Zimfo Bytes

Melissa Sandfort

    Zimfo Bytes

  • The four finalists for the 2008 Ag-Chem Operator of the Year program have been chosen. All will attend the 2008 Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference and Expo, Dec. 2-4 in Austin, Texas, where the grand prize winner will drive away on a new Harley Davidson motorcycle.
  • King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Alpharma Inc. have signed a definitive merger agreement under which King will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock of Alpharma for $37.00 per share in cash for a total equity value of approximately $1.6 billion.
  • AdFarm has hired Angie Skochdopole, veteran ag media specialist, as director, media. She comes to AdFarm from her previous role as VP, media services for Quarry Communications, where she worked on BASF US and BASF Canada, and Novartis Animal Health.
  • CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has announced that its Board of Directors has elected Bert A. Frost to be vice president, Sales and Market Development, effective Jan. 1, 2009.
Zimfo Bytes

Some Social Media Wisdom

Chuck Zimmerman

Since most of what I’ve been asked to speak about or consult on lately has been social media/networking I have to share this. To start with, the inspiration for this post comes from my latest follower on Twitter, David Alston. So, by being on Twitter and looking at what a follower is doing I came across his blog, tweetpr, and a post titled, “Debunking the Social Media Barriers.” You need to read this if you’re in agricultural marketing.

I’d love to copy the whole thing but picked out a few choice parts for you:

  • Search engines love the fresh content social media serves up and as a result social media posts, tweets, pics, videos all can end up in key shelf space on the first page of a Google search. And what most of you can agree on is that almost all stakeholders use search as one of the primary ways to find and research products they want to buy. So, while a large part of your audience may not be participating in social media it only takes a small but influencial portion of it to comment on your brand in social media and seriously impact your brand’s search results. If you aren’t part of those conversations and are not building relationships with those that are talking about your brand in social media then you are rolling the dice on your search results.
  • I hate to be the one to break the bad news but you never did control the message.
  • Social media is about building relationships, plain and simple, be it partners, influencers, fans, advocates, future customers, or current buying customers. It’s not about lots of eyeballs it’s about the right set of eyeballs. As such the numbers are smaller, as they should be, because they are in the narrow part of the funnel and closer to the customer. Wouldn’t you rather be talking about metrics that are easier to tie to actual sales?


David is right on the money with his thoughts on the corporate use of social media. And as he points out in his post, there are a growing number of companies (like ZimmComm New Media) that can help you navigate this bold new world.

Uncategorized

Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation Announced

Chuck Zimmerman

Association of Equipment ManufacturersThe Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) has been announced as a result of cooperation between the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The foundation is a manufacturer-led effort to advance global adoption of ISOBUS and electronics standards, which provide a means for greater electronic compatibility between equipment from different manufacturers. The initial focus is data communications between tractors and implements.

An industry wide, global approach for integration of complex electronic systems and software will improve machine functionality and efficiencies, for the benefit of agricultural equipment customers. Projects to achieve that integration can be accomplished faster and more efficiently because of AEM and VDMA funding and staffing of AEF.

Although there is no website for the new AEF you can find North American information on the AEM website.

AEM, Ag Groups

AdFarm Hires Angie Skochdopole

Chuck Zimmerman

AdFarmCongratulations to Angie Skochdopole for her new gig.

AdFarm has hired Angie Skochdopole, veteran ag media specialist, as Director, Media. She comes to AdFarm from her previous role as VP Media Services for Quarry Communications, where she worked on BASF US and BASF Canada, and Novartis Animal Health.  

Skochdopole also brings a wealth of additional agricultural media experience, including past experience with Vance Publishing, TBWA-Chiat Day, Rumrill-Hoyt/Saatchi & Saatchi and AGCO Corporation. Bob Wilhelm, AdFarm Managing Director, U.S., says her strong credentials in crop protection, fertilizers, biotech and farm equipment will be great assets to the present and growing roster of AdFarm clients.

Agencies

Field Assignment: Support Large Animal Vets

Chuck Zimmerman

Field AssignmentHere’s a call to help out with the vet shortage via Charleston|Orwig. All you have to do is post a comment on the latest post on Field Assignment.

We’ve blogged about the large animal vet shortage before. But now we really want to ramp up the conversation in an impactful way. In fact, we’re so eager to start a dialogue, we intend to donate $5 to a great, vet-related cause for every non-frivolous comment anyone adds to this blog about the crisis.

Tell us what you think is causing the shortage. We’ll donate $5.

Suggest ways in which you think it can be solved. We’ll donate $5.

Share a link to a news story or other online discussion about the shortage. We’ll donate $5.

Advance the conversation by responding to someone else’s comment. We’ll donate $5.

Go ahead. I’m sure Lyle will appreciate it. The money they donate will support the University of Wisconsin’s Dairy Teaching Herd Endowment.

Agencies, Education, University

Aerial Precision Ag

Chuck Zimmerman

Indiana Unmanned Aircraft Systems PlaneWhen I visited the Indiana Unmanned Aircraft Systems website for a post I did today on Precision Pays I was pleased to see that they’re using WordPress.com! The story though is that they just had a successful test flight. This is a picture of one of their units.

Indiana Unmanned Aircraft Systems (IUAS), a Muncie, Indiana based aerospace company and manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems, announced the first successful test flight of its Im VII Air Vehicle Two (Im VII AV-2) took place on Saturday, November 8.

Im VII AV-2 represents over six years of research and development into small flying wing aircraft that do not require an onboard flight computer to remain stable in the air. The company is the only designer and manufacturer of all-wing aircraft developed specifically for precision agriculture imaging applications. “Our all-wing platforms are world leaders in payload lifting and flight endurance capability as compared to similar-size aircraft of conventional designs,” says Jeff Imel designer of the Im VII and company founder.

The aircraft is integrated to hyper-spectral cameras for use in precision agriculture image capture and analysis. The images are used by growers to determine the health of their crops, insect infestation, storm damage assessment and nitrogen run-off analysis. IUAS will be working with universities, agriculture business, and farmers across the state of Indiana.

Precision Agriculture

EPIC Joins Growth Energy

Chuck Zimmerman

Growth EnergyThe Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (long time ZimmComm client) announced today that it is going to be joining Growth Energy. Actually the board is recommending the transition to its membership but I think it’s safe to say that the plan will be approved. Here’s an excerpt from a statement by EPIC Executive Director, Toni Nuernberg.

I am proud to announce that the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) Board of Directors will be recommending a transition plan to EPIC’s membership to join Growth Energy, a newly formed organization dedicated to the promise of agriculture and growing America’s economy through cleaner, greener energy. The mission of EPIC’s formation— growing ethanol awareness through public relations, marketing and promotions — will continue as a core platform of Growth Energy’s initiatives.

During the next few months, EPIC’s programs and staff will be transitioning into Growth Energy. We are excited to be part of this new organization with a broad vision for not only the success of America’s agriculture and biofuels industry, but will also work to ensure that on a worldwide basis, biofuels are developed in a sustainable manner.

We look forward to working with Growth Energy and wish the best for all of our EPIC friends!

Ag Groups, Energy, Ethanol

Podcasting In The News

Chuck Zimmerman

Thanks to the ever vigilant Evan Slack for the tip to this story in the Rocky Mountain News. It’s worth a full read if you have time. This is especially good for those of you wondering if you should be podcasting. Here’s a few excerpts I liked.

“Podcasting isn’t brand-new, but it’s becoming much more important,” said Leonard Sahling, a research economist who heads ProLogis’ global research department. “We’re always looking for new ways of disseminating our research. Written research is becoming less and less important, and people who want to get information quickly prefer to get it through a podcast.”

According to a report issued in August by the Pew Research Center, 19 percent of all Internet users say they have downloaded a podcast to listen to or view later – an increase of 50 percent since 2006. Pew’s research indicates 34 percent of American adults and 43 percent of Internet users own an iPod or an MP3 player.

“Businesspeople are inundated with printed information,” Sahling said. “What we believe is that many people are willing to download a podcast, which they can watch and listen to at their convenience on a computer or an iPod or a telephone.”

“Research shows that 85 percent of business-to-business buyers are turning to search engines,” Mann said. “It’s very important for us to be present there.”

Podcasts

A YouTube Justification

Chuck Zimmerman

eMarketer Online Video GraphicTake a look at this graphic from eMarketer today. Where would you like to have your video? For those of you wondering why it doesn’t list YouTube, remember that Google owns it.

The networks’ online destinations are a popular place to view video, but Google’s YouTube is still the 800-pound gorilla in the video viewing space.

Google, including YouTube, has a 55.4% share of video viewing visits to online video site properties among US Internet users, according to September 2008 figures from Compete.

All four networks made it into the top 10, but market share for each is dwarfed by YouTube. NBC, in third place, garners a mere 3.9% of visits, but this marks the first time NBC has been in the top five. Fox Interactive Media also has a 3.9% share. ABC commands 2.8% of visits to online video sites, and CBS Interactive accounted for just 2%.

Now you know why I YouTube. Shouldn’t you? Or are you still into “controlling the visitor experience?”

Uncategorized

PearCasts Are Juicier Than Podcasts

Chuck Zimmerman

PearCastsWhile looking at PearPanache.com I noticed the PearCasts. They’re “like a podcast, only juicier.” Short video clips. Wish I could subscribe to them!

Anyway, PearPanache.com just announced their December Chef of the Month.

From an angular glass wing of Minneapolis’ Walker Art Center, Executive Chef Asher Miller of 20.21 Restaurant & Bar by Wolfgang Puck creates Asian-influenced culinary works of art sought by out-of-towners and Minnesotans alike. This December, Miller’s talents will be recognized in Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual Pear Panache program, which honors fine dining chefs with the most “flair with the pear.”

“Like art, food should be approachable,” notes Miller, a sentiment echoed by the vibrant art community that envelops his culinary enclave.

Miller, who entered his original recipe for Pear Crème Brulée, was selected as the December 2008 Pear Panache “Chef of the Month,” and will be featured throughout the month at www.PearPanache.com. Miller joins a select list of accomplished chefs, including David Anderson of Vindalho, Portland, Ore., Ethan Stowell of Seattle’s Union, Tavolàta and How to Cook a Wolf restaurants, and Jeff Rollins of Finn and Porter, Austin, who were honored in September, October and November, respectively.

Ag Groups, Podcasts