USFRA/Ketchum Receive SABRE Recognition

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Melissa

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) has received national recognition for its ground-breaking campaign to help improve the dialogue with consumers about how their food is grown and raised. USFRA, along with its agency partner Ketchum Public Relations, won the prestigious Gold SABRE Award for Excellence in the Associations category. The entry, titled “Since When Did Agriculture Become a Dirty Word?,” highlighted the strategies, execution and messaging used for the public launch of USFRA at the September 2011 Food Dialogues Town Hall.

USFRA’s Communications Advisory Committee and Ketchum began their work together in March of 2011. Since that time they have worked together to create a movement that focuses on bringing the voice of farmers and ranchers to conversations centered on food and food production. Over the past fourteen months USFRA and Ketchum have implemented many successful events and tools to help farmers and ranchers have that conversation, and explain the importance of continually improving today’s agriculture. Today’s news remains filled with stories questioning the integrity of the entire food production chain, and USFRA, in response, has initiated recently the “Grow What You Know” Rapid Response System that allows farmers and ranchers to be alerted of topics in the media that lack a farmer and rancher voice. USFRA will also host two additional Food Dialogue events over the next six months to continue the conversation about how food is grown and raised.

New Alliance Between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Melissa

A new alliance between Demeter Communications and LBL Strategies, Ltd., offers a distinctive portfolio of expertise to food, agriculture and rural development organizations seeking comprehensive strategic management, governance and leadership development, marketing communications and evaluation assistance.

The alliance provides seamlessly integrated services that increase companies’ efficiency and effectiveness by optimizing planning, management, marketing and measurement efforts. Organizations can learn more by contacting Linda Snell at (847) 274-3061.

Communicating With MustangRED

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Chuck

MustangRED Communications was announced just before the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference. During the conference I had a chance to visit with founder and owner and good friend, Sally Behringer.

Sally says MustangRED works with a network of industry professionals to provide full service communications services. Sally has been in the business for a long time and really understands a wide variety of types of agricultural businesses, including government relations work. So, if you’re in need, give Sally a call!

Interview with Mustang Red Sally

Gaining Consumer Trust

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Chuck

If you need a speaker on the subject of social media and content marketing then you need Shelly Kramer, V3 Integrated Marketing. I met Shelly last year and she talks about what I do better than I do and I like that. I’m sharing a short excerpt from her comments at the 2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit on blogging which is near and dear to my heart as you all know.

Shelly was here to speak on “Closing the Trust Gap,” and her comments on how individuals and companies can accomplish this are spot on. I fully agree with her idea that you used to spend money on media and then you got business. Today you spend time on media and you get business. Now, that media is yourself and/or social media (mobile website, blog, podcasts, social networking, etc.). Of course time is money but to utilize these tools properly you have to invest time and give it time to develop. She also made a point of saying how big a mistake it is to think you can hire the company president’s just out of college daughter to run your social media accounts. If you think about that hard enough for a minute you’ll understand why. However, it happens and it is a setup for potential disaster.

You can hear an excerpt of Shelly’s comments here: Shelly Kramer Talks Blogging

2012 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit Photo Album

Thanks to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and United Soybean Board for their sponsorship of our coverage of this year’s Summit.

Flapcakes with Chef Ray

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Chuck

Chef Ray made both kinds, pancakes and flapjacks. We call them flapcakes. So did you AgWired fans at the 2012 Agri-Marketing Conference survive the Brownfield Party for a little After Party Pancakes with Rhea + Kaiser? These folks did and I did too. There’s just something about having an early morning breakfast and then a later in the morning breakfast that gets your day off to a great start. Know what I mean?

In case you didn’t make it to Chef Ray’s breakfast you can still learn a little etiquette from him.

2012 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

2012 NAMA Best of Show

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Chuck

Thanks to a little help from the NAMA staff I can share photos of the Best of Show winners from the 2012 Best of NAMA competition.

Up first is Best of Show – Advertising

Client: South Dakota Corn Growers Association, Sioux Falls, SD – Teddi Mueller

Agency: Paulsen Marketing, Sioux Falls, SD – Mindy Dale

Message: Agriculture is a growing and innovative industry that is very important to the state. It is also important in our daily lives as corn and other agricultural products are used to make many items we use in our everyday lives from fuel for our vehicles to toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Audience: Youth and school children in urban and rural areas of South Dakota.

Next up is Best of Show – Public Relations

Client: Case IH, Racine, WI – Julie Rudnick

Agency: Morgan & Myers/Equity Creative/Thomaswerks, Waukesha, WI – Ellen LaRose

Message: To showcase the Case IH Steiger, Magnum and Puma tractors which were postitioned to deliver Efficient Power – a combination of the most available power with the lowest fuel consumption.

Audience: Farm owners/operators, farm managers, used equipment purchasers and part-time farmers.

Congratulations to all the Best of NAMA award winners. You can find the complete list in the current issue of AgriMarketing Magazine.

2012 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

NAMA 2012 Marketer of the Year Award

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Chuck

The NAMA Marketer of the Year Award is the organization’s highest honor for an active member and this year the recipient is Greg Guse, Paulsen Marketing. Pictured is Greg receiving his award from Rich Jefferson, AEM/AG CONNECT Expo, Professional Recognition Committee Chair (left) and NAMA President Beth Burgy, Broadhead.

You can listen to Greg’s remarks after receiving his award here: Greg Guse Award Remarks

2012 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

NAMA After After Party With Chef Ray

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Chuck

Pancakes and Flapjacks are the specialties of Chef Ray. He says they are not the same thing. They are on the menu for the Rhea+Kaiser After the After Party this coming Thursday night, or morning, depending on your definition. Watch below if you have not met Chef Ray yet.

Here’s a little info about Ray:

I’m Ray. Work? Not really into it. But, I do own the Kaiser Roll Diner. And, I’m the resident chef @ the 2012 NAMA Pancake Breakfast..after the AFTER party (Brownfield’s shindig). Midnight. 4/19. Be there. Don’t make me come after you.

McCormick Opens Indiana Office

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Chuck

McCormick Company has opened a new office in central Indiana. Seated is Norm Cosand, VP/Group Director & Manager of the new office. I’m just wondering if Norm’s desk is always that clean!

Located at the Delaware Crossing I business complex on 10150 Lantern Road in Fishers, Ind., it is one of six McCormick offices in the United States, Canada and France.

“Opening an office in the Indianapolis area is a natural way to enhance our service to clients in Indiana and nearby states,” says Norm Cosand, vice president / group director and manager of McCormick’s new office. “Our locally based staff will partner with specialists in our other offices to bring smart thinking and metrics-based results. Ultimately, we’re building on McCormick’s 86-year reputation for helping clients grow through brand differentiation.”

Founded in 1926, McCormick Company is the 10th-oldest integrated marketing communications agency in the United States, according to the American Association of Advertising Agencies. Today, McCormick is an independent, employee-owned agency that provides strategic and creative expertise to help its clients grow. McCormick (www.mccormickcompany.com) has locations in Amarillo, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Indianapolis, Ind.; and Kansas City, Mo.; as well as in Canada and France.

Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Famer Lyle Orwig

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Chuck

During the 2012 Agricultural Relations Council Annual Meeting Lyle Orwig, CEO, Charleston|Orwig, was inducted into the inaugural Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame. Here’s Lyle with his award in between past ARC President, Deron Johnson (left) and current President, Mace Thornton.

I visited with Lyle about his recognition at the meeting and he says he’s very honored and humbled to be part of the inaugural presentation and especially to be inducted along with an ARC founder, Don Lerch. Lyle talks about how the communications business has changed over the years from before we had integrated marketing and how agencies have adapted. When it comes to today’s social media world he says the role of the public relations professional has not changed but how a message is delivered has.

Listen to my interview with Lyle here: Interview with Lyle Orwig

2012 ARC Annual Meeting Photo Album

McCormick Company Seeking New Opportunities

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Chuck

I just spoke with Mark Perrin, President, McCormick Company, who says the agency is looking for a new opportunity. Post Update: The Pioneer account will be transitioning to the Ogilvy & Mather operating unit in Minneapolis, The Lacek Group LLC.

Here’s why:

McCormick Company announces that it will no longer be the agency of record for Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business. Instead, the agency will focus on new opportunities in the agriculture industry as well as other core practice areas.

The move results from a DuPont corporate decision to shift the account to its agency of record. McCormick will continue to support Pioneer as needed to allow for a smooth transition.

“McCormick is proud of its 43-year history with Pioneer,” said Mark Perrin, president of McCormick Company. “During that time, we’ve worked together to help deliver solid marketing campaigns that ultimately resulted in increased market share and growth for Pioneer. We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked so well together for so many years.”

McCormick will continue to focus on its existing portfolio of clients, as well as new opportunities this change presents. New business always has been a hallmark of the agency, with McCormick posting 10 percent growth in 2011. Continue reading →

Rhea + Kaiser Promotes Two

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Chuck

New promotions means new Vice Presidents at Rhea + Kaiser.

Rhea + Kaiser has promoted Jeff Walter to Vice President, Group Account Director, and Kathy Sedlacek to Vice President, Director of Finance.

“Jeff and Kathy embody what makes R+K successful – smart thinking, outstanding knowledge of our clients’ businesses and an unwavering commitment to delivering great work and results,” said Diane Martin, president and CEO of Rhea + Kaiser. “We’re thrilled they accepted these new opportunities.”

Jeff joined R+K nearly 12 years ago working on the Bayer CropScience business and has led the Bayer CropScience business in its entirety since 2010 in his previous role as Group Account Director. Among other accomplishments, Jeff led teams that launched LibertyLink® soybeans and Balance® Flexx and Ignite® herbicides. Jeff has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Kathy, previously Controller, Accounting, joined R+K in 1988 and has been a member of the agency’s management team since June 2010. She will continue to manage all accounting functions and to guide R+K on the path of continued financial strength and growth. Kathy earned a B.A. in business, major accounting, from Governors State University in University Park, Ill.

Osborn Barr Honors John Becherer

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Chuck

The United Soybean Board’s CEO, John Becherer, got a little bit of love from everyone attending the Osborn Barr reception at Commodity Classic. John is receiving this year’s National Agri-Marketing Association Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award which will be officially presented to him during next month’s Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City. However, Osborn Barr which has worked with USB for many years invited in a number of current and former board members and others for a special recognition of John here in Nashville at Cellar One.

The highlight of the event was a new rendition of the song Ring of Fire. Accompanying the band to sing the new lyrics were the current USB Chair, Vanessa Kummer and other past Chairmen. I just happened to capture the moment on video for your viewing pleasure. I know John will really appreciate this. You’re welcome John and congratulations on your very deserved award! You’ll hear Lance Burditt, Osborn Barr, explain why John is so deserving of this award. In the photo John is responding to all the love by making a few comments.

You can read the lyrics here (.doc).

2012 Commodity Classic Photo Album

Coverage of the 2012 Commodity Classic Show is sponsored by BASF and New Holland

R+K names Rob Merritt VP, Director, Public Relations

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Melissa

Rhea + Kaiser has named public relations professional Rob Merritt as VP, Director, Public Relations, effective immediately. Rob will lead public relations strategic planning and project implementation for all clients; oversee public relations new business efforts; and foster and build the agency’s public relations team.

Rob brings more than 20 years of public relations and integrated marketing and communications experience to R+K, most recently serving as senior vice president/director of public relations with Cramer-Krasselt in Chicago, where he led successful PR initiatives for national brands such as Sealy, AirTran Airways, Crocs, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Heinz, Kenmore.com, Porsche, TransUnion Interactive and University of Phoenix.

Rob has extensive experience in brand planning, media relations, media training, event marketing, community relations and events, social media program implementation, external and internal corporate communications, executive media and presentation training, speech writing, national crisis communications, and Corporate Social Responsibility program development and management.

Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. In addition to his career in public relations, he owns Merritt Distributors, LLC, an Illinois wine distribution business.

McCormick Company Opens Indy Office

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Melissa

McCormick Company, a fully integrated communications agency, has announced plans to open an office in the Indianapolis area to further enhance service to clients in Indiana and nearby states. Norm Cosand, a leader in the art and science of marketing strategy, has joined McCormick as a vice president/group director and will manage this new office. Cosand will continue to provide branding, database and digital marketing expertise to his current clients, while offering strategic counsel to McCormick clients.

Most recently, Cosand provided integrated-marketing counsel to a broad range of agriculture, financial services and healthcare organizations through his company, Cosand Strategic Marketing in Indianapolis. Before that, he was chief executive officer of The Jackson Group in Indianapolis, and was a vice president at both Price/McNabb, Charlotte, N.C., and Marketing Technology Inc., Philadelphia. Cosand also held senior manager positions at Crow’s Hybrid Corn Company, Milford, Ill., and Callahan Seeds, Westfield, Ind. A Purdue University graduate, Cosand has served on several non-profit boards and as a director for Central Restaurant Products, Indianapolis.

McCormick Company’s new office in Indianapolis is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2012.

Passing of Van Kaiser

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Chuck

I just received some sad news from Rhea + Kaiser. Agency co-founder, Van Kaiser, has passed away. We echo the sentiments expressed in this statement from the agency.

We are deeply saddened to announce that John V. (Van) Kaiser, co-founder of Rhea + Kaiser, passed away this week. He was 68. Van’s creative prowess and contagious humor grounded and inspired the agency and our people. The business is stable and running business as usual. Steve and Van have long had plans in place for an orderly transition. Our hearts go out to Van’s family and friends.

You can learn more about Van and the starting of the agency on their website.

Sorghum Checkoff Chooses McCormick as Agency

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Cindy

McCormick Company has been chosen as the agency of record for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP).

According to McCormick, they will serve USCP from the company’s Amarillo, Texas, location with assistance from staff in the Kansas City office.

USCP is headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, and is a producer-funded organization with focus on crop improvement, high-value markets and renewable fuel opportunities for grain and forage sorghums.

Rhea + Kaiser A Year Later

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Chuck

ZimmCast 332 It was just over a year ago that I started doing a series of interviews with the leadership at agricultural agencies. I started out with Diane Martin, President/CEO, Rhea + Kaiser and thought it very appropriate to talk with her again to see how things have been going at the agency.

To start off, Diane says that things are going well with the celebration this year of a couple of milestones with various clients like GROWMARK – 30 years and Bayer at 26 years. Another development is the agency diversification into different industries like construction equipment and higher education. Diane says they’ve also been going through a cultural revolution internally. One example is a renewed effort to liven up client presentations so they become more enjoyable and educational.

There are a number of additional changes that have taken place at the agency during the last year. To learn more about them listen in on my conversation with Diane: Rhea + Kaiser a Year Later

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

Seasons Greetings From Gibbs & Soell

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Chuck

I’m not getting tired of these seasons greetings. Hope you’re not either. This one comes from our friends at Gibbs & Soell.

Seasons greetings from everyone at Gibbs & Soell. As we look back on our 40th anniversary we are grateful to our clients, employees and friends whose support makes our existence possible. We salute everyone who helped celebrate this milestone by giving back. Please visit our Facebook page to read our stories.