Since we’re all worrying about our weight after the holidays and resolving to eat right in the new year I’m offering you an interview with Kelly Brintle, Ventura Foods who talks about low-linolenic soybeans, specifically Monsanto’s VISTIVE soybeans that can reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids in processed soybean oil. He talks about how high the demand is for this healthy oil product and what that means for his company and farmers.
New Media For Agribusiness
I was a guest on Blog Business Radio recently with Wayne Hurlbert and decided you might want to hear what he’s got to say about using blogs and podcasts as business marketing tools. Wayne knows a lot about it and has been doing it longer than I have.
So this week’s ZimmCast is a Skype conversation we had late last week. Wayne has some great ideas for ways to use new media tools in agricultural marketing. I think he’d like to have an agribusiness client even!
Rhea & Kaiser On China Business Development
This week on the ZimmCast I spoke with Steve Rhea, president, Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications. Steve was in China recently for a business conference and he has some interesting perspective to share.
Gibbs & Soell Has I Power
Last week Gibbs & Soell announced a branded service they now offer not only to clients but to anyone who’d like to take advantage of it. It’s called I Power.
To learn just exactly what I Power is I interviewed agency vice president, Steve Halsey. I was particularly intrigued by his statement, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when you bring the right people to the table, turn off the computers and wireless phones and have a thorough, well-structured and strategic discussion.” A meeting without computers or wireless phones? Sounds like it would be way too productive to me. But that’s the point he says.
The AgSpeakerers
As I promised last week I’ve got an interview with Steve Hawkins, President of AgSpeak. This new company has been formed as the “first online agricultural market research cooperative.” They plan to attract farmer members who will agree to participate in online surveys and receive a portion of the profits at the end of the year.
Steve says that having farmers fill out surveys online saves them a lot of time and makes the survey process much quicker. They’re seeking farmer members and companies that want to have market research done. The company is based in Des Moines because that’s where other partners in the business are located. They all are involved with The Context Network.
PERC Yourself Up
It’s back to work after a very nice Thanksgiving weekend. So let’s jump right into it with this week’s program. One of the interviews I did at the recent NAFB Convention was with Mark Leitman, Director, Agriculture Programs, Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). Thanks to Sarah Robinett, Osborn & Barr Communications for helping set me up!
There’s a lot of familiarity with checkoff programs like beef or pork but not as much with some others. PERC is funded through a federally mandated law which provides some significant funding which is used for research and promotion programs. I interviewed Mark to learn more about how his organization is structured and what they do with all that money.
Finding The Good News In Iraq
Hopefully you’re familiar with Paul McKellips and his reports on the good news of what’s happening in Iraq, especially as it relates to agriculture. If not, then I suggest you listen to this week’s ZimmCast to hear from the man himself. I was very happy to get to meet Paul in Kansas City last week and we sat down for …
Traditional and New Media in Indiana
I’m not back to regular office hours yet. Give me another day or so. But I do have internet access so you do get a ZimmCast this week.
In this week’s program you’ll hear from Gary Truitt, Hoosier Ag Today. Gary just got started with his new venture recently and he’s got a website, radio network and has started podcasting.
I interviewed Gary at his office in Indianapolis on a recent trip and learned more about what he’s doing and what he thinks the future holds.
Extreme Makeover Case IH Style
I’ve got a very interesting interview this week with Kyle Russell, Director, Livestock Marketing, Case IH.
Case IH participated in an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help an Iowa family (The Kibe’s) who’s home was destroyed. They donated a new Case IH JX1100U tractor with a LX252 loader to the family.
Global Forces Shaping Agriculture
The NAMA Agribusiness Forum is just around the corner (November 14-15) so I interviewed this year’s chairman, Jessica Lamker, Director of Member Development & Communications, CHS-Land O’Lakes Member Services.