The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Unilever

  • Unilever rewards consumers nationwide

    Unilever rewards consumers nationwide

    UNILEVER Nigeria PLC, makers of Sunlight branded detergents has commenced a national consumer engagement initiative aimed at rewarding consumers across the country.

    The Nation can authoritatively report that part of activities in aid of the initiative is a visit by the Sunlight Bubbleman to various neighbourhoods with gift packs to consumers across the country.

    Commenting on the planned nationwide programme, Brand Building Director David Okeme said sunlight detergent brand is celebrating consumer for years of loyalty in various market and neighbourhood across the country with gifts.

    The national activation and consumer engagement initiative of Sunlight detergent which started in November will run through January 2014 in the spirit of the season of celebration, thus the bubble man’s visit to various part of the country will also be supported by a special fun squad called the flash mob that will seek to excite the consumers across the country on the brand’s fragrance.

    From Lagos, in the southwest through Abuja in the North and Port Harcourt in the South-south of the country, Sunlight detergent will be thrilling consumers with rewards and fragrance experience. In a recent development, the bubble man was spotted at the cocoa mall in Ibadan with the flash mob crew entertaining the consumers in a prolific dance drama in the mall.

    The mall activities elicited commendations from the consumers on ground such as “sunlight detergent has been very good and we appreciate the sudden appearance in the mall.” A customer who had purchased the sunlight detergent said that she has been using Sunlight for a very long time it has never disappointed her.

    The sunlight consumer engagement programme will be reaching out to all consumers across the nation and consumers in the neighbourhoods should be expectant of the bubble man has he will be knocking on doors to reward consumers this season of sharing.

  • Unilever Nigeria struggles with dwindling margins

    Unilever Nigeria struggles with dwindling margins

    Unilever Nigeria has continued to struggle with slow sales and dwindling margins and the fast moving consumer goods company may not be able to keep up with its dividend rate, according to the latest earnings report.

    Emerging operational report for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 showed that Unilever Nigeria’s performance outlook was constrained by low sales growth amidst steady costs, which further eroded possible dividend payout.

    Unilever Nigeria recorded total sales of N45.61 billion by September 2013, 9.5 per cent above N41.66 billion recorded in comparable period of 2012. Gross profit inched up by 6.8 per cent from N15.60 billion to N16.66 billion. However, with relatively considerable increase in operating expenses, profit before tax dropped to N5.04 billion in 2013 as against N5.77 billion in 2012. After taxes, net profit distributable to shareholders declined from N4.01 billion to N3.50 billion. Earnings per share thus dropped from N1.06 by third quarter 2012 to 93 kobo in 2013.

    The third quarter earnings depressed dividend outlook for the conglomerate. Marginal increase in earnings per share to N1.48 in 2012 compared with N1.46 in 2011, had encouraged Unilever Nigeria to sustain a dividend per share of N1.40 in 2012, the same rate it had distributed in 2011.

    The latest earnings report showed the continuing struggle of the conglomerate to break midline constraints. Unilever Nigeria’s turnover had risen by 10.2 per cent during the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 to N29.67 billion as against N26.92 billion recorded in corresponding period of 2012. Gross profit fared better with 11.3 per cent growth from N9.76 billion to N10.86 billion. Operating profit however pared down with an increase of 8.8 per cent to N4.34 billion as against N3.99 billion in comparable period of 2012. The bottom-line was further constrained by interest expense, with profit before tax rising by 3.7 per cent from N3.82 billion to N3.96 billion. After taxes, net profit dropped by 3.2 per cent to N2.74 billion compared with N2.83 billion. The underlying margins showed decline in the underlining profit-making capacity. While gross profit margin increased slightly from 36.26 per cent to 36.6 per cent, operating profit margin slipped from 14.82 per cent to 14.63 per cent. Profit before tax margin declined to 13.35 per cent as against 14.19 per cent in comparable period last year.

    The same performance trend was evident in its audited report for 2012, which had shown almost a standstill position. Full-year report ended December 31, 2012 showed that turnover stood at N55.55 billion in 2012, a marginal improvement on N54.73 billion recorded in 2011. Profit before tax closed 2012 at N8.19 billion as against N8.02 billion in 2011. Profit after tax was also almost flat with negligible increase of 1.5 per cent from N5.52 billion to N5.60 billion.

    The board of Unilever Nigeria had said the conglomerate was operating in a tough environment. It, however, promised to continue to implement key initiatives under its transformation programme to drive growth and ensure realisation of the better values for all stakeholders.

    In a recent review, Chairman, Unilever Nigeria, HRM Nnaemeka Achebe, said the conglomerate’s fundamentals had been resilient within the context of the tough operating environment.

    He said the performance of the company reflected the recent strategic actions and investments, which have made the company to emerge stronger and in better competitive position.

    According to him, the company’s compelling vision would continue to drive focus that will guarantee its ability to continue to win into the future as it has further embedded itself to win in the market place and withstand adverse business operating environment.

    “Our sustained investments would continue to yield strong results and bigger and better innovation which enables us to continue to meet and exceed customer expectation at all times,” Achebe said.

    Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr Thabo Mabe, outlined that as part of the transformation initiative, the company has been strengthening the capacity of its key stakeholders including employees, suppliers and distributors.

    “The train has definitely left the station, and for us as a business, there is no way to move but forward,” Mabe assured.

    He noted that the goal of doubling the size of the company’s business, which was set in 2010, has progressed commendably, although the management has never been in doubt of the enormous challenges that such ambitious goal entails.

    “Just two years since we took the first big step to transform our business, it is evident that we are taking significant strides towards the realisation of our collective dream,” Mabe said.

     

  • Unilever trains school on hygiene

    Unilever trains school on hygiene

    In line with its commitment to ensure a disease free environment, Unilever Nigeria facilitated the Global Hand Washing Day in Makoko Primary School, Lagos, recently.

    Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Thabo Mabe, said there was need to create a better life for the children through encouraging proper hygiene among the youths.

    The Unilever boss, who recalled that this year marks the third in the series of the celebration, said the event has created health-consciousness among the public, especially on the dangers of some debilitating diseases like contacting diarrhea and pneumonia and measures to contain them.

    Responding, the SUBEB Chairman, Mrs. Gbolahan Dawodu, who was represented by Mrs. Yinka Makinwa, a Principal Education Officer, acknowledged that the Global Hand Washing Day is a way to preach health and cleanliness to children and general etiquettes among the youths.

    Ace Comedian Koffi who anchored the show thrilled the guests with his hilarious jokes, even as the students organised various cultural dances to spice the occasion.

     

  • Unilever Nigeria: Still tight

    Unilever Nigeria Plc continues to walk the path of narrow sales growth and muted margins. Earnings reports in recent periods show striking similarities-relatively low sales growth amidst tight margins. Earnings report for the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 showed top-line growth of 10.2 per cent but net earnings after tax dropped by 3.2 per cent, underlining the decline in average pre-tax profit margin from 14.19 per cent to 13.35 per cent. With these, basic earnings per share slipped to 72 kobo by June 2013 as against 75 kobo recorded in comparable period of 2012.

    Audited report and accounts of the fast moving consumer goods company for the year ended December 31, 2012 had shown almost a standstill position as the conglomerate struggled with slowdown in sales and rising interest expenses. While it ostensibly leveraged on large-scale global purchasing power to reduce relative cost of sales and create larger top-line profit, a double in financing charges sapped the midline, leaving the conglomerate with almost flat bottom-line.

    With negligible 1.5 per cent increase in profit after tax and just difference of 8.0 kobo between distributable earnings per share and previous dividend payout, the company was constrained to retain dividend payout at N1.40 per share. The constraints also reflected in underlying returns, which slipped to lower levels in 2012. The2013 half-year bottom-line suggests possibility of a flat dividend payout again this year.

     

    Financing structure

    The audited report for 2012 showed that total assets increased by 13 per cent from N32.25 billion in 2011 to N36.50 billion in 2012. Current assets had dropped by 8.4 per cent from N16.13 billion to N14.78 billion. Total long-term assets meanwhile improved significantly from N16.12 billion to N21.72 billion. Total liabilities however grew by 17 per cent to N26.46 billion in 2012 as against N22.62 billion in 2011. Liabilities had grown on the back of 18 per cent increase in current liabilities from N18.9 billion to N22.33 billion and 11 per cent rise in long-term liabilities from N3.72 billion to N4.12 billion. While paid up share capital remained unchanged at N1.89 billion, shareholders’ funds inched up from N9.64 billion to N10.04 billion. The underlying financing structure weakened in 2012 with debt-to-equity ratio of 43 per cent as against a zero immediate bank loans in 2011. The proportion of equity funds to total assets also slipped from about 30 per cent to 28 per cent while current liabilities increased to 61 per cent of total balance sheet size as against about 59 per cent in 2011. Long-term liabilities amounted to 11.3 per cent of total assets in 2012 compared with 11.5 per cent in 2011.

    However, the disproportionate growth in assets and liabilities in first half of 2013 impinged on the equity base of the company. Shareholders’ funds dropped to N7.49 billion by June 2013 as against N10.04 billion recorded by December 2012. Total assets had increased slightly from N36.50 billion in December 2012 to N38.13 billion by June 2013. Total liabilities rose from N26.45 billion in December 2012 to N30.64 billion by the end of June 2013.

     

    Efficiency

    Tight cost management and stable productivity underpinned a relative efficiency outlook. Total cost of business, excluding financing charges, was 84 per cent of total sales in 2012 as against 84.9 per cent in 2011. It had in the previous year achieved considerable improvements in employee productivity and cost management with average contribution of each employee to the bottom-line improving appreciably from N6.19 million in 2010 to N7.46 million in 2011.

     

    Profitability

    In 2012, Unilever Nigeria’s profitability outlook was coloured by the almost standstill in its market share. The profit and loss accounts showed spirited efforts by the management to cushion the adverse impact of the top-line slowdown on the bottom-line, holding tightly to costs. In the immediate, the cost management strategy helped to stabilize both actual and underlying profitability measures. Turnover stood at N55.55 billion in 2012, a marginal improvement on N54.73 billion recorded in 2011. Cost of sales meanwhile dropped by 2.4 percent from N34.72 billion to N33.90 billion. Lower cost of sales nudged gross profit to N21.65 billion in 2012 compared with N20 billion in 2011, indicating an increase of 8.2 per cent. Total operating expenses-including administration and distribution expenses; rose by 8.3 per cent to N12.74 billion as against N11.77 billion in previous year. While non-core business income was steadied between N215 million in 2012 and N209 million in 2011, a 119 per cent increase in finance charges from N428 million to N935 million impacted negatively on the bottom-line. Profit before tax thereafter closed 2012 at N8.19 billion as against N8.02 billion in 2011. Profit after tax was also almost flat with negligible increase of 1.5 per cent from N5.52 billion to N5.60 billion.

    Underlying profit-making indices also showed similar top-down stiffness. While gross profit margin improved from 36.6 per cent in 2011 to 39 per cent in 2012, average pre-tax profit per unit of sale was stunted at 14.7 per cent. Return on total assets slipped from about 25 per cent to 22.4 per cent while return on equity dropped slightly from 57 per cent to about 56 per cent.

    Further earnings analysis showed earnings per share of N1.48 in 2012 compared with N1.46 in 2011, a difference of 2.0 kobo. The bottom-line obviously provided no headroom for dividend increase, no matter the consideration of the directors. The board of directors thus reasonably decided to retain dividend payout at the same rate. Gross dividend and dividend per share remained unchanged at N5.30 billion and N1.40 respectively. Unless it unlocks new opportunities, there is little room for any future dividend increase with dividend cover at 1.06 times and 1.04 times in 2012 and 2011 respectively.

    Latest earnings report also showed similar outlook. Turnover rose by 10.2 per cent during the six-month period ended June 30, 2013 to N29.67 billion as against N26.92 billion recorded in corresponding period of 2012. Gross profit fared better with 11.3 per cent growth from N9.76 billion to N10.86 billion. Operating profit however pared down with an increase of 8.8 per cent to N4.34 billion as against N3.99 billion in comparable period of 2012. The bottom-line was further constrained by interest expense, with profit before tax rising by 3.7 per cent from N3.82 billion to N3.96 billion. After taxes, net profit dropped by 3.2 per cent to N2.74 billion compared with N2.83 billion. The underlying margins showed decline in the underlining profit-making capacity. While gross profit margin increased slightly from 36.26 per cent to 36.6 per cent, operating profit margin slipped from 14.82 per cent to 14.63 per cent. Profit before tax margin declined to 13.35 per cent as against 14.19 per cent in comparable period of 2012.

     

    Liquidity

    The liquidity position of the conglomerate weakened further in 2012. Current ratio, which generally relates easily available assets to similar potential liabilities, declined to a low of 0.66 times in 2012 as against 0.85 times and 0.99 times in 2011 and 2010 respectively. The negative working capital further built up to approximately 14 per cent of total sales in 2012 compared with 5.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent in 2011 and 2010. Debtors/creditors ratio closed 2012 at 38 per cent as against 34 per cent in 2011.

     

    Governance and structures

    Unilever Nigeria is the earliest publicly quoted conglomerate. With some 100,000 shareholders, it has one of the largest diversified shareholders base. Incorporated in 1923, it was listed on the stock exchange in 1973. Individual and institutional Nigerian shareholders currently hold 49.96 percent equity stake in the conglomerate while Unilever Group holds 50.04 per cent majority equity stake through Unilever Overseas Holdings B.V.

    There were no notable changes on the board of the company during the year. His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe still chairs the board of directors while Mr Thabo Mabe still leads the executive management team as managing director.

    Unilever Nigeria complies with international best practices and codes of good corporate governance. It is one of the predictable companies in terms of voluntary compliance with extant rules and regulations.

     

    Analyst’s opinion

    The performance of Unilever Nigeria shows that the conglomerate needs to open up new market opportunities to stimulate the top-line while sustaining efficient cost management strategy. While cost management strategy can help to stabilize both actual and underlying profitability measures in the immediate period, the sustainability of such in the absence of top-line breakthrough is doubtful and precarious. Besides, it had been noted that though its low liquidity position might not pose a serious drawback given its overall credit worthiness and global group, Unilever Nigeria needs to back-up its rapid expansion and ambitious target of doubling its business size with appropriate financial mix, especially equity funds that can provide the much-needed linchpin for long-term growth. The rising gearing ratio and declining liquidity underline the urgency of financial rebalancing.

     

     

     

  • Unilever storms Oke-Arin market

    Unilever, producers of Knorr and Royco seasoning, has stormed Oke-Arin market to reward loyal retailers.

    Shouts of victory rent the air as retailers were given their prizes ranging from deep freezers, refrigerators, and the grand prize of a car which was presented that same day in the market.

    The visibility challenge ran in 42 markets across regions Nigeria for four weeks. To participate in the competition, retailers had to have a minimum of 10 cases of any Unilever seasoning product, and they were awarded points for the creative display of these products within their shops.

    One of the winners couldn’t contain her joy as she kept running around the market in joy. Known as Mama Aliya, she said: “I didn’t really believe in the contest initially because lots of companies come with the same offer and afterall they don’t redeem their promises so I wasn’t so interested, but on the other hand, I saw it as a win-win game for me because I constantly buy and display Knorr and Royco seasoning so I decided to put-in for it. As you can see now that am a proud owner of a brand new deep freezer thanks to unilever”.

    Similar testimony was shared as the presentation continued. The last gift to be given was the grand prize of a car, which was presented to Mrs. Kehinde Ganiyat Abari of Kenny Stores. The market agreed that she deserved the prize.

    Speaking at the event, Mr Kwaku Boateng, the Sales Director for Unilever, said: “This contest was organised to appreciate and reward loyal retailers who over the years has stayed true to the brand. We would continue to support and say thank you to them”

    The winner of the grand prize also expressed her gratitude amid tears and laughter, she was obviously beyond herself as she recount her story. She said: “For me, it is not a matter of contest rather habit, because come rain come shine, you would find me displaying these products in my shop. So ordinarily, I beat even the expected duration and finally, this is the reward. I wasn’t expecting a car, I would have been contented with any other prize though, so I must tell you am more than happy and more than grateful.”

  • Unilever boosts brand profile

    Unilever boosts brand profile

    Unilever Nigeria Plc has raised its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile, using the Close-Up toothpaste brand.

    The brand, in an effort to pull its consumers closer, decided to kick-start a free teeth check campaign to determine the health status of its consumers dentistry in Lagos.

    The campaign enabled consumers to visit The Kots Clinic in Surulere for the free check-up.

    Speaking, Dexter Adeola, Brand Manager, Close-Up, said the company is doing this, because it had shown that only 15 per cent of Nigerians visit dentists yearly.

    He said: “As a leading brand in the paste category, we chose this platform to reach out to Nigerians in need of dental help. This would also serve as an awareness campaign to sensitise people on the need for proper oral care and the importance of regular dental check-ups.”

    On the choice of the location, Adeola said the intention was to strategically reach Nigerians in the two extreme locations of Lagos – Surulere and Magodo.

    On how close-Up was able to achieve the number that turned out, he said that prior to today (last Saturday) the brand had created heavy awareness in these areas and invited many in need of this dental check.

    He went further to say that what informed the initiative was that over the years, Close-Up had given health protection to the teeth and gums of millions of Nigerians.

    “The brand has also worked with health professionals and dentists nationwide to educate Nigerians on the importance of oral care. This free dental check is in line with our commitment to ensure Nigerians have the best solutions and care for their teeth and gums.”

    The Brand Manager pointed out the Close-Up brand has been able to research and find out that accessibility to dentists is extremely low in Nigeria, with only 15 per cent of Nigerians visiting dentist yearly.

    On the impact of the programme, he said, “as Nigeria’s most loved tooth paste brand and have taken in-turn taken it upon ourselves to ensure Nigerians get nothing but the highest level of choice tooth paste and Oral care.

    Every time we reach out like this, the life and joy we give out to Nigerians in need gives the brand extreme fulfillment, while answering the question on the value of the activation on the brand.

    Like one of the beneficiaries, Lucky Agbo, said that he has been having problems with his gums and teeth for about five years, but with the free teeth check he has come to understand how to manage the problem that has made it impossible for him to chew, while promising that the use of Close-Up is now paramount.

    He went further to say that he never believed any company can offer free services to its customers. “This is a good one from Close-Up.” He noted.

    Dr. Sam Obameyi, who checked on Agbo, said the patient has over time had a bacteria that has been destroying part of his teeth, which he called cervical abrassion. “This could be probably the way he has been brushing too hard, using a hard brush and the use of a few chemical agents that may cause the kind of problem the patient had.”

    For another patient, Okwy Akunuba, I had of the free teeth check and decided to come to have my teeth checked, noted that Close-Up is doing a good job by checking on its customers.

     

  • Unilever donates to mothers

    As part of celebrating the pureness of a mother’s love and to share love in the new year, Unilever Nigeria Plc. has donated Home Care & Baby Products to mothers who just gave birth and expectant mothers at the General Hospital in Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos suburb.

    Speaking during the donation. Assistant Category Manager, Skin Cleansing, Unilever Nigeria Plc. Mr Adeola Dexter stated “our giving is not to do what others are doing but it is our sincere love that we come to share with mothers and babies here. From the on-going, our brands are purely the expression from our heart to go extra mile in putting smiles on the faces of everybody we come in contact with them. Our brands signify our joy and love that we spread across every home.”

    “We aim to become an iconic company in Nigeria. This means to be known as a company first for good, impacting our environment in a very positive way. And this is one of the little ways we give back to our immediate society. We reflect this also in our new super four variants to connect the abundant benefits with our numerous consumers. The new Vaseline maintains its rich heritage of extreme quality, now using a unique triple purification process that works naturally with your skin to renew and rebuild moisture”.

  • Unilever partners NGO on children

    Unilever partners NGO on children

    The Unilever Foundation is in partnership with Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) protecting children against avoidable diseases and death.

    The partnership aims to save millions of lives among children and mothers in Nigeria, China, Bangladesh and Kenya.

    The announcement was made at a joint event held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

    The Unilever Foundation has made a three-year, 15 million Euros commitment to support Save the Children’s biggest ever global campaign, EVERYONE, which is working towards eradicating mortality among children and mothers, in support of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals Four and Five.

    Unilever and Save the Children have also partnered with China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), and along with the Meishan Municipal Government of Sichuan province, signed a memorandum of co-operation to jointly carry out a Village Early Education Centre project in Sichuan province.

    “Our partnership with Save the Children will deliver transformational change that will impact millions of lives around the world. Today, over 6.9 million children die before their fifth birthday each year – that’s one child every four seconds,” explains Paul Polman, Unilever CEO. “We have an ambition to double the size of our business whilst reducing our environmental footprint and increasing our social impact; looking after the future generations is an intrinsic part of our vision, and it is also our responsibility.”

    Janti Soeripto, Save the Children International’s Deputy CEO said: “Unilever’s support will bring us a step closer to ensuring that a health worker is within reach of every child, life-saving vaccines are available for all, and children have enough as well as the right food to grow up healthy. Combining our global reach and joint ambition we can achieve long-lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable children.”

    The partnership will involve improving access to health workers and life-saving vaccines, and ensuring children in need are reached with high-impact health and nutrition programmes. It will also provide a platform to catalyse a global movement and generate the public and political will for a global breakthrough on child survival. The partnership encompasses programme funding, consumer outreach, cause-related marketing and employee engagement; and will focus on the priority countries of China, Bangladesh, Kenya and Nigeria. The Unilever Foundation will be helping Save the Children reach over 2 million children and their mothers by 2015.

    In China, Unilever will invest 1.8 million Euros in three years to support Save the Children’s programmes promoting children’s health, nutrition and early childhood development, including the Village Early Education Center project in Sichuan province in partnership with CDRF and the Meishan Municipal Government of Sichuan province.

    In Nigeria, the Unilever Foundation will support Save the Children’s work to improve the lives of mothers and their babies in Jigawa and Lagos through quality care and support at the time of birth and immediate post-partum period. The partnership will help to build the capacity of health workers to provide quality services and appropriate care to mothers and their babies and improve access to quality mother and newborn healthcare services in hard-to-reach areas.

    With Unilever’s support Save the Children will also tackle childhood malnutrition in Bangladesh by delivering a comprehensive package of nutrition interventions in Barisal, Chittagong and Sylhet Divisions. Save the Children will train health workers and support community volunteers to identify and treat malnutrition, whilst providing mothers with the skills to prevent it.

    In Kenya Unilever is supporting Save the Children to raise awareness of the scale of child mortality from preventable causes and launch a high impact, emotive campaign that will not only create awareness but also mobilise Kenyans, the Government and other stakeholders to put more effort and resources towards meeting MDG 4 by 2015: a drastic reduction in the number of children that die before their fifth birthday.

    Finally, Unilever is supporting Save the Children’s Humanitarian Health Workers work to significantly scale up frontline health capacity so that many more children’s lives can be saved in emergencies.

     

  • Consumers to get more satisfaction from Royco

    Unilever Nigeria has introduced two new seasoning to the Royco family – Royco seasoning powder for stews and soups.

    Speaking at the launch of the products, the Marketing Director Mr David Okeme,said: “At Unilever, we continuously improve on our brands because we always want to provide our consumers with products that help them get the best out of life.

    “With the new Royco seasoning powders, women now have the opportunity to enjoy the consistent superior Royco quality, as well as an irresistible aroma from their cooking.”

    Assistant Category Manager, Savory, Aurora Monye said the decision to come to market with the new offering was in response to the consumers yearnings for affordable and more improved seasoning for cooking.

    On what would be the impact of the new product on the fortune of the brand in the market, the Assistant Category Manager added that it would further increase the brand market share in the market and give it a competitive advantage.

    “As a company, Unilever has always committed to what will bring the highest satisfaction to consumers at all level of the market.

    After a research and survey, we discovered that the market is in need of another tantalised seasoning that would appeal not only to the people at the upper echelon of the market but also the mass market, hence the introduction of Royco seasoning powder for stews and soups,”

    Two loyal consumers of the brand; Mrs Ogozi Egbochukwu and Mrs Rasheedat AbdulRasaq also spoke glowingly about the uniqueness of Royco among other seasonings in the market.

  • Unilever partners Facebook , others to deliver drinking water to communities

    Unilever, through the Unilever Foundation, in partnership with PSI (Population Services International) has announced the launch of Waterworks, a non-for-profit programme, that will provide safe clean drinking water to communities in need around the world.

    Waterworks, which operates through a ground-breaking Timeline application developed jointly with Facebook, will connect people with means directly with people and communities in need.

    Water is the source of life, but almost 800 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water. Preventable water-borne diseases, such as dysentery and diarrhoea are a particular threat to the weakest members of society: a child dies from water-related illness every 20 seconds.

    Unilever’s Chief Marketing Officer, Keith Weed, said his company has made a public and ambitious commitment through the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan to provide safe drinking water to 500 million people by 2020 working in partnership with others.

    He said they share the belief with United Nation’s declaration in July 2010 which states that safe and clean drinking water is a human right. On the reason behind the partnership with Facebook, he said:

    “At Unilever, we believe that small, everyday actions can add up to a big difference; and that the power of social connections can drive real change around the world.

    On Facebook, nearly a billion people take small actions every day, they connect to the individuals and organisations that matter most to them and they discover new things through their friends. We want to leverage the power of the social graph and the ripple effects that each person’s actions can create, to inspire and enrol many more to make a difference.”
    Waterworks is among the first Timeline applications for charitable giving, connecting Facebook users around the world with real individuals and communities in need. People will be invited to sign up and connect the application to their Facebook Timeline.

    In addition they will partner with a PSI-trained Waterworker and choose a small daily donation and the contributed funds will directly support the water-poor communities, by providing education about the benefits of clean drinking water in addition to distributing water purifiers and sachets to families in need, Weed said.