Yoshiko Fujii, Public Relations and Investor Relations Department, Megmilk Snow Brand Co., Ltd.

Public relations is the lubricant that brings out the best in all employees

Megmilk Snow Brand Co., Ltd. Public Relations and Investor Relations Department　Yoshiko Fujii(Fujii Ryoko)

■ Profile
After joining the company in 2000 and being assigned to a factory where she gained experience in the production of milk and dairy drinks, she moved to the logistics department, where she was involved in adjusting the supply and demand for beverages, yogurt, desserts, etc. After that, she supported the work of executives in the secretarial office, and since April 2021, she has been in charge of media relations in the Public Relations and Investor Relations Department, where she currently works.

Megmilk Snow Brand Co., Ltd. produces many dairy products, including Snow Brand Coffee. Under the corporate slogan "The future is in milk," the company manufactures and sells milk, dairy products, and food. We spoke with Yoshiko Fujii of the Public Relations and Investor Relations Department about the work and role of public relations, which involves promoting the company's merits both inside and outside the company.

When I was looking for a job, it was a tough time during the so-called "ice age." However, I happened to come across a job posting from our company, which was in my school. I was originally interested in milk and cheese, so I took the company entrance exam and was fortunate enough to be hired.
After joining the company, I was assigned to the factory and experienced production, then worked in a variety of jobs, including the logistics department and secretarial office. Through these experiences, I learned a wide range of things, including the company's founding history and initiatives, and I began to think, "I want more people to know about the company!"

About the current job

My current job mainly involves dealing with the media, including newspapers and television. What I'm always conscious of is, "How can I provide the information I want to convey that meets the needs of the other party in order to get the news about our company?" In order for others to know about our company, it's important that we first know about it ourselves. Therefore, curiosity and a variety of experiences within the company are useful. In fact, many members of our Public Relations and Investor Relations Department have experience working in a variety of departments.
One of the most rewarding experiences I had was when I was assigned to my first TV appearance on the TV program "Kaji Yarou!!!". There was a competition for official company recipes for rice dishes, and I introduced an original company recipe using our product "6P Cheese". The reaction was extremely positive, and not only did it let many people know about the appeal of our products, it also helped to increase employee motivation.
When dealing with the media, I am conscious of not neglecting even the smallest details. For example, when communicating via email, I am careful to ensure that my intentions are conveyed accurately and without misunderstanding. I believe that the accumulation of such small details leads to success in my work.

The role of public relations is to increase the number of fans of the company both inside and outside the company

We believe that public relations activities are only successful when there is cooperation within the company.
That's why we place importance on "strengthening internal (internal) communication." For example, part of our PR work involves picking up as much information as possible from within the company, such as various employee stories, new products, and our company's social contribution activities, and disseminating it to the public. If we don't communicate properly with people in other departments on a daily basis, we won't be able to grasp valuable information, and we're likely to find ourselves saying, "I didn't know that! When did that happen...?" We always try to cooperate with other departments, and strive to make people inside and outside the company aware of the company, with the goal of increasing our fan base.　
Our company newsletter is an important tool for strengthening internal communication. Before COVID-19, we only had a printed version, but in 2021 we launched an online version and are using it in conjunction with the printed version. We have made it accessible on personal smartphones and update it frequently.
Our company will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd., one of the predecessors of Megmilk Snow Brand Co., Ltd., is a company with a very long history that was established to help dairy farmers in Hokkaido. We would like many employees to learn about this founding history through our in-house newsletter.

Make your company more energetic with a challenging team!

Hoping to foster a challenging culture and revitalize the company, volunteers from the Public Relations and Investor Relations Department launched the "Milk Future Creation Department." Their activities center on increasing consumption of milk and dairy products. These efforts include planning and implementing a campaign to encourage employees to post photos on social media of themselves with our Dotonbori sign in Osaka, or making a peace sign while holding a "6P Cheese." We also produce and stream a cooking show featuring our employees, which is currently only available to employees, showcasing easy recipes using our products. We hope to create a different, more casual atmosphere that will inspire people to drink milk and dairy products. While we're still exploring options, we'd like to focus on utilizing social media.

Message to university students

After I entered the workforce, there were many times when I regretted not having studied more. For this reason, I think it's a good idea to study a variety of things while you're a student, and it's important to interact with many people and gain a variety of experiences. If you try something that interests you even a little, I think it will benefit you in the future, so try to gain experience first!
And friends from school days are irreplaceable. I still keep in contact with friends from my school days, and I feel that these connections are very important in my life.
Gain lots of experience and find out what you want to do and what you're good at.

Interviewed by Gakushuin Women's College sophomore Rimi Ogawa on March 14, 2023