Visiting With Vance

Chuck Zimmerman

What is the one thing you like best about NAMA and the Agri-Marketing Conference? For me it’s the opportunities for networking and fellowship with clients and friends. That’s what I got to do at the Vance Publishing reception at The Cashew last night. While there I met Tim Tobeck, VP/Publishing Director. Tim is relatively new to Vance so with my trusty iPhone in hand we did a short interview so we could get to know him and learn what’s new.

Tim says he’s excited about coming to Vance since he’s been in business publishing for nearly 40 years. He grew up on a ranch and has been breeding livestock in Colorado. He says he came back to the business “because I saw Vance as a company that used old media and new media together to really build a sense of community” That’s speaking my language Tim!

Learn what’s new with Vance: Tim Tobeck Interview

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
Audio, Media, NAMA

AgWired App Now In Android Market

Chuck Zimmerman

The AgWired App is now available in the Android Market. You asked for it and you’ve got it. One of the new features we’re offering in this app (and soon to be added to the iPhone version) is the ability to share out stories via multiple mechanism like email, Twitter, etc. The first person to download the AgWired Android App to his phone was Deron Johnson, Rhea & Kaiser (AgWired sponsor), just prior to the student activities at the Agri-Marketing Conference.

Just like its iPhone predecessor, the app offers one-touch access to all the latest news and information in the agribusiness and agricultural marketing world posted on Agwired.com, including audio, photos and video, and connections to other ZimmComm news sites. The AgWired App features a news tab drop down menu to select ZimmComm News Network feeds as well as individual news on AgWired.com by category.

You can find the AgWired App in the Android Market with this link. The AgWired iPhone App has been downloaded onto almost 3,000 iPhones/iPod touches/iPads since we introduced it and is being opened for viewing between 3 to 5 times per day, showing a high level of use by those who have it.

I’ve been asked who we worked with to develop the AgWired App and will point you to rock solid mobile app developer WillowTree Apps.

App sponsors are being sought. Contact ZimmComm for more information, including rates. First time and early sponsor discounts available.

Apps, ZimmComm Announcement

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Chuck Zimmerman

Our last ZimmPoll asked the question, ” How should farmers respond to critical documentaries such as Food Inc.?” It’s not an easy question to answer really. Here’s what our poll results show. 45% said to Let their own actions shape their reputation, 43% said Promote ag through social media, 8% said Be informed but don’t initiate discussion and 3% said Ignore it, it will go away. Well, we know it’s not going away. What else can be done when faced with these types of attacks?

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What causes higher food prices?” Let us know what you think and thanks your your participation.

And if you have any questions you want to suggest for future ZimmPolls please let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

ZimmComm Will Make Google Juice at NAMA

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m just saying that when it comes to Google Juice you just don’t need to look further than ZimmComm New Media. So plan to stop by booth 412 and let us introduce you to Google Juice ZimmComm style.

2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
NAMA

Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • Farm Journal Media announces a new database comprising 32,122 U.S. agricultural retail locations, plus a new link between producers and their primary ag chem Dealer.
  • Massey Ferguson and Rural King will begin offering a select line of Massey Ferguson sub-compact, compact and light utility tractors through Rural King stores.
  • The 2011 Ag Machinery Conference has moved to Waterloo, Iowa. The annual three-day agriculture engineering and education conference will be held May 2, 3 and 4 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in downtown Waterloo.
  • April is National Soyfoods Month, which makes it the ideal time for exploring the flavor, texture, healthy profile, versatility and convenience of soyfoods.
    Zimfo Bytes

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photos

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Let the NAMA games begin. Actually they have starting with today’s ABEF Golf Tournament. It was a beautiful day for it.

    Registration has been busy, especially with all the student competitors arriving for their afternoon competition orientation. As you might expect, there are photos online and Cindy and I will be adding to them throughout the next several days: 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    NAMA

    NAMA App Arrives in Time for Conference

    Cindy Zimmerman

    This app just in … the NAMA App!

    The National Agri-Marketing Association is thrilled to announce its all-new app, just in time for the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference. The app is available for iPhone, iPod, iPad or Android smartphone and Blackberry is coming soon.

    Download from iTunes here.

    Download from the Android Market here.

    2011 Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2011 Agri-Marketing Conference is sponsored by
    NAMA, Technology

    Get More From Burndown as Planting Begins

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Planting season has officially started with the first USDA crop progress report of the year released this week. Three percent of the nation’s corn crop planted – the same as both last year and the five year average. Cotton is running on schedule with seven percent planted and sorghum is 20 percent.

    As the planters start moving through the fields, Precision Laboratories is reminding growers to get the most out of their fields by getting the most out of their weed control by following two simple steps:

    1. Reduce costly tank-mix incompatibility issues by following the proper mixing sequence

    Tank mix compatibility issues can cost you time and money – lost spraying time from plugged sprayer nozzles, lost product and the risk of cross contamination problems later. Precision Laboratories recently released a simple and unique way to identify the correct mixing sequence for your crop protection products. The new Mix Tank app for iPhone and iPod touch, is the first of its kind, helping you determine the accurate mixing sequence for pesticides, adjuvants and foliar nutrition products. With over 700 crop protection products from over 15 manufacturers, the new Mix Tank app can process any combination of products and determine the correct solution. Download the Mix Tank app at http://bit.ly/MixTank. And if you don’t have an iPhone, you can enter to win a free iPod Touch loaded with the app and other tank mixing resources. To register for the Precision Laboratories/ZimmComm iPod Touch giveaway, click here.Read More

    Farming, Precision Agriculture, USDA

    World Agriculture Investment Conference Asia Linking Investors

    Chuck Zimmerman

    It’s time to consider a trip to Singapore for the World Agriculture Investment Conference Asia if you’re interested in agricultural investments.

    Leading investors and fund managers from across SE Asia and Australia are coming to Singapore in June to discuss the investment opportunities and risks in agricultural markets. With the latest market insight on offer and 11 institutional investors already on board, anticipation is high.

    On June 29-30, this unique forum will bring together institutional and private investors with top Ag fund managers, to debate strategies for participating in agriculture and surrounding investments.

    Among timely discussions including, private equity investment in the full agriculture supply chain and the challenges and benefits of investing internationally, time has been set aside specifically for one-on-one networking for contacts and details to be shared and business to be done.

    Confirmed participants already include: Emergent Asset Management, Macquarie, Duxton Asset Management, InvestAg Savills and many more. Read More

    International

    Hated Sheep Project Coming To Agri-Marketing Conference

    Chuck Zimmerman

    There is a reason why Sullivan Higdon & Sink hate sheep.

    We, at SHS, hate sheep because they remind us of marketing that follows instead of leads, communication that blends in and old thinking that’s best put out to pasture. Don’t follow the flock. Choose to hate sheep, too. Choose to make your brand stand out.

    So they’re bringing back the Hated Sheep Project to this week’s Agri-Marketing Conference.

    The rules are simple and if you keep playing throughout the conference, you could be a big winner. But to share the love, you have to bring on the hate. It’s easy to get started – here’s how:

    Check out the Hated Sheep Project located between the hotel and exhibit hall for the current challenge.
    Tweet your response to @hatedsheep with the #11AMC hashtag.
    Every tweet helps unlock “unsheeplike” surprises for everyone.
    Be back at the specified time to get your share of the love.
    For those with a competitive streak, keep playing to gain access to a secret VIP event for exclusive hobnobbing and impressive elbow rubbing.*

    “Last year, our Sheep-A-Nator display was so well received by NAMA conference attendees, we felt compelled to raise the bar this year,” said John January, Senior Vice President and Executive Creative Director for SHS. “Using our own brand as a test subject, we came up with an attention-grabbing game that combines digital elements with dynamic real-world experiences. In the coming months, marketers will hear more and more about game dynamics and how they will be integrated with social media to engage and influence behavior. The Hated Sheep Project will provide attendees with a glimpse of what is to come in the industry.”

    To learn more about SHS, visit our website at www.wehatesheep.com. Discover what the Hated Sheep Project is really all about at www.nama.wehatesheep.com.

    Agencies