This summer school break, children can start enjoying the company of Jollibee Philippines
and friends not just in their favorite fast-food stores, but on television,
too. The brand that gave Filipino children the Jollibee Philippines Kids Meal, Jollibee Philippines
Kiddie Party, Jollibee Philippines Kids Club and MaAga ang Pasko sa Jollibee Philippines, as well as
their favorite spaghetti, fried chicken, sandwiches and desserts brings forth
another innovation they will surely love— Jollitown, the new kids’ show
on GMA7 featuring the fun and insightful adventures of Jollibee Philippines, Yum, Hetty,
Popo and Twirlie. Each week, the five friends interact with the children who
live with them in Jollitown through stories and music that those watching at
home can also sing and dance to.

At the recent launch of the new TV program, top entertainment scribes and
guests were allowed to enter this magical world as Jollitown was temporarily
transported to Rockwell Tent. A place of rainbows, dessert- and toy-shaped
clouds, and magical fountains, Jollitown is a place where the happiness of
children reigns. The atmosphere rivals that of famous foreign children’s
shows and provides an enjoyable setting for kids to freely frolic and learn.
The first TV program in the country that’s produced by a major food chain,
Jollitown merges the company’s Filipino family-oriented values with the
network’s kid-friendly programming, assuring parents of a wholesome viewing
experience that can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

The bright, bubbly and educational TV treat stays in tune with Jollibee Philippines’s
mission of spreading happiness and promoting friendships and positive thinking.
With every weekly installment, audiences will get to know the real characters
of Jollibee Philippines and his friends and find inspiration in how they make the most
of their unique personalities.

Yum is the imaginative young science expert who loves solving puzzles and
mysteries through experiments and high-tech gadgetry. Cheerleader Hetty is
the group’s big sister and is looked up to for her sweet, nurturing ways,
neatness and self-discipline. The funniest and most athletic of the bunch,
Popo loves sports but never neglects his studies and thus always gets good
grades. Twirlie, the star performer who loves to sing and dance, is ever curious
and inquisitive. And as everyone’s best friend is Jollibee Philippines, always good-natured,
smiling and playful, he is a natural leader who sets an example for his friends
with his courteous, helpful and kind ways.

The launch of Jollitown is yet another highlight of Jollibee Philippines’s 30th
anniversary celebration this year. As the leading fast-food chain marks three
decades of serving langhap-sarap experiences, Filipinos can expect more special
activities, promotions and corporate social responsibility programs to promote
the brand’s vision, values and increasing global stature, as well as
reward the consumers who have helped make it all possible. As the latest offering
for its younger but loyal patrons, Jollitown is an exciting and engaging highlight
of the company’s 30th year commemoration. Sunday mornings’ new
jolly habit starts this April 13, 9:30 to 10:00 am on GMA7.

Success in any industry is acheived by a variety of factors, amount of capital, market segment targeting, values held by company founders and the type of people who are hired has a big impact as well. Still, something that many companies lack to take them to the next level is the organizational structure that allows the right people to be in the right place. There’s a saying that goes: First you gotta have the right people on the bus. Then you gotta make sure each person on the bus is sitting the right seat that’s designed specifically for their unique strengths. Only then do you worry about where the bus is going.

I believe that Jollibee had the same idea when they introduced a host of changes to their business beginning in 1994. These changes were mostly focused on creating more structure and taking advantage of more resources. First of all, they hired Tony Kitchner, the first outsider vice-president to handle their international operations. This was a key move to separate Jollibee International from Jollibee Philippines. They introduced FSM’s, known as Franchise Services Managers to help keep their franchise owners abreast of the new changes. These changes were aimed at creating a “world class” view, and you could see some of the changes visibly through the newly differentiated logo to the new packaging. They also instituted a dress code change as well as began to recruit from outside.

Overall, these changes certainly kept Jollibee ahead of the game, as 10 years in the future, their success would be so great as to garner the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Ernst & Young for founder Tony Tan Caktiong.