Be STRONG,” a team of cooperation between the Department of International Business, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and STRONG STATIONERY MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., participated in the 2019 Global Brand Planning Competition – Grand Finals, held by Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. The teams participating in the finals were composed of representatives from more than 20 districts in 7 countries, including Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, China, and South Korea. The team Be STRONG won third place in the grand finals of the 2019 Global Brand Planning Competition from among all the great teams.

【Be STRONG" team and their instructor Wei-Zhen Yang (third from right), Chair of the Department of International Business, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology】

The Global Brand Planning Competition, organized by the Institute of Taiwan Marketing Science, was held in National Taiwan University. 6 teams from the 150 teams from across the country were selected to represent Taiwan in the global finals in Singapore. The "Be STRONG" team of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, in cooperation with Strong Stationery, had performed well in Taiwan. It was the only Taiwan team selected among top three in the finals.

【The “Be STRONG” team of Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, in cooperation with Strong Stationery, won third place in the finals of Singapore Global Brand Planning Competition. The award was presented by Vice Chairman Roger Wang (first from left), Thai judge (second from left), and Honorary chairman Ya-Fei Tseng (first from right)】

Strong Stationery, established in 1963, is an old stationery manufacturer in Tainan. The "Be STRONG" team carried out brand testing on Strong Stationery with 8 key capabilities of brand management to identify the parts that can be represented in brand management, strengthening its brand management through marketing planning and achieving the goal of enhancing visibility, strengthening brand image, and expanding overseas markets.

The team, led by Prof. Wei-Zhen Yang of the Department of International Business and Prof. Jia-Jun Lin of the Department of Visual Communication Design, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, has represented Taiwan in the Singapore Finals for five consecutive years, achieving great success in the Global Brand Planning Competition every year. Hui-Ying Chen, a team member who participated in 4 consecutive competitions, said that over the past few years, through the careful guidance of the teachers, she has learned a lot about writing the plan book and managing briefing questions and answers. She has learned more about planning methods and marketing knowledge. The teamwork and friendship she has experienced with the team will be the most precious and the largest asset for her in her college years.

Team instructor Wei-Zhen Yang said that, confronted with the global competition, promoting and spread local brands, effectively conveying brand concept and brand culture, and enhancing brand image constitute an important part of international marketing. The Department of International Business, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, has actively cultivated international trade and marketing talents as well as actively participated in various competitions with outstanding performance. This time the team, in cooperation with Tainan local manufacturer Strong Stationery, was recognized by the manufacturers in brand marketing planning and product innovation design. The "Be STRONG" team not only brought honor to the country on the international stage, but also made the best publicity for Taiwan's high-quality stationery brand name of Strong Stationery and Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology.