This discusses Ajinomoto's "PR First, Advertising Second" marketing strategy, exemplified by their "Ajinomoto Junior High School" event.
This approach prioritizes public relations to build a positive brand context before launching traditional advertising campaigns.
The core of this strategy involves engaging influencers in unique, immersive experiences designed to foster genuine enthusiasm and turn them into brand advocates, rather than simply paying for sponsored content. By having influencers organically share their positive experiences, Ajinomoto creates a trusted, third-party endorsement that makes subsequent advertising more impactful and less likely to be perceived as mere "noise" by consumers.
This method leverages authentic fan conversion to maximize advertising effectiveness and establish a strong foundation of consumer trust and interest.