MR D.I.Y. debuts giant panda mascot in new community initiative

Home improvement retailer MR D.I.Y has launched a new community initiative titled "MR D.I.Y. PANDAi jaga anda" ('MR D.I.Y. knows how to care for you'). 

The initiative aims to emphasise the retailer's dedication to the community and was launched at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

“As the country’s leading home improvement retailer, we’ve made it our mission to care for Malaysians since our inception in 2005. The ‘MR D.I.Y. PANDAi jaga anda’ initiative is a testament to that promise. Whether you need a lightbulb, kitchen tools, or any hardware, we ensure that ‘semuanya ada’ [everything is available] at affordable prices. Our new initiative encapsulates this commitment - because MR D.IY. knows how to care for you," said Alex Goh, head of marketing, MR D.I.Y. Group. 

Don't miss: This Deepavali brand film by MR D.I.Y is bound to make you cry 

To accompany the launch of "MR D.I.Y. PANDAi jaga anda", the brand has unveiled a new mascot named PANDAi.  PANDAi, as its name suggests, takes after a panda. The charming and friendly mascot was present at the event, where a 14-foot display of PANDAi greeted families and passersby. 

"Pandas are universally loved for their friendliness, cuteness, and intelligence. Like pandas, MR D.I.Y. is cherished for being close to the hearts of Malaysians. We ‘PANDAi’ jaga our customers by staying true to our promise of ‘always low prices.’ We believe that PANDAi will bring a sense of joy and fun, enhancing our customers’ shopping experience," explained Goh. 

In addition, the event launching the initiative featured mascots on the KL hop on hop off bus and a flash mob. Promotional items were distributed, and videos featuring PANDAi are available on MR D.I.Y.'s website and social media.

In one of the videos, titled MR D.I.Y. pandai jaga keluarga (MR D.I.Y. knows how to care for families), a woman is seen putting her toddler in a playpen and returns back to work.

Her toddler manages to open the playpen and waddles towards a table with pointed edges. The mascot PANDAi then appears and saves the day by baby proofing the table's edges. 

Meanwhile, MR D.I.Y. pandai jaga cinta (MR D.IY. knows how to care for lovers) sees a man creating a candlelit dinner for his partner. He accidentally burns some of the balloons he set up which read "I'm sorry" to "I sngry". PANDAi appears and helps him to blow more balloons. When his partner returns home, she smiles and accepts the dinner he has prepared her. 

The third film video MR D.I.Y. pandai jaga kecantikan (MR D.I.Y knows how to take care of aesthetics) sees a driver struggling to get out of his car without hitting the car parked beside him. PANDAi soon appears and lines the edges and corners of his car door. This is so when the man opens the car door to exit the vehicle, he will not be leaving a scratch or mark on the car beside him.

Throughout November, the PANDAi mascot will visit several KL malls, including Fahrenheit 88 and MyTOWN Shopping Centre. Temporary panda-themed seating will be set up at MyTOWN Shopping Centre and Pasar Seni MRT station to create inviting, family-friendly areas. 

This initiative comes after the brand released a tearjerking Deepavali film titled "Petals of Memory". 

The film starts with a young man named Raju who returns home in time for the Deepavali celebrations. When Raju greets his grandmother, she passes Raju an orange flower, asking him "Do you remember this?" 

On Deepavali, Raju is later seen gifting grandma a bouquet of flowers. He hugs her and thanks her for reminding him of the love she has for him. The film ends with the family gathering and hugging as the text which reads "Moments bloom and fade, but love lasts forever" comes on screen.

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