By Nam Hyun-woo
Oriental Brewery (OB) and L'Oréal have started programs to help in Korea's fight against COVID-19, as part of their efforts to fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR)
OB said Monday it has been giving donations and carrying out a series of volunteer activities to help vulnerable people, as part of its corporate philosophy of mutual growth with society.
In February, OB donated relief supplies worth 1 billion won ($811,000) to citizens and healthcare workers in Daegu and the surrounding area, which have been hit the hardest from the COVID-19 outbreak here.
The brewery delivered hygiene-related supplies including face masks and hand sanitizer to doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the battle with the coronavirus.
Along with those supplies, OB also donated 8,970 two-liter bottles of mineral water to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to provide aid to those quarantined. The water was first stored at the association's logistics center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and distributed to those in need.
Adding to the domestic support, OB brand Budweiser donated its profits from global beer sales to healthcare workers across the world, April 7, to commemorate World Health Day and the founding of the World Health Organization.
In Korea, Budweiser donated the money to the Community Chest of Korea's special fund for COVID-19 aid. The brand also uploaded a video clip titled "#ONETEAM" on its official YouTube channel to express gratitude to healthcare workers and volunteers.
Since March 30, Budweiser has been also holding a donation campaign supporting economically distressed young artists, dubbed "Stay Strong."
As part of the campaign, Budweiser produced limited-edition Stay Strong T-shirts in collaboration with artist group Studio Concrete, and will be selling them through the Kakao Talk messaging app until April 30. The full revenue of the T-shirt sales and a matching amount raised by Budweiser will be donated to the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, which will use the money to support young artists.
Along with the donations, OB postponed due payments for products sent to wholesale dealers across the country and launched a series of programs to financially support vendors suffering from the economic fallout of the coronavirus.
"To help out in the public suffering from the COVID-19 outbreak, OB is carrying out various CSR activities," an OB official said. "We will continue to fulfil our corporate philosophy of contributing to society, and make more efforts to help people overcome the coronavirus."
OB is Korea's largest brewer and is owned by Belgium-based multinational brewing company AB InBev.
L'Oréal increases presence in Korea
Cosmetics giant L'Oréal is also taking part in the fight against COVID-19 in Korea. The French beauty and personal care company said it donated 200 million won last month to the Korean Red Cross to support relief efforts in the fight against the coronavirus. The donation was made through its Korean subsidiary L'Oréal Korea and first Korean beauty brand StyleNanda.
The money donated by L'Oréal will go towards helping low-income and at-risk people who face hardship in purchasing essential hygiene products such as face masks and sanitizer.
"We recognize that it is a very challenging time for the wider community in Korea," L'Oréal Korea President Christian Marcos said. "During difficult periods like these, we believe it's important to come together and help those in need as part of our commitment to Korea."
L'Oréal said this donation reflects the conviction of the company and its 2,000 employees in Korea to stand together in solidarity and actively contribute to overcome the crisis as soon as possible.
Marcos joined L'Oréal Korea in August last year, after spending 15 years as a marketing, retail and management specialist in L'Oréal Group. Before coming to Korea, he served as general manager of L'Oréal Luxe Latin America.
In 2018, L'Oréal acquired Korean makeup and fashion firm Nanda, which owns the StyleNanda and 3CE brands. At the time of the acquisition, L'Oréal did not disclose the price, but the value was assumed to surpass 400 billion won. As of 2017, Nanda posted $152 million in sales at its businesses in Korea and Japan.
Along with its donation for the fight against COVID-19, L'Oréal Korea has been operating a fellowship program for Korean female scientists. Since 2002, L'Oréal Korea has teamed up with the Korean National Commission of UNESCO and Women's Bioscience Forum to grant scholarships and awards to female scientists. For the past 18 years, 74 distinguished scientists have benefited from the program.
This year's awardees will be announced in June, with the top prize winner receiving 20 million won.
 |
| The logo of OB's CSR program / Courtesy of OB |
OB said Monday it has been giving donations and carrying out a series of volunteer activities to help vulnerable people, as part of its corporate philosophy of mutual growth with society.
In February, OB donated relief supplies worth 1 billion won ($811,000) to citizens and healthcare workers in Daegu and the surrounding area, which have been hit the hardest from the COVID-19 outbreak here.
The brewery delivered hygiene-related supplies including face masks and hand sanitizer to doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers who are at the forefront of the battle with the coronavirus.
Along with those supplies, OB also donated 8,970 two-liter bottles of mineral water to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to provide aid to those quarantined. The water was first stored at the association's logistics center in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and distributed to those in need.
 |
| A capture of Budweiser's tribute video clip for healthcare workers across the world / Courtesy of OB |
Adding to the domestic support, OB brand Budweiser donated its profits from global beer sales to healthcare workers across the world, April 7, to commemorate World Health Day and the founding of the World Health Organization.
In Korea, Budweiser donated the money to the Community Chest of Korea's special fund for COVID-19 aid. The brand also uploaded a video clip titled "#ONETEAM" on its official YouTube channel to express gratitude to healthcare workers and volunteers.
 |
| Promotional image for Budweiser's Stay Strong campaign |
Since March 30, Budweiser has been also holding a donation campaign supporting economically distressed young artists, dubbed "Stay Strong."
As part of the campaign, Budweiser produced limited-edition Stay Strong T-shirts in collaboration with artist group Studio Concrete, and will be selling them through the Kakao Talk messaging app until April 30. The full revenue of the T-shirt sales and a matching amount raised by Budweiser will be donated to the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, which will use the money to support young artists.
Along with the donations, OB postponed due payments for products sent to wholesale dealers across the country and launched a series of programs to financially support vendors suffering from the economic fallout of the coronavirus.
"To help out in the public suffering from the COVID-19 outbreak, OB is carrying out various CSR activities," an OB official said. "We will continue to fulfil our corporate philosophy of contributing to society, and make more efforts to help people overcome the coronavirus."
OB is Korea's largest brewer and is owned by Belgium-based multinational brewing company AB InBev.
 |
| L'Oréal Korea |
L'Oréal increases presence in Korea
Cosmetics giant L'Oréal is also taking part in the fight against COVID-19 in Korea. The French beauty and personal care company said it donated 200 million won last month to the Korean Red Cross to support relief efforts in the fight against the coronavirus. The donation was made through its Korean subsidiary L'Oréal Korea and first Korean beauty brand StyleNanda.
The money donated by L'Oréal will go towards helping low-income and at-risk people who face hardship in purchasing essential hygiene products such as face masks and sanitizer.
"We recognize that it is a very challenging time for the wider community in Korea," L'Oréal Korea President Christian Marcos said. "During difficult periods like these, we believe it's important to come together and help those in need as part of our commitment to Korea."
L'Oréal said this donation reflects the conviction of the company and its 2,000 employees in Korea to stand together in solidarity and actively contribute to overcome the crisis as soon as possible.
Marcos joined L'Oréal Korea in August last year, after spending 15 years as a marketing, retail and management specialist in L'Oréal Group. Before coming to Korea, he served as general manager of L'Oréal Luxe Latin America.
In 2018, L'Oréal acquired Korean makeup and fashion firm Nanda, which owns the StyleNanda and 3CE brands. At the time of the acquisition, L'Oréal did not disclose the price, but the value was assumed to surpass 400 billion won. As of 2017, Nanda posted $152 million in sales at its businesses in Korea and Japan.
Along with its donation for the fight against COVID-19, L'Oréal Korea has been operating a fellowship program for Korean female scientists. Since 2002, L'Oréal Korea has teamed up with the Korean National Commission of UNESCO and Women's Bioscience Forum to grant scholarships and awards to female scientists. For the past 18 years, 74 distinguished scientists have benefited from the program.
This year's awardees will be announced in June, with the top prize winner receiving 20 million won.
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