279. Draw-it-Yourself DUTCH BABY PRINT ADS, 1967-68

DUTCH BABY is a brand of canned milk that was manufactured and marketed in the Philippines as early as 1953. It was made by Milk Industries in Markina, reputedly under the supervision of Dutch scientists. By 1965, the company was known as Marikina Dairy Industries, Inc., and was allied with the Australian Dairy Produce board of Melbourne, Victoria.

DUTCH BABY EVAPORATED FILLED MILK, was the lead brand, and was extensively advertised in newspapers and magazines. It was one of the leading milk brands in the country, along with Darigold and Liberty.  As its marketing became more sophisticated, the company sought the help of J. Walter Thompson ad agency to help develop their advertising campaigns.

In 1967, J. Walter Thompson came out with one of the first content-contributed print ad series. It solicited the help of parents and children with a request to “Send your child’s drawing and a little testimonial on why he loves the taste of DUTCH BABY along with a label of DUTCH BABY Evaporated Filled Milk or DUTCH BABY Condensada to J. Walter Thompson, Mary Bachrach Bldg., Port Area, Manila”.

There was a cash prize of  50 Pesos for each drawing that was selected and published. Eventually, 3 DUTCH BABY ads were released, featuring the winning art works of 7-year old Noel Gorero (San Juan Central School), Michelle de Leon (St. Theresa’s College) and 11 year old Rommel Simpliciano (Manila High School) .

DUTCH BABY was available in the Philippines until the 70s, until it disappeared altogether . The brand name is now held by a Malaysian milk company, until1983, when milk products were renamed Dutch Lady.