Annual General Meeting of SMC and SMC Enterprise Limited held

Issue 21, October 2016 to June 2017

Combined Edition

Social Marketing Company (SMC) held its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 10, 2016 at the Company Head Office in Dhaka. The AGM placed and approved the Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report for the Financial Year 2014-15 and appointed auditors for the Financial Year 2015-16.

Mr. Muhammed Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SMC, presided over the meeting. Board Directors, Managing Director & CEO of SMC, Mr. Ashfaq Rahman and Managing Director of SMC Enterprise Limited (SMC EL), a subsidiary of SMC, Mr. Md. Ali Reza Khan were also present in the meeting.

SMC Enterprise Limited held its 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 30, 2017 at the Company Head Office in Dhaka. The AGM placed and approved the Directors’ Report and Auditor’s Report for the Financial Year 2015-16 and appointed auditors for the Financial Year 2016-17.

Mr. Muhammed Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SMC Enterprise Limited, presided over the meeting. Board Directors, Managing Director & CEO of SMC, Mr. Ashfaq

Rahman and Managing Director of SMC EL, Mr. Md. Ali Reza Khan were also present in the meeting.

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SMC awarded with the Marketing Innovation for SustainableHealth Development (MISHD) project by USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded SMC a five-year project called the Marketing Innovation for Sustainable Health Development (MISHD) as a follow-on to the success of the earlier Marketing Innovation for Health (MIH) project which ended in July, 2016.

The MISHD project is a cooperative agreement under which USAID will provide both commodity assistance for selective family planning products and cash grant to support community mobilization activities, provider’s capac-ity building and program marketing. SMC will implement this project as a lead along with several local NGOs that include BRAC, Concerned Women for Family Development (CWFD), Shimantik, and PSTC, and two interna-tional technical partners, Population Services International (PSI) and EngenderHealth. Some of the major objec-tives of the project will be as follows:

Expand community mobilization activities through SMC’s highly successful community sales agents program from the existing 81 upazilas to 104 upazilas in 19 low-performing districts;Expand and strengthen SMC’s Blue Star network of community health providers through introduction of new services and more intensive training;Create demand for long acting reversible contraceptives through inclusion of greater number of trained OBGYN providers, outreach programs within provider catchment areas, and more customer-focused com-munications and promotion; Introduce several public health products at affordable pricing both through toll manufacturing and in SMC’s own pharmaceutical factory, which is expected to start operation by 2020.

The project began operations in October 2016 and will end in September 2021.

SMC Pharmaceuticals off to a good start SMC Pharmaceuticals, a division of SMC Enterprise Ltd, is on the verge of starting operations through toll manufacturing with Julphar Pharmaceuticals, Bangla-desh. Recently, SMC Enterprise was given approval by the Directorate General of Drug Administration to manu-facture and market 20 pharmaceutical products in its own brand name. These drugs belong to both OTC

categories as well as from selective therapeutic class. A number of other drugs are awaiting approval from the Drug Administration.

In addition, SMC Pharmaceuticals has started to recruit and extensively train its sales force to effectively market its products to doctors and community health providers and generate prescriptions. So far, 85 Medical Informa-tion Officers (MIO), zonal and territory supervisors have been recruited, trained and posted in the respective territories. The slogan that will drive SMC’s pharmaceu-tical business is “providing quality medicine for all” irrespective of socio-economic status and ability to pay. The distribution of the drugs will be undertaken by a third party distributor while orders from the pharmacies will be taken by the MIO as well as SMC’s sales officers. Actual distribution is expected to begin by July 2017.

Manufacturing of hygiene products at the Comilla plant begins

SMC started to market Joya sanitary napkins since 2013 through contract manufacturing with Bashundhara Group. With the unexpected growth in its sales, SMC made a decision to set up its own manufacturing facility to ensure greater commodity security and financial profitability.

On April 12, 2017, this ambitious project turned into reality with the launch of the com-mercial production of Joya at its own facility in Comilla. In addition to both belt and wings type of sanitary napkins, the Comilla hygiene plant will manufacture multiple variants of baby diapers, baby wipes and wet tissues. The factory includes a warehouse for both raw materials and finished goods and is located adjacent to SMC’s East Regional Office under construction. It was financed entirely from SMC’s own funds.

Mission Director, USAID praises SMC’sORS manufacturing operations

“Together we are reaching new heights” –the theme of the 2016 Annual Company Conference

Ms. Janina Jaruzelski, USAID Mission Director, Bangladesh visited SMC’s manufacturing facil-ity in Bhaluka, Mymensingh in February, 2017 along with a five-member delegation. She and the team went through the entire ORS operations from production to packaging, warehousing of raw and finished goods and the re-packaging unit. Accompanied by Mr. Md. Ali Reza Khan, Manag-ing Director, SMC Enterprise Ltd and other high company officials, she was briefed about the ongoing activities of the factory, quality assurance process and distribution of finished products. The Mission Director and her entourage were highly impressed with the overall operations. The SMC ORS manufacturing facility which is the largest in the country started operations in 2004 and was set up with the financial assistance of USAID.

SMC and SMC Enterprise Ltd (SMC EL) held their Annual Company Conference for the FY 2016 at a local hotel in Dhaka in March, 2017. The conference showcased the sales performance of FY 2016 and recognized the best performing sales officers, executives and area managers for the year. The Bogra Area Office received the Grand Gold Award as the topper and Dhaka West Area Office received the Grand Silver Award.

Mr. Sayedur Rahman, General Manager, Sales and Field Promotion, highlighted the FY 2016 national

sales performance. Mr. Muhammed Ali, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SMC and SMC EL, complemented the sales force for their hard work and outstanding performance in his speech as the Chief Guest. He encouraged all members of the SMC family to work together with dedication and to grow the organization in line with its mission and vision. Mr. Md. Ali Reza Khan, Managing Director, SMC EL, also expressed his gratitude to the sales team for achieving the targets inspite of many challenges. Dr. Sukumar Sarker, AOTR, USAID also attended the conference as a special guest.

Taskin Ahmed selected as Brand Ambassador forSMC Glucose, ‘BOLT’

“Joya Alokito Nari” recognizes women of substance

SMC Enterprise has signed a contract with popular cricket player Taskin Ahmed as the brand ambassador to promote BOLT, SMC’s own brand of Glucose Powder. BOLT, as the name suggests, will be positioned as a quick source of energy. It is expected to enter the market by August 2017.

SMC Enterprise commemorated International Women’s Day in partnership with RTV through sponsorship of a live program “Joya Alokito Nari” in March, 2017. The program recognized the contribution of several women who have stood up as role models in their respective career fields. The awardees included Professor Mahfuza Khanam (education/education policy), Begum Luna Shamsuddoha (entrepreneurship), Sazeda Begum

(agriculture/agronomy), Jobera Rahman Linu (athletics), Mili Biswas (law enforcement), Farida Parvin (singing), Shujata Azim (acting) and Show-dat Nazbin Khan (social work).

Managing Director, SMC Enterprise Ltd Mr. Md. Ali Reza Khan spoke about SMC’s role in improving the health and wellbeing of women through promo-tion of proper menstrual hygiene.

SMC intensifies its brand promotion campaignsSMC reinforced its brand communication campaigns through intensive advertising in major TV channels

throughout 2016-17 but more so during major events such as cricket tournaments and Eid-Ul-Fitr. Panther and Sensation TV commercials were aired during the BPL-2016 (Bangladesh Premier League), IPL-2017 (Indian Premier League) and Tri-Nation Cricket Series - 2017 (Bangladesh, Ireland and New Zealand). Moreover, Joya and Panther TVCs were aired in the Eid-Ul-Fitr special programs in multiple TV channels for several days.

In addition, a new TV commercial to create awareness of Mypill - a very low-dose oral contraceptive that SMC introduced for the mid to high socio economic segments, went on air for several weeks in selective channels. The story talks about a young aspiring woman who is self-confident and believes in having a child when she is ready. Her doctor recommends Mypill and the woman is glad that she took her advice since she is highly satisfied with its use. The post-campaign evaluation indicated high comprehension and likability of the message.

Couples received U&Me Valentine’s campaign awards

The OTC Marketing team also launched a new TV campaign to reposition its Femipil brand as a choice among less-educated and mostly rural women who are interested in using a low-dose combined oral contraceptive from the private sector at an afford-able price. It is expected that aiming for this target audience will possibly provide SMC with the best opportunity to reach its oral pill market share of 50% from 44% at present, as per the strategic plan objec-tives.

A digital marketing campaign “unmemoments” was conducted on U&Me Facebook page on Valentine’s Day 2017 to create awareness and consumer pull of the brand. The campaign reached 4.78 million people. The contest winners received prizes from the Managing Director, SMC Enterprise Ltd, Mr. Md. Ali Reza Khan.

Piloting of Bangladesh Pharmacy Model Initiative (BPMI)into SMC’s Blue Star program

Bangladesh Pharmacy Model Initia-tive (BPMI) under the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) in collaboration with key stakeholders has developed stand-ards for the establishment and opera-tions of model pharmacies and model medicine shops in Bangladesh.

In this connection, SMC signed a sub-agreement with Management Sciences for Health (MSH) under the USAID MISHD project to upgrade Blue Star providers into national accreditation standards as Model Medicine Shop in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. The objective of this

piloting is to upgrade the selected Blue Star outlets as Model Medicine Shop and gather experiences for future expansion. Initially, a sensitization meeting was held in Sylhet where district-level GoB, DGHS, DGDA, Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB) representatives, and other relevant officials were present. As a part of the implementation, a total of 71 Blue Star Providers were provided with a 10-day training, facilitated by MSH.

SMC receives recognition in OGSB conferenceSMC participated in the 25th Scientific Conference and 43rd Annual General Meeting of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB), which is the national forum of obstetricians and gynecologists of the country. The event was held at a local hotel in Dhaka in December, 2016. Around 800 national and international participants attended the ceremony. Minister of State for Health, Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Zahid Maleque, MP, inaugurated the program as the Chief Guest. Mr. Toslim Uddin Khan, General Manager, Program, represented SMC and received an award on behalf of SMC for its significant contribution in the national family planning program through the private sector.

Repositioning of Raja condomRaja condom was the first product to be marketed when SMC was established as a project in 1974. The Program Marketing unit under SMC’s Program Division has recently introduced a new scented variant of the Raja condom to help revive its sale, which has fallen drastically in recent months. This was also done to justify the increase in the price of Raja, which was needed to cover its purchase cost from SMC’s own resources since the revolving fund from GOB under which Raja used to be procured had been exhausted. Raja Super, as the new variant is called, is positioned as a better-quality brand with a rose-scented attribute. Raja Plain remains available to cater to those Raja users who prefer the plain condom.

CSR News

SMC-donated ambulance to benefit patients of remote northern locality

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, SMC co-funded an ambulance for Tasor Uddin Hospital located at Jaldhaka, Nilphamari. Chairman, SMC Board of Directors, Mr. Muhammed Ali, handed over the keys of the ambulance to Dr. Md. Lutfar Rahman,

Chairman of Dr. Lutfar Rahman Shastho, Shikkha O Unnayan Foundation at a simple ceremony in the SMC head office in Dhaka on March 5, 2017. Managing Director & CEO, SMC and Managing Director, SMC Enterprise Limited were present among others at the occasion.

Bus shed with toilet facilities almost ready to be openedIn partnership with Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), SMC had started the construction of a bus shed with toilet facility for both women and men and provision for drinking water. The facility is located at the Farm Gate area on land donated by the city corporation.

The construction work of the facility is almost completed by SMC at a cost of Tk. 35 lakh. The inauguration of this important CSR initiative is awaiting the formation of a management committee by the city corporation which will be in charge of the day-to-day operations.

Adviser: Ashfaq Rahman; Editing, Designing, Proofreading and Coordination: Corporate Affairs Team; Acknowledgment: All Departments for providing Information. Address: SMC Tower, 33, Banani C/A, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh. PABX: (+8802) 9821074-80, 9821090, 9821093, Web: www.smc-bd.org