315 Gala exposes private domain marketing: fivefold profit predation targeting the elderly

On March 15, according to CCTV Finance, a private domain marketing industry internal exchange was held in a city in Central China, attended by CCTV reporters. During the event, many representatives of “online video production companies” took the stage to seek partners. These so-called “online video producers” are a key part of the private domain marketing industry. These companies purchase selected products at low prices from pharmaceutical or health supplement companies, then produce health lectures and other videos, selling them to private domain marketing firms. These firms guide consumers to private social platform scenes, play courses, and promote products.

The medicines and health supplements purchased by online video producers are very cheap, but their external selling prices are extremely high. A common auxiliary treatment drug is exaggerated or even altered in its basic effects and sold at nearly five times the market price. To uncover the secrets behind this, CCTV reporters visited the office of “Da Hong International,” where they were received by Manager Liu. At the start of the conversation, Manager Liu surprisingly mentioned the 315 Gala.

“If you want to do this, do it after the New Year, after 315. Our private channel belongs to the gray area.”

Manager Liu from “Da Hong International” said that as a business that produces false courses and high-priced drug sales to deceive the elderly, they need to stay low-key recently. “Everyone is worried that this year’s 315 community (private domain) might be exposed,” he said. “After 315, we’ll see. We call it the pharmaceutical circle; 315 is a weather vane.”

So who produces these videos? With information from insiders, the reporter found Shengwei Cultural Media Co., Ltd., located in a northeastern city. Mr. Zhong from the company stated that the key factor in whether a so-called online video can sell products is the “medical experts” talking confidently in the videos. These titles like “Disciple of Traditional Chinese Medicine,” “Society President,” and “Expert Committee Member” are almost all just packaging props that can be bought with money! The CCTV reporter also contacted several so-called expert lecturers who record online videos, posing as online video producers. All of them were very cautious and refused recent meetings with the CCTV team.

Fake expert: “We’d better wait until after 315, okay? Or maybe we’ll contact each other in early March, and after 315, we’ll decide whether to record the program or do something else, because we really don’t dare to do it now.”