by customers worldwide. While the outstanding build quality of the cushions is one of the keys to their enduring popularity, the efforts of BMs to execute targeted marketing strategies from the development phase are another critical factor behind their success. In this article, we meet BMs who continue to study changes in the market and the needs of customers in order to enhance the value of cushions of AMOREPACIFIC Group. Let's hear what IOPE, HERA and Sulwhasoo cushion BMs have to say about the cushion.

- AMOREPACIFIC IOPE BM Team, Lee Song-hyun


Q. Please, introduce us to IOPE AIR CUSHION.
Launched in March 2008, IOPE AIR CUSHION is AMOREPACIFIC's first innovative stamp-type multifunctional makeup pact. The 4-in-1 liquid (UV protection + makeup base + primer + foundation) found in 80,000 Air Cells with Cell-Trap technology is an icon of innovation that has completely changed the makeup routine for women all over the world.

Much loved by customers since it was first launched on the market, last year it reached KRW 0.2 trillion in sales, which means that IOPE sold one AIR CUSHION every 4 seconds. In January of this year, it broke the 20 million mark as a single item, proving its status once again as the No.1 cushion in Korea.

Q. AIR CUSHION is the original cushion. It seems that IOPE is continuing to upgrade the Air Cushion in response to the voice of customers.
IOPE AIR CUSHION has brought about innovation in what is generally a monotonous makeup market, bringing about a revolution in the makeup culture of women. This April, it was upgraded once again: it now comes in a wider choice, allowing customers to get the skin they want. IOPE AIR CUSHION XP line is available in two types: Intense Cover and Matte Finish, both giving the same dewy glow with a lighter texture. The launch means IOPE AIR CUSHION XP now comes in five types: Natural, Cover, Intense Cover, Matt and Shimmer. This shows how IOPE is dedicated to fulfilling the different needs of customers.

Q. Being the original cushion, IOPE AIR CUSHION must maintain its unique appeal. Can you tell us a little more about any marketing campaigns that are currently running?
We are actually planning to run several marketing campaigns in a bid to broaden customer touch points for more active and effective customer communication. IOPE promotes AIR CUSHION with luxurious packaging, a wide selection of types and colors, along with various beauty contents starring IOPE muse - Ko So-young. We plan to provide guidelines both online and offline to strengthen our leadership of the cushion category, while offering beauty tips for how to get the look you want with AIR CUSHION in language that resonates with our customers. Ultimately, we want to help our customers make full use of AIR CUSHION.

Q. What did you find most difficult while marketing AIR CUSHION?
It didn't take me long to realize that AIR CUSHION is a tremendous hit in the market, with its appeal reaching customers of different ages. It is even more popular abroad. One of the challenges in my role is to understand the depth of innovation and novelty that AIR CUSHION represents.

Customer needs are becoming ever more specialized and they get fed up more and more easily. Ultimately, what they want is something that's new and fresh. And, given this context, we found a perfect solution to address their needs via customized communication and inter-departmental collaboration. We plan to develop video contents and visuals that show the appeal of AIR CUSHION as the first and innovative and release them through many different on/offline channels, such as V-loggers (YouTube). In the first half of the year, we will open a pop-up store exclusively for AIR CUSHION to interact with customers in person.

Q. Could you pick one of the most memorable customer comments you've received?
I have friends who are now first-time mothers. Some of them are working moms and some are stay-at-home moms. We talk about what we go through, the difficulties we face as new mothers and also offer encouragement and support to each other. They all say that they have to look after their baby when they get ready for work or when going out and that, as you can appreciate, it can be a bit chaotic at that time. They tell me that AIR CUSHION is a must because it helps them do makeup quickly, no matter what the weather. So, they hold their baby in one arm and put AIR CUSHION inside a spare diaper bag whenever they get ready to go out. When I became a new mother last year, I realized for myself just how great benefits were from using AIR CUSHION. (Laughter)

Q. In conclusion, what are your resolutions?
BMs alone cannot turn idea into real products. Many people need to work together for this to happen. BMs have to communicate with managers. Only when trust has first been built can product development go smoothly, just as a ship sails best before the wind. Then, all of sudden, there it is – the finished product.

The thrill of achievement always comes after a number of conflicts and unexpected troubles.

I am doing my best to be a BM reliable in difficult times – a BM who shares troubles and looks for solutions together. I will stay passionate and work to be a trustworthy BM.

3 distinctive benefits of IOPE AIR CUSHION, in the words of Song-hyun!


1. Exceptional coverage that hides any skin imperfections
2. 12-hour long cushion that gives a beautiful dewy glow to the skin
3. Triple functions: whitening, UV protection and anti-wrinkle


- AMOREPACIFIC Makeup Creation Team, Shin Eun-sook


Q. Please, introduce HERA Cushion to members of AMOREPACIFIC.
HERA Cushion is a leader in the high-end cushion compact category. Even though it hasn't yet been released globally, global customers love it and it has become the go-to beauty product of choice for discerning global shoppers. HERA UV MIST CUSHION reached KRW 10 billion in sales in 50 days, and millions were sold within the first four months, helping it exceed KRW 0.1 trillion in sales in the first two years after its launch in 2012. And, it is still setting new records with every moment. HERA UV MIST CUSHION is a truly true mega hit, with one sold every two seconds.

The conventional cushion has the appeal of being a multi-functional foundation with UV protection, but HERA UV MIST CUSHION goes beyond being just a multi-functional foundation. It spurred the growth of a whole new makeup type and category, with the keywords being a foundation that creates moist, glowing skin.

Q. From the latest collaboration product to AGE REVERSE CUSHION, HERA has continued to make change for the better. Tell us about Age Reverse Cushion.

HERA REVERSE CUSHION

HERA AGE REVERSE CUSHION is the fruit of efforts by managers in various departments to bring about innovation in a number of key ways. AGE REVERSE CUSHION is an anti-aging cushion effective at reducing the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles, which is the dream of all women. The luxury platform provides a good foil for BI, while its slim case makes it all the more special. The design of the puff simply adds to the classiness of the cushion. Plus, glycoprotein water with proven anti-aging effect is used to improve its coverage and long-lasting power.

The launch event was held on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree. We heard that there had not been any beauty/fashion event held on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree. The success of HERA with this event showed me just how much our brand image resonates in the market.

Q. AGE REVERSE CUSHION video featuring muse Jun Ji-hyun created a big sensation. Can you share with us any interesting back-story to the video?
There was a reference video that we watched before filming the video. In that video, a ballerina set herself in a gracious pose. Watching that, we thought – "yes, we want that pose in our video." The thing was, Jun Ji-hyun wasn't quite able to pull off the ballerina's pose. We weren't quite satisfied at first, but the video turned out great. Jun Ji-hyun looked so beautiful and gracious in the video. When we heard people say how beautiful she was in the video we all felt relieved.

Q. HERA has a wide range of products and, in this regard, customers must have different views. Is there any particular review that you remember?
UV MIST CUSHION is one of the products for which customers voluntarily post reviews. I heard that last September, Chinese tourists specially came to the store carrying a picture of HERA UV MIST CUSHION ULTRA MOISTURE. And, this was not long after it was launched.

I was surprised at how popular it was among Chinese customers. We neither promoted nor paid for big advertisements because it was quite new at that time and, moreover, HERA had not even made its debut in China. They even gave it a nickname, Black Pearl Cushion, because the top part of the UV MIST CUSHION ULTRA MOISTURE case has a dark, pearlescent aurora that's suggestive of black pearl. As the manager, I felt proud of its popularity among Chinese customers.

Q. What did you find most difficult while marketing HERA Cushion?
Years ago, customers had a bias against HERA because of the way we were perceived as behind global companies in terms of makeup products. Since then, we have grown into a much more competitive brand with the launch of many high-quality innovative products. It was a little difficult at first to prove that our makeup products are in no way inferior to products of global leading companies. But, thankfully, HERA UV MIST CUSHION was a big hit and many customers got to know HERA. UV MIST CUSHION helped HERA in many ways. (Laughter)

Q. Please, tell us about your resolution and plan.
HERA is planning to have its global debut soon. I'd like to contribute to the successful global debut of HERA. Of course, sales matter, but I want to let the world know that AMOREPACIFIC is the originator of the cushion and a true powerhouse when it comes to the cushion. Our innovation is inimitable.

New recruits are usually assigned to Makeup BM in brand, and there are not many BMs with experience of makeup product development. I want to hand down my experience and knowhow as Makeup BM to junior BMs.

3 distinctive benefits of HERA Cushion, in the words of Eun-sook


1. Creating beautiful, moist and radiant skin
2. A wide portfolio of cushions developed in line with customer needs
3. Cushions that continue to evolve and upgrade through R&D


- AMOREPACIFIC Makeup Creation Team, Ahn Ji-hyun


Q. Please, introduce us to Sulwhasoo Cushion.
It is often said there are two beauty ideals: Western and Eastern. Sulwhasoo cushion is more suited to creating the elegant, gracious Eastern beauty ideal, rather than the glitzy Western beauty ideal. What's more, it brings out the skin's natural beauty to the fullest when applied.

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion was released in 9 countries, including Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore, since its official launch in 2013 and is now recognized worldwide as a luxurious beauty item.

Q. The latest Limited Edition features an illustration of a beautiful flower. Does it have special significance?

Sulwhasoo Limited Edition with illustration of peony

We launched the Limited Edition in celebration of the 2nd anniversary of Perfecting Cushion and it features an illustration of peony on the case. Peony, also known as the king of flowers, comes into full bloom in May. It's a symbol of wealth. We designed it in the hope that it makes a good, meaningful gift to loved ones in May, Family Month in Korea, particularly given all that a peony represents.

The peony as a flower, developing a story and making it into a design in the second half of last year. In collaboration with Kim Yun-jeong in our team, we created the image of peony with exquisite colors. And I felt proud that it was a good representation of the classic elegance unique to Sulwhasoo.


Q. What do you focus on when introducing Sulwhasoo cushion to customers?
Customers have a deep trust in ingredients of Sulwhasoo. Sulwhasoo has a rich ingredient heritage, which allows us to market the skincare effects of our products. For instance, Perfecting Cushion contains moisturizing ingredients from apricot seed that make the skin look smooth, supple and glowing with health.

Perfecting Cushion Brightening is formulated with magnolia extract and mother-of-pearl complex, helping it to appeal to young, global customers. We chose these ingredients because they are easily accessible without resistance.

In Donguibogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine), magnolia extract and mother-of-pearl are described as being effective at brightening and smoothening the skin. We communicate the tremendous skincare effects and reliability of these ingredients to our customers.

Q. How have world markets responded to Sulwhasoo cushion?
Perfecting Cushion has been particularly well received in global markets. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream are our most popular skincare products abroad and Perfecting Cushion one of Sulwhasoo's world leading makeup products. Global customers are very satisfied with the coverage and texture of Perfecting Cushion.
We developed specific shades for the new Perfecting Cushion Brightening that best suit the skin color of local customers in a bid to increase the appeal in global markets. In countries where the weather is hot like in Southeast Asia, customers do not like a heavy, sticky texture because it runs down and can cling to the hair. So, we developed Perfecting Cushion Brightening to give a more matte, fresh finish. Travelling to different countries to listen to the voice of local customers and developing a product based on what they said were a very special experience for me.

Q. What marketing campaigns are currently being run to promote Sulwhasoo cushion?
There is not much to show about makeup products in the store because Sulwhasoo is more skincare product-oriented. But, with the launch of Perfecting Cushion Brightening, we built a cushion zone to showcase the cushion in the best light. Staff members at the store said that customers welcome it because they could now test the cushion in store and, moreover, it even attracts those passing by. Plus, we made a promotion zone in duty free shops to reach the cushion at customer touch points.

Q. What did you find most difficult while marketing Sulwhasoo cushion?
It was difficult to make all designs and products within a single, shared concept. But, creating a product with a special design unique to Sulwhasoo really fulfilled me. I have been in the job for five years and there still are challenges to address. Bringing products to market means undertaking collaboration with many departments, such as the R&D Center, Design, QA and Manufacturing Technology Team, and if one thing goes wrong, it could endanger the whole launch schedule. But, still, we make good products because we have great chemistry. I am glad that our efforts have paid off with positive customer reviews about Perfecting Cushion Brightening.

Q. Please, tell us about your resolution and plan.
Our cushion has gone global thanks all the love from customers worldwide. I would like to provide full support in terms of training and promotion so that it can enhance its presence in the global market. I pledge to work harder to make our cushion the world leader in the global market. Plus, I'd like to introduce even better products to customers. Sulwhasoo will make the best products for customers seeking something new and fresh.

3 distinctive benefits of Sulwhasoo Cushion, presented by Ji-hyun


1. A cushion packed with the ingredient heritage of Sulwhasoo
2. Choose between healthy, supple skin and bright, gorgeous skin, depending on your needs
3. Luxurious cushion with exquisitely designed packaging, ingredients and fragrance

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