We Hate Sheep

Joanna Schroeder

Sullivan Higdon & Sink hates sheep. Why? Because they are followers – not leaders. Well, you may love them or hate them but during NAMA you can abuse them as part of the interactive We Hate Sheep game. The game was created by t2, an interactive company based right here in Kansas City, the host town for this year’s NAMA.

I was joking with a fellow colleague, Steve Knudsen, who works for the International Agri-Center (they host the World Expo Show each February in Tulare, CA) and he asked the designers, “So is this the Web1.0 version? When will Web 2.0 be launched with the foxes trying to eat the sheep?” I personally think that’s a super idea and maybe next year, SH&S will be back with even more ways to eliminate sheep. And if you haven’t already, be sure to stop by.


2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

NAMA, Video

Best of NAMA Awards

Chuck Zimmerman

Best of NAMANAMA toasted the Best of the Best last night at the annual Best of NAMA Awards Ceremony. You can find a complete list of all the winners in AgriMarketing Magazine.

The Best of Show – Advertising went to:

Client: Midwest Dairy Association, St. Paul, MN – Gregg Fogleman
Agency: Sullivan Higdon & Sink, Kansas City, MO – Parc Masterson accepting for agency
Message: To remind consumers that everything is better with cheese on it.
Audience: Mothers 25-54 with children 18-years-old and younger in the Ozark region.

Best of NAMAOur other Best of Show winner is for Public Relations.

Client: Dairy Management, Inc., Rosemont, IL – Jolene Griffin
Agency: Weber Shandwick, Minneapolis, MN – Polly O’Grady
Message: To use social media to tell the dairy industry’s story, reinforce and build its positive image and respectfully counter inaccurate or uninformed online commentary about modern farm practices.
Audience: Consumers, age 17-29 and dairy consumers.

Thank you to Denny Eilers for the photos.


2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

NAMA

Student Marketing Competition Finalists Announced

Joanna Schroeder

As the 2010 National Agricultural Marketing Association’s (NAMA) trade show kicked off yesterday, there was a sea of students anxiously waiting to get through the doors. Why? Because they were waiting for the announcement of which teams would make it through the finals for the Student Marketing Competition. On Tuesday, 31 teams from around the country arrived for their chance to win. The team that traveled the farthest for the chance to call themselves marketing geniuses, came from Hawaii. On Wednesday, 31 new products were announced and students presented in 20 minutes or less, why their product was the next “big thing” and how they were going to market it to success.

On Wednesday evening, Curt Blades, with Successful Farming, who has been a champion of the student’s marketing competition for many years, was awarded the Chairman’s award for his role as the Student Committee Chairman. His colleague, Janelle Buxton, was awarded a Horizon Award for her role as Chairwoman of the Membership Committee. Shortly thereafter, Curt took the stage in the trade show hall and began the announcement every student was waiting for. And the finalists are…

  • Iowa State
  • Illinois State
  • University of Minnesota
  • New Mexico State University
  • CalPoly
  • Michigan State

    Here is a photo of few of the team members from New Mexico State as they took a brief moment to celebrate before heading back to put the winning touches on their presentation. Congrats to all the finalists and good luck this afternoon. You can see photos from the Student Marketing Competition along with photos from all of NAMA in the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album.

    AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
    is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

    NAMA

    Buy Your Raffle Tickets Already

    Joanna Schroeder

    The students here at NAMA are not just busy trying to win the NAMA Student Marketing Competition. They are also busy selling raffle tickets. For $10, you can get one chance to win a Vizio Flat Screen TV, retailed at more than $2,000. The proceeds from the raffle will benefit the AgriBusiness Educational Foundation (ABEF) which support the NAMA Students Careers Program.

    I am proud to say that I bought a raffle ticket from fellow Iowa Stater, Joe (he asked me first) who also secured a sale to one of the Student Marketing Competition Judges.

    ABEF and the students thank everyone for their support.

    2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
    is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

    NAMA

    Student Marketing Competition Underway

    Joanna Schroeder

    Last night while the judges were relaxing in preparation for today’s Student Marketing Competition, the students were doing a little prepping themselves. All around the Hyatt, you could see members of the 31 competing teams practicing their presentations, Q&A’s and making final tweaks.

    Here is a photo of several of the Iowa State students who were making some final changes while the rest of their team made changes on other elements of the presentation. I should confess that I harassed them for a bit, but only because they are from my alma mater. I must have brought them a bit of good luck because they made it, along with 15 other teams into the semi finals this afternoon.

    Now, I could be speaking out of turn here, but I believe that the team that traveled the farthest is from Hawaii and I caught them in a happy moment after their presentation today. NAMA couldn’t have a better group of students and advisers representing the state of Hawaii.

    I have also been going around and taking photos of all the teams so if you haven’t had your photo taken yet, please find me and visit our 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album where you’ll see photos of all our student competitors.

    Good luck to all of the teams! Your hard work and professionalism has not gone unnoticed!

    AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
    is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

    NAMA

    A Moment with the Student Marketing Competition Judges

    Joanna Schroeder

    Last night, I attended the NAMA reception for the dozens of professionals who will be judging the Student Marketing Competition that is sponsored by Monsanto. The volunteer judges, along with the student competition committee, are integral to the success of the program. But the program doesn’t just give students experience in developing products and marketing campaigns it is also an amazing venue for them to demonstrate their talents and secure their first job.

    Take for example, Kim Lang who oversees the marketing department for Water Street Solutions. Their most recent hire was a former student competition competitor two years ago. This will be her second year as a judge and she became involved after other judges raved about what a great experience they had. I asked her what piece of advice she had for the competitors and she told me they should be networking with professionals through the entire event. By getting to know some of the companies, their products and their people, they can begin to lay the groundwork for their first job.

    You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Kim’s interview here: nama-10-lang.mp3

    I also spoke with Larry Stoller who oversees national sales for InCountry TV. In his role, he helps to secure programming and advertising for the channel. (Students, did you put them in your media plans?) Larry has been a judge for a few years and he has so much fun that he keeps coming back. He is passionate about the student marketing competition because it gives students a tangible experience. He also has some advice to share: get some good rest and rely on your instincts.

    You can download (mp3 file) or listen to Larry’s interview here: nama-10-stoller.mp3

    A special thanks to the student competition committee members, judges and all the student teams! Good Luck!

    2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
    is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

    Audio, NAMA

    Get Over Your Fear of Social Media

    Chuck Zimmerman

    David Meerman ScottAre you afraid of social media? Is the leadership in your company afraid of it? Then you need to visit with David Meerman Scott. He’s a recovering VP of Marketing and author of the book World Wide Rave. He is conducting the NAMA Pre-Conference Workshop, “Conquering the Fear of Social Media.” David will also be the keynote speaker at tomorrow’s opening general session. You’ve got to like seeing that he’s a Mac guy too! You can find him on Twitter: @dmscott

    I spoke with David before his session and he says that he wants attendees to leave the session realizing that “the companies that aren’t engaged are losing out.” He says this is because people are going on line to search engines and social networks to look for products and recommendations. He also recommends that companies create a social media policy which will help management, legal and employees know what they can and can’t do and that helps create more of a comfort zone.

    You can listen to my interview with David below.


    2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
    is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

    Audio, Media, NAMA, Social Networking

    From America’s Heartland

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Paul and KennaThe NAMA convention is all about networking, as in meeting with friends. Oh, and there are some awards, workshops and a trade show. Gotta have all that too. But seeing friends is definitely a big part of this annual gathering.

    Today the students are all sweating out preliminaries and semi finals in their marketing competition. They look good in their suits even if some are kind of uncomfortable. The pros are getting chapter leadership training followed by the board meeting and then receptions, awards and the Connection Point. Joanna and I already have our booth set up and we’ll be waiting to see you there at 6pm.


    2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference Photo Album

    AgWired coverage of the 2010 National Agri-Marketing Conference
    is sponsored by: Successful Farming. They know.

    NAMA

    Farewell To 2010 IFAJ Congress

    Chuck Zimmerman

    I hope all our IFAJ friends, American and others, have a safe trip home. The 2010 Congress concluded last night and I’m sure there will be some more updates on the Congress Blog. It has been great getting to follow along with photos and video clips.

    I’ve been seeing a lot of good friends and do miss them. Like other annual events you develop good relationships with people who share a common passion and IFAJ is no different. In fact, since there are often many long bus rides and tours you really get to know people very closely.

    So, hopefully the 2010 IFAJ Congress team will be able to look back at their event in a joyful way. It looked like it was really well done and fun.

    IFAJ

    USDA Deregulates Syngenta Seeds Corn Trait

    Cindy Zimmerman

    Syngenta Seeds is proud to announce it has received deregulation from USDA for the Agrisure Viptera trait.

    The Agrisure Viptera trait will be combined with the Agrisure 3000GT trait stack to form the new Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack. The introduction of the Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack continues the tradition of the Agrisure Corn Traits system — providing high-performance traits to growers looking for an alternative that delivers maximum productivity.

    “U.S. agriculture benefits when growers have access to a broad array of trait choices,” said David Morgan, president at Syngenta Seeds. “With the Agrisure Viptera trait, Syngenta is offering growers a totally new choice for insect control in a breakthrough product. Vip3A, a new mode of action for corn insect control discovered by Syngenta, makes this unprecedented level of control possible and it is a platform on which we will continue to build.”

    The Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack has demonstrated unsurpassed multi-pest control of 14 yield- and quality-robbing insects. The Agrisure Viptera 3111 trait stack is able to provide the broadest spectrum of above-ground insect control because of Vip3A, the industry‘s first non-Cry (non-crystalline) insect control protein. Vip3A has demonstrated highly effective control of the multi-pest complex, including corn earworm, fall armyworm, Western bean cutworm, black cutworm, dingy cutworm, stalk borer and sugarcane borer, among others.

    I interviewed Agrisure Marketing Manager Tracy Mader last fall about the trait prior to the regulatory approval. You can also find out more on the Syngenta Seeds Agrisure traits website.

    Corn, Syngenta